Any problems with the Corolla's gearbox?
Are there any inherent problems in the gearbox of the Toyota Corolla 1.4 diesel?
Brian Tolan
Virginia, Co Cavan
Brian Tolan (Virginia Co Cavan)Aug 2016 Filed under: gearbox
Expert answer
Hi Brian,
There have been intermittently reported issues with Toyota gearboxes across the board, from sticking shifts to complete failures, but they tend to be quite rare overall, so if the car you’re looking at has a full service history then it should be OK. Ask for a warranty if you're really worried about it.
Which comfy car for a retired couple in Tralee?
We are a retired couple, 70 and 68 living in Tralee Co. Kerry and in need of a new car.
Our 16-year-old Toyota Corolla is coming to the end of its trouble free life; the choice of a Toyota was decreed by circumstance, we bought it new, found it a bit 'light' and would like a 'heavier' car with firm and comfortable seating. Can you recommend something?
Please do not recommend a new Volkswagen; to buy one we would need to buy it from the sole Volkswagen dealer in Kerry and after our terrible experience with this dealer we would never, ever buy a car from that dealer again.
Our budget would be about €18,000/20,000, non diesel as we do not do enough driving to justify a diesel car. Can you recommend models of cars we should consider?
With thanks and good wishes
Yours sincerely
Mary G. Johnson
Mary G. Johnson Johnson (Tralee. Co. Kerry)Jul 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
Have you considered a Ford Focus? I’m not sure what the situation is in your area with dealers etc, but a Focus has terrific steering – firmly weighted, direct and full of feedback and feel, and it’s also comfortable and well made (although, as a bad-back sufferer myself I would always suggest as lengthy a test drive as possible to make sure you find the seats a good shape). Quality and reliability are also good, if not quite up to Toyota levels. Your budget should get you into a year-old, maybe 18-month-old model and the 1.0-litre turbocharged EcoBoost petrol engine should make for an ideal option for you.
Corsa, Corolla, Micra or Polo for €2,000?
Hi, I am a first car buyer in Ireland. I would like to buy an automatic car.
The ones I am interested in are a 2002 Opel Corsa, 2004 Toyota Corolla 1.6, a Nissan Micra 1.0 from 2002 or a Volkswagen Polo 1.4 from 2000. All of them cost between €1,750 and €2,000. I am wondering if these prices are realistic for cars like these, and given the types, which one would be the best choice?
Thank you in advance,
K
Katalin Csesznek (Cork)Jun 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Katalin,
What can I expect for 2008 Toyota Corolla?
What can l expect to get for a silver 2008 Toyota Corolla? Serviced regularly, 90,000km on the clock.
Geraldine O'Sullivan (Co.Kerry)Jun 2016 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Geraldine,
It should be worth around €8,500 retail, so probably around €7,000 as a trade in.
Toyota Avensis or Opel Insignia? Estates...
We're currently looking to buy a second hand diesel estate and are looking at the Toyota Avensis and Opel Insignia. Budget is €14k tops and we're looking at 2010 - 2012 options with varying levels of mileage on the clock. Himself is very excited by the interior and gadgets of the Insignia, but I'm wary of moving from Toyota.
Currently driving a 2005 Avensis Strata, which has never given trouble since I got it and before that had an 02 Corolla that never gave me any problems either. Too many electrical gadgets make me nervous as they seem to be very problematic, particularly in the Insignia from what I've read here. It'll be used as the main family car, which does 30-40,000km a year. Need roof rack for bikes and looking for more spacious boot. Economy and reliability are what I'm looking for.
Which would you recommend? Are there other estate models I should consider?
Karina Brennan (Galway)May 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Karina,
You are, if I may say, a smart cookie. Yes, the Insignia is decently solid and pretty reliable, but the fact is that they do get issues with their electrics and, as we all know, ain’t nothing more reliable than a Toyota. Well, almost – have a good look at the Mazda6 estate too, as it's handsome, really good to drive and hugely reliable. A good foil to the Toyota.
I'm thinking of buying a Mitsubishi Carisma.
Hi, I'm thinking of buying a 2002 Mitsubushi Carisma. I don't know anything about them and just wondered if they are worth the risk? It's a 1.3 petrol and has one year of NCT remaining. Not sure of mileage yet; anything I should look out for in particular?
Thanks very much.
Catherine Keenan (Longford)Apr 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Catherine,
To be honest, I wouldn’t. Quite aside from the fact that the Carisma is dull to look at, sit in and drive, it was also quite unreliable for a car from a major Japanese car maker. There was no end of problems with the engines and worse still, the 1.3 was hopelessly underpowered. If you want a simple, reliable car from around 2002, think Toyota Corolla instead.
Would a small new estate suit us?
We have two small kids. We live in the city but like to go camping in the summer. Can you recommend a car suitable for city driving but still with enough room to carry camping equipment? We currently have a Mazda5 diesel, but the DPF gives us trouble due to us doing mainly short journeys. I was thinking of a petrol estate such as Fabia Combi or a petrol Corolla. Any suggestions please ?
Ray Mehigan (Limerick)Feb 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Ray,
The new Fabia Combi might well be worth looking at as the boot is absolutely enormous, but you may find the back seats a little tight as the kids get bigger. A Toyota Auris Touring Sports estate would certainly make a good buy - roomy and hugely reliable and Toyota's old 1.4-litre petrol engine has always been a good unit. Also worth looking at the Kia cee'd Sportwagon or Skoda Octavia Combi.
Relevant reviews:
Cost to change my Corolla to a new one?
How much to change a 142 Toyota Corolla Luna 1.4 diesel to a new version of the same model?
John Browne (Dublin)Feb 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi John,
Well, you should get about €15,000 as a trade-in so you'll probably need to find around €8-9,000 (depending on options) to get a new Corolla 1.4 D-4D Luna, which lists at €24,650.
Which higher up car to go for like my Corolla?
I own a 2007 Toyota Corolla Terra and I am thinking of changing. I would like a car that is higher off the ground, like the new Hyundai Tucson, but not that big. What other cars similar in size to the Corolla would you suggest?
Jim
JIM WHITE (NAVAN)Feb 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Jim,
There are a number of other potential options you could look at, but seeing as you've been a Corolla driver, I'm guessing you want something that's going to match the Toyota for reliability. So, in that case, have a look at the Honda HR-V or Skoda Yeti. Both are taller than a normal hatch but not so big as a Tucson and both are really well built and reliable.
Relevant reviews:
What will I replce my Renault Scenic with?
Saw a Ford Fusion for sale. It's on for €2,995. Don't know much about this car. I drive a 2004 Renault Scenic. Had a lot of problems and have to get rid of it. My budget is about €2,500. I would go for another Scenc as I'm used to them, but everyone tells me no. I need some advice as I need an MPV, but know nothing about cars. It's a nightmare for me. But I need to move fast.
Please help
Elaine Harris (Clarehall , Dublin 13)Feb 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Elaine,
I don't think the Fusion is going to be much good to you if you reckon you need an MPV - it's basically a slightly taller Fiesta and not all that roomy. Have a try and see if it'll fit your needs.
As for another Scenic, sad to say they're just not the most reliable things around. Have a look instead for a Toyota Corolla Verso, a Volkswagen Touran, a Kia Carens or a Mazda5. You'll have to look hard to find one within budget but they are out there.