Kia Optima or Volkswagen Passat?
Considering buying a 2016 Kia Optima, but am sceptical of its resale value or trade in value. Other options being considered are a 2015/16 Passat, which will be more expensive now, but would it be better in the long run from a trade in value perspective in the future?
Daithi Glynn (Limerick)Aug 2017 Filed under: resale value
Expert answer
Hi Daithi,
Well, the best brands for residual values are generally held to be Toyota, Skoda or the premium German car brands. That said, Kia tends to perform quite well in residual terms right now, not least because of that impressive seven-year warranty. An Optima should make a good choice, then, as would a Toyota Avensis. That said, it’s very clear right now that the market is moving, rapidly, to being centred around SUVs and crossovers, not traditional four-door saloons, so you might be well advised to have a look at one of those — a Kia Sportage, perhaps, or Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, Nissan Qashqai or Volkswagen Tiguan.
Audi A3 or Volkswagen Golf, for space?
Which car has the most interior space: the Volkswagen Golf or the Audi A3?
Frank D (Dublin)Aug 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi F D,
They are essentially identical in size on the inside, with the same front and rear legroom and only a fractional difference in headroom. The A3 hatchback has a slightly smaller boot in three-door form (365 litres), but the five-door model (called the Sportback) has the same 380-litre boot as the Golf. The A3 saloon does have a bigger boot though, at 425 litres.
Why are cars not properly changed to RHD?
Hi! Hope you're well and hope you don't mind having a read of my rant to see what you think.
I'm wondering lately what is it with car manufacturers, in particular European ones, who in recent years have decided to skimp on doing full right-hand-drive conversions on their cars. For example, in the current Skoda Octavia, the bonnet release is on the left, as it was designed to be. The access buttons for the stereo are also to the left for easy access by the driver. If you take a look at the right-hand-drive model though you see the handbrake, bonnet release and stereo controls still placed for the left-hand-drive market. Same applies to the latest Golf; Volkswagen has been doing that with the Golf since the MK3 model.
And marques outside of VAG are also guilty - in particular Renault and Peugeot stand out as prime offenders for this - so much so as not bothering to convert the wipers to the right side. It looks so lazy - and I presume it's saving a meager sum on each car sold. You'd know this is the case as the premium brands such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes still go to the trouble of doing the conversions properly - but what's frustrating is that Skoda was doing proper conversions until recently. Their MK2 Octavia, sold until 2013, had it done properly. So it's a shame to see it going in the wrong direction.
Is there any way you could run this by your people in the motoring industry? I love new cars, but I'm sure most people would be willing to pay the extra €100 per car or whatever it is to have it as intended for the market. I'm sure some acknowledgement of it might make them reconsider. The poor attempts at the minute look very, very shoddy and I wish they'd give us the same attention as they do the left-hand-drive world.
Thank you for reading. I know - first world problems right?
Colin Moynihan (Waterford)Aug 2017 Filed under: miscellaneous
Expert answer
Hi Colin,
Yup, first world problem right enough, and actually not a new phenomenon at all. The old left-hand-drive-right-hand-drive swapover has been done better and worse by various car makers down the years, and it varies hugely from model to model. Anyone who’s driven a Mazda RX-8, and found the handbrake digging into their left thigh, for example, will have no doubts that even the Japanese, in spite of their right-hand-drive home market, often design cars for left-hand drive and then switch things around on the cheap.
Generally speaking, there should be no safety issues from the switch (wipers, as you point out, should really be swapped across and I can’t think of a model in recent years that hasn’t had that) although there was the old issue with the second generation Renault Megane that used a rod to switch the brakes across and which could still be activated by a passenger poking their shoes into the footwell…
As you point out, some buttons, switches, etc are often left the same and it’s all down to the investment needed to swap them around and the likely return on sales from right-hand-drive markets. Car makers do the maths very carefully, and while you’re right that it might only be €100 a car, that’s a multi-million up front investment, and one with no guaranteed return.
