CompleteCar
Search Ask Us Anything
Showing 51 - 60 results (out of a total of 138) found for "Grand" in Ask Us Anything

Nissan Qashqai or Suzuki Grand Vitara?

Nissan Qashqai 1.5 diesel or Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.9, both 2008?

Siobhan Warren (Dublin)

Nov 2015 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Siobhan,

Although the Suzuki would probably just about shade it on outright reliability and toughness, I'd go for the Nissan. It's a much more sophisticated device.


Which MPV will I replace our BMW 3 Series with?

Hi Shane & team,

We're looking at trading in again. You helped us source our last car four years ago. We really like our curent 2006 BMW 318, but for the last nine months to a year we've been pouring money into for what feels like constant repairs and the car tax is crippling too. We've now come to the realisation that we need to move to seven-seat territory for these and family reasons. Today we saw and drove both of these cars:

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/renault/grand-scenic/used-2010-renault-grand-scenic-1-dublin-fpa-200914374138165780 http://www.cbg.ie/citroen-c4-grand-picasso-1.6-2008-dublin-diesel-silver-mpv

The Renault felt more car like to drive and I wasn't wild about the delay in the Citroen semi-automatic gearbox. For the Renault they've said the cost to change is €6,500 and just under €7,000 for the Citroen. The Renault, being a 2010 model, is almost seems too good to be true. Can you give me any advice on these? Is the Renault a good buy? Is it reliable or will it swallow money on repairs as our current car is? Are there any others you would recommend? We really don't want to spend more than €6k-ish.

Thanks

Enda

Enda Lowry (Dublin)

Sep 2015 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Enda,

I'd tread carefully here. If you don't like the semi-auto box on the Citroen then just let it go - it's not going to get any better and it'll bug you for the rest of your time with the car. 

As for the Renault, I'm just not confident predicting reliability. Generally, Renaults are now a lot better built than they used to be, but long-term they can still be a bit shaky. Also, the reason it's a high-spec 2010 model for such a small price is because Renaults depreciate faster than snow in summer. 

So, I think you might need to shop around a bit and buy something on the basis of reliability and condition rather than year. Have a look at the likes of a Ford S-Max, Toyota Verso, Volkswagen Touran or, if six seats rather than seven will do the trick, a Honda FR-V. You might need to go back to a 2008 or 2009 model to get one within budget, but buy with a full service history and keep the maintenance up and any of those should give you long and hopefully reliable service.

Last, but not least, Shane, our Editor, is in the same position as you right now and he has homed in on the Mazda5, which has an exceptional reliability record.


Is high mileage a problem for the Citroen C4 Grand Picasso?

Is 122k miles a bit high to justify spending €2,995 on a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso, which has to last us three years?

Stu Paterson (Elgin)

Aug 2015 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Stu,

Not necessarily. Mileage is, to be honest, more or less irrelevant. It's all down to the condition of the car and its history. If it comes with a full service book, showing every stamp and receipt, and it's clearly been looked after and cared for then it should be fine. 

Just check to make sure that all the electrics are OK and that the cabin doesn't show obvious signs of abuse. Might be worth getting someone to look at the engine too - that 1.6 diesel has a fragile water pump and is prone to 'sludging up' with deposits of old oil. Worth getting it flushed and have the oil changed.


How much are Citroen C4 Grand Picasso brakes?

What price is a set of brake pads for a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso?

Anya Foreman (Wicklow)

Jul 2015 Filed under: brakes

Expert answer

Hi Anya,

There's a lot of variety depending on the engine in your car and the quality you're willing to pay for. Here are all the options for the 1.6 110 HDi diesel C4 Grand Picasso front brake pads on MicksGarage.com - you can choose a different model or rear brakes within the search options easily enough there.

For reference, the front brake pads for that car seem to vary in price from about €16 to about €53.

If you'd like a price from Citroen then best bet is to ring your local dealer (search for them here) with your registration number as they'll need that to make sure they select the correct parts and price.

Best of luck


I need a very large car for up to €16,000.

I have a budget of around €13,000 to €16,000 and and need to buy a seven-seater diesel that will accommodate two adults and five children aged 7, 10, 12, 14 and 17 years. Have no interest in what the car looks like, need the most reliable engine, with the most leg room possible and will not be trading up etc so maintenance costs a factor too. Will drive the car for as long as it lasts, live in the countryside so average weekly mileage around 130km.

Would be so grateful for some advice.

Jill Co. Waterford.

