Expert answer

Hi Joe,

This Range Rover is one of the better built cars from Land Rover in a while actually. Some early examples had issues with the automatic gearbox and water leaks, though these should have been well cured by 2005. Electrics and the sophisticated suspension system seem to be the biggest worries, and of course they're expensive to repair.

If you're serious about one, insist on a full, detailed service history, and invest in a professional inspection too.

Hope that helps.

Expert answer

Hi Teresa,

The Tucson is a reliable car in general, if low on refinement. Make sure it has been serviced according to the manufacturer's schedule though.

We've not heard of any widespread clutch problems with these cars, but make sure you test any car you're interested in for as long as possible.

If you'd like help looking at a specific car please do get in touch.

Expert answer

Hi Eddie,

You've not told us how old the cars are that you're looking at, nor whether they are petrol or diesel, but it's pretty much the same answer in both cases. They share the same basic six-cylinder, 3.0-litre engine, but in different states of tune. The 525 has less power and torque effectively. It usually has a different emissions rating too so come back to us with more details and we'll give you the full picture.

Note: this is not the case with the current BMW 525d and 530d. The former now uses a twin-turbocharged four-cylinder 2.0-litre engine, while the 530d sticks with the 3.0-litre unit.

Hope that helps in any case

Expert answer

Hi Fintan,

OK, well you’re kind of cutting across class boundaries there — a Focus and a Mondeo are really quite different cars, with the Focus being smaller, cheaper and arguably more fun to drive, and the Mondeo being more expensive, but bigger, comfier and more refined. That goes pretty much the same for the Opel Astra and Insignia, or the Volkswagen Golf or Passat. So the first thing you need to work out is what you want, and what you need, and whether or not you need the bigger car, or if something more compact will do.

Of the brands you’ve mentioned, the VWs will probably do the best in reliability terms, with Ford being the most enjoyable to drive, and Opel falling somewhere in the middle, but you should also be considering the likes of the Toyota Auris and Avensis (best for reliability), the Peugeot 308 and 508 (stylish, good to drive) and the Mazda3 and Mazda6 (reliable and both very good to drive). 

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Hi Caroline,

As discussed via email, the new Auris is more refined and a little more economical than the Mazda, as it has a 1.4-litre diesel engine to the Mazda's 1.6-litre unit.

However, as you've discovered, you're likely to get a better deal on trade-in with a Mazda dealer and that is likely to decide things.

By all means test drive both and shop around with different Toyota and Mazda dealers. By any normal measure both cars are incredibly fuel efficient.

Let us know how you get on.

Expert answer

Hi Alan,

There are widespread problems with the MMT semi-automatic gearbox and it's sometimes expensive to fix so we'd advise buyers to stay away from cars with that transmission. Somewhat surprisingly we've heard of isolated problems with the manual gearbox too, though they're few and far between.

Hope that's of help.

Expert answer

Hi Daniel,

Sorry to hear about the Scirocco - that 2.0 TDI version is great.

A quick browse of Carzone.ie with your budget and needs in mind brought up a few interesting options:

- Audi A3 2.0 TDI 140 - in Sport or S Line guises for maximum style - loads around
- BMW 118d M Sport - quite rare, but great to drive
- BMW 320d Coupé - you'd have to go pre-2008 with your budget, but current style at least
- Honda Civic Type S - 2.2 diesel is great and post-2008 is taxed according to emissions
- MINI Cooper D - loads around in all different colours at your budget

I've picked out the cars I reckon you'll like and I've left out things like the Volkswagen Golf and regular Ford Focus (among others).

What do you think?

Come back to us and let us know if we're on the right track.

Expert answer

Hi Ramon,

How long’s that piece of string, there? It really depends on model, history and condition. The old R34 Skyline GT-R (the square one, the last one to actually be called Skyline) can go for as little as €20,000, or as much as €70-80,000, depending on what sort of state they’re in. Newer GT-R models (the ‘Darth Vader’ one…) have a similarly huge price range, from as little as €40,000 to close to €100,000 depending on the age and spec.

As for problems, well, they’re hugely strong, well-made and reliable, but the problem is that tuners love them, so you never know quite what you’re getting. Check for poorly-executed modifications, incorrect wheels and tyres, suspension damage, blown turbos and electronics sent haywire by a poor engine re-mapping. Shop around very, very carefully to avoid one that’s been thrashed beyond its limits, and I’d recommend getting in touch with the owners’ club (maybe even joining and attending a few events) before making the leap.

These are hugely specialist cars, and the more knowledge you can build up, the better.

Expert answer

Hi Ollie,

Generally speaking, you should be OK, as that 30-min run each day should be enough to keep a DPF hot enough to clean it out, but that’s if and only if that 30 mins is all run at high-ish speeds, say above 80km/h most of the time and in a lower gear. If you’re spending a lot of time in stop-start traffic, I think a petrol option might still be the better one. Mazda’s 2.0-litre petrol engine can be a bit thirsty, but the 1.4 TSI option in the Passat and A4 is a very frugal engine, and still has peppy performance.

Expert answer

Hi Emma,

I’d go for the Micra, as it’ll be the most reliable of the cars you’ve mentioned. A budget of €2,000 should get you a 2006-2007 model, and I wouldn’t be bothered about mileage — buy on service history and condition. Other good options are a Toyota Yaris, Honda Jazz or, if you fancy a bit of driving fun, a Suzuki Swift.