Can you help me choose from these family car?
Which would be cheaper, more economical and have low maintainance, for family of five that require good boot size, mostly city driving, 12,000km mileage per year: Kia Carens diesel, Nissan Qashqai diesel or petrol 1.2, Kia cee'd estate or Skoda Fabia Combi either 2014 or 2015?
Thanks, Mary
Mary Strike (Cork)May 2015 Filed under: family car
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
I'd leave the Fabia Combi out straight away. It's a very good little car but it's just too small if you're putting five people into it regularly. The cee'd estate is one of our favourite cars - practical, handsome and good to drive and those are things you can equally say about the Qashqai. However, again, I'd say if you're trying to get five people in every day, space in the back could be an issue.
Which leaves us with the Carens. Thankfully it's a very good choice - all the attributes of the cee'd, but with extra space and comfort for those in the back. My advice would be to go and test drive each one but make sure you bring along everyone who's going to regularly be using the car and make sure everyone's comfortable in it. Not just a spin around the block either - drive for long enough to make sure everyone has a chance to get fidgety.
Worth noting though that with your driving pattern, the petrol Qashqai is going to have the best engine for your purposes. You may need to make a compromise between engine and seating at some point.
Relevant reviews:
Looking for a small to medium reliable family car.
Looking for a small to medium reliable family car. Comfort, fuel efficient, and low tax a consideration.
Mai Murphy (Cork)Apr 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mai,
OK, lots to choose from here. Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and Toyota Auris are all ever popular and all with very good reason. They're reliable (the Toyota scoring best here), beautifully made (the Golf come out top in this category) and nice to drive (the Focus wins here). Lots of all three about so you can afford to be picky. Fancy something a bit different? Try a Honda Civic, especially the 1.6 i-DTEC diesel version, which is possibly the best compact diesel engine around.
Also well worth a look are the Kia cee'd (especially the handsome and practical estate version) and the current model of the Peugeot 308 (ditto on the estate version there).
Relevant reviews:
Is the Skoda Octavia TSI a good option for me?
Finally time to change my 2004 1.8 TDCi Ford Focus Estate. With 233,000 miles done, I think it has earned its keep. But what to replace it with? I only do about 20,000km now a year so dont really need the diesel though the torque is good for overtaking. I do need a decent boot as I fill it most weekends. Budget max €13,000. Interested in Skoda Octavia 1.2 TSI in hatch or estate. Is this a reliable engine and does it have enough power for overtaking? Generally only me in car and occasional towing of 500kg trailer also done.
David Doran (Cork)Mar 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi David,
I'd say you've already picked out the ideal car - that Octavia 1.2 TSI is magic. Plenty of oomph, very economical and should have enough grunt to haul that trailer. One thing though - at 500kg, that trailer is getting on for the maximum braked towing weight of 610kg, so if it's an unbraked one it might be worth trading it for a braked version, just to keep some margin for safety.
How about the Opel Mokka for a new car?
Hi,
Thank you for your very prompt reply and your advice. The cee'd estate is that now known as the cee'd Sportswagon, right, available in TX and EX versions. Also, may I ask, is the Opel Mokka in the running with a very generous €4,500 scrappage allowance?
Thanks again, Anto
Mar 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Anthony,
Yes, I quite like the Mokka and our ed, Shane, says that the one with the new 1.6 CDTi diesel engine is a cracker. That said, the cee'd would be a good bit more practical from a space point of view so you need to work out exactly what you need.
Further reading:
Should I replace my BMW 520d with an Audi A6?
I would like to know if you think the Audi A6 2.0-litre diesel 2014 model is a good car. I am in the market for this kind of car and currently drive a BMW 520d, but I don't know if I should go for the same again as I'm a bit worried about rear-wheel drive in the winter and because Audi is more competitive on price at the moment. I've driven an Audi and liked it but are there any problems I should know about?
Thanks.
Mike Ross (Dublin)Mar 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mike,
The A6 is a cracking choice - reliable, frugal, stylish and hugely comfy, but it's not as sweet to drive as the 5 Series. That said, it is more spacious and if you can track down an Avant estate you'll have one of the best looking cars around.
If you're concerned about driving on snow and ice there are two avenues you should explore, no matter which car you go for. One is to look into fitting either winter tyres (which you'll need to swap back over to normal tyres in the spring) or all-season tyres, such as the new 'CrossClimate' one from Michelin. Better again, go on a winter driving techniques course. BMW runs one at Rally School Ireland in Monaghan and the skills you'll learn there would get you through even the worst blizzard, no matter which set of your car's wheels are driven.
Further reading:
Help me spend €24,000 on a new car!
Hi, I bought my present car, a Mitsubishi Space Star 1.3 GLX petrol new 15 years ago, so it's long overdue replacing. Trouble is I haven't got a clue about choosing a new car and I need your advice.
The max price I wish to pay is €24,000 so I'm also chasing the best scrappage deal. I had a drive in the Hyundai ix35 and I like it but it has its drawbacks. However, the Nissan Qashqai is a non-contender for me as it has only an emergency spare wheel and the fifth passenger has to sit like riding a donkey with the big centre console protruding from the front.
What do you think I should go for? I'm thinking of looking at the Kia Sportage and Kia cee'd, but also the Nissan Pulsar and Peugeot 3008. I would be grateful for your advice.
Kind regards, Anto.
Anthony Kavanagh (Kilkenny)Mar 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Anthony,
The Pulsar or the cee'd would be the most sensible choices and both fall well within your budget. Both are reliable and decent to drive, and the Kia's not bad looking either. In fact, I reckon you should go for the estate version of the cee'd - it's one of the nicest, comfiest and most practical cars around.
Further reading to help you decide:
How much is my unusual Peugeot 206 SW worth?
How much will I get for a Peugeot 206 SW S estate diesel 1,997cc, first reg 25 05 2004 18,000 miles in superb condition?
Douglas Izon ( Solihull)Feb 2015 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Douglas,
Quite a difficult car to value that, as there are (a) so few 206 SWs around and (b) that 2.0-litre engine is going to make it quite a hard sell. On that basis I'd say you'd be lucky to get €2,500 for it retail. Even less on a trade in.
What could be wrong with my Opel Astra's heating?
Hi. I have a 2008 Opel Astra 1.3 diesel estate. My heating in the car is working but the heat is not that hot at all and this isn't normal. My friend has the same car and there is a vast difference in he heat...
Brian Fitzgerald (Cobh Cork)Jan 2015 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Brian,
It's likely that the heating matrix within the car heating system has corroded and needs to be replaced. It could also be the actual switches controlling the heating, but that's less likely.
Either way, you need to get the car to a good mechanic to have it checked over.
How much is a 2001 Toyota Corolla Estate worth?
How much is a 2001 Toyota Corolla Estate worth?
Brendan Fahey (Ardee)Jan 2015 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Brendan,
It depends entirely on the condition and history. Is it immaculate and has a full, continuous service history? Then maybe €1,500 or thereabouts. Is it a bit shagged out and missing its service book? Probably €750 then.
What SUV to go for with up to €18,000 to spend?
What you think about the 2010 BMW X1? First baby on the way and looking for a crossover/SUV between €15,000 and €18,000.
Gavin Kane (Meath )Dec 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Gavin,
I'd have to say nope. It's not very big inside and it has needlessly heavy steering that makes manoeuvring in town a chore.
Do you really need an SUV? Why not consider a nice estate? BMW's own 3 Series Touring is a belter. Or, for your budget, you could probably stretch to an Audi A6 Avant. Track down one with quattro four-wheel drive and leave all the front-drive SUVs standing when it snows.
Or, if you're determined on the SUV front, consider one of the following: Honda CR-V, Volvo XC60, Hyundai Santa Fe or Mazda CX-5.
What do you think?