How economical is the Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake
How economical is the Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake 1.6 petrol Urban model?
Caroline Conroy (Limerick)Expert answer
Hi Caroline,
The manual version of the CLA 180 Urban returns 51mpg (5.5 litres/100km) on the combined cycle. Our data seems to suggest that the DCT automatic model is the same.
In case you weren't aware, official 'combined cycle' figures are to be taken with a pinch of salt for most cars. This one would do well to top 40mpg by most drivers we reckon.
Further reading:
Toyota Corolla or Volkswagen Polo?
Which one is more durable and cheap to run: a Toyota Corolla or Volkswagen Polo?
Khumbulani Siduna (Harare)May 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Khumbulani,
Very different cars - a Corolla is a mid-size family hatchback, a Polo is a supermini. It's a split decision anyway - the Polo will be slightly cheaper to run but the Corolla is more likely to be reliable, long-term.
What Toyota should my dad upgrade to?
Hi all,
Firstly, thanks for your help back in 2011! We actually bought one of the two cars whose links you sent to me as suggestions! I think I'll be in touch shortly for my own car needs but for now I'm asking for advice for my dad. He is an avid Toyota or Nissan man and currently has a 2008 Corolla 1.4-litre (basic model I think) with 157,000km on the clock. He was initially planing to stick with the Corolla and move up two or three years and his main requirement is that he wants air conditioning in the next car. He spoke to a local second hand car dealer who told him that the equivalent Corolla won't have air conditioning, but that the Auris would, that it has the exact same interior space and only difference is that obviously it is hatchback. Does that point about the air conditioning etc seem right to you?
What would be a rough guide to trade in the 2008 and move to either an Auris or Corolla 2010, 2011 and 2012 models? From what I can see there was a new model Auris released in 2012 and if so would it be worth stretching to that? Any other suggestions of make/model welcome too if you don't mind. He does average to slightly-above-average mileage each year, mostly rural with probably one or two long drives every month so any advice on petrol vs. diesel would be great too.
Thanks again. Enda, Dublin
Enda Lowry (Dublin)May 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Enda,
Yeah, he's definitely better off with the petrol version, not least because Toyota's 1.4 diesel is not the best, but its 1.33 petrol is a cracker. You might need to do some digging to track one down though - they're thinner on the ground on a 2010 plate than the diesels.
Now then, Auris versus Corolla. Yup, they're the same size inside. The boot on the Auris is a little smaller but then it's also more versatile thanks to being a hatchback. The point about air conditioning is probably right - standard spec on Toyotas tends to be quite stingy and Corolla saloons are basically built for emerging markets (no, seriously, we're the only Western European nation that still sells them) so tend to be even more basic again.
I'd say you'll need to find about €3-4k to finance the upgrade from a 2008 Corolla to a 2010 or 2011 Auris.
Relevant reviews:
Toyota Auris review (2013)
Toyota Auris review (2010)
Toyota Corolla review (2013)
Toyota Corolla review (2010)
Can you help me choose from these family car?
Which would be cheaper, more economical and have low maintainance, for family of five that require good boot size, mostly city driving, 12,000km mileage per year: Kia Carens diesel, Nissan Qashqai diesel or petrol 1.2, Kia cee'd estate or Skoda Fabia Combi either 2014 or 2015?
Thanks, Mary
Mary Strike (Cork)May 2015 Filed under: family car
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
I'd leave the Fabia Combi out straight away. It's a very good little car but it's just too small if you're putting five people into it regularly. The cee'd estate is one of our favourite cars - practical, handsome and good to drive and those are things you can equally say about the Qashqai. However, again, I'd say if you're trying to get five people in every day, space in the back could be an issue.
Which leaves us with the Carens. Thankfully it's a very good choice - all the attributes of the cee'd, but with extra space and comfort for those in the back. My advice would be to go and test drive each one but make sure you bring along everyone who's going to regularly be using the car and make sure everyone's comfortable in it. Not just a spin around the block either - drive for long enough to make sure everyone has a chance to get fidgety.
Worth noting though that with your driving pattern, the petrol Qashqai is going to have the best engine for your purposes. You may need to make a compromise between engine and seating at some point.
Relevant reviews:
Lexus GS 450h: how reliable?
Lexus GS 450h: how reliable? How good are they really? I have a 2006 GS 450h and the hybrid batteries failed. I was told by a Lexus garage they cost €4,500 approx to replace. Nice car to look at and drive but when they fail you won't buy another one - that's if you can sell it. It has 143k miles on the clock only. All I can say is don't buy one with over 70k on the clock. Maybe you have better ideas on this?
