What site is best to find a nearly new car?
I am in the market of a nearly new car. Is there any one website where I can be guaranteed to find all of the stock available at any one time from all of the various dealers as there are several websites that seem to filling the same role and don't want to have to keep checking them all.
Mike in Dublin
Mike Osullivan (Dublin)Jul 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Mike,
Short answer? No. Most of the main dealers will have their cars advertised on Carzone.ie and beepbeep.ie so those are the main two to keep an eye on. Other than that, it's down to good old fashioned keeping your eyes out for what you want.
Do I need an SUV for towing my horsebox on the motorway?
Hi, what SUV would you recommend for pulling a horsebox and also motorway driving? I do about 500 to 600km a week going up and down to Dublin a couple of times a week from the midlands so I need an SUV that is economical on diesel but also able to handle a horsebox.
Many thanks
Louise Fox (Dublin)Jul 2015 Filed under: towing
Expert answer
Hi Louise,
You don't necessarily need a 4x4 for that - a mid size estate car would do the job just as well. So, have a look at the following and see what you'd like: Mazda6 2.2d, Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi, Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI.
Or, if you really have to have a 4x4, check out the Hyundai Santa Fe, Audi Q5 or Nissan X-Trail.
Relevant reviews:
What do you think of the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Hi, I'm thinking of buying a 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer. It's a 1.8 diesel with 150hp. Just wondering if there are any problems I should look out for with these? It has 67,000km on the clock and has a few extras such as rear spoiler, side skirts and front bumper corner extensions. Just wondering what should i expect to pay for this?
Mike Brennan (Wexford)Jul 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Mike,
You'll probably pay in and around the €13,000 mark for it and as far as we're aware these are solidly reliable cars with no common major problems.
How does the new Toyota RAV4 compare to the new Honda CR-V?
Hi! What is my 2011 Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI with 103,000 kilometres on the clock, worth? And how does the new Toyota RAV4 compare to the new Honda CR-V?
Thank you
Joe. Limerick
Joe Franklin (Limerick)Jul 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Joe,
I'd say your Octavia is worth in and around €12,000. The RAV4 and the CR-V are not really direct rivals although there is some crossover of their price points.
The RAV4 is very nice, well made, decent to drive and very spacious, but the more expensive CR-V looks and feels appropriately more sophisticated.
Relevant reviews:
2015 Honda CR-V review (AWD)
Honda CR-V review (front-wheel drive)
What is the Peugeot 207 CC like?
What is the Peugeot 207 CC 1.6 (cabriolet) like? I've seen a really nice one with very low mileage like new from 2007 and always liked it. I would like to buy it and the dealer is SIMI registered and offering guarantees so all seems good. How does this car average out / run in general? It would be just for myself (female) with a small child (primary school age).
Thanks
H. G. (Wexford)Jun 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi there,
Well, the 207 CC was certainly better-built than the 206 CC that preceded it, but you have to buy carefully - they're pretty heavy cars, so suspension and steering problems are common, as is high tyre wear. Electrical faults need to be watched out for too, and the roof mechanism is a constant source of angst - although you can manually wind it up or down with a wheelbrace if it gets stuck half-way, which is a common issue.
What first car would you recommend with €10,000?
What would you recommend for a first car for a 25-year old with about €10k to spend. I like the Volkswagen Golf.
John Millane (Ennis)Jun 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi John,
A Golf is always a good choice but the fact that it comes with, at smallest, a 1.4-litre engine could be an issue when it comes to insurance. You could, for your budget, get the current-shape Polo, from around 2010, with a 1.2-litre engine. That should take the sting out of the insurance. Or what about something really stylish? Say, a Fiat 500 1.2? Plenty of those around and they’re quite enjoyable to drive too.
How much to replace my Astra's oil seal?
Hi,
I was just wondering how much it would cost to replace a crankshaft oil seal on a 1.4 Opel Astra SXi?
Amanda Kelly (Ennis)Jun 2015 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Amanda,
You may get lower labour rates at an independent garage, but we rang an Opel dealer to get a starting point. If it's the front crankshaft oil seal then it'll be about €170 (1.5 hours), but the rear seal is much more expensive to replace as the gearbox needs to be taken out and put back in, which is estimated at 5.5 hours of work. That costs about €580.
In both cases, those prices include VAT, labour and parts, but there might be a small bit more to cover topping up the oil.
Mazda3, Skoda Octavia or Toyota Corolla?
Hi guys.
I currently drive a Volkswagen Golf (2007) and am looking to upgrade to accommodate a growing family (two young kids). I've narrowed my selection down to Mazda3 (saloon), Skoda Octavia, or the Toyota Corolla. Space is a main concern.
Any advice?
Cheers, Ronan
Ronan Murphy (Carrigaline)Jun 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Ronan,
Go for the Octavia. The Mazda3 is nice to drive and incredibly reliable and the Corolla is about as reliable and unbreakable as a granite rock, but the Octavia has the best interior space and reliability is generally excellent, so go for that. Case in point: once spent two consecutive weekends hauling my young family from Dublin to Waterford to visit relatives. First weekend with a Ford S-Max, second with an Octavia (this would have been 2006) and the Octavia carried the same amount of luggage as the S-Max...
Relevant reviews:
Opel Astra Sports Tourer or Skoda Octavia Combi?
Opel Astra Sports Tourer against Skoda Octavia Combi: which is the better option? New 2015 models.
A O'brien (Longford)Jun 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi there,
I'd go for the Octavia. The boot is significantly bigger than that of the Astra's, and the Astra is also starting to feel its age a bit - there's an all-new model coming towards the end of the year, so the Octavia feels fresher and better to drive.
That said, there's absolutely nothing wrong with the Astra, and if, with that new model coming along, you can get a sharper deal on the Astra, there'd be nothing wrong with grabbing one.
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When does the new Ford Galaxy arrive?
When is the all new Ford Galaxy going to be released?
Frank Treacy (Limerick)Jun 2015 Filed under: future cars
Expert answer
Hi Frank,
It just so happens that we will have a first drive of the new Galaxy on the site in the next few days. Prices start at €38,760 and it'll arrive later this year in Ford showrooms.