New Opel Mokka X or similar crossover?
Hi,
I'm considering buying the new Opel Mokka X or similar sized, height and priced car. What would you recommend? I've even considered the Dacia range, but maybe its false economy with them?
Thanks
Simon
Simon McCormack (Straffan)May 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Simon,
The Mokka is quite nice, and a bit of an underrated car actually, but we reckon the best car in this class is the Suzuki Vitara, which is affordable, genuinely rugged, reliable and quite nice to drive. Handsome too. The Dacia Duster is actually a terrific machine — you have to allow for a rough and ready interior and an unrefined driving experience, but for the money it’s nigh-on impossible to beat.
Does climate alter my Ford's value?
I have a 2009 Ford Fusion and the build data describes it as a 1.4 petrol manual Zetec with air conditioning. When I bought it the dealership described it as a Zetec Climate. What are the essential build differences between the two versions? And the valuation differences?
Peter WALTERS (Emerson Valley, Milton Keynes)May 2017 Filed under: optional extras
Expert answer
Hi Peter,
If it says Cclimate on the tin, it should have climate control on the inside. The difference between that and normal air conditioning is that air conditioning simply allows you to choose between hot and cold, whereas climate control allows you to select a specific temperature. If your car only has a red-blue heat controller then you've been sold a pup.
That said, it depends on where you're getting your build data from. Some lists won't code specifically for climate control and will just use air conditioning as a catch-all.
Petrol or diesel Ford for an M50 commute?
Hi,
My workplace is in Blackrock and I live in Lucan, so it takes around 25 to 30 minutes to get to the work and I work only three days a week, which makes my annual mileage around 10,000km. I am getting a good deal on a Ford diesel car. Should I go for diesel or not? Cost of diesel engine is not the concern; I am worried about DPF and servicing costs as my annual mileage is not much, but whatever km I am going to drive would be M50.
Kind regards,
Naseem
Naseem Mian (Lucan)May 2017 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Naseem,
If you’re driving the M50 a lot, it probably depends what time of day… Post-10am or pre-4pm and you’d probably get up enough speed to be able to keep the DPF clear and so it wouldn’t be a problem, even with the relatively low mileage. If you’re stop-start driving and not getting into a proper heat cycle, then no, go for petrol instead. Ford has that brilliant little 1.0-litre EcoBoost turbo petrol engine.
Which engine for my Jaguar XF?
Which engine should I go for in a Jaguar XF? The 2.2 or 3.0-litre V6 diesel?
Bill Conway (Longford)Apr 2017 Filed under: diesel
Expert answer
Hi Bill,
We do love that V6 engine for its creamy-smooth torque hit, but there’s no question that the 2.2 is the better buy — it still has plenty of grunt and is far more affordable to run. Reliability is good too, although keep an eye out for minor electrical niggles.
Alternatives to the Golf GTD Estate?
Hi,
If possible please can you do a 'Five of the best' report for compact estate cars in Ireland? I desire and am ready to order a Volkswagen Golf GTD Estate as am currently on my second GTD, but need more space. I want to carry on the Golf GTD customer journey, but alas, this perfect solution for me and my family is 'not available in Ireland...' Therefore I need to look elsewhere so would appreciate your opinions if possible? It appears SEAT and Skoda have this category to themselves.
Martin Smith (Longford)Apr 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
It is a shame that the GTD Estate isn’t imported into Ireland by Volkswagen as it’s a cracking car, but the sad fact is that the market for compact estates is so small, and high performance compact estates smaller still, that it’s probably not worth Volkswagen’s while. That said, the GTD Estate is effectively imported in the guise of both the Skoda Octavia RS TDI Combi and the SEAT Leon ST 2.0 TDI 180hp FR — of those two, we’d go for the Skoda, as it’s marginally sharper to drive than the SEAT, looks great and is simply massive inside.
Other options are the Opel Astra Sports Tourer in SRi spec with the 136hp 1.6 CDTi diesel engine — not as powerful as the Skoda or SEAT, obviously, but a great car and terrific to drive. Lovely interior too. Or you could try the Ford Focus ST TDCi Estate, which is brilliant fun to drive, but sadly is again on the personal import list.
