Should you be recommending diesels?
Hi
I have the impression that on many occasions you can recommend a diesel as being a better option, and I can fully understand why. The problem is, it seems to me, that there is a huge degree of uncertainty over diesels, with widespread negative publicity and many cities proposing to ban them. It doesn't really matter whether this negativity is justified. The "uncertainty" will kill any market. Not only do you have to worry about where you might be allowed to drive, but also whether there will be much demand for diesels in four or five years time, when you go to sell. So economically, diesels might be a better proposition, but it takes a brave person to make that choice.
Philip
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Apr 2018 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Philip and thanks for this,
You make some good points here, but the main one I'd like to focus on is the uncertainty. It is, without a doubt, reducing car sales right now, as people don't know what to do, and all we can do is present the facts. They are this:
1 - There are many motorists in Ireland for which there is no economic alternative to a diesel car. Those that travel long distances day in, day out, could not use an electric car. Plug-in hybrids would be useless to them as well as they only return good economy when regularly charged up. The latest non plug-in hybrids are more economical than ever on a long run, but still not as cheap to fuel as a good diesel. And let's not forget, the majority of drivers are buying used, so there's very little choice in the used market for anything other than conventional diesel or petrol.
2 - For another large number of Irish motorists, petrol power would be perfectly fine. We've been saying for years that too many people have diesel cars because that became the default after 2008. Regardless of air quality and health issues, diesels come with higher maintenance costs, especially if they aren't used at higher speeds regularly.
3 - It seems to have been lost in the conversation that the diesel bans being discussed are not for all diesels, but for older diesels that emit much higher levels of NOx and other pollutants.
4 - The Irish government needs to hurry up and let the country/industry know what it plans to do, for this uncertainty is killing the market full-stop, not just diesel power.
With all the above in mind, we will continue to help buyers choose a car based on their individual circumstances and for many that will still mean a diesel. For now.
I welcome thoughts and comments on this below. Would be great to get some feedback on what people think and whether they are holding off buying a car because of the uncertainty.
What's up with my Ford Focus spec?
I have a 2016 Ford Focus Titanium with no DRLs. My mate has one with them. Mine has keyless entry while his has a touch handle thing. They are the same age and model. When yoou look on the Ford website for spec it says DRLs as standard. Why are mine missing? Puzzled!
Many thanks
Steven Hodgson (Manchester )Mar 2018 Filed under: optional extras
Expert answer
Hi Steven,
We’ve had a quick word with Ford about this, and it seems that there are two potential answers. One is that it’s possible that one of the cars was originally a UK model and there may be some spec differences there, and the other possibility is that one car was registered in 2016, but may have been a 2015-built car, which was taken from storage to be registered. If you can provide us with the car’s VIN number, we can do some more digging.
What compact saloons are worth a look?
I love saloons (memories), but my wife says they are too big. What saloon, up to four years old, would look not much bigger than an Opel Astra hatchback?
Frank D (Dublin)Mar 2018 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi F D,
Well, the good news is that there are plenty of mid-size saloons that are more or less the same size as an Astra — yes, they have a big boot slung out the back, but the difference in overall length is usually only a few centimetres. The best is probably the VW Jetta; it's plain looking, but good to drive and really well made. Ditto the Toyota Corolla. There’s a Ford Focus saloon too, and a really lovely Mazda3 saloon (which is actually nicer looking than the hatchback). There was also an Astra saloon, but to be honest it was a bit awkward looking if you ask me. If you do like the Astra hatch, though, it might be worth seeking one out. Here are a few relevant reviews to read:
Does a 2015 Focus have parking sensors?
Does a 2015 Ford Focus Zetec 125 Powershift five-door automatic have rear parking sensors?
Rob Wegg (St Austell)Feb 2018 Filed under: parking
Expert answer
Hi Rob,
According to Ford, no, not as standard, although an individual car may of course have been fitted with them as an option.
Is a 1.0-litre engine ok for a family car?
Hi,
Just wondering if you have much knowledge or feedback on the new 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engines? We are looking for a good reliable family car, but ideally want to go with petrol based on our mileage and daily driving routes. However, I am slightly nervous that a 1.0-litre might lack power and be very noisy or "revy" on motorway drives when travelling at greater speed. The sales people say these turbo engines feel more like a 1.6-litre. But then they are trying to sell so would be great to get some independent feeling on them in your experience. Any in particular you would recommend as there are not as many petrol options in family cars.
