I need a larger car for my golfing needs!
I currently drive a 2008 Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion. I would like to change to a car that is higher off the ground. I need a boot big enough to hold golf club and caddy, but not looking for a big expensive SUV. Does the new Golf fit with these conditions? I also would like an automatic; what makes do you recommend please?
Kind regards
Angela
Angela Osullivan (Wicklow)Feb 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Angela,
The current Golf’s boot isn’t all that much larger than that of the 2008 model, so if you’re struggling to fit your golfing gear into that one, then I don’t think the new one will help. Happily, there is a solution — go for the Golf Estate, which, with its 600-litre boot, has more than enough room for all of your clubs, the caddy, bags, shopping, one or two kitchen sinks etc. The Golf’s optional DSG automatic is very good too, so it’s well worth a look. Also worth a look is the Toyota Auris Touring Sports Hybrid, which has similar boot space combined with a 'saintly' hybrid transmission, and there’s a handsome new Kia Ceed estate coming in the next few months.
Why is the 95hp Polo so much more?
I was thinking in buying a VW Polo. Since the 1.0 65hp and 75hp petrol models are fairly sluggish, it's the next one up I am interested in, the 1.0 95hp version. But the difference in price between the 75hp and 95hp model is a whopping €2,700 (€19,295 vs €21,995).
I checked the price in the UK and, sure enough, the differential between the same two models is under £900. What's going on here? How can Volkswagen justify the huge price difference in Ireland? I suspect it's to protect sales of the Golf, but then that argument should apply in the UK as well.
At any rate I won't be buying one now.
Kevin
KEVIN Deehan (Dublln)Jan 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Kevin,
I must admit, you had us wondering... However, we took a detailed look at the UK and Ireland price lists and discovered that the 1.0 TSI 95hp engine is only offered in conjunction with a DSG automatic transmission here, whereas it can be had with a (cheaper) manual gearbox in the UK. That pretty much explains the large price jump.
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 (Dublln)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
Looking for a reliable family car...
We are looking for some good options for a really reliable family car. Nothing too big as parking in the car park my wife works in is a nightmare as it is very tight. We were looking at a 2014 Nissan Qashqai+2, a 2015 Kia cee'd Sportswagon and might look at the Skoda Octavia. Insignia looks good but it's a monster of a size.
The Qashqai+2 seems expensive for a 2014 model. Would it be a waste? We do mileage of about 11k to 12k a year. Are the cars we looked at above the best options or what others would you recommend and best engine to go for? We want a really good boot and rear seat space for young kids with ISOFIX seating.
Thanks
Tomas Best (Dublin)Jan 2018 Filed under: family car
Expert answer
Hi Tomas,
The problem with the Qashqai+2 is that it’s the older model Qashqai, which is nowhere near as sophisticated as the current model. Do you really need the seven seats? If not, then I think that the Kia cee’d Sportswagon is a much better bet — bigger boot than the Qashqai, comfier and better to drive and with that seven-year warranty for peace of mind. A cracking choice.
Also well worth looking at the Octavia Combi and the VW Golf Estate, but make sure you’re going for a petrol engine with that mileage — you won’t need a diesel. Actually, with that in mind, the Toyota Auris Hybrid Sport Tourer estate is also well worth a look. Here are a few reviews to help you decide:
Petrol Golf, Civic or Toyota Auris Hybrid?
Unsure what to buy, I am torn between three cars, the Honda Civic Smart Plus, VW Golf Comfortline and the Toyota Auris Hybrid Luna Sport. All are petrol, doing 1,000km a week so looking for most economical and within reason an all round good car.
Thanks.
Declan Dore (Tralee)Nov 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Declan,
It’s actually really hard to pick a winner out of those three. The Auris Hybrid is a good choice, but works best if most of your mileage is in town. At 1,000km a week, it sounds like you’re doing longer journeys than that. Between the Golf and the Civic? Both have excellent 1.0-litre turbo petrol engines, but I think on balance we’d come down on the side of the Civic. It's roomier inside than the Golf and has (slightly) better reliability prospects in the longer term.
Audi A3 or Volkswagen Golf, for space?
Which car has the most interior space: the Volkswagen Golf or the Audi A3?
Frank Dodd (Dublin)Aug 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi F D,
They are essentially identical in size on the inside, with the same front and rear legroom and only a fractional difference in headroom. The A3 hatchback has a slightly smaller boot in three-door form (365 litres), but the five-door model (called the Sportback) has the same 380-litre boot as the Golf. The A3 saloon does have a bigger boot though, at 425 litres.
Why are cars not properly changed to RHD?
Hi! Hope you're well and hope you don't mind having a read of my rant to see what you think.
I'm wondering lately what is it with car manufacturers, in particular European ones, who in recent years have decided to skimp on doing full right-hand-drive conversions on their cars. For example, in the current Skoda Octavia, the bonnet release is on the left, as it was designed to be. The access buttons for the stereo are also to the left for easy access by the driver. If you take a look at the right-hand-drive model though you see the handbrake, bonnet release and stereo controls still placed for the left-hand-drive market. Same applies to the latest Golf; Volkswagen has been doing that with the Golf since the MK3 model.
And marques outside of VAG are also guilty - in particular Renault and Peugeot stand out as prime offenders for this - so much so as not bothering to convert the wipers to the right side. It looks so lazy - and I presume it's saving a meager sum on each car sold. You'd know this is the case as the premium brands such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes still go to the trouble of doing the conversions properly - but what's frustrating is that Skoda was doing proper conversions until recently. Their MK2 Octavia, sold until 2013, had it done properly. So it's a shame to see it going in the wrong direction.
Is there any way you could run this by your people in the motoring industry? I love new cars, but I'm sure most people would be willing to pay the extra €100 per car or whatever it is to have it as intended for the market. I'm sure some acknowledgement of it might make them reconsider. The poor attempts at the minute look very, very shoddy and I wish they'd give us the same attention as they do the left-hand-drive world.
Thank you for reading. I know - first world problems right?
Colin Moynihan (Waterford)Aug 2017 Filed under: miscellaneous
Expert answer
Hi Colin,
Yup, first world problem right enough, and actually not a new phenomenon at all. The old left-hand-drive-right-hand-drive swapover has been done better and worse by various car makers down the years, and it varies hugely from model to model. Anyone who’s driven a Mazda RX-8, and found the handbrake digging into their left thigh, for example, will have no doubts that even the Japanese, in spite of their right-hand-drive home market, often design cars for left-hand drive and then switch things around on the cheap.
Generally speaking, there should be no safety issues from the switch (wipers, as you point out, should really be swapped across and I can’t think of a model in recent years that hasn’t had that) although there was the old issue with the second generation Renault Megane that used a rod to switch the brakes across and which could still be activated by a passenger poking their shoes into the footwell…
As you point out, some buttons, switches, etc are often left the same and it’s all down to the investment needed to swap them around and the likely return on sales from right-hand-drive markets. Car makers do the maths very carefully, and while you’re right that it might only be €100 a car, that’s a multi-million up front investment, and one with no guaranteed return.
Incidentally, if you think it’s bad now, wait until after Brexit — if the UK car market slips, then the business case for right-hand-drive cars will fall further still.
Looking for a practical compact estate...
Hi,
I'm looking for a small estate the back seats of which fold completely flat. Which models, to your knowledge, best fit this requirement?
Thanks, Tom Nelson
Tom Nelson (Maynooth)Jul 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Tom,
The best ones to go for are the Volkswagen Golf Estate, Skoda Octavia Combi, Peugeot 308 SW, or Toyota Auris Touring Sports. Our reviews:
Looking for something fun and petrol...
Hey guys, looking to upgrade from a 2008 Honda Civic Type S for something a little more comfortable for long journeys but still quite fun and cool. Any advice?
I abhor diesel engines and any help is appreciated!
Peter White (Mayo)Jun 2017 Filed under: performance
Expert answer
Hi Peter,
If you want a mix of fun, comfort and not diesel, it’s kind of hard to beat a Volkswagen Golf GTI. Superb performance, practical and comfy cabin and 45mpg if you drive it gently.
Other good options are a MINI Cooper (a touch noisy on longer journeys, but with very good seats), a Ford Fiesta ST (hands down the best hot hatch currently on sale, but perhaps lacking a little in comfort), or a Peugeot 308 in GT spec with the 130hp 1.2-litre PureTech petrol engine.
Should we upgrade to a BMW 320d Touring?
Hi,
We currently have a 2001 Volkswagen Golf Estate 1.4 petrol and are looking to upgrade. A potential option is a 2007 BMW 3 Series 320d SE Touring. Do you think this is a good option? We are happy to commit to the extra tax and insurance as we feel this will balance out with savings on fuel.
Would you agree? Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks.
Kay Clyne (Mayo)Jun 2017 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Kay,
Yes, you should see a considerable saving on fuel, probably in the order of 10mpg at least, depending on how and where you drive. It is worth noting, though, that you will also be looking at considerably higher maintenance and servicing costs, as the 320d is much more sophisticated and high-tech than your Golf and, without careful, regular attention from a specialist they can start giving serious trouble.