Michael McAleer answers your questions
From S Hughes:
We recently bought a seven-seater Nissan Pathfinder, paying €47,500 for a car we were told was valued at €59,000. I'm very happy with its size and specification, particularly when compared with the VW Touareg, BMW X5 and Volvo XC90.
My query is why did Nissan reduce the price so much? We were told it was a limited offer. Will the market be flooded with Pathfinders? Why do Nissan continue to advertise the higher price?
Nissan reduced the price in order to counter the introduction of the seven-seat version of the likes of the Hyundai Santa Fe and Suzuki Grand Vitara. The Pathfinder has been doing well, particularly in commercial guise, but the arrival of new seven-seat SUV rivals was considered a threat to the sale of passenger versions.
The price reduction was only available on the Xtreme version, starting at €43,610 compared to €58,995 for the regular Pathfinder. There were minor differences in specification with the Xtreme, but it was only when you went looking for leather seats and Sat-Nav that the Xtreme models didn't deliver.
The sad news for potential buyers - and good news for your resale value - is that the Xtreme versions were limited, according to Paul O'Sullivan, marketing manager at Nissan Ireland, to approximately 150 vehicles. What that means is that the market will not be flooded with Pathfinders, though you may notice a blip in used prices in three to five years from now.
However, that also depends on the demand for used models, which is likely to remain quite high and therefore protect prices.
From SA, Dublin:
I currently drive a Ford Mondeo 1997 and I am now considering buying a used Audi A4, probably a 2003/2004. I am prepared to spend €24,000 and as I have never owned an Audi before I would appreciate any advice on what I should look out for, eg, are parts expensive, should I buy a petrol or diesel? I am also considering the Volkswagon Passat and wonder how this compares with the Audi? I would like a mechanic to check the car before I buy - does the AA provide this service?
For €24,000, there are other cars out there - another Mondeo, for example - but of the two you are considering I'd opt for the A4. The A4 is smaller in size than the VW Passat, but seemingly makes up for that through its premium branding, which may or may not be important to you.
Personally, I'd opt for a newer Mondeo over a Passat, if that were the type of car you were considering. It's a better drive and also better looking (prices should also fall when the new version arrives late next year). Choosing between the Audi A4 and the Passat, I'd go for the Audi.
Used prices are often unrealistically high for Passats, so be ready to argue for a better deal. In both cars, the 1.9 turbo diesel option is the one to look out for if you do relatively high mileage, and it's also one of the more powerful engines on offer.
There is also a way to overcome the A4's shortfall in terms of space. For myself, I'd look to combine family flexibility with the premium brand and seek out an A4 Avant. Within your budget, you are probably looking at a 2003 model of the 1.9 TDI with 50,000 miles on the clock (less if outside Dublin).
The A4 has not been without its problems. In particular check the fuel pump and steering ball joints have been replaced if the car was part of the earlier recalls. There were also some complaints regarding electric windows, which we covered in the Helpdesk several years ago.
The AA does carry out pre-purchase inspections - and post-purchase should any problems arise where you need to offer an independent assessment. They cost between €214 for a quick check - or an inspection of a particular problem - through to €320 for a more comprehensive inspection, including a full mechanical and electrical check. Alternatively you could opt for a dealer with the AA Autocheck used car programme, which requires their used cars to meet a specific inspection criteria. The final comfort would be that if you opt for 2004, there should be something left on the warranty if things go wrong from the start.
Send your queries to Motors Helpdesk, The Irish Times, D'Olier St, Dublin 2 - or e-mail motorshelp@irish-times.ie