Have you a review of the Skoda Superb Combi?
Hello,
Do you have a review of the 2016 Skoda Superb Combi L&K?
Eric Walsh (Dublin)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Eric,
We've not driven the new Superb estate in L&K guise as yet, but read our review of the Skoda Superb Combi from the international launch and you'll get a good feel for it we think, as the test cars were well-specified.
What's the best supermini right now?
What's the best small family car or supermini of 2016? In terms of value for money, economy, driveability.
Don Naughton (Galway)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Don,
I'd say it's a tied vote between the Honda Jazz (amazingly roomy and reliable, but a bit pricey), the Skoda Fabia (as solid a choice as the day is long) or the Ford Fiesta (brilliant to drive and has a wonderful EcoBoost petrol engine).
Relevant reviews:
Have you reviewed the Ford Focus Titanium?
I'd like to see reviews of the Ford Focus Titanium.
Rita Sheridan (Claremorrr)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
I'm looking at a 2014 Skoda Rapid.
Hi,
I'm looking at a 2014 Skoda Rapid. I don't see many of them around so unsure what to do about it.
Aisling Breen (Wicklow)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Aisling,
Not a huge seller, the Rapid, but it's a perfectly decent car. Skoda designed and built it as a more affordable alternative to the Octavia - it kind of sits between the Octavia and the smaller Fabia in price and space terms. The upsides are a big boot (huge, actually) and a decent line-up of petrol and diesel engines. The downsides are a slightly narrow cabin and bouncy, skippy rear suspension. Plus the interior doesn't look or feel as sophisticated as that of the larger Octavia. It'll be an affordable and very reliable family car though.
What will I replace my Kia Soul with?
I had a 1998 Honda CRV auto. I changed it in 2014 as it was costing so much to run. To this day I still pine for my Honda. Its reliability was incredible. I got a Kia Soul diesel 1.6 but find it noisy and bumpy on country roads. Also, the boot is too small for country living. Everything I look at is too big and bulky. I want something in a similar size to my Honda, diesel, 1.6 engine, automatic with low tax. I need height as I have bad back issues.
Many thanks. Margaret
Margaret Devereux (Louisburgh, County Mayo)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Margaret,
I know what you mean. The Honda bug is a hard one to shift once it's bitten you. The good news is that Honda has a new car on the market, the HR-V, which is more compact than a CR-V, but still pretty spacious. It's high-riding, so good for your back, and can be had with Honda's terrific 1.6-litre i-DTEC diesel engine. Looks nice too. Prices start from €23,995 or on a PCP deal from €255 a month and I'd say it's well worth checking out.
I'm thinking of changing to a Skoda Octavia.
Hi,
I'm seriously considering changing to a Skoda Octavia, but I am undecided whether to get brand new or a second hand example up to three years' old. The 0% APR finance offer is obviously very tempting on a new car, but I'm just wondering if you think there's value in the second hand market? How does the Octavia's depreciation rate compare in the first two years with two to five years?
I'm also a bit puzzled by the different specifications that have been available since 2013. Can you give any clarity on this? It looks like in 2013 they were offering Ambition, Exclusive and Elegance, but it's now Active, Ambition and Style. Which ones were/are the better equipped models?
Thanks.
Gerry Connolly (Skerries, Dublin)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Gerry,
I think it's well worth considering a new Octavia, not least because the PCP rates are very tempting and it insulates you from any depreciation (which is pretty mild on an Octavia at any rate - it should retain at least 50 per cent value after three years). Used ones are good too, of course, but it's tempting to have that shiny new one with a full three-year warranty.
As for trims, well spotted - Skoda did indeed shuffle around its trim levels so that Ambition, which used to be the lowest spec, is now actually a well-equipped mid-range. It's worth going for as it comes with items like nice alloy wheels, a 5.8-inch touch screen for the stereo, multi-function steering wheel and Bluetooth.
BMW X3 or Mitsubishi Outlander?