Lastly, there’s the option of going second hand or nearly new and buying something along the lines of a BMW 3 Series Touring or Audi A4 Avant.
Nearly new sensible car or older premium?
Hi.
I'm thinking of changing my car, but I'm torn between buying a nearly new model like the Mazda6 or a three-year-old premium car from such as BMW, Jaguar or Audi with lowish mileage. Servicing cost of premium brands is also a concern. On the other hand, I can get a lot of car for reasonable money. Decisions! Decisions!
Your opinion greatly valued. Thanks in advance.
Tom McGrath (Kilkenny)Apr 2017 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Tom,
Buying a premium car on the cheap is always tempting (have you seen the price of ten-year-old Audi A8s? Tempting…), but it comes with the caveat that you do need to set aside budget for maintenance and servicing, especially if you plan on keeping it serviced with a main dealer. Even with a more affordable independent specialist, the bills for any major work can still be significant.
Now, balanced against that is the fact that cars are, in general, more reliable, and you can get a good warranty on an approved used premium car (BMW’s two-year second hand warranty is especially good).
That said, going the nearly-new Japanese route is the painless option, and the Mazda6 is an especially good comparison. Buy a specced-up Platinum version of the 6 and I defy you to say that its cabin is any less luxurious than that of a BMW or Jaguar and it’s a great car to drive too, with typical Mazda reliability.
So while the older premium route is tempting, we’d err on the side of caution and go for the Mazda.
Timing belt interval for Ford B-Max?
Hi,
Could you tell me if a Ford B-Max 1.6 TDCi has a cambelt or chain and if it's a cambelt when it needs to be changed?
Many thanks
Leanne Bennett (Hertfordshire )Apr 2017 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Leanne,
The set interval is every 160,000km or 10 years, but we would recommend getting the belt changed sooner than that — say at around 80,000km, just for safety’s sake. It’s a small extra expense to save a potentially catastrophic engine failure. Also, on that engine, beware of the oil pump leaking on the cam-belt and causing it to slip.
What makes and models are spacious?
What are the best makes/models for driver legroom/headroom and rear passenger (behind driver seat) legroom?
Eamon O'Connor (Waterford)Mar 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Eamon,
Well, obviously the bigger the car the better, and if you can stretch to a long-wheelbase Range Rover...
At a more sensible level, the best car for long legs in both front and back is the Skoda Superb (both current and previous generation models). Also good choices are the Ford Mondeo, Toyota Avensis and Hyundai i40. If you need to come down a size, go for a Skoda Octavia or Honda Civic.
I'm looking for a high-up diesel auto...
Currently driving a Peugeot 2008 diesel automatic. Love it, but need a slightly higher car again - still diesel automatic. My passenger has a disability and needs easier access. Don't need larger car just higher car. I like the Ford EcoSport, but the diesel version is not automatic. It appears slightly higher than the 2008. Something along that line and price bracket would suit me if it were available. Otherwise I will have to return to a Peugeot 3008 diesel automatic, which I had some years ago, but felt it was too large. Did not have to take disabled passenger at that stage.
Yvonne O'Dwyer (Kilkenny)Feb 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Yvonne,
It’s going to be very hard to find a car that’s taller but not bigger overall. Most car makers cluster around the same size and dimensions within a given class, so unless you go for a larger car altogether, you’re unlikely to find anything else that is more than a few millimetres different either way.
Your best bet might be to have a look at the Opel Mokka X, which is similarly sized to the 2008, but a little bit higher in its ride height. Why not go and check out out and see if it suits?
Relevant reviews:
Which new car on PCP for around €25k?
Hi, I am looking to buy a new car on PCP. Budget is around €25k. I have looked at family options like the Skoda Octavia, Volkswagen Golf and Mazda3. Also on my shortlist is the Audi A1. Can you please advise which of these is the best bet?
Please suggest any other car that I can look at.
Rahul Nair (Dublin)Feb 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Rahul,
There are a lot of other options from the Ford Focus to the Toyota Auris to the Peugeot 308 to the Hyundai i30 to the Kia cee’d and Nissan Pulsar. Of the ones you’ve mentioned, the two that I’d pick from are the Skoda (huge inside, practical, reliable) and the Mazda (high quality cabin, ultra-reliable).
Relevant reviews: