How much should I expect as a trade in for my 2008 Honda CR-V?
How much should I expect as a trade in for my 2008 Honda CR-V commercial (110,000km)?
Patrick Coghlan (Carrick-on-Suir)Aug 2015 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Patrick,
I'd say probably in the region of €8,000.
How does the new Toyota RAV4 compare to the new Honda CR-V?
Hi! What is my 2011 Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI with 103,000 kilometres on the clock, worth? And how does the new Toyota RAV4 compare to the new Honda CR-V?
Thank you
Joe. Limerick
Joe Franklin (Limerick)Jul 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Joe,
I'd say your Octavia is worth in and around €12,000. The RAV4 and the CR-V are not really direct rivals although there is some crossover of their price points.
The RAV4 is very nice, well made, decent to drive and very spacious, but the more expensive CR-V looks and feels appropriately more sophisticated.
Relevant reviews:
2015 Honda CR-V review (AWD)
Honda CR-V review (front-wheel drive)
Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake or Nissan X-Trail?
Trying to decide between new Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake and new Nissan X-Trail diesel. What would you go for? Or are there any new cars coming next Jan that could compete? Budget max €38,000.
Caroline Conroy (Limerick)May 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Caroline,
Wow, you really couldn't get two more different cars. The CLA Shooting Brake is a really nice car, probably the best of the A-Class spin offs and very nice to drive. But it's not especially practical, so if that's what you're looking for then it's not the right car.
The current X-Trail is a very good car, with lots of space. It's well made and nice to drive, but if you're shopping in and around the €38k mark have a really good look at a Kia Sorento or Honda CR-V - those are the two joint best mid-size SUVs around at the moment for my money.
Worth looking at a spacious estate too. Mazda's just-updated 6 is utterly lovely and well-specced and the Mondeo Estate and Passat Estate are both well worth a look too.
Relevant reviews:
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:
What is the best crossover to buy?
What is the best crossover to buy?
Eamonn Carter (Gorey)Apr 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Eamonn,
Do you mean big or small? Actually, the new Fiat 500x we've just driven could be a good shout for a small crossover, or if you don't fancy that, take a look at the MINI Countryman.
Something more medium? There are only two players really - Skoda Yeti or Nissan Qashqai. Ford Kuga is also worth a look, but only the current model, not the old one.
Bigger than that? Honda's CR-V is always a good one, or if you're buying new have a long, hard look at the latest Kia Sorento.
Relevant reviews:
What should I look out for in buying a Honda CR-V?
Hi, I am thinking about getting a Honda CR-V, 2007 petrol model as I do little mileage but need some flexability for kids and dirt track capability (nothing too taxing!) as I do some photography. What should I look out for when considering this vehicle?
Thanks in advance.
Rgds Mike
Michael Cooney (Galway)Apr 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
Actually an ideal car for what you need by the sounds of it. Generally Hondas are near-faultlessly reliable but you do need to watch for a few things on the CR-V. Alternators can give bother, as can the air conditioning and some of the interior trim can be a bit fragile.
Also, check to make sure that any previous owners haven't gotten too ambitious with the off-roading and damaged the underside.
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:
Can you review the 2011 Opel Antara?
What do you think of the 2011 Opel Antara?
Damian Deegan (Dublin)Mar 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Damian,
It's an Eamon Dunphy car - it's not great. Comfy, reasonably spacious and with decent reliability, but there are better SUVs out there. Try a Honda CR-V or Hyundai Santa Fe before you buy.
Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4?
Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4? We cover numerous long distance road trips and use for towing a half-tonne trailer off-road as well.
Simon Jones (Tralee)Jan 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Simon,
Both are excellent choices. In fact the RAV4 probably doesn't quite get the attention it deserves - it's good to drive, spacious and well made. Good value too.
That said I think I'd go for the CR-V. The 1.6 i-DTEC front-drive model would probably be sufficient. It's very spacious, really comfy and good on economy too. There is a new four-wheel drive 1.6 160hp version on the way though, so it may be worth waiting until that arrives in the summer before you make a final decision.
Further reading:
Which of these new SUVs would you recommend?
Hi, I would like to know which one of the following cars you think is best and if there is any I should avoid: Honda CR-V, BMW X3, Mitsubishi Outlander, Hyundai Santa Fe, Subaru Forester and Audi Q5. All 2015 models and 2.0-litre diesel. Thanks.
Mary Walsh (Cork)Jan 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
Hmmm. Tough choice. Please note that the following is based purely on personal taste and other opinions are available. They're wrong, but they're available...
1. Honda CR-V: Not the glamorous choice but it's massively spacious, comfy, well made and frugal. Might be worth waiting for the new 150hp 1.6 diesel which arrives later this year - alongside a facelift.
2. Audi Q5: Super-slick, nice to drive and has a cracking 2.0 TDI diesel engine.
3. Mitsubishi Outlander: Referring specifically to the PHEV plugin hybrid, it's the most cost-effective and practical way of going (partially) electric and it's hugely clever.
4. Hyundai Santa Fe: Stylish, spacious and affordable plus it has a five-year warranty. Hard to beat, really.
5. BMW X3: It's a sight better looking than the original X3 but it's still quite stiff-riding and it's not as nice to drive as the Q5.
6. Subaru Forester: Not pretty and it has a terrible cabin (all cheap plastics and ancient-looking displays) but it's probably the most ruggedly reliable car here and has genuine off-road ability.
Further reading:
Road test of the Honda CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC
First Irish drive of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV