What estate or crossover would you recommend for me?
What can you recommend to fit the following criteria in a new/nearly new car: estate or crossover with large boot space, diesel engine, automatic gearbox, good value, not boring.
Thanks!
Francis Chance (Dublin)
Francis Chance (Dublin)Apr 2014 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Francis,
I reckon you should be looking at a Kia cee'd Sportwagon. Handsome to look at, excellent 1.6-litre diesel engine, lots of space, massive boot and, even if you're buying nearly new, a long, loooooong warranty. A tough package to beat and it's more enjoyable to drive than you might expect. Does it fall foul of your 'not boring' requirement?
OK so, one man's meat etc. How about a Skoda Yeti? Not as practical or big in the boot department, but funky and fun to drive and if you get a 4x4 version, a proper off-roader too.
What do you think?
Is the Citroen DS5 a good car?
Is the Citroen DS5 a good car? Very litte of them on the road or in garages.
Jason Quinn (Limerick)Apr 2014 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Jason,
Perhaps predictably, the DS5 has been a slow seller for Citroen, primarily because as soon as you put the words 'French' and 'premium' into the same sentence, most buyers tend to look for the exit. We are very, very wedded to our German premium cars in this country.
The DS5 isn't a bad car at all, but to be honest, neither is it a very good one. It looks absolutely stunning, inside and out and as a piece of automotive sculpture, it's hard to beat. It comes with some excellent diesel engines too and generally its build quality and reliability seems to be up with the best.
The problem comes when you actually drive it and realise that it has steel girders for suspension. It rides terribly, clonking and clattering over bumps in a way that should be utterly alien to any French luxury car. A BMW 5 Series on 20-inch wheels rides better than this... Then there's the problem that the cabin is actually quite cramped, even in the front. It's a car we want to love, but there are just too many fundamental issues with it for us to do so.
How much is my Toyota Corolla Luna worth?
How much is my 2006 Toyota Corolla 1.4 Luna worth? Alloy wheels, 89,000km, one lady owner, NCT 3/16. Recently serviced. New battery. Maintained and serviced all along by Toyota garage. Thinking of downsizing as I just retired and will be doing very little mileage from now on.
Bernadette Tobin (Dublin)Apr 2014 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Bernadette,
I'd say between €7,000 and €8,000 on a trade-in, depending on what you're trading it in against.
Ok to replace my Santa Fe with a Kia Sportage?
Is the 2010/2011 Kia Sportage a good car in general? I'm changing from a Hyundai Santa Fe and need a comparably sized vehicle, though with lower tax as I do not need extra power for towing.
Vincent Masterson (Mullingar)Mar 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Vincent,
Yup, very good indeed. Handsome, well made, cracking cabin and good to drive. It is a bit smaller than the Santa Fe though, comparable in size to Hyundai's own ix35 (they're built on the same chassis) so you'll have to compromise on interior space and boot volume. Reliability isn't a major worry (a 2010 or 2011 model will still be under Kia's seven-year warranty anyway), but it's worth pointing out that the rarely-seen four-wheel drive version is significantly more sure footed, even on smooth tarmac, than the front-drive model.
Will I replace my Mazda3 with a Nissan Qashqai+2?
Which would you reccomend for a high mileage driver with two small children? I wish to trade in a 2007 Mazda3 1.6 petrol for a diesel. Cars I was looking at include the Volkswagen Jetta, Ford Focus saloon, Toyota Corolla and Nissan Qashqai +2. I like the look of the Nissan Qashqai + 2 and I think the two extra seats may be useful for kids' friends etc, but are running costs high?
In general are MPVs less fuel efficient? Would the Toyota 1.4 diesel be a lower powered car then the one I currently have? How reliable are Volkwagen Jettas? I was hoping to go for something one or two years old with low mileage as I will be doing a lot of miles. I have had quotes of €3,500-4,500 for my own on trade-in as there are 175,000km on the clock.
What would you reccomend?
Alanna Mangan (Newbridge)Mar 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Alanna,
I reckon the Qashqai +2 might be the best one to go for. The extra seats are pretty small but the boot on the +2 is simply massive when they're folded flat, so that's helpful when you're lugging around two small ones and their various chattels. Don't worry about running costs too much - the Qashqai looks like an SUV but it's really a hatchback with attitude and the 1.5 diesel engine is reliable, economical and has reasonably low emissions too.
That Toyota 1.4 diesel you mentioned would indeed be much less powerful than your Mazda's engine - it's about 20hp down and noticeably so. Volkswagen Jettas are indeed reliable, but I reckon that the Nissan would be slightly more so, so make that your first choice.
Let us know how you get on
Will my Zafira lose value because it was crashed?