Hello,
I am very interested in buying a diesel 2.0-litre automatic SUV. The two I'm most interested in are the BMW X3 2016 model xDrive and the Mitsubishi Outlander 2016 model. I know the BMW would be faster because it has the higher power output and probably would be better to drive. The thing is though the Outlander has the eight-year warranty and is a lot less expensive. I would wait until the new version of the X3 comes out if I decided to go with that so I probably would have to wait until next year to get one of those. Do you think it would be worth the wait or should I go for the Outlander?
Thanks.
Mary Walsh (Limerick)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
The Outlander is a decent car, and hugely well equipped, not to mention having seven seats. It's fine to drive, and the recent update has brought better refinement and a higher quality cabin.
There's no question though that an X3 would be sophisticated and more engaging to drive, but it's well worth checking out the new and more affordable X1 - it's much improved over its predecessor and almost as spacious as the X3.
The Mitsubishi should beat both in terms of long term reliability though.
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Jeep Renegade or Honda HR-V?
Which is better value for money, has the best mpg, reliability and low running costs: A Jeep Renegade or a Honda HR-V? I don't need an off reader or four-wheel drive, but I do live in a rural location up a high boreen and would need the SUV to be able to get me through icy or snowy conditions should they arise.
Thank you
Aryelle
Aryelle Anders (Wicklow)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Aryelle,
It's a slight win for the Jeep as, in basic 1.6 diesel form, it has a €1,000 price advantage over the HR-V. Mind you, we'd expect the Honda to be slightly more economical overall, but the gap won't be huge.
Now, one word of warning - you say you don't want four-wheel drive, but if you're looking to get through those icy and snowy conditions you might need it. In which case the Jeep is your only choice as Honda doesn't offer a 4WD HR-V yet. You'll have to upgrade to the €31,200 Renegade 2.0-litre to get all-wheel drive though.
Relevant reviews:
Are electric cars a real option now?
Are electric cars a real option now? Looking to purchase a second hand car 2012 upwards. What do you think?
Paul Mccabe (Kilkenny)Jan 2016 Filed under: electric cars
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
Yes, and no. And a bit yes. It still depends on your lifestyle and driving habits. Lots of short journeys, mostly around town? Don't mind taking the time to plan long journeys carefully and be prepared to take breaks for charge ups?
Things are getting dramatically better though. Nissan has just updated the Leaf with a new 30kwh battery (read our review of it here) that extends its range to around 250km, which is a lot more useful, and if you're suitably loaded a Tesla Model S can go for 500km between charges.
If you're not quite ready to take the full electric car plunge, how about a plugin hybrid? Short hops under electric power with a petrol engine for longer journeys. Try the Volkswagen Golf GTE, Audi A3 e-tron, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV or a Volvo XC90 T8.
However, if you're looking for a second hand car, your options with electric power are severely limited, as sales have been slow so far.
Which new crossover/SUV to go for?
Hi,
Can you advise on crossovers/mini-SUVs available on the Irish market please?
(A) most economical?
(B) Standard spec vs high spec (including leather seats, parking sensors, cruise control etc)?
(C) Warranty period vs reliability (current driving Kia pro_cee'd nearing end of problem-free seven-year/150k km warranty)
Many thanks,
Adrienne Redmond
Adrienne Redmond (New Ross)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Adrienne,
OK, let me take that section by section...
(A) Most small crossovers use 1.5- or 1.6-litre diesel engines so you're going to average between 40- and 50mpg in any of them. Ignore the official consumption figures - they're not representative of real-world driving.
(B) Standard spec on most will include at least air conditioning and probably Bluetooth, but the items you've listed will push prices up into the €25-30k region.
(C) Kia, Hyundai and Mitsubishi have the best warranties on the market at the moment - seven, five and eight years respectively. Ford, Renault and Peugeot all offer five-year warranties too, while Fiat offers a four-year one. Most others have three-year cover. In terms of reliability, Japanese and Korean brands will almost always beat their European and American competitors.
Of the cars you're looking at, I'd say the strongest contenders are Honda's new HR-V, the Jeep Renegade, the Peugeot 2008 and the Kia Soul. All well worth a look.
Relevant reviews: