Should I go for a Skoda to replace my Golf?
I currently drive a 2009 Volkswagen Golf and am looking for something a bit bigger. I'm six-foot five and my problem is that, with the driver's seat in the correct position for me, you cannot fit our rear facing baby seat, or the first forward facing seat behind me. The only option is to place them on the passenger side, which leaves my older daughter sitting behind me, with her knees in my back, resulting in pins and needles for her and and an uncomfortable drive for me. The other issue is that the frame of the buggy takes up all the boot space, leaving no space for the weekly shop, or for luggage etc. I know the Skoda Superb has miles of leg room, and boot space but are there any other cars I should be looking at? I have always driven diesel and would prefer to stick with it, so I think 2009 would be best in terms of tax and getting two years before the next NCT. A lot of the Skodas on Carzone.ie seem to have huge mileage; what would you consider excessive for a 2009 car?
John Maher (Ennis)Mar 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi John,
The Skoda Superb or Octavia would have been our first suggestions. The Octavia hasn't quite as much rear legroom as the Superb, but it's still better than the Golf's - and the boot is huge. High mileages on diesel Skodas are nothing to worry about so long as it has a proper service history and is in good order. Taxi drivers regularly do hundreds of thousands of kilometres. Avoid high mileage DSG automatic gearboxes, but otherwise they are really robust. So long as the history and price are good I'd not worry about buying one with over 150,000 kilometres on the clock.
One last thing to consider: if you do less than 20,000 kilometres a year a petrol car may suit you better. They're generally cheaper to buy and better suited to low mileage use. They're also quieter!
Hope that helps, but do come back to us if you need more assistance and have a budget in mind so we can narrow down the search for you.
Market value for a 2011 Skoda Superb?
Market value for a 2011 Skoda Superb Elegance automatic?
John Mc Donnell (Cork)Mar 2013 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi John,
A lot will depend on the condition and service history, but it should be worth in the region of €9-10,000 — maybe €7-8,000 as a trade-in.
Which luxury saloon for up to €30,000?
What would I buy for €30k max? Must be automatic, 2010 or newer, do 10,000km per year, preferely a saloon or SUV. I currently have a BMW 520d.
Paul Byrne (Drogheda)Feb 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
I’m tempted to say get another 520d — for the budget, they’re hard to beat. Well worth looking at an Audi A6 2.0 TDI as an alternative, though, and a Mercedes E 220d. Or a Jaguar XF if you’re feeling like a bigger change. Of course, what you could do is take that budget and spend it on a two-year-old Skoda Superb and get a fully-loaded version...
How economical is the Audi A4 Cabriolet?
What is the fuel consumption of a 2006 Audi A4 Cabriolet 1.8T petrol?
Shane Hennessy (Drogheda)Expert answer
Hi Shane,
The manual version uses 8.4 litres/100km (33.6mpg) and the automatic 8.5 litres/100km (33.2mpg).
Hope that helps
Tell me about the 2002-2008 Nissan Primera.
Where I can find the detailed specifications and differences between different models of Nissan Primera models between 2002-2008?
Jakub Nowak (Drogheda)Feb 2013 Filed under: optional extras
Expert answer
Hi Jakub,
Right, here’s what we’ve gleaned with a little help from Nissan and a dive into its archives…
There were basically two specifications of Primera from 2002 to 2008. The entry model was an SE, which came with a full colour display in the centre of the dash, trip computer, colour reversing camera (one of the first cars to deploy this tech, as I recall), climate control, power steering, front and rear electric windows, electric mirrors, height-and-lumbar adjustable driver's seat, CD player stereo with six speakers, ABS with EBD and brake assist, six airbags, front pretensioners for the seatbelts, remote central locking, alarm, 16-inch alloy wheels, front fogs, chrome door handles and body coloured mirrors.
The T-Spec model got all of that and added auto dimming rear view mirrors, auto wipers, leather trim, power and heated seats, steering wheel audio controls, premium audio system, active headrests, cruise control (for the 1.8 petrol model) and 17-inch alloys.
Wiper and fogging issues in my Octavia.
I drive a 2007 Skoda Octavia Ambient 1.4. I am having problems with wet inside the front and rear windscreens, yet the car does not seem damp. Also, the rear wiper stops and starts as it sees fit. What would you suggest?
Eoin Ryan (Waterford)Feb 2013 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Eoin,
The rear wiper is an easy one to start with as it's very common with this car. The wiring loom gets broken near the hinge for the hatchback so you'll need a good mechanic or auto electrician to fix that one, but it shouldn't cost a fortune to do.
It's trickier to assess your fogging-up problem from afar. It essentially means there is moisture in the car somewhere, though sometimes simply cleaning the inside of all the windows properly sorts this out. Other than that, avoid using recirculation of the interior air, do use the air conditioning if you have it and, if all else fails, consider leaving a dehumidifier running for a while in the cabin to take out moisture.
Hope that helps
What is the original market value of a 2008 Land Rover Discovery?
How do I find the original market value of a 2008 Land Rover Discovery 3 XE Auto for benefit in kind purposes?
Lisa Murray (Waterford)Feb 2013 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Lisa,
With the help of SIMI we've found that the value should be €69,455 to help with your BIK calculations.
Hope that helps
How economical is the Volvo S60?
What is the fuel consumption of a Volvo S60 D3 163hp SE LUX?
Kevin Anthony (Enniscorthy)Expert answer
Hi Kevin,
The D3 model has 136hp and the D4 has 163hp ao we're not sure which you're interested in, but here's all the data in any case:
- S60 D3 136hp manual: 65.7mpg (4.3 litres/100km)
- S60 D3 136hp Geartronic auto: 58.7mpg (4.8 litres/100km)
- S60 D4 163hp manual: 65.7mpg (4.3 litres/100km) [yes, the same!]
- S60 D4 163hp Geartronic auto: 58.9mpg (4.8 litres/100km)
Hope that helps
How reliable is the Land Rover Discovery 3?
What are the pitfalls in buying a Land Rover Discovery 3 automatic as a commercial?
Paraic Donohoe (Arklow)Feb 2013 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Paraic,
First and foremost is the running costs, but I guess they're on the same level as any large SUV-based commercial with an automatic gearbox - they're heavy on fuel and tyres, etc.
Other than that, while the Discovery 3 is proving to be more reliable than its predecessor, it's hardly the most dependable truck of its type. Some cars are perfect, but others have loads of issues, from the electrics to the air suspension and even to full engine failure.
Don't settle for anything less than a full service history and make sure you have the car checked out by someone that knows what they're looking at too.
Hope that helps
Towing ability of a 2010 Jeep Cherokee?
How would a 2010 Jeep Cherokee 2.8 CRD Limited Auto perform off-road pulling a horse trailer with two horses? Also, what about its economy?
Maria O,Grady (Thurles)Feb 2013 Filed under: towing
Expert answer
Hi Maria,
If it’s the four-wheel-drive version (a 2WD model was occasionally offered) then it should have a maximum towing capacity of 3,504kg, which should easily handle a horse box with two on board. Just make sure that the combined weight doesn’t put you over the total 3,500kg limit, or you’ll need a special towing licence. Official fuel economy when the car was new was 31mpg, or 8.9 litres per 100km.