I have a 12 D Opel Zafira. It was crashed from the side when a car ran into my driver front wheel. Opel said there was no structural damage. Will I lose money selling it? A new drive shaft, new wing and bumper were all fitted.
Michael Martin (Dublin)Mar 2014 Filed under: crashed cars
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
As long as the repair is carried out by an accredited main dealer, and you keep all the receipts, any effect on the value of the car should be negligible. A few photos (before and after) and perhaps a letter from the garage itemising all of the work done and parts replaced probably wouldn't do any harm either. As with any car, the more paperwork you can show a potential buyer that demonstrates you've been taking care of the car, the better.
My car doesn't have the options it's supposed to have. Help!
I recently bought a new Citroen C4 Picasso (semi-automatic). I informed the dealer a number of weeks ago that the car I bought did not have the rear parking sensors, which my model was supposed to have. The dealer has not responded to me on this issue but has informed me that he no longer has the dealership for Citroen. I would appreciate any advice on my way forward here in relation to who should I contact about this matter and how and in what way my warranty will be honoured.
GERARD O CONNOR (LIMERICK)Mar 2014 Filed under: optional extras
Expert answer
Hi Gerard,
OK, it's basic consumer law at work here. Assuming your contract was made with the dealer when he was still a Citroen main dealer, then he must honour the original deal that was made. If not, you've been supplied with the car either as a mistake or under false pretences. It doesn't matter that he doesn't have the Citroen franchise any more - he can still order a car from them under the EU's block exemption rules. If he tries to fob you off saying that his new franchisee won't let him, don't buy it - he must still fulfil the original contract. If there's still no joy, contact Citroen Ireland directly - they're located in Airside Retail Park, Swords, Co. Dublin and explain your situation.
Do let us know how you get on.
Would you recommend the Daihatsu Terios?
What do you think about the Daihatsu Terios; would you recommend?
Joanne Smit (Kildare)Mar 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Joanne,
Not really, I'm afraid. It's small, cramped, unrefined and pretty dreadful to drive. All it really has going for it is excellent reliability. If you're looking for something compact but with four-wheel drive, try a Suzuki SX-4 instead.
Should I swap my Kia Sorento for a BMW 5 Series?
Hi,
I have a 2007 Kia Sorento 2.5 GSE diesel in Dublin and I am thinking of buying a BMW 5 Series, the 535d.
i) How much will I get for my Kia?
ii) Is it worth changing? I read a great review of the BMW 5 Series.
iii) If I am trading in how much should I pay for the BMW?
iv) Is it safe to buy the BMW from a dealer (SIMI/non SIMI) or should I only go for BMW showrooms?
Many many thanks in advance for your response
Best regards
Tanya
Tanya Goon (Dublin)Mar 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Tanya,
OK, prices for a 2007 Kia Sorento range from as little as €6,000 for a commercial model to as much as €15,000, which seems a bit hopeful to me. Let's play reasonably safe and suggest that you should get about €9,000 to €10,000 on trade-in.
Now, the 5 Series. The E60 5 Series that ran from 2002 to 2010 is one of our all time favourite cars and the 535d is one of the very best. Powerful, smooth, reasonably economical and able to spin the rear wheels in third gear. Ahem.
It's worth considering other models though. The 535d is a twin-turbo version of the same 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine that you'll find, in single turbo form, in the 530d. You won't save any money in terms of tax (it's the same capacity), but the 530d will be better on fuel and cheaper to insure. If you really want to save some money, look for the ever-popular 520d, which is almost ridiculously cheap to run and far more powerful than you might expect.
As for things to look for, the suspension is the 5's weak point so if there are any nasty clonking noises or if the car feels unstable on the road, or the steering feels inaccurate, walk away. The iDrive infotainment system has also been known to give bother so check and make sure that it is working and, as with any prestige car, make sure it has a full service history.
With a car like this, I'd never advise buying privately or from an unfranchised dealer. SIMI membership should be at least the bottom line and you'll get a better deal from a BMW main dealer than you might expect, especially if the car is part of their approved used programme.
A 2005 530d or 535d seems to hover around a similar asking price to your Kia so you'll just have to negotiate carefully to get the best price.
Let us know how you get on.
Hyundai Santa Fe or Honda FR-V?
Any comments on 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2008 Honda FR-V?
Thanks
Lisa
Lisa Myers (Dublin)Mar 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Lisa,
Too utterly different cars but, thankfully, both ultra-reliable so both are good ownership prospects.
So, it just comes down to what you want and what you need. The Honda is a little more practical, and will be cheaper overall to run. The Hyundai is bigger and more expensive, but also a bit cooler in its SUV style. Worth pointing out that the third row seats in the Hyundai are quite small, so if you're carrying a full load of people regularly it may be best to go for the six-seat Honda.
Let us know how you get on