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Previously answered questions
Thinking of buying a Volvo hybrid...
Hi.
I'm thinking of changing my Volvo. Can I ask how the XC40 and the XC60 plug-in hybrid models are set up? Am I correct in understanding that the electric motor and the petrol engine in the PHEV XC40 both drive the front wheels whereas in the XC60 the electric motor drives the rear wheels, so that four-wheel drive would be available when the electric and petrol engines are used in combination? Also, can I ask a separate question about "self driving". In the modern Volvos, they just talk of a lane keeping aid. Does this function in the same way as what was labelled Pilot Assist in models of a couple of years ago?
Thank you
Philip
Philip Donegan (Ballina)
Oct 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Can you help me select my next car?
Hi there guys.
Can you help me with selecting my next car? Currently have a 161 BMW 420d Gran Coupe with 50k km on the clock (GB import bought from a main dealer in Dublin). Do 10k km per annum. City center living, on street parking. Very happy with the car - love the drive experience but now it’s a bit small in the back for toddler passenger and all our baggage etc. Looking to change in next couple of months, with a hybrid in mind.
Disappointing range of options though for any of the estate/MPV cars I fancy, e.g. BMW Touring or Volvo XC60. Looks are important but driving experience and space are key. As is easy parking into tight spaces! Did drive a Skoda Superb wagon recently and loved all the gadgets, but felt the ride was spongey. Budget is €45k including trade in/private sale. Open to going the import route again as choice and range much better for hybrids.
Any insight would be really appreciated.
Thanks.
Daragh O’Reilly (Dublin)
Sep 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
MINI Countryman hybrid or Toyota RAV4?
Hi,
I love MINIs and I wanted to trade my 2019 T-Roc 1.5 for a Countryman SE All4, the new facelifted one and the reason is I want to get better fuel economy and the joy of driving. But then my wife suggested I look at the Toyota RAV4 hybrid, which is much more practical, especially as we have an 18-month-old girl and soon another boy coming on the 20th of November. So, can you compare the RAV4 to the Countryman: which will be the best on fuel consumption? My average T-Roc consumption is 7.1 litres/100km.
Thank you so much.
Chee Yin Ng (Dublin)
Aug 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Looking for a car to cover all bases...
We are a senior couple living in a long country lane in Ireland. We drive four long journeys per year. Our nearest large town is 15km away. We would like a car that is comfortable, good on long journeys and short journeys, low on fuel costs, tax and maintenance. And fit at least three grandchildren for school runs.
Marietta O Dowd (Cavan)
Jul 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Is the DS brand on sale in Ireland?
Hi,
Just wondering is the DS brand no longer on sale in Ireland now? No website and doesn't seem to be any sales for the brand on official motor stats.
Thanks
Mark
Mark Donnelly (Portlaoise)
Jul 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
VW T-Cross, Skoda Kamiq or Suzuki Vitara?
Looking at VW T-Cross, Skoda Kamiq or Suzuki Vitara... which would you recommend?
Mary Bane (Ennis)
Jun 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Which big tow car to go for on moving?
We are moving from the UK to Ireland soon and are gobsmacked (for the want of of a better word) to find that our two trusty vehicles, the 2005 Chrysler Grand Voyager (diesel) and 2005 Mercdes C-Class Elegance (petrol) are going to cost in excess of €6,000 jointly to tax! The cars are not even worth a fraction of that, so we sadly have to replace them (in this throw-away world we have always been proud to keep our vehicles beyond their life expectancies).
So, what car can you recommend for a family of six, that would be able to tow a horse box, but would be the cheapest to tax as we relocate to the Emerald Isle?
Jo Sheedy
Surrey, UK
Joanna Sheedy (Epsom)
Jun 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
New Honda Civic or VW Golf?
Hi,
I'm currently looking at 1.5 petrol Honda Civic or 1.5 Volkswagen Golf. Which would be the better choice? Doing mostly motorway miles, 15,000 per year. Also which one would have more room in the back for two kids?
Thanks.
Gavin Moran (Dublin )
Jun 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
What to replace by Octavia RS TDI with?
Hi, I'm doing approx. 30,000km per year. I have a 2016 Octavia RS 2.0-litre TDI 184hp at the moment and am going to change over the next few months - pandemic allowing etc! What would you recommend? Are hybrids worth looking at for example?
Mark McNally (Galway)
May 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Is the Volkswagen Up suitable for me?
Hi there,
I'm looking to buy a newer car than my 2007 1.2 Renault Clio. I spend roughly half the week in a small city and the other half in a small country village, about 25 minutes from the nearest town. I do a short motorway trip about twice a week. I'd love something like a Volkswagen Up, but am worried this would be too small and lack enough power for my amount of driving, which is roughly 21,000km per year.
What would you advise?
Many thanks, Eimear.
Eimear Molloy (Kilkenny/Waterford)
May 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
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