Jillian Wheaton (Carrick-on-Suir)

Jun 2015 Filed under: family car

Expert answer

Hi Jillian,

OK, there's a few good options out there. You could try and track down a Mitsubishi Grandis - think of it as a Japanese Ford S-Max, with space for seven and endless reliability, but I'm slightly worried that you might be caught for space as your kids get bigger. How about something van-based? A Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life has seats for seven, lots of space and  based on a commercial vehicle means it'll go forever. That 1.6 TDI  engine makes it cheap to run too.

If you need more space than that, then you're into big van-with-windows territory such as a Ford Transit Tourneo or Volkswagen Caravelle, but these are really big and unwieldy and can be pretty thirsty. If you can all squeeze into the Caddy happily enough, that's the one I'd go for.


Opel Zafira or Renault Grand Scenic?

I am looking to buy a used MPV (2003 - 2004 model year). Which one do you reckon is better in terms of reliability and comfort: 1) Opel Zafira 2) Renault Grand Scenic

Regards

Syd from Sandyford, Dublin

Syed Hyder (Sandyford)

May 2015 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Syd,

It's a split decision I'm afraid - the Scenic is going to be much comfier and more refined, but the Opel will be the more reliable one. You'll have to make your own call based on what you prioritise most.


Help me choose a €20,000 family car.

I'm currently driving a 2010 Renault Grand Mégane and wondering what type of car would serve us well over the next three to five years. Do I stick with estate or look at SUV? There's two back seat passengers aged five and two, but would like something that can seat additional passengers from time to time - grandparents, other kids etc. Ideally would like something up to two years old and have budget of €18,000 to €20,000.

Gerry Connolly (Skerries, Dublin)

May 2015 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Gerry,

OK, lots of options here. Seven-seat SUVs are the coming thing and Hyundai's Santa Fe is one of the best. Lots and lots around for that kind of money so be choosy and buy the most recent one you can, so as to make the most of that five-year warranty.

The rear seats are a little tight though, so maybe look at a Ford S-Max. Big, spacious and really good to drive, you'll probably get a good deal on a nearly-new one at the moment as there's an all-new version about the be launched.

Or you could go all-out and get a Land Rover Discovery, which is a wonderful car but don't say I didn't warn you when it comes to running costs, and you won't find a two-year old one for that money.

Relevant reviews:

Hyundai Santa Fe review

Ford S-Max review


What big SUV do you suggest for me and my boys?

I'm looking for a new SUV. I have three boys into sports so need boot space as well as cabin space and it also needs to be an automatic. What do you suggest?

Liz Corbett (Galway)

Apr 2015 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Liz,

A few key choices here - compact: Skoda Yeti or Mazda CX-5; medium: Honda CR-V or Kia Sorento; and large: Land Rover Discovery or Jeep Grand Cherokee. 

Of the lot, I think overall our pick would be the new Kia Sorento. It's big, comfy, spacious, has seven seats and is really well made.

Relevant reviews:

Skoda Yeti review

Mazda CX-5 review

Honda CR-V review

Kia Sorento review

Jeep Grand Cherokee review


Any problems with the Renault Grand Mégane?

Any problems with the Renault Grand Mégane? 2010 or 2012 models.

Irene Ryan (Cork)

Jan 2015 Filed under: reliability

Expert answer

Hi Irene,

Nothing major to report and by then Renault seemed to have sorted out most of its reliability and build issues. You will suffer crippling depreciation but the worst falls in value will already be behind the car. 


I'm considering buying a Kia Sorento - thoughts?

Hi, I am considering buying a 2009/2010 Kia Sorento auto and have read some mixed reviews; may I have your thoughts please?

Thanking you in advance,

Tommy Nolan

Tommy Nolan (Dublin)

Jan 2015 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Tommy,

That depends on which Sorento you mean, as there's a model year crossover for those years. If you mean the current-shape Sorento, which is just about to be replaced, then it's a fine big SUV but you need to be aware that it still feels a little clunky and unrefined compared to the best of its opposition. Pricey to run too, thanks to high CO2 emissions.

If you mean the last of the old-shape Sorentos, the model that was introduced in 2003, then you really are looking at a very old school SUV. In fact, it's more of a 'UV'. Big, chunky and very, very clunky. If you're looking for something to use as a towing hack or for some off-road work, then it's grand. If you're looking for something that will be smooth and comfy on-road then look elsewhere. They are very reliable though - hardly anything goes wrong.


-->