I am looking for an automatic four-door.
I am looking for an automatic four-door, not too old, in the South Dublin area.
Stan Quinn (Dublin)Feb 2016 Filed under: automatic
Expert answer
Hi Stan,
That's quite specific and we don't offer a car finding service I'm afraid, but we'd highly recommend spending some time refining searches on Carzone.ie.
Best of luck
What's the difference between these Qashqais?
What's the difference between a Nissan Qashqai 1.5 dCi XE and 1.5 dCi XE E6?
Mick Dillon (Kilkenny)Feb 2016 Filed under: diesel
Expert answer
Hi Mick,
We contacted Nissan Ireland for an answer to this query, and here's what was said:
"E6 stands for Euro 6 - ie that the car meets Euro 6 regulations. The regulation change from Euro 5 to Euro 6 came about last June - so there are still some Euro 5 cars in circulation. All Euro 5 cars need to be registered by the end of this year. There is no difference between a Euro 5/Euro 6 car in terms of specification. An E5 XE and E6 XE Qashqai are the same car in terms of specification - the difference lies in the level of regulation it adheres to."
What do you think of six-speed gearboxes?
What is your view on the practicality of six-speed manual cars versus five-speed? On normal national roads - non motorways - six-speed seems to equate to a never ending need to change gear at every bump and bend. Or did I have a bad experience with a particular car?
Patrick Mc Loughlin (Dublin)Jan 2016 Filed under: gearbox
Expert answer
Hi Patrick,
Every car is different in truth, as the gear ratios and the final drive ratio will vary massively from car to car. Not only that, but the engine output and delivery of that have a very large effect. More gears, generally, means the possibility of better economy and performance as there are more options to keep the engine in the right rev band at any given speed. Obviously, however, more gears means more gear-changing. It sounds to me like you had a six-speed car without much engine torque, but as I said, every car is different so there's no right or wrong on this one.
Is the Mercedes-Benz M-Class a good buy?
I'm a retired driver with full no claims insurance bonus. I'm looking for a reliable, comfortable and high end car or SUV with about 100,000 miles on the clock plus room for golf clubs and a folding trolley in the boot. I like SUVs because I'm finding it increasingly difficult to get out of cars that are lower on the road (have an older E -Class Merc at the moment). A car that would still look well in about five years' time appeals to me. Can you please advise if a 2007 Mercedes-Benz ML 280 would be a good buy?
David Rafferty (Malahide)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi David,
Yes, that M-Class is a particularly nice one, but there's a couple of things to watch for. Mercs of that era can be electrically fragile so beware of anything with a button or a switch and don't dare buy anything without a full and comprehensive service history.
The other thing to worry about is insurance - next year that car will be 10 years old and you'll get hammered for insurance by pretty much all Irish providers. Not a problem for this year but possibly something to keep in mind.
Would a dealer buy my 2015 Audi A6 for cash?
Hi,
I need some advice if possible please. I have a 2015 Audi A6 auto ultra 190hp. I need to free up some cash and also want to keep my savings. I would like to inquire if there are any car dealerships that would buy my car and if they would how much could I expect to get for it?
Thanks.
Samantha Daly (Malahide)Jan 2016 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Samantha,
All I can suggest is that you have a ring around any Audi dealers with premises near you and ask if they will buy the car outright. Dealers generally don't like buying cars from punters as a straight deal, so you may struggle. It should be worth around €40,000 in normal circumstances but you will probably be offered a lot less than that because of the unusualness of the deal.
It may be possible to do a cash-and-swap deal - whereby you get an older car from a dealer and they pay you the difference for your car, but again this is an unusual deal and you may not find anyone willing to do it.
A better idea is probably to sell the car yourself through a classifieds site such as Carzone.ie.
Can you help my buy my first car?
I am in the market to buy my first car. I have looked at a 2007 Volkswagen Polo for €5,500 with 80,000 miles; a 2009 Renault Clio with 50,000 miles for €5,500; and a 2007 Opel Corsa with 110,000 miles for €4,500 (all 1.2). It is important to purchase a car that will help to keep my insurance and maintenance costs low.
Any advice on these cars or others that I should consider would be greatly appreciated. Is the best method of purchasing through a dealership?
Niamh, Limerick
Niamh McCrann (Limerick)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Niamh,
I'd go for the Polo - of the three you're looking at it's the one (all things being equal) that's likely to be the most reliable. One thing though - you'll have to change it again next year as then it will be 10 years old and it's now proving almost impossible to get an affordable quote for a 10-year old car.
Tell me when to change my Mondeo's belt.
Hi,
I have a 2012 Ford Mondeo 1.6 diesel Econetic that has 100,000 miles on the clock. I have read conflicting advice on when the timing belt should be replaced on this vehicle. They range from 100k miles right up to 200k miles. This is quite a massive difference so can you advise what would be the correct time to get this work done on this make of vehicle please?
Many thanks,
Paul
Paul H (Leixlip)Jan 2016 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
It’s best to take the advice of your local Ford dealer on this, but as far as we can tell the correct interval is every 10 years or 210,000km, whichever is soonest. However, it’s one of those things that, if it’s niggling you, you should just get done. Never a good idea to put a timing belt on the long finger.
Is the Land Cruiser getting a Fiat engine?
Hi,
I've been told that the new Toyota Land Cruiser will have a 2.8-litre Fiat engine. Is there any truth in this? I know it's changing from its 3.0-litre engine to the 2.8, but I'm just wondering who makes the new engine?
Thanks
Dave O Sullivan (Wexford)Jan 2016 Filed under: future engines
Expert answer
Hi Dave,
The Land Cruiser is indeed getting a new 2.8-litre diesel engine, which is claimed to be nine per cent more efficient than the old 3.0. It has CO2 emissions of 194g/km, 177hp and 420Nm of torque. Shared with Fiat though? No - Fiat does have its own 2.8-litre diesel, but it's a commercial vehicle engine, usually used in the Ducato van. For its passenger cars (Jeep Grand Cherokee, Maserati Quattroporte, etc.) the Fiat group uses a VM Motori built 3.0 V6 diesel.
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.
Should I go for a Saab 9-3 estate?
I am looking at a second hand Saab 9-3 Ttid estate from 2011. Should I be worried by the fact that Saabs are no longer in production for parts etc?
Richard Gelletlie (Wicklow)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Richard,
No, because there are plenty of Saab specialists still supplying parts, so you'll be able to get them - albeit at a price. The worry is reliability. While the 9-3 always performed well in things like the JD Power survey, it's bigger brother the 9-5 was a reliability calamity. Check everything carefully and make sure it's been cared for properly.