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Ford Focus, Opel Astra or Hyundai i30?

I intend to replace my car soon with something more powerful than my 1.0-litre Corsa. I've been looking mostly at an Opel Astra, Ford Focus, or Hyundai i30, and my budget is up to €10,000. Would there be an obvious standout to buy in those three, or any major issues with them? Also, I cover about 650km/week between commuting and life, 90 per cent of which is on good regional roads. Would you have a recommendation either way on whether to choose a petrol or diesel engine?

Thanks

Colm McGrath (Kildare)

Aug 2018 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Colm,

OK, first off, with that kind of mileage you’re well into the sort of levels that would justify a diesel engine, although the best of the down-sized turbo petrols are still certainly worth looking at. Of the three cars you’ve selected, I’d leave the Astra, as your €10,000 budget won’t get you into a new-shape model, and the older Astra was pretty dull. Of the other two, the Focus is the best, by far, to drive, and has solid reliability, but the i30 is better for interior space, and would be the more reliable in the long run.


Is the Ford C-Max a wise investment?

Thinking of changing my 2010 Ford Focus Style 1.6 TDCi  hatchback for a 2012/2013 Ford Focus hatchback of similar engine size. Or maybe a Ford Focus C-Max of similar age. Any advice on what would be best? Wondering about selling on the C-Max in a few years - is there much demand for them with the wide variety of SUV/crossover vehicles available now?

Fiona O'Rourke (Cork )

Aug 2018 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Fiona,

A C-Max would possibly not be a great plan — demand for MPVs is definitely on the way down as people make the switch to SUVs. I think a regular Focus could well be the better bet — unless you need seven seats, it’s not that much less practical, and it will definitely be easier to sell on again later.


Belt or chain in the Ford Kuga?

Has the 2014 Ford Kuga TDCi Titanium 4x2 a timing belt or chain?

Anthony Smith (Gelli)

Aug 2018 Filed under: servicing

Expert answer

Hi Anthony,

That Kuga has a timing belt, which needs to be replaced every 200,000 kilometres or every 10 years - whichever comes first.


Timing belt change in 2011 Ford Fiesta?

When does the timing belt on a 2011 Ford Fiesta Zetec diesel need replacing please?

Samie Husseini (Brisbane)

Jun 2018 Filed under: servicing

Expert answer

Hi Samie,

It depends which engine exactly you have in your Fiesta and when it was manufactured. For both the 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre TDCi engines, there was a changeover in schedule that occurred for cars made later in 2010. Before that, the timing belts in the diesel engines were scheduled to be changed every 200,000 kilometres or every 10 years, but after that, for a brief period of manufacture, it changed to 140,000km (still 10 years) and later again back up to 180,000 kilometres.

We always encourage readers to err on the side of caution with timing belts, so would advise you to consider the 140,000km interval as applicable to your car.


Why do delivery charges vary so much?

Hi,

I am interested in buying a new Ford Fiesta; the model I am interested in is priced online at €20,150. One dealer in the Cork area quoted me €22,000 for the exact same thing, another quoted €21,395, making delivery charges €1,850 and €1,245 respectively. Audi quotes €650 delivery for the A1. Would you ask Ford Ireland for a comment and if it intends to do anything about it?

Thanks

Pat

Pat Mc Sweeney (Brisbane)

Jun 2018 Filed under: miscellaneous

Expert answer

Hi Pat,

The problem is that Ford Ireland, legally, cannot impose delivery charges on its dealers. It can suggest recommended delivery charges, but according to Irish law (and companies have, in the past, had their offices raided for this sort of thing), dealers are allowed to charge what they want for delivery and related. A spokesperson for the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission told us that: "Consumer law requires traders to provide the total cost, including extras, of a product to a consumer before they buy. In the specific instance of when a manufacturer is advertising a car for sale, the manufacturer can only advertise the recommended retail price and state that delivery and related charges will be extra. If a consumer then decides to buy that car, they should be provided with the total price by the dealer before they buy. Auxiliary costs such as motor insurance, tax etc. are not dealt with specifically under consumer protection law. However, through our information campaigns, we would encourage consumers to do their homework about such costs before making a purchase."

