Ford Kuga or Kia Sportage?
I am buying a new car and I'm undecided between a 131 Ford Kuga or a 142 Kia Sportage. Have test driven the Kuga and it is gorgeous but the seven-year warranty with the Sportage is seriously tempting.
Neasa Macnamara (Limerick)Mar 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Neasa,
I know what you mean, although it's worth pointing out that the Kuga can be had with a five-year warranty right now. I actually think that the Kuga is a very underrated car - it's spacious, handsome and really good to drive. The Kia still looks good but in terms of its cabin, engine and chassis you can sense that it's ageing a bit now, and a new model is due next year.
Incidentally, don't make a final decision until you try a 1.6 i-DTEC Honda CR-V. Cracking car - slightly more expensive than the Ford or Kia, but worth a look for its high quality, reliability and cabin space.
Further reading:
What small new car should I go for?
I am thinking of trading in my 2011 Nissan Micra (it has an NCT until 2017) for either a new (152) car or a 142 model. The shortlist of cars are: Hyundai i10, Peugeot 208, Renault Clio and maybe the Toyata Yaris or Skoda Fabia. However, the new bigger Ford Ka is due by December 2015 in the UK and 2016 here. Should I wait for the Ka?
Jacqueline Lynch (Dublin)Mar 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Jacqueline,
I wouldn't wait for the Ka. It's being designed primarily for Asian and low-cost markets, so it probably won't be the most refined, comfortable or high-tech. That's perhaps jumping the gun on the review a bit, but it's certainly likely to be the case. Of the cars you've listed I'd say the Hyundai i10 and Skoda Fabia are the standouts. They're quite different cars (the i10 is significantly smaller than the Skoda), but both are excellent to drive, well-made, reliable and offer excellent value. Have a try of both, and see which one suits your needs, size-wise, better.
Further reading:
Have you tested the new Ford Mustang 2.3?
Will you be testing the Ford Mustang Ecoboost 2.3-litre automatic? If so, when? I am interested in the handling, performance of the engine, road tax, fuel economy and insurance costs.
Sean Cotter (Newtownmountkennedy)Mar 2015 Filed under: future cars
Expert answer
Hi Sean,
We are driving the new European-spec Ford Mustang next month so keep an eye on our reviews page for the full lowdown.
What will I replace my Lexus GS with?
Hi, I currently drive a Lexus GS 300. I love it but the tax is too expensive. I have about €25k to spend and I was thinking of the Audi Q3, but it has to be automatic. Is there any other model you would suggest? My car is over 10 years old, so other car dealers are offering the scrappage deal. What would you suggest?
Cathal O'Donnell (Tara)Mar 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Cathal,
The Q3 is nice and all but the Q5 is definitely superior so perhaps think of going for a nearly-new Q5 instead of a brand new Q3? There is no official scrappage programme at the moment, but some car makers are offering self-funded scrappage deals - Opel, Nissan, Toyota and Ford among them. Audi isn’t though, so you may need to re-think your brand if you fancy a trade-in leg-up. That said, even with the tax, a Lexus is still a Lexus so you should get a decent trade-in offer.
What decent diesel suits a young driver?
I'm only 19 and buying a good quality diesel car in the next week. Looking at an Opel Astra 1.3 CDTi or a Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec. What would you reccommend? I'm thinking between 2005 and 2008.
David Egan (Kilmihil)Mar 2015 Filed under: diesel
Expert answer
Hi David,
I would reckon you'd be better off going for the 1.3-litre Opel. If it's pre-08 it'll have cheaper road tax and given your age I would think keeping the engine capacity down as far as possible would be good from an insurance point of view.
When will the Ford Mustang be available?
Would you be able to find out for me, by any chance, when the Ford Mustang will be available in Spain?
Thanks, Philip
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Mar 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
The Mustang will be launched across Europe in the summer, so Spanish deliveries should start around late June, early July.
When did Ford begin its five-year warranty?
Hi, can you tell me from what date in 2013 did Ford begin its five-year warranty?
Thanks.
Noel Sweeney (Letterkenny)Feb 2015 Filed under: warranty
Expert answer
Hi Noel,
It dates back to around 2013 but there was a dealer-opt-in setup so not all dealers started offering it at the same time. If you're wondering whether a second hand Ford you're considering buying is covered by the warranty, check with the dealer who originally sold it.
Will a 'test drive' Ford B-Max be ok?
I want to buy a new Ford B-Max Titanium but the one they have is being used as a test drive car; should I order a new one?
Feb 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Jerry,
Nope, unless you're really fussy about yours being the first and only name in the logbook, I'd march right in there and snap it up. It's unlikely to have been abused, it will have tiny miles on the clock and you'll be able to get a significant discount from the new price. Get yourself a bargain.
Further reading:
New Peugeot 3008 or 141 Ford Kuga?
(a) New Peugeot 3008 or (b) 141 Ford Kuga - cost of (b) is €2,000 more?
Feb 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi John,
The current Kuga is a really nice car, and quite an underrated one I reckon. Still though, €2k is a heck of a lot of money and the 3008 is nice so why not go for that and spend the change on a cracking holiday or a new kitchen?
Further reading:
What engine size for a first car?
What should be the maximum engine size for a 17-year-old buying a first car?
S D (Dublin)Feb 2015 Filed under: learner
Expert answer
Hi Stephen,
Unless your surname happens to be Axa or Aviva, you need to stick to a 1.0-litre engine. Now, depending on your budget, that might not be the motoring purgatory that you think it is. If you can stretch to it, a Volkswagen up!, Skoda Citigo or SEAT Mii are all terrific to drive and funky to look at and all come with a rev-happy little 1.0-litre lump. Ditto recent versions of the Ford Fiesta with the non-turbo version of the three-cylinder Ecoboost engine.
Need to buy something older and cheaper? Track down an Opel Corsa 1.0. Not the most exciting car, but safe, solid and decent to drive. Older again? Consider a Nissan Micra from the '90s. Yes, it's slow but it's more enjoyable in the corners than you might think and they go forever on minimal maintenance.