2012 A6 versus 2015 Passat?
2012 A6 versus 2015 Passat? Is a three-year old A6 a better bet than a new Passat?
Conor KennedyJan 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Conor,
Hmmm. Tough one. I'd always be tempted by the younger car, and if it's the 1.6-litre diesel Passat then there's a good chance you'll never have to refill the tank - I once did Galway-Dublin-Glasgow-Dublin-Galway-Dublin on a single tank of juice in one.
That said, the Audi would be hugely tempting and while there's really no fundamental difference between the too (you are paying extra for the badge and not much else really) there's no denying the extra feel good factor of the A6.
All things being equal then, and assuming both cars come with and equally full service history, I'd be minded to treat yourself and go for the Audi.
Further reading:
Should I consider the Peugeot 206 as a first car?
I currently have an option to buy a three-door 1.1-litre Peugeot 206 for €1,100. The car has 79,000km, from 2002, NCT until March and no tax. It looks in good condition outside from just a few pictures. Do you think this is good value? Similarly there is a five-door version with 94,000km, NCT until May from year 2000. It will be my first time buying a car and I don't have much experience with cars really so is there anything I should be particularly worried about/need to check?
John Finnerty (Dublin)Jan 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi John,
Yeah, that's not bad actually. The 206 has long been popular as a starter car or for those looking for something small and cheap to run. Just have a good check that anything electrical is working properly and make sure that the cabin is all holding together - its fragile in there. Also make sure that the central locking and heating systems are working properly.
Which of these new SUVs would you recommend?
Hi, I would like to know which one of the following cars you think is best and if there is any I should avoid: Honda CR-V, BMW X3, Mitsubishi Outlander, Hyundai Santa Fe, Subaru Forester and Audi Q5. All 2015 models and 2.0-litre diesel. Thanks.
Mary Walsh (Cork)Jan 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
Hmmm. Tough choice. Please note that the following is based purely on personal taste and other opinions are available. They're wrong, but they're available...
1. Honda CR-V: Not the glamorous choice but it's massively spacious, comfy, well made and frugal. Might be worth waiting for the new 150hp 1.6 diesel which arrives later this year - alongside a facelift.
2. Audi Q5: Super-slick, nice to drive and has a cracking 2.0 TDI diesel engine.
3. Mitsubishi Outlander: Referring specifically to the PHEV plugin hybrid, it's the most cost-effective and practical way of going (partially) electric and it's hugely clever.
4. Hyundai Santa Fe: Stylish, spacious and affordable plus it has a five-year warranty. Hard to beat, really.
5. BMW X3: It's a sight better looking than the original X3 but it's still quite stiff-riding and it's not as nice to drive as the Q5.
6. Subaru Forester: Not pretty and it has a terrible cabin (all cheap plastics and ancient-looking displays) but it's probably the most ruggedly reliable car here and has genuine off-road ability.
Further reading:
Road test of the Honda CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC
First Irish drive of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Please tell me about Quickclear windscreens.
Please tell me about Quickclear windscreens. Is Ford only one offering this? What about all other makers of cars and vans?
Fergal Reidy (Celbridge)Jan 2015 Filed under: windows
Expert answer
Hi Fergal,
Ford did have a patent on this technology, or more accurately, on a particular application of it and of course the brand name, Quickclear. The Ford patent dates from as far back as 1977, but it expired in 2011, as far as we can ascertain. Mind you, element heated windscreens are nothing new. The practice started in aviation in the 1950s and in the 60s Bentley even offered one as an option on Continental models - its heating elements were pure gold of course, the best conductor of heat.
Nowadays, a number of car makers do in fact offer heated windscreens as an option. Companies formerly owned by Ford, such as Jaguar and Land Rover, are top of the list because they gained a licence to use Ford's own tech, but other car makers also have their own systems - Volkswagen offers it on a number of different models for instance.
What 4x4 diesel crossovers are there in Ireland?
What options are there in the Irish car market for a four-wheel drive crossover with a diesel engine?
Willy Boland (BALLINASLOE)Jan 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Willy,
Lots. Want something compact? Track down a Skoda Yeti 2.0 TDI 4x4. Surprisingly good off road, that one.
A little bigger you say? Well, I've got a big soft spot for the Subaru Forester, both the current and previous models. Permanent four-wheel drive, a peachy flat-four diesel and they're virtually indestructible.
There is also the fleetingly rare Nissan Qashqai 4WD but good luck finding one if you're buying second hand.
Have a yen for something luxurious? Try a Volvo XC70.
Of course, with all of these cars, and especially when buying second hand, make sure they're actually equipped with four-wheel drive. Most of them are sold with front-drive and a great many owners simply don't know or can't tell the difference.
Can you recommend a sturdy safe small car?
Can you recommend a sturdy safe small car? I'm driving a Nissan Micra and would like to upgrade to a stronger but not much bigger car.
Bridget Whelan (Wexford)Jan 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Bridget,
What year is your Micra? If it's a pre-2002 then upgrading to the post-2002 model could be what you need. It was bigger than the old Micra and had impeccable safety credentials.
If you're already in a 2002 or later Micra then the best bet is to look at a Volkswagen Polo. They really do feel noticeably tougher than most other cars in the class, it's about the same size as the Micra and as good a small car as you'll find.
Is this trade-in deal on a nearly new Octavia good?
Hi there.
I am thinking of purchasing a second hand (132) Skoda Octavia Elegance 1.2 petrol with 17k miles on it from a main dealer. I currently drive a 2001 Opel Astra (127k miles), which is due for taxing this month. The whole deal including trade-in comes to €16.6k net.
My annual mileage is circa 11,000 so I am wondering if the petrol version is the best option and if the price of the deal is reasonable in your opinion. I would welcome your advice as I have to make a decision in days.
Regards, John from Charleville.
John Rafferty (Charleville)Jan 2015 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi John,
Yes, I'd say you're onto a good one there. Obviously, a well used 14-year old Astra isn't going to come with a bundle of trade-in value attached, so I think the price looks pretty fair for the Octavia, especially given the low mileage. Honestly - we see press cars with higher miles than that!
As for the petrol/diesel side of things, I think you'll be fine in the 1.2 TSI. At 11,000 miles a year you're well within the bracket to keep burning petrol rather than switching to more expensive diesel (more expensive to buy the car, not the fuel of course) and the good news is that the 1.2 TSI engine is exceptionally frugal. In fact, I once drove one for 200km before I realised that it wasn't diesel, so slow moving was the fuel gauge. In my defence, it was late and I was tired...
How much will I get off a nearly new sports hatch?
I'm interested in buying a year old Audi S3 , Merc A 45 AMG, Golf R or BMW M135i; what sort of reduction should I expect off the new price. I.e. should I pay now for 132/141 one of the above? Garages have said they will import to meet my needs if required.
Simon MacMahon (Dublin)Jan 2015 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Simon,
Not much is the short answer. Cars like these are very, very thin on the ground and only appeal to a tiny, specialised audience, so while in later life their depreciation will be catastrophic, at only a year or so old they'll retain a good chunk of value. I'd say don't expect much more than about 15 per cent off the new list price.
Would a high-mileage, private Octavia be ok?
Hello there, would a Skoda Octavia (1.4/1.6 petrol 2005-2007) be worth buying? Especially with a higher mileage of 150,000km and more? And would it be risky buying from a private seller? Dealers are dear...
Thank you very much for your answer
Rasti
Rasti Jevcak (Ennis)Jan 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Rasti,
I'd say that kind of mileage puts you just over the tipping point for diesel, but if you must insist on petrol then go for the 1.6 - that 1.4 is so underpowered that you have to work it hard to get any performance out of it, and that really hurts the fuel consumption. As for buying privately, just keep your wits about you. The Octavia is a solidly reliable and well made car, which lowers the risk, but don't accept anything without immaculate paperwork and a proper, fully-stamped service history. None of this my-brother's-a-mechanic-and-he-looked-after-it rubbish. Worth getting a history check (from the likes of Cartell.ie) and maybe an AA inspection too. Be especially wary of cars with outstanding finance still owing on them.
Have you prices for SsangYong cars?
Have you heard of SsangYong Motor? There aren't any prices on www.ssangyong.ie
Sam Sary (Birr)Dec 2014 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Sam,
We're not quite sure why SsangYong Ireland doesn't appear to have any prices on its site at the time of writing. Our latest information is for the following prices:
- Korando ES: €25,995
- Korando EL: €29,495
- Rexton W 'Limited Edition': €44,475
- Rexton W 'Limited Edition' auto: €48,184
Our drives of the cars: