Should I go for 1.6- or 1.9-litre TDI Audi A3?
Hi,
I'm looking to buy an Audi A3 diesel, changing from a 2003 petrol Toyota Corolla. I would like to go up perhaps five to six years. There seems to be a lot more 1.9 TDI engines around than 1.6, which was what I had thought I would go for. Would you be able to tell me if there is much difference in mpg between them? I would do a good bit of driving per week and I want something that's more fuel efficient.
Jacinta Woods (Ennis)Apr 2014 Filed under: diesel
Expert answer
Hi Jacinta,
Essentially the old 1.9 TDI Pump Düse engine is just a bit less sophisticated than the newer, cleaner 1.6 TDI common rail engine. That said it's still pretty economical and while you could potentially get 60mpg from the 1.6 you should pretty easily get low-fifties-mpg from the 1.9.
Should I change my Skoda Octavia for better economy?
Hi, I've a 2010 Skoda Octavia RS 2.0-litre diesel and thinking of changing to a 2011/2012 1.6 diesel Octavia. Just wondering is there much difference in terms of mpg or would I just be better off keeping the RS? I do about 45,000km per year mostly on motorway so reason for thinking of changing are the high fuel costs.
James, Whitehall
James McCartney (Whitehall)Expert answer
Hi James,
There would be quite a significant difference in consumption. According to the official figures, your car should be getting a 49mpg average economy figure, while a 2011 Octavia 1.6 TDI would get 62mpg. That's the kind of difference that would really add up over the course of 45,000km. Mind you, you're talking about the difference between a 1.6 with 105hp and a 2.0-litre with 170hp and huge torque, so expect to have to adjust your driving style accordingly. As a potential half-way house, the new 180hp Octavia RS TDI should manage 55mpg…
Honda Jazz or Ford Fiesta?
Honda Jazz or Ford Fiesta?
Paddy Holroyde (Hindhead)Apr 2014 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Paddy,
Normally we'd say the Honda every time, but while the Jazz is beautifully built and exceptionally spacious and practical, there's no getting around the fact that the Fiesta is hugely more enjoyable to drive. It kinda depends on your needs. If you're of a practical bent go for the Honda. If driving fun is high on your list of priorities, go for the Fiesta.
Let us know which way you go
Is the Audi A5 economical?
I am thinking of buying 2010 Audi A5 basic model. I note the economy quoted is 55mpg. Do you know if this is achievable? Most of my driving will be on motorways.
Patrick Sullivan (Dublin)Expert answer
Hi Patrick,
Yup, it's entirely achievable. I'd say with lots of long motorway miles (and what an ideal car for that task the A5 is) you should easily be able to crack 50mpg, and 55mpg should be possible. Of course, much depends on your driving style - lots of hard acceleration, or excess weight in the car, will hamper your economical efforts.
Let us know how you get on
I need a newer car with lower running costs. Help!
Hi,
I am currently driving a 2002 Peugeot 307 three-door 1.6 petrol with 63,000 miles on the clock. Having a son now makes the three doors pretty impractical and the car is expensive to run. I was taken in by Renault's recent ad campaign for the 'Carculator'. It compares all your outgoings on your car with the costs of running a brand new Renault. The problem is, although I could probably purchase say a new Mégane for about the same money per month as my current outgoings on the Peugeot, this involves a deposit of about €6-7k. The Peugeot is only worth about €1,500-2k at best in trade in and I don't have that much extra cash to throw at it.
This got me thinking though, I should be able to purchase a 2-3 year-old car that is substantially cheaper to run and still be able to make repayments on a loan. My current costs on the Peugeot are €514 on tax, about €900 on petrol to cover 4,500 miles annually, approx €600 on servicing plus it needs two new tyres at €130, and €55 on NCT. This comes in at €2,200 for the year. This is where I would like your help. I am sure there are cars that would cost €800-900 a year to run including all these costs, which leaves me with €1,300-1,400 to cover loan repayments for the year.
Can you suggest a car with low tax, far better fuel efficiency, low servicing costs that won't need an NCT for a few years and that with a €2k trade-in, will have relatively low monthly repayments over say five years? I know it's asking a lot but with your knowledge of the market, I hope there might be some possibilities for me.
Thanks,
Rowland (Dublin 5)
Rowland Crawte (Raheny)Mar 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Rowland,
OK, there are a lot of parameters to go with here, but the basics are that you need a car that's cheap to buy (so it can't, sadly be too new), has affordable running costs and won't break down every time it rains. I reckon that gives you a choice of three or four key models: Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla or Auris, Kia cee'd or Hyundai i30.
Have a shop around and you should be able to find several of those all well within your purchase price range, while they all have efficient engines and excellent reliability records. In the case of the Kia and the Hyundai, they also have lengthy warranties, which, even if there's none left on the one you buy, at least means that they're more likely to have been looked after. My personal choice would be the Honda. Track down a nice 1.4 petrol Civic and I don't think you'll look back.
