The Honda Civic Type R.
With this type of a budget there is a huge amount of choice writes Geraldine Herbert
With a budget this large it is unlikely anyone will opt for a small hatchback but for comparison purposes we have stayed with that format here too. Also with regard to finance it is fair to assume that most buyers would have a reasonably expensive car to use as a deposit so the amount put down is likely to be greater than 20% but again for comparison purposes we have used 20% as the amount for all categories.
Honda Civic Type R
In this price range if you are opting for small family hatchback you have a dazzling array of seriously hot hatches and the Type R is one of the best around. Powered by the most extreme and high-performing engine in the models history and it is also the fastest accelerating front wheel drive car currently on the market. The practicality of a regular Civic is retained – there’s plenty of space for all, though space in the back is a little tight. There is also a really decent sized boot but Honda’s ‘Magic Seats’ were sacrificed to save weight. That power comes from a turbocharged 2.0 litre VTEC petrol engine with peak power output of 305bhp at 6,500rpm, and peak torque is 400Nm at 2,500rpm. On the road it is incredible involving and amazingly quick, it feels like it could become airborne at any stage. Officially the Type R will return 7.3 litres per 100 km or 38.7mpg, and with emissions of 170g/km it will cost €570 a year to tax it. The Honda Civic Type R is a fantastic car, it is composed, reasonable practical, fast and yet still smile-inducing fun.
Euro NCAP Safety Rating: 5 stars
Starting Price: €48,750
Also Consider: VV Golf R
Finance Options for Civic Type R
Price €48,750
Deposit Amount €9,750 (20%)
Finance Amount € 39000
(There is currently no PCP arrangement offered)
BOI
Monthly Payments €1,209.56
Total Cost of Credit €4,544.16
% APR 7.5
AIB
Monthly Payments €1,250.34
Total Cost of Credit €6012.24
% APR 9.99
Ulsterbank
Monthly Payments €1215.29
Total Cost of Credit €4,750.44
% APR 7.9
Credit Union
Monthly Payments €1,210.58
Total Cost of Credit €45080.85
% APR 7.61
BMW 5 Series
BMW 5 Series
Despite being due for replacement later this year the BMW 5 series is still a great blend of style, luxury, comfort, handling and road holding. It is showing it’s age however and the recent arrival of all new Mercedes E-Class has only highlighted that fact. The new model is likely to be powered by a range of new engines and a plug-in hybrid option along with much of the technology from the flagship BMW 7 Series. In the current range there is a good choice of engines and versions to choose from but the diesels are the best suited to the car. Specification levels are SE, Modern, Luxury and M Sport and are reasonably generous but be warned options are extensive and expensive. One of the very best saloons around the ‘ultimate driving machine’ tagline still applies.
Euro NCAP Safety Rating: 5 stars
Starting Price: €45,200
Also Consider: Audi A6
Finance Options for 520D SE Automatic
Price €50,053
Deposit Amount (20%) €10,012
Finance Amount €40,041
PCP
% APR 3.90%
Monthly Payments €576
Guaranteed Minimum Future Value: €22,889
Total Cost of Credit €3,734.63
HP
% APR 7.30%
Monthly Payments €791.91
Total Cost of Credit € 7,623.95
BOI
Monthly Payments €1241.85
Total Cost of Credit €4,665.60
% APR 7.5
AIB
Monthly Payments €1,283.71
Total Cost of Credit €6172.56
% APR 9.99
Ulsterbank
Monthly Payments €1,246.45*
Total Cost of Credit €4,872.20
% APR 7.9
(* Max of 40,000 can be borrowed from Ulster bank)
Credit Union
Monthly Payments €1,242.89
Total Cost of Credit €4703.12
% APR 7.61
Ford Galaxy
Ford Galaxy
Over shadowed by the much sexier S-Max, the brilliant Ford Galaxy is worth considering if you need the third row of seats to be used by adults and not just children. While it gains very little in space over the S-Max, it is noticeably better in terms of headroom and leg room so even six footers can be accommodated without too many squabbles and complaints. From the outside the new third generation Galaxy is instantly recognisable and apart from the new grille and headlamps little has really changed but inside there is now a much classier interior crammed with cutting-edge technology. Behind the wheel it feels considerably smaller and more agile than its size would suggest. Most Galaxy owners are likely to opt for a diesel engine so there are range of 2.0-litre units to choose from and one petrol a 1.5-litre Ecoboost.
Euro NCAP Safety Rating: 5 stars
Starting Price: €38,860
Also Consider: Seat Alhambra
Finance Options for Galaxy Titanium 5Dr 2.0L 150PS
Price €44985
Deposit Amount € 8997 (20%)
Finance Amount € 35998
PCP
% APR 4.25
Monthly Payments €587
Guaranteed Minimum Future Value: €17,000
Total Cost of Credit €2,144
BOI
Monthly Payments €1,116.46
Total Cost of Credit €4194.56
% APR 7.5
AIB
Monthly Payments €1,154.10
Total Cost of Credit €3437.40
% APR 9.99
Ulsterbank
Monthly Payments €1121.80
Total Cost of Credit €4,384.80
% APR 7.9
Credit Union
Monthly Payments €1,117.40
Total Cost of Credit €4228.24
% APR 7.61
Land Rover Discovery Sport
Land Rover Discovery Sport
The Discovery Sport is the first in a new family of Discovery models from Land Rover. While is it essentially a larger and more practical Evoque it is clearly aimed at a completely different market with the needs of a family firmly at its core. It is available in both a five seat or seven seat option. Inside it is particularly impressive and the amount of space, given its compact size, is remarkable. There is plenty of head and legroom front and back and more than sufficient room in the fold-flat third row to accommodate children or the occasional adult. Sport buyers can choose from a range of engines but the pick of the bunch is the 2.0-litre diesel Ingenium engine with emissions of just 119g/km it is also available in front-wheel drive. There is also a choice of a six-speed manual or the silky smooth nine-speed automatic and four trim levels – S, SE, HSE and HSE Luxury. The Discovery Sport is one of the most impressive and capable compact SUVs around.
Euro NCAP Safety Rating: 5 stars
Starting Price: €41,565
Also Consider: Volvo XC60
Finance Options for Discovery Sport 2.0 TD4 S
Price €40,565
Deposit Amount € 8,113 (20%)
Finance Amount € 32452
PCP
% APR 5.75
Monthly Payments €545
Guaranteed Minimum Future Value: €17,240
Total Cost of Credit € 4,300
BOI
Monthly Payments €1,005.64
Total Cost of Credit €3,775.04
% APR 7.5
AIB
Monthly Payments €1,040.41
Total Cost of Credit €5,002.76
% APR 9.99
Ulsterbank
Monthly Payments €1,011.18
Total Cost of Credit €3,952.48
% APR 7.9
Credit Union
Monthly Payments €1,007.33
Total Cost of Credit €3,811.74
% APR 7.61
(All finance details are based on a 20% deposit unless otherwise stated and over a three-year period. As rates vary from branch to branch the credit union rate quoted is the average Car Loan rate offered in 2015)
Geraldine Herbert
28th June, 2016