We did contact Ford about the issue too, and it said: "It is an anomaly of the Irish market that has come down to us from our forebears. It is just the way the market is set up and all brands operate the system. Pretty much since the first Model Ts were hitting dealerships across the country, car brands always quoted an 'ex-works price' [in other words, the price of the car as it leaves the factory gates, not when it rolls off the dealer forecourt] for a car on top of which an extra charge was added. What is covered by that cost will vary from dealer to dealer, but for all of them, it covers the cost of delivery of the vehicle to their dealership. Many dealers will also include such items as the cost of the pre-delivery inspection (PDI), new plates for the car, perhaps a full tank of fuel. Each dealer will have their own range of items that are covered. So, ‘headquarters’ does not get involved in the setting of that cost or what is covered, it is all at the discretion of the dealer. In today's very competitive new car market, everything is up for negotiation and I am sure that many customers push the dealer on all aspects of the 'deal' including the delivery and related costs. Customers are savvy enough to do their homework, shop around and compare what is on offer across dealerships and indeed, across brands. More than ever, real value is what will win out in the marketplace.”


Should we get a second EV for towing?

Hi, a question about a second car. What would be a good choice for a second car for travelling to work that does small mileage (10-20 miles) daily? Our main car is a Nissan Leaf, which we use for the majority of our driving. A car that can tow a small trailer would be ideal, something with low tax and running costs. Budget is about 6-7 thousand euro, with the intention of trading in the car in a few years time for a newer model. Have thought of buying another electric car, but not sure about having two electric cars in household until longer range cars are available or charging network improves.

Thank you for your help.

Barry

Barry Slye (Cork)

Jun 2018 Filed under: electric cars

Expert answer

Hi Barry,

The problem with electric cars is that, generally, they’re not rated for towing (I think that the new Nissan Leaf is one of the first with a towing rating), so you’re probably going to have to switch back to petrol or diesel for this one. Probably your best bet is to go for something very conventional, such as VW Golf or Ford Focus, and maybe go for the estate version of one of those to give yourself a little extra versatility. A Toyota Auris Hybird would also work well, and would at least keep you going on half-electric power. Plenty of them around in your price range.


Is my Mondeo's tax bill correct?

I have a 2009 Ford Mondeo 2.0 140hp, but I think my car tax might be wrong. I have been paying €750 a year on this car. I'm only looking into it now after someone telling me it could be the wrong price; how can I look into this or who could I talk to about this?

Thanks

Thomas Madden (Kilcolgan )

Jun 2018 Filed under: taxation

Expert answer

Hi Thomas,

It’s possible. If your car is the 2.0-litre 140hp TDCi saloon with a manual gearbox, then its CO2 emissions should be rated at 156g/km, which would give you a motor tax bill of €570 a year. However, if it’s the automatic version, then the CO2 rating jumps to 189g/km, and that’s a €750 bill. 


Can I fit electric seats to my Focus?

Hi guys.

I have just purchased a set of black leather seats for my 2009 Ford Focus Zetec model. They came out of a Ford Focus Titanium of the same year. The driver's seat on the Titanium is electric and that in my Zetec is not! Will it be ok re working etc?

Many thanks. Peter.

Peter Tilling (Ruislip, Middx)

May 2018 Filed under: seating

Expert answer

Hi Peter,

I think you may have a few issues there, unless you find it's easy to swap the manual adjustment mechanism from your old seats to the new ones. I suspect that won't be a simple task, unfortunately. And you'd need a lot more wiring, etc. to get the electric seats to work.


Electrical issues with the Volvo S60?

I am considering buying a second hand Volvo S60, approx year 2014. I've heard negative remarks about the electrics and that issues are expensive to repair. Would electrical issues be common?

David Heffernan (Dublin)

May 2018 Filed under: electrics

Expert answer

Hi David,

Electrical issues are the most common reliability issues with any car these days, simply because cars have become so complex. Volvo generally has a solid reliability reputation, and the S60 uses tried and tested mechanical bits (it’s closely related to the old Ford Mondeo under the skin), but you can always expect some issues with any car. Buy one with a full and complete service history, and you’ll at least be off to a good start.


When is my Mondeo diesel's belt due?

When is the timing belt change due on a 2014 Ford Mondeo 1.6 TDCi Titanium X?

Neil Wood (ST HELENS)

Apr 2018 Filed under: servicing

Expert answer

Hi Neil,

The recommended change interval for your car is 180,000 kilometres or every 10 years. Always treat that as a maximum.


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