Expert answer

Hi Eileen,

First up, we believe you mean rear-wheel drive cars. All BMWs (up to a new one launching later this year anyway) send their power to the rear or all wheels, and most Mercedes-Benz models do as well (though that's slowly changing). So, what's the 'problem' with rear-wheel drive? The stories you are referring to probably started off when we had those particularly long icy winters a few years ago. Many drivers of rear-drive cars found themselves stranded when others sailed past. This is down to lack of traction.

In a front-engined, rear-drive car there is very little weight over the driven wheels so in very slippery conditions it can struggle to put its power down. Most normal cars (i.e. not executive or sporty) are front-engined and front-wheel drive, where the weight of the engine over the wheels helps in low-grip conditions. Saying all that, sales of BMWs and Mercs etc. with rear-wheel drive are very high in countries that consistently have much worse weather than us, but the difference is that they habitually change over to winter tyres for a fixed portion of the year. These have a massive effect.

Back in Ireland, BMWs and Mercs are bought in relatively large numbers due to their status and image, yet they're not as expensive as they used to be. Most of the time here the lack of rear traction is not an issue, though some drivers don't like the feel of a rear-drive car in wet conditions. They're no less safe though, especially the latest models with all their driver aids.

Personally, I prefer rear-wheel drive, but I'd advise all buyers to try a range of cars to see what they like.

Hope that helps you understand those stories a little!

Expert answer

Hi there,

There were two slightly differing versions of the first generation pro_cee'd 1.6 petrol when it comes to CO₂ emissions. The version running on 16-inch alloy wheels records 145g/km, while the one on 17-inch wheels emits 148g/km. It makes no major difference, as both will fall into Band C for motor tax, with an annual bill of €390. In terms of fuel economy, there's also a slight difference, with the 16-inch wheel version doing a claimed 46mpg, while the 17-inch one is slightly worse off at 44mpg. Resale values for these cars seem to be holding up quite well, with asking prices for a 2011 model hovering between €11,000 and €14,000.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Stella,

OK, the good news is that your Yaris is an in-demand model and values for cars from around that era are holding up well because of the scarcity of new car sales since the financial crash. I'd hope that you'd get around €8,000 for it, but let's play safe and assume you get €7,000 and you can add your €1k to that. That opens up an entire world of MINIs to you, and not just old models - you should be able to get into the second-generation post-2006 model, which is noticeably more refined and well made. I'd suggest trying to track down a nicely specced 1.6 Cooper and enjoy the heck out of it. As a MINI owner myself, I can tell you that they're great fun to drive and not quite as impractical as you might think.

Now, reliability. There's no two ways about it - Toyotas are staggeringly reliable and break very rarely. MINIs aren't bad, not bad at all, but they're just not quite as bank-vault solid as the Japanese car. Buy carefully, make sure you get one with a full and complete service history and you should be fine. Regular servicing isn't too pricey (about €190 for a normal service) and fuel economy should be pretty good too.

Hope that all helps

Expert answer

Hi Peter,

OK, you've a couple of good options here. There are five-seat versions of the Citroen C4 Picasso and Renault Scenic that are slightly less bulky than the seven-seat models and which will easily take three car seats across the back. Or you could try one of our very favourite cars of all, the Skoda Yeti, which has just about enough width to fit all three seats in the back. My best advice is to make sure you bring the kids and seats on any test drives you might be doing and make sure that all three fit and that the bigger ones can happily clamber up into their perches.

Let us know how you get on.

Expert answer

Hi Niall,

Depends. Do you need lots of space in the back seats and boot? If so, go for the Merc, as it's the most practical car in the class by miles. It's also massively comfy and surprisingly spirited to drive. 

But, if space is not such a priority, go for the Jag. It's gorgeous to look at and simply stunning to drive with a sense of precision and feedback that most other cars have given up on. The 2.2d diesel is fine but if you can afford it the 3.0D S is a gem.

Let us know if we can be of further assistance.

Expert answer

Hi Brian,

Well, when you say 'super car' that would suggest that money is no object so...

Your choice is slightly limited as there aren't yet any full-on mid-engined diesel supercars, but there are three German powerhouses in the shape of the BMW 640d Gran Coupé, the Audi A7 3.0 TDI Bi-Turbo and the Porsche Panamera Diesel. (There's also the new Maserati Quattroporte diesel, but it pales in the power and torque race a bit.)

Of those the BMW is the best - frugal and well under the 225g/km limit but damn near as quick point to point as an M5. 

If budget is an issue, just grab yourself an E60 BMW 535d. Wheelspin in third gear in that one...

Come back to us if you'd like help narrowing it down a little

Expert answer

Hi George,

Oh dear, where to begin? Warranty Direct describes the 9-5 as one of the most troublesome cars it's ever surveyed. Electrics are the most common problems, so make sure all the buttons work, then check the suspension for signs of wear, tear or incoming failure. Uneven tyre wear is an early sign of problems there.

Approach with caution basically.

Expert answer

Hi Ian,

If it's space you're looking for, go for the Superb, as it's massive inside. No reported electrical problems, but watch for high front tyre wear, paint peeling away from bumpers and flimsy fuel filler caps. There are some reports knocking around of clutches and flywheels failing, but these seem to be very isolated and not a recurrent problem. The Superb's a great car though - smooth and comfy, very spacious and one of the best cars on the market. Go for the Combi estate for even more boot space and nicer exterior styling (in our opinions!).

Expert answer

Hi Paddy,

I have a bit of a soft spot for Saabs in general, but would advise some caution here. That generation 9-3 suffered from a chassis that aged very badly relative to the competition and to be blunt, a Ford Mondeo will drive rings around it. There's also not a lot of space in the back seats. 

On the upside, the 1.9 diesel (a Fiat-General Motors unit) is a good 'un - noisy but very economical and, being a Saab, it's both refreshingly different to other cars, superbly comfy and well able to deal with the rigours of an Irish winter.

Hope that's of some help

Expert answer

Hi Peter,

You're really comparing two quite different cars here. The Auris is a larger car than the Jazz, which is really more of a rival to the Ford Fiesta. Which means that the Auris is going to be more comfy and refined over a long distance, but if you're sticking mostly around town, go for the Jazz. There are no reports of the Auris' stop-start system causing any issues, but the Auris has been generating reports of problems with squeaky front brakes, slipping handbrakes and noisy gearboxes.

The Jazz, by contrast has generated no repeating fault reports and Hondas are usually incredibly reliable. Yes, parts can be a bit pricey for them (the Toyota would be cheaper to service and repair), but so few things go wrong that you probably won't need to spend much. Go for the Jazz so - it's sweeter to drive, has a cleverer interior and will probably prove more reliable.

Hope that helps