Laurence O Halloran (Rathdrum Co Wicklow)May 2015 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Laurence,
Well, to be honest, we don't often hear of any Lexus models suffering anything in the way of major component failure. Was there some major factor, such as physical damage to the batteries, or flooding or something like that? Batteries in hybrids and electric cars are always a concern when it comes to longevity, but Toyota has 15-year-old Prius still running around and their batteries are still working fine. Lexus claims that the batteries are designed to last the life of the car, so I'm suspecting that there's some other factor at play here.
Is there any scrappage scheme for old cars?
Is there any scrappage scheme for old cars?
Paula M?rginean (Waterford)Apr 2015 Filed under: scrappage
Expert answer
Hi Paula,
No, not an official government one. Many of the car makers do have some very tempting 'scrap-ish' trade-in offers around at the moment. Opel, for instance, is offering trade-ins of up to €4,000 against some models while Nissan has a similar offer. Have a shop around and make sure you read the terms and conditions on all the offers though.
Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake or Jeep Cherokee?
I'm driving an Audi A4 at present; how does the Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake compare size-wise with my Audi.? I was also looking at the Jeep Cherokee - how is the resale value on both these cars?
Caroline Conroy (Limerick)Apr 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Caroline,
It's too early to tell on Jeep residual values - the brand is well known but still trying to re-establish itself properly in Ireland so it's hard to say quite how values will shake out long term. The Cherokee is nice though, if a touch pricey. Lots of space and it feels rugged.
The CLA Shooting Brake is also nice, and very pretty too, but I think you'd find it a lot less practical than the A4 - space in the back and the boot is really tight.
Relevant reviews:
Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento?
Which new car would you recommend - Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento?
Damien Dunne (Dublin)Apr 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Damien,
If we're talking about second hand versions, I'd go for the Santa Fe - really nice car, sophisticated and smooth and very good to drive. If we're talking brand spanking new, go for the Sorento - one of the nicest, most roundly impressive cars I've driven for a good while.
Further reading:
Hyundai Santa Fe review (2013 model - still on sale in 2015)
Kia Sorento review (new model launched early 2015)
Kia Sorento review (2013 model)
Kia Sorento review (2010 model)
How many miles should a Ford Mondeo do?
How many miles should a 2005 Ford Mondeo Zetec 1.8 petrol do?
David O MAhoney (Dungarvan)Expert answer
Hi David,
Do you mean in terms of fuel consumption? Then I'd say about 35- to 40mpg depending on your driving style. If you mean total miles, well it depends how you look after it and how it's been looked after. Cars are generally 'lifed' for between 250,000 miles (400,000km) and 300,000 miles. If you service it and care for it properly, you could potentially get even more...
Can you advise me on buying an older Mazda MX-5?
I'm looking out for a Mazda MX-5, an old one, to have as an open top / second car for the summer (I'm a weather optimist!). What issues if any should I watch out for? Is there a major difference between the 'regular' MX-5 and the Jap import versions?
Peter Mack (Dublin)Apr 2015 Filed under: classic cars
Expert answer
Hi Peter,
OK, first off the MX-5 is the go-to choice for an affordable convertible. Lots of them out there to choose from, they are reliable and solidly built, so there are few major problem areas to worry about.
Actually, the problems that do occur are usually more to do with maintenance than anything else. Check the convertible hood first for tears, splits, shrinking or mildew and mould. If there are any leaks, check for damage from water getting into the cabin, especially the electrical system - electric windows can easily pack up if the switches get leaked on to too much.
Check the alloys for corrosion and check that the rear-window demister is working - if there has been work done on the hood it can often be left disconnected. If the steering feels anything less than laser-precise and brilliant, suspect worn bushes, but it's not a big or expensive job.
Check also for accident damage - MX-5s can be tricky in the wet for anyone not used to rear-drive and any prangs need careful attention and work to make sure that the structure of the car remains sound. Also, avoid anything modified or tinkered with like the plague.
As for differences between the Japanese market cars and our ones, they're in the details more than anything else. The basic mechanical stuff is the same, but JDM cars often came with things like proper mechanical limited slip differentials when European cars had viscous couplings, and equipment levels in Japan were usually higher. If you're thinking of buying a Eunos Roadster (the Japanese name for the MX-5) then it would probably be a good idea to get in touch with the MX-5 Owners' club who can help you out with details of individual models and special editions, and on parts availability. You can get them on http://www.mx5ireland.com
Best of luck and let us know how you get on