Published: Friday, 15th January, 2010 3:00pm

It's the right time to strike a bargain on your 2010 car

The new Skoda Octavia.

Happy new year readers. Let's hope 2010 brings the optimism lacking in 2009. We are not out of the economic woods yet, but every cloud has a silver lining and for new car buyers, it's the great deals available. Here are two types that might suit your budget.

Skoda Octavia 1.6tdi Cr

The Octavia has built a reputation on excellent diesel engines and now Skoda has added its most efficient yet. Extremely quiet, this new turbocharged four-cylinder 1,598cc engine uses four-valve per cylinder technology with a new common rail system and high pressure injection to deliver 105bhp at 4,400rpm.

The 1.6TDI CR is also available with the seven-speed DSG automatic transmission. It produces 119g/km of CO2, resulting in Band-A annual road tax of €104. That, and a combined fuel consumption figure of 4.5l/100km (63mpg) is sure to sway Irish buyers.

The new Octavia 1.6TDI CR also possesses a DPF (Diesel Particle Filter) that filters harmful carcinogenic particles (95% reduction) that would otherwise be expelled in the exhaust emissions. The new Octavia 1.6TDI CR in Classic specification has a recommended retail price of €19,420.

Peugeot 5008

The Peugeot 5008 seven-seat MPV is available in three trims and will retail in Ireland from €26,995 plus dealer delivery related charges for the Level 1 SE Mode. It can accommodate up to seven occupants and their luggage.

Flexibility is a key strength of the 5008, with an innovative, flat-folding rear seat arrangement to maximise the load area. The front passenger seat can be folded flat into a shelf configuration to load long objects right up to the fascia panel. Passengers can easily access the third row seats from the second row - with one easy movement, the seat cushion lifts and the seat back moves forward, freeing up maximum space to allow entry to the third row, where two full size seats also fold individually into the floor.

There is comprehensive safety equipment across all three models, including a child seat ISOFIX system on all three seats in the middle row.

The 5008 offers second row passengers a multimedia system consisting of two seven-inch colour screens in the back of the head restraints (each screen can run independent of the other). At launch the 5008 will be available here with a 1.6 HDi FAP 110bhp six-speed manual emitting 140g/km CO2, qualifying for €156 annual road tax.