Should I replace my Golf with a Hyundai ix20?
I have a Volkswagen Golf bought in 2002. Can you advise me re a new car, similar 1.4 petrol engine, but with elevated seating position? I looked at the Hyundai ix20 but it may not have same power as my Golf. Thanks,
Evelyn O' Meara
Evelyn O MearaMar 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Evelyn,
Actually, the Hyundai ix20 might be just the thing you're looking for. It's smaller and cheaper to run than a Golf, and that 1.4 diesel engine is very economical, and will actually prove more powerful to drive than the Golf. Others worth considering are the Citroen C3 Picasso or Ford B-Max, both of which can be had with either petrol or diesel power. Try a 1.0-litre turbo petrol B-Max actually - great fun to drive and you won't believe the power and performance Ford can get from its new downsized 1.0-litre engine.
Let us know how you get on
How economical is the diesel Volkswagen Golf?
How economical is a Golf 1.9 diesel? What miles to the gallon does it give? I'm looking at a 2005 diesel. Should I stick with a 1.4 petrol car?
Thanks,
Michael Conlon
Michael Conlon (Sligo)Expert answer
Hi Michael,
The official average economy for a 2005 1.9 TDI 105hp Golf is 53mpg, and assuming the engine has been reasonably well cared for down the years, I'd say you wouldn't have too much trouble matching that figure in day-to-day driving. As for switching to 1.4 petrol, it kind of depends on your driving style and habits. If you're doing lots of long journeys, especially ones with lots of motorway mileage, then diesel is a no-brainer. If your driving is mostly done at low speed, around town, for short hops then it might well be worth sticking with petrol. Basically, you need to get your pen and paper out and work out what mileage you do, and then compare the prices you're seeing for both the petrol and diesel versions of the cars you want. If the saving on the fuel isn't more than extra price of buying the diesel car, then it's worth considering sticking with petrol.
Let us know how you get on
Tell me about the 2004 Toyota Corolla.
Tell me about the 2004 Toyota Corolla.
Jason O'Connell (Sligo)Feb 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Jason,
A really good car, that 2002-2007 Corolla. 'Quiet' looking inside and out it may be but the strength of the engineering underneath is palpable. The sheer quality of the cabin was vastly ahead of any other contemporary rival (even the supposedly tank-like Volkswagen Golf Mk IV) and the primary engine, a 1.4 petrol VVT-i unit, out punched most rivals by about 15- to 20hp while also being more economical.
It's also surprisingly good to drive. It'll never set your shoes on fire, so to speak, but in a former life I thrashed one around Mondello Park and it showed a depth of competence in the chassis that would surprise most Corolla drivers.
On the reliability front, there's little or nothing to worry about. The only recurring complaints seem to be rear lights that allow condensation to build up inside and annoyingly squeaky brakes.
Tell me all about the Volkswagen Eos
Hi,
Tell me about the 2008 Volkswagen Eos. Anything to look out for? And what's the best engine to go for?
Thank you
Ruairi Mc Carthy (Mullagh Co Cavan)Feb 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Ruairi,
As with any folding hard top cabrio the first and most important thing is to check the roof carefully for any problems, leaks, wear and tear. They can be fragile so you want to make sure that everything's working right.
Secondly, all that roof stuff is heavy (which is why the Eos is so clumsy to drive) so you need to be checking for excessive wear and tear on suspension, tyres, steering etc.
As for engine, there's no point in going for the 2.0 turbo engine from the Golf GTI as the Eos's porky weight kills the performance. Better to just accept you'll be slow and go for the 1.4 TSI or 2.0 TDI diesel instead.
Let us know how you get on
Would you recommend a Volkswagen Cross Polo?
Would you recommend a Volkswagen Cross Polo? I already drive a diesel Golf (2010). Thinking of downsizing as I'll be 74 this year.
Gerry Casey (Cork)Feb 2014 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Gerry,
To be honest, I just can't recommend a Cross Polo. The standard Polo is a decent little car, albeit a bit slow and a touch noisy. Those problems just seem to be magnified in the Cross Polo though and then there's the fact that for all the plastic cladding and faux-SUV looks, it's just a more expensive Polo underneath and can't tackle mud any more capably than a basic 1.2 Polo Trendline.
So, my suggestion would be this. Either buy a standard Polo or, if you really need something small but with genuine off-road-snow-ice ability then search out either a Fiat Panda 4x4 or a Suzuki SX4 4x4.
Let us know which way you go.
Does the Volkswagen Bora have an NCT-failing problem?
Why there is so many 2000 Volkswagen Boras on the market at decent prices, but without an NCT? Is there any problem with getting an NCT for this car? Something about emissions maybe?
Rafal Krakowiak (Dublin)Feb 2014 Filed under: NCT
Expert answer
Hi Rafal,
There are no problems that suggest themselves as a likely culprit. The Bora is more or less mechanically identical to the Golf, so has the same solidity and suffers the same basic niggles - if there were a problem causing Bora NCT failures, it would be happening to Golfs too. Certainly, Volkswagen Ireland is unaware of any particular Bora issue when we asked for a comment.
The only thing we can think of is that the Bora has slightly stiffer, sportier suspension than the Golf and that could potentially lead to wear and tear on things like bushings and track rod ends. Given the age of the cars you're looking at, that could be the problem, although in fairness, any 10 to 14-year old car could be suffering from that kind of problem, especially if it's an original Irish car.
What cars hold their value best?
What are the best and worse cars for depreciation in Ireland, by car sector?
Ruadhan Neeson (Dublin)Feb 2014 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Ruadhan,
That, I'm afraid, is a question with too many variable answers. Second-hand vehicle values are like stock market values - they go up and down and often rather unpredictably. There are a few rules of thumb, though...
1. It's got to be diesel. Yes, we (and others) have tried to educate the motoring populace that diesel power doesn't automatically mean better economy or lower running costs, but right now the market is diesel-crazy and if it doesn't sip from the black pump, it's not going to hold on to its value.
2. The lowest depreciating cars are, obviously, the most popular models. So the likes of the Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf, Nissan Qashqai, Hyundai Santa Fe, BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and so on will always hold on to their value the best. Check the list of the top-ten best-selling cars on the market - these are your depreciation heroes.
3. What about depreciation villains? Anything that the market doesn't trust, really. Estates tend to fare especially poorly, anything with a French badge is suspect and if it's Italian, forget it. You'll lose your shirt on any of these.
4. Spec is king. You can have the most in-demand car going but if it's painted bright yellow and has green seats, you're never going to shift it. So, to keep depreciation at bay, stick with dark metallics and subtle interior tones. Pale cabin colours tend to fare less well when it comes to wear and tear, so the market prefers blacks and greys on the inside too. If it's an executive car, it has to have an automatic gearbox. Anything with factory-fit air conditioning and Bluetooth telephony is looking good, leather is always helpful but other expensive toys don't always help a car hang on to its value.
Hope that's all of interest
What's the Kia pro_cee'd like?
Kia pro_cee'd: what's it like in terms of economy, road noise and comfort?
Cahir Alllen (Dublin)Feb 2014 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Cahir,
I presume you mean the current model. If so, then you have nothing to worry about on any count. Economy - 50mpg should be do-able. Road noise - not as refined as a Golf, but not bad and perfectly acceptable by the class standards. Comfort - well, I have a knackered back and volunteered to spend extra time in the pro_cee'd press car, so does that answer your question?
What automatic car would you recommend for my budget?
Hi, with a budget of €1,500 I'm looking for a reliable automatic car keeping in the low tax bracket of 1,400cc- to 1,500cc. I'm thinking about a Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla. Can you recommend another possible candidate?
Thanks
Aidan Molloy (Dublin)Feb 2014 Filed under: automatic
Expert answer
Hi Aidan,
To be honest, the hard part is going to be finding an automatic car that's within your budget. I'd say hold out for a Honda, purely on reliability, but any of the usual Focus-Golf-Astra-Corolla types should be fine as long as you get something with decent history.
Hope that helps
What brand makes the quietest cars?
Hi there. What common brands of cars are the quietest inside? In this country and with modern car engines, that means mainly mitigation of and insulation from road noise, I suppose.
Regards David
David Taylor (Ennis)Feb 2014 Filed under: miscellaneous
Expert answer
Hi David,
Volkswagens tend to be very good for refinement, especially the new Golf, but if it's serious cabin silence you're looking for, check out a Lexus. True, they're pricey new but a secondhand IS or GS would be a bargain piece of interior cosiness.