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Should I go for a new Alfa Romeo Giulia?

Hi,

I am contemplating buying an Alfa Romeo Giulia and was hoping to get thoughts from a local motoring journalist. Would you recommend it? I've done a fair bit of homework comparing it against the likes of a BMW 3 Series or Jaguar XE and it really seems to stand up well. While the others offer lower hp engines etc, when you actually compare like for like (e.g. auto 150hp/180hp/200hp), the price difference/levels of standard spec seem worlds apart.

I'm looking at the Super Sport trim and when I spec up an equivalent M Sport, the price difference works out at around €5k.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Donal (Dublin)

Donal Dennehy (Dublin)

Jun 2017 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Donal,

Yup, Alfa is definitely offering some very sharp value deals on the Giulia at the moment, especially when you consider that you can effectively get a mid-spec car for the same price as a basic model. It’s a car we really like — it’s gorgeous, terrific to drive, practical and Alfa seems at last to have gotten on top of its quality issues. Two caveats, really — the infotainment system is not as sophisticated as you’d find in rival models, and to see the Giulia at its best, you really need to avoid the 2.2 diesel and go instead for the 200hp turbo petrol, although obviously that may not suit your needs.

Read our Alfa Romeo Giulia review here


Thoughts on the Jeep Renegade diesel?

I am wondering about the Jeep Renegade Limited Edition model 1.6 diesel: how good on mpg and handling mainly? What out of 100 marks would you rate it compared to other SUVs of the same size?

Amylee Curran Curran (Dublin)

Jun 2017 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Amylee,

We really like the Renegade - true, the looks won't please all, but it's decent to drive, that 1.6 diesel is frugal and has good power (bit noisy though) and there's decent space in the cabin. Quality levels seem good too, although the boot could be bigger. Out of 100? 65-70 I'd say. 

Read our Jeep Renegade review here


Is the Skoda Octavia 1.0 a good one?

Is the Skoda Octavia 1.0 TSI good (in terms of fuel economy and reliability) for long drives? E.g. travelling from Copenhagen to Prague (approx 1,000km) in one day?

Sharad Maroo (Ringsted)

Jun 2017 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Sharad,

Skoda reliability is hard to beat; in fact Skoda often does better in reliability surveys than its Volkswagen overlord, so knocking off a regular 1,000km journey will be no bother to it.

As for economy, we recently tested the 1.0 Octavia and got close to 50mpg out of it in daily driving, so it's pretty frugal, really.


Five best estate cars in Ireland?

Hi,

Hope you're well, Have you done a '5 best estate cars in Ireland?' I did search but couldn't see anything.

Martin Smith (Ringsted)

Jun 2017 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Martin,

We haven’t actually done that, as yet, but here’s a quick rundown of our favourites:

1. Skoda Superb Combi: massive, roomy, cavernous, spacious, replete with space — whatever way you want to put it, the Superb is the best estate around simply because you can fit the most amount of stuff into one. Looks good too, and is exceptionally comfortable. Not the sharpest thing to drive, but you won’t really care.

2. Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate: really good looking, massive boot, staggeringly high quality cabin, comfortable, smooth 2.0-litre diesel and surprisingly good to drive.

3. Volvo V90: another one that’s surprisingly good to drive, with sharper steering than you’d expect. Gorgeous interior, exceptionally comfy seats and the only problem is that the boot isn’t quite as big as it should be. Exterior styling does kind of make up for that, a little.

4. Volkswagen Golf Estate: not the obvious choice perhaps, but adds extra space (lots of it — a 605-litre boot) to the Golf’s usual other qualities of quality and classiness. An ideal family car and more affordable to buy and run than an average SUV.

5. Mazda6 Estate: handsome and very enjoyable to drive, with an excellent 2.2-litre diesel engine and lots of space out the back. Better looking than the saloon, too.


Renault Captur or Peugeot 2008?

I am looking at buying a car similar to a Renault Captur or Peugeot 2008; can you comment on either or which would be better?

Anne Mcelhone (Sligo)

May 2017 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Anne,

The Captur, which has just been updated, is one of the best selling small crossovers around and it’s not hard to see why - it’s gorgeous, a really good looking car. Roomy enough inside too, and with a pair of excellent engines (either a 900cc turbo petrol or Renault’s long-serving 1.5 diesel). The downsides are that the cabin is quite plastic and it’s only very ordinary to drive.

The Peugeot 2008, by contrast, is rather more agile and sharper to drive, and also has some excellent engine options, especially the 1.2-litre PureTech petrol turbo unit. It’s also a little roomier than the Captur in the back, even if it’s arguably less handsome on the outside. On balance, it would be the Peugeot that we’d prefer, but you should also have a look at the likes of the new Suzuki Vitara (good to drive and very ruggedly reliable) and the Honda HR-V (a little larger and more expensive, but with exceptionally good quality on its side).

Peugeot 2008 review

Renault Captur review

Honda HR-V review

Suzuki Vitara review


Tell me about the Toyota Auris...

What's good and bad about the Toyota Auris?

Pam Riddles (Brakpan)

May 2017 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Pam,

Good: reliable, roomy, comfortable.

Bad: a touch dull, and the 1.4 diesel is underpowered.

Toyota Auris 1.2T review

Toyota Auris 1.4 D-4D review


Should we buy a Kia Niro on PCP?

Hi,

My husband and l are thinking of buying a new Kia Niro through PCP. Neither of us are "into" cars as such. We will have a deposit of €10,000 and it will be replacing our 2004 Toyota Corolla Verso. We like the fact that the Kia Niro is hybrid and we have already had a test drive and this sold it to us.

Any advice about the car or PCP would be much appreciated.

Many thanks

Jean

Jean McConnon (Carrickmacross)

May 2017 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Jean,

The Niro isn’t a bad car at all, and is certainly very frugal, although if you’re replacing a Corolla Verso you’re going to find that it’s much less roomy and less versatile inside. As for PCP, it’s a great idea for getting cheap finance and a low monthly repayment rate, but to make it work properly you really need to be committed to the idea of buying another new car in three years’ time. If not, then you could be better off with either a Hire Purchase agreement, or an old-fashioned bank loan.

Read our review of the Kia Niro here


I'd like a sporty car from 142-152...

Hi guys,

I currently drive a late 2012 Audi A3 (new model three-door 2.0 TDI). It's a great car, but I'm in a position to upgrade and I want something that has a bit more oomph on the road and is a bit bigger. I have a good 45-minute commute each way to work and I have friends and family all over the country so I need a diesel for all the miles I'm covering.

I'm looking at purchasing second hand, probably cars registered from 142 - 152. I'd love a BMW 420d M Sport, but they can be pricey and I have heard from a few people that used BMWs can be far from reliable. I have considered sticking with Audi, but I have found that Audi cars from this time period (A4/A5) are a bit underpowered and poorly equipped for the money. Is there anything you can recommend? I find myself only looking at German manufacturers, but I can get over badge snobbery if I found something I really liked.

Thanks guys

Pearse

Pearse McDonagh (Waterford )

May 2017 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Pearse,

Would you consider a Lexus? A hybrid engined IS 300h saloon looks good, is good to drive, isn’t German, is frugal and will be so reliable you can pass it onto your grandkids.

Alternatively, a BMW 420d Coupe makes a great buy, and they’re not THAT bad on the reliability front, but it’s a good idea to buy one from a BMW main dealer, as it will come with a very comprehensive two-year warranty.

Well worth looking at a Mercedes C-Class C 220 d coupe too — not as slick looking as the BMW, but with great quality and a really lovely chassis. The Volkswagen CC (four-door coupe on a Passat chassis) is also well worth a look, and what about a Jaguar XF 2.2 diesel, which is a saloon, but looks slinky enough to be a coupe?

Lexus IS 300h review

Mercedes-Benz C 220d Coupe review

Volkswagen CC review


What's good about the Toyota Prius?

Good and bad things about the Toyota Prius hybrid?

Mihails Grigorjevs (Dublin)

May 2017 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Mihails,

Good: economical if you drive it right (i.e: gently), well made, incredibly reliable, roomy, comfortable, cool gear shifter.

Not so good: not pretty, not fun to drive, thirsty if you try and drive it quickly, lots get used and abused as taxis, not good for motorway work (unless you mean the current model).

Read our review of the 2017 Toyota Prius here


New Honda CR-V or Nissan X-Trail?

Hi,

I have a recommendation question. I'm wondering which of the following cars I should consider? I have always driven Toyota and currently have a RAV4 D-4D. I'm considering a change and have the following in mind: Honda CR-V ES or Nissan X-Trail SV. I do 50,000km in two years and purchase new. I want something that will be a good trade-in against a Toyota should I revert to the brand in two years' time again.

Thanks

Stephen Fox (Galway)

May 2017 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Stephen,

Either would be good as a trade-in and it’s actually pretty hard to separate them out in that sense, as Hondas are generally considered to have higher levels of quality, but the X-Trail comes with seven seats and seven-seaters are currently much in demand. Both are good cars, but we’d come down on the side of the Honda, which is better to drive, and better built.

Honda CR-V review

Nissan X-Trail review


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