Let us know how you get on
Which insurable starter car should I go for with €3,000?
Hi, I have about €3,000 to spend on a starter car. Most of my driving would be on the weekends sight-seeing. Insurance would be a factor with the engine size. The 1.4 petrol Golf seems to the most reasonable with insurance.
Thanks
Gary Fitz (Dublin)Mar 2014 Filed under: insurance
Expert answer
Hi Gary,
Very, very hard to go wrong with a Golf for your starter car. Cheap to buy and maintain, but if you get a nice one, clean it and care for it, it'll look every bit as classy and desirable as a brand new one. The 1.4 has all the performance of a slow moving glacier, but that's probably why the insurance is so cheap. It's also worth having a look for a nice 1.4-litre MINI One, if only for the sheer fun of the thing, or if you wanted to be really, really sensible (and shave even more off the insurance) you could track down a 1.0-litre Toyota Yaris.
Let us know how you get on
When do you hope to see and review the Lexus NX?
When do you hope to see and review the Lexus NX?
William Todd, Bangor
William Todd (Bangor)Mar 2014 Filed under: future cars
Expert answer
Hi William,
The new Lexus NX will be unveiled in public for the first time next month (April) at the Beijing motor show in China. It is possible that we'll get a static preview of the car ourselves in May in London before driving it in September for review. The NX goes on sale in Ireland in October.
Let us know if we can help with anything else
How economical is the diesel Volkswagen Golf?
How economical is a Golf 1.9 diesel? What miles to the gallon does it give? I'm looking at a 2005 diesel. Should I stick with a 1.4 petrol car?
Thanks,
Michael Conlon
Michael Conlon (Sligo)Expert answer
Hi Michael,
The official average economy for a 2005 1.9 TDI 105hp Golf is 53mpg, and assuming the engine has been reasonably well cared for down the years, I'd say you wouldn't have too much trouble matching that figure in day-to-day driving. As for switching to 1.4 petrol, it kind of depends on your driving style and habits. If you're doing lots of long journeys, especially ones with lots of motorway mileage, then diesel is a no-brainer. If your driving is mostly done at low speed, around town, for short hops then it might well be worth sticking with petrol. Basically, you need to get your pen and paper out and work out what mileage you do, and then compare the prices you're seeing for both the petrol and diesel versions of the cars you want. If the saving on the fuel isn't more than extra price of buying the diesel car, then it's worth considering sticking with petrol.
Let us know how you get on
Is the Mazda RX-8 suitable for a learner driver?
Hi, I am about to buy my first car and I have my eye on a Mazda RX-8 that my neighbour is selling, but I'm not sure if I should make an offer because I hear insurance is going to be an issue and I'm not sure if they're suitable for learner drivers.
What do you think?
Matthew Okpo (Dublin)Mar 2014 Filed under: learner
Expert answer
Hi Matthew,
Wow, that's a brave decision. First off, the RX-8 is and always will be one of our favourite cars - light, agile, fun and with that screaming rotary engine up front. It's a gem of a car, and pretty reliable too.
Now the bad news. It's going to cost you a fortune to insure. You say you're starting to learn driving, but you don't specify your age. If you're under 25 you may well find it impossible to get any cover, but if you still live at home you may be able to do the old named-driver-on-your-parents-insurance trick. Even if you're over 25, as a first time driver your insurance is going to be well and truly loaded - the RX-8 is a proper sports car (and occasionally tricky in the wet) and most insurers will not be keen on insuring a novice on such a car.
Assuming though that you can sidestep those hurdles, go for it! If you start your driving career with an RX-8 you'll be getting off to a terrific start. One word of advice - invest in a high performance tuition course to help you better understand the ins and outs of driving a fast, rear-drive car. It'll make you a better driver anyway and it could save your life.
Let us know how you get on
How would you rate the Jaguar XF estate?
How would you rate the Jaguar XF estate?
Peter Kelly (Naas)Feb 2014 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Peter,
A brilliant car, albeit one with a couple of shortcomings relative to its German rivals. It's probably the best-looking car in the class, and the 500-litre boot is a match for the BMW 5 Series Touring and Audi A6 Avant (though much smaller than that of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class). It's utterly delightful to drive too, better even than the much-praised BMW, with brilliant steering and a comfy ride.
On the downside, the interior is a step behind the Germans (not enough space, old-fashioned touch-screen infotainment system, narrow front seats) and the fuel tank is on the small side, limiting your touring range and making the car feel thirstier than it actually is. The 2.2-litre diesel engine in 190hp form is the best all-round to go for, but the lower power 163hp is a bit cheaper to buy and you'll hardly ever notice the difference in day-to-day driving. Or, you could get the best version; the 272hp 3.0 D V6 diesel – a properly quick, practical car that.