Many thanks, Peter
Peter Hogan (St Austell)Jan 2018 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Peter,
In this instance, the sales people are being entirely truthful — the new 1.0-litre turbo engines are indeed equivalent to an old 1.6 or even 1.8 engine in the way they drive. You certainly won’t find them too ‘revvy’ on the motorway, as the small turbo increases low-down torque and makes the car feel very relaxed and easy to drive. Certainly that’s true for the Volkswagen Group, Ford, Honda and Renault-Nissan engines anyway. The best ones to go for, in our experience, are the VW Golf or Skoda Octavia (both using the same engine, of course), the Honda Civic (which should be the most reliable in the long term) and the Ford Focus (which can be a little on the thirsty side). Read our reviews below for more detail:
Volkswagen Golf 1.0 TSI review
My Ford Focus has poor radio reception...
I have a 2010 Ford Focus and it has a very poor radio reception. I have checked the aerial and the wire going to the radio and they are ok
Martin Mc Phillips (Cavan)Jan 2018 Filed under: electrics
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
That's not an easy one to help you with from afar as there are too many unanswered questions, such as, has the reception changed or has it always been like this? Have you moved? Have you compared it to reception in other cars in the same area? Our advice would be to bring the car along to a good auto electrician or in-car entertainment expert and explain it in full.
Best of luck
Is my Ford Focus diesel too cold?
I have a 2009 Ford Focus diesel. The engine malfunction light came on twice today on way to work. It cut out, I lost power steering and the windows would not work either. The car is now parked but it is starting up for me now and the warning light has gone off and all seems fine. What could be the problem please? It is a very cold day here too, maybe the car was cold?
Many thanks, Lucy
Lucy McDonnell (Blanchardstown, Dublin)Nov 2017 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Lucy,
It's always difficult to analyse an issue like that from afar, but it is likely to be a problem with either the charging circuit (battery or alternator, basically) or maybe the mass air flow meter. All of these things could be affected by lower than usual temperatures, but if working properly they should still not fail.
Best advice I can give is to get your car to a good mechanic if it does this again.
How often do I change the belt in my Focus?
After how many miles does the timing belt on a 2015 diesel Ford Focus 1.5 have to be changed?
Rory Waters (Kildare)Sep 2017 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Rory,
Assuming you really do mean the 1.5 TDCi diesel in the latest Focus (which was only launched in 2015), then Ford recommends every 180,000 kilometres or 10 years. We's suggest earlier if the car is used in town a lot in stop-start traffic. That applies to all 95hp and 120hp versions, as well as the 105hp ECOnetic model.
Will hybrid VRT relief change in the Budget?
I would welcome your opinion on the upcoming 2018 Irish Budget in November. The current VRT relief on hybrid cars is €1,500. In light of current poor sales of hybrid cars in Ireland (two per cent of total Irish sales), do you see them raising this value or could they possibly withdraw it?
I ask this because I am planning to purchase a hybrid for 181 and I would like to take advantage of the 'increased' value.
Michael Carey (Letterkenny)Aug 2017 Filed under: hybrid
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
I would expect to see little to no change in the hybrid subvention in the coming budget. Although there will be some pressure to incentivise low-emissions cars that aren’t diesel, the focus will probably be more on higher incentives for battery-electric cars, and possible plugin hybrids, and some changes to the reclaiming of VAT on petrol for company users. The Department of Finance will be well aware that there is a huge number of new hybrid cars due for launch, and they won’t want to risk a fall-off in revenue by increasing the subvention, so I think, at this point, it’s unlikely to change very much.
Will there be Budget changes for 2018 VRT?
Budget 2018 and the hybrid reduction amount of €1,500 on a new Kia Niro: in your opinion. would you expect this figure (VRT reduction) to increase, based on the fact that hybrids have not been selling very well this year (two per cent of total sales in Ireland), and the government needs to encourage hybrid sales. Hence, I would wait until the budget is announced before buying my 2018.
Thanking you as always for your expert opinion.
Michael Carey (Letterkenny)Aug 2017 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi again Michael,
Our answer on your other question is relevant here too: I would expect to see little to no change in the hybrid subvention in the coming budget. Although there will be some pressure to incentivise low-emissions cars that aren’t diesel, the focus will probably be more on higher incentives for battery-electric cars, and possible plugin hybrids, and some changes to the reclaiming of VAT on petrol for company users. The Department of Finance will be well aware that there is a huge number of new hybrid cars due for launch, and they won’t want to risk a fall-off in revenue by increasing the subvention, so I think, at this point, it’s unlikely to change very much.