Belt or chain in 2014 Opel Insignia?
2014 Opel Insignia 170hp Elite: can you tell me if it's a timing chain or timing belt? If it's a belt, what is the mileage or age to replace?
Noel Murphy (Kilkenny)Jul 2017 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Noel,
It's a belt, not a chain, and while Opel says that it needs changing only every ten years or 160,000km, we'd recommend having it at least inspected more frequently than that.
Looking for something fun and petrol...
Hey guys, looking to upgrade from a 2008 Honda Civic Type S for something a little more comfortable for long journeys but still quite fun and cool. Any advice?
I abhor diesel engines and any help is appreciated!
Peter White (Mayo)Jun 2017 Filed under: performance
Expert answer
Hi Peter,
If you want a mix of fun, comfort and not diesel, it’s kind of hard to beat a Volkswagen Golf GTI. Superb performance, practical and comfy cabin and 45mpg if you drive it gently.
Other good options are a MINI Cooper (a touch noisy on longer journeys, but with very good seats), a Ford Fiesta ST (hands down the best hot hatch currently on sale, but perhaps lacking a little in comfort), or a Peugeot 308 in GT spec with the 130hp 1.2-litre PureTech petrol engine.
What fun petrol hatch for €5,000?
I'm a newly full licenced driver at the ripe old age of 30, I haven't owned a car in 10 years so I'm looking at getting a used car for €4-5k, but due to insurance I'm limited to cars 1.6-litre or less. I want a petrol hatchback and would love something fun to drive yet affordable to run and good for motorways on the odd occasion so 1.0-litre shoeboxes would be a no no.
Any suggestions?
John Ward (Galway)Jun 2017 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi John,
OK, lots and lots of options. How about a Fiat 500? Great looking, fun to drive, well made and that 1.2-litre petrol engine is willing enough to tackle motorway work from time to time.
Late 2000s MINIs fall into your budget too, and they're great fun to drive, roomier than the 500 (well, a bit) and solid on longer journeys.
You could be dead sensible and go for an Audi A3 1.6 petrol and there'd be nothing wrong with that - ticks all the boxes.
Or maybe something a bit more left-field? How about a Volkswagen Beetle? An original Mini (we did find one in your budget) or even a Smart ForTwo Brabus?
Which luxury car for my chauffeur business?
Hi guys,
I'm in the market for a used car for my chauffeur business. Budget is low as with any business starting out so I've narrowed my choice down to these cars: 2007/8 Mercedes-Benz E-Class CDI 220/270/280, 2007/8 Lexus GS 450h/300, 2008 Audi A8 3.0-litre TDI or 2008/9 Jaguar XF diesel. I have a feeling that the Lexus is the most reliable, but also the most costly fuel wise and the boot is quite small for luggage too. I've been told the facelifted E-Class is very good and reliable as all issues where rectifified with the W211. I don't know too much about the Audi A8 or the Jaguar XF.
Any advice please?
Kev Dillon (Dublin)Jun 2017 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Kev,
Yes, it's a tricky combination of things you need. Normally we'd say go for the Lexus and just enjoy the ultimate in reliability, but as you rightly point out, there's an issue with luggage space. With that in mind, I think the best bet is the Audi A8, which has masses of space in the cabin and boot and which should be, aside from the Lexus, the most overall reliable car in your list.
Should I go for a new Alfa Romeo Giulia?
Hi,
I am contemplating buying an Alfa Romeo Giulia and was hoping to get thoughts from a local motoring journalist. Would you recommend it? I've done a fair bit of homework comparing it against the likes of a BMW 3 Series or Jaguar XE and it really seems to stand up well. While the others offer lower hp engines etc, when you actually compare like for like (e.g. auto 150hp/180hp/200hp), the price difference/levels of standard spec seem worlds apart.
I'm looking at the Super Sport trim and when I spec up an equivalent M Sport, the price difference works out at around €5k.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Donal (Dublin)
Donal Dennehy (Dublin)Jun 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Donal,
Yup, Alfa is definitely offering some very sharp value deals on the Giulia at the moment, especially when you consider that you can effectively get a mid-spec car for the same price as a basic model. It’s a car we really like — it’s gorgeous, terrific to drive, practical and Alfa seems at last to have gotten on top of its quality issues. Two caveats, really — the infotainment system is not as sophisticated as you’d find in rival models, and to see the Giulia at its best, you really need to avoid the 2.2 diesel and go instead for the 200hp turbo petrol, although obviously that may not suit your needs.
Should we upgrade to a BMW 320d Touring?
Hi,
We currently have a 2001 Volkswagen Golf Estate 1.4 petrol and are looking to upgrade. A potential option is a 2007 BMW 3 Series 320d SE Touring. Do you think this is a good option? We are happy to commit to the extra tax and insurance as we feel this will balance out with savings on fuel.
Would you agree? Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks.
Kay Clyne (Dublin)Jun 2017 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Kay,
Yes, you should see a considerable saving on fuel, probably in the order of 10mpg at least, depending on how and where you drive. It is worth noting, though, that you will also be looking at considerably higher maintenance and servicing costs, as the 320d is much more sophisticated and high-tech than your Golf and, without careful, regular attention from a specialist they can start giving serious trouble.
Thoughts on the Jeep Renegade diesel?
I am wondering about the Jeep Renegade Limited Edition model 1.6 diesel: how good on mpg and handling mainly? What out of 100 marks would you rate it compared to other SUVs of the same size?
Amylee Curran Curran (Dublin)Jun 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Amylee,
We really like the Renegade - true, the looks won't please all, but it's decent to drive, that 1.6 diesel is frugal and has good power (bit noisy though) and there's decent space in the cabin. Quality levels seem good too, although the boot could be bigger. Out of 100? 65-70 I'd say.
Is the Skoda Octavia 1.0 a good one?
Is the Skoda Octavia 1.0 TSI good (in terms of fuel economy and reliability) for long drives? E.g. travelling from Copenhagen to Prague (approx 1,000km) in one day?
Sharad Maroo (Ringsted)Jun 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Sharad,
Skoda reliability is hard to beat; in fact Skoda often does better in reliability surveys than its Volkswagen overlord, so knocking off a regular 1,000km journey will be no bother to it.
As for economy, we recently tested the 1.0 Octavia and got close to 50mpg out of it in daily driving, so it's pretty frugal, really.
What'll I do with my petrol Mazda5?
Hi,
According to every car salesman I speak to I am apparently in an unfortunate situation. I currently own a Mazda5 Exec, 1.8 petrol seven-seater with 127,500km on the clock, which I no longer have a need for. So, I am considering trading it in, but I'm also considering selling it privately (as I may get more money for it that way). The best trade in price I have been quoted so far was €4,450 against a 2011 Ford Focus TDCi and the worst price I've been quoted was €2,500 against a 2012 Opel Astra GTC (worth €11,750).
What I'm hoping to buy is a good reliable small car (hatchback style) that is economical to run and tax and that will last me a long time. I test drove a few in the past few weeks and unlike my past car purchases I'm in no hurry to buy. I am considering buying a car from Northern Ireland with the sterling being rumoured to becoming equal to the Euro soon enough.
The Astra GTC has caught my eye, but going by some reviews I've been reading it may not be the best fit for me. Some other cars I would consider are Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus or SEAT Leon, but I'm open to persuasion.
Basically, I don't need a seven-seater anymore, so I want a stylish, modern, economical smaller car to get around in. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Kind regards,
Del.
Derek Bailey (Dunleer)Jun 2017 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Derek,
OK, you haven’t told us the year of your Mazda so that makes it a little hard to value, but seeing as it’s the 1.8 petrol I’m going to guess that it’s around 2006-2007. If so, then I’d say that the €4,400 trade-in offer is actually pretty good.
As to what car to get, if you’re looking for a small hatch then it’s very hard indeed to look past the Volkswagen Golf. It’s one of the world’s best-selling cars for a reason, and as long as you buy one with a full service history and keep it looked after, you should get plenty of years of reliable service out of one yet.
Ditto for the mechanically identical SEAT Leon and Skoda Octavia. The Opel Astra GTC is a fine car in many ways — handsome, good to drive, decent quality, but it was hamstrung by poor diesel engines (other than the range-topping 2.0-litre) and unless you’re looking at the 1.4 petrol turbo model, it’s possibly not the best purchase.
The Focus is definitely a good buy, and that TDCi diesel is frugal to run, but you just have to be slightly cautious about diesel power right now. If you’re not doing big miles, you’d be better off with a petrol car.
How much to trade my Merc in for?
I have a Mercedes-Benz C 200 auto diesel with 72k km on the clock. It's silver, has satnav, parking sensors front and rear. Taxed until Feb 2018, NCT up to Feb 2019. This car is for trade-in - how much for?
Valentine Duignan (Bray Ireland)Jun 2017 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Valentine,
You haven’t told us the year of the car, but assuming it’s a 2010 model, then it should be worth in and around €10,000.