Incidentally, if you think it’s bad now, wait until after Brexit — if the UK car market slips, then the business case for right-hand-drive cars will fall further still.
How is the 2014 Ford Fiesta auto?
How is the 2014 Ford Fiesta Zetec automatic and what's it worth?
Kate Mackey (Tralee)Jul 2017 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Kate,
Well, the Fiesta has always been a good car, and 2014 models were post-facelift versions, so they look a little sharper on the outside and the interior got a boost in quality. Plus there was the option of the EcoBoost engine. Values run from around €8,000 to around €12,000, but, just at the moment, we can’t find a single automatic version for sale…
Is the Honda Fit 1.3 a good car?
Is the Honda Fit 1.3 a good car?
John Buckley (Cork)Jul 2017 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi John,
Yes, excellent, but just be aware that because it's badged as a Fit (rather than a Jazz) that means it has been imported from Japan. In that case you need to make sure that there are no issues with getting hold of parts and spares, and that it has been properly and correctly imported.
Do I buy petrol or diesel in a new car?
I want to buy a new car but I am confused - do I buy petrol or diesel?
Taranpreet Singh (Jalandhar)Jul 2017 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi there,
There's no completely easy answer I'm afraid, but the rule of thumb is that if you're doing low to medium mileage (below 20,000km a year) and drive in town a lot, go for petrol. If you're doing 20,000km+ and mostly on motorways diesel is still a good bet, but it's worth looking at the latest-tech hybrids too.
Do I need xDrive 4x4 in a BMW X5?
Hi I currently drive a BMW 520d and am interested in buying a 172/171 BMW X5 2.0-litre diesel. There is a good price difference between the sDrive and the xDrive models. If I do buy the X5 I wouldn't be going off-road driving and wouldn't be using it for towing either. I would just be using it for normal on-road driving. I do about 20,000 miles/32,000km a year. I would like to know if you think that the sDrive model would be enough or would I need the xDrive for added stability for driving on wet or icy roads in the winter. I've never had trouble in my 5 Series, but then the X5 is bigger and taller.
Thank you.
Jane Walsh (Cork)Jul 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Jane,
I would say that if you're driving as you describe then sDrive is fine, as not only is it entirely capable it's also much better from a point of view of running costs. For normal on-road driving it's perfectly good enough, and if you're worried about winter conditions then consider fitting some winter or all-season tyres.
We're looking for a good seven-seater.
Hi, we're looking for a seven-seater where we could potentially fit three car seats across the back seat. We currently have a Nissan Qashqai, which we love. A friend recommended a Volkswagen Touran, but says it feels a bit boxy to drive - but that might be the case with all seven-seaters? Our budget is €30k net of trade in (04 Ford Fiesta).
Happy to buy new or consider up to two years' old.
Thanks
Rosalind O'Brien (Dublin)Jul 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Rosalind,
If you go for the current Touran (which launched two years ago) then no, it's not boxy to drive at all. Rather good in fact. The new Renault Scenic is also quite nice to drive, and if you go up a size, the Ford S-Max is actually slightly nicer to drive than the Mondeo that it's based on. Here are a few reviews for your interest:
My Astra's timing belt has snapped...
The timing belt has snapped on my 1999 Opel Astra 1.4: just put on a new belt or put the car in the bin? Interference or non-interference?
Eamon Mcgowran (Limerick)Jul 2017 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Eamon,
Bad news, I'm afraid - that engine is interference, so it's highly likely that damage will have occurred. Best to have a compression test done on all cylinders before deciding what to do next.
Any advice on a BMW 7 Series?
Hi guys,
I've been looking at a 2007 BMW 730Ld for chauffeur work. One owner from new who is also a chauffeur, all timing chains replaced and gaskets and seals and full auto transmission service done. There's 160k miles on the clock.
Any advice on this model BMW please?
Cheers,
Kev
Kev Dillon (Dublin )Jul 2017 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Kev,
It should be perfect for your work and that 3.0-litre engine is pretty solid. Watch for turbo trouble though and keep an eye on the electrics. If it has a full service history it should be fine.