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.
Secondhand Honda CR-V or Nissan X-Trail?
I am looking for a reliable, spacious secondhand SUV that won't cost me the earth to run. I have a budget of €9,000 - €10,000. Will be used privately most of the time (12,000 miles per year, two kids and a dog), but need it for off road on a farm/laneways for cutting down trees and towing a trailer full of firewood every couple of weeks.
I am undecided between a 2008 Honda CR-V 2.2d AWD or a 2008 Nissan X-Trail 2.0d 4wd. I like the space in the X-trail but would the Honda give me less trouble? Also I see that the X-Trail comes in 150 and 175hp guises. What would best suit my needs and would there be much of a difference in running cost/fuel economy?
Any advice would be grateful!
K C (Cork)Sep 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Keith,
Both are excellent cars and the 175hp X-Trail's extra grunt could be very useful when hauling trees and trailers. That said, the Honda is still plenty grunty and a bit more plush inside than the Nissan. Actually this is a hard one to choose - I know from personal experience that the Honda is close to indestructible, but I also happen to think that the X-Trail is a really underrated car.
Coin toss so - go for the Honda.
Honda Accord, Passat or Mondeo?
Hi,
Two weeks ago I was down to three choices for looking at secondhand 2011-2013 saloon cars: Honda Accord i-DTEC 2.2-litre diesel (150hp), Volkswagen Passat TDI 2.0-litre diesel (140hp) and Ford Mondeo TDCi 2.0-litre diesel (163hp). But on Saturday I test drove a very nice 2012 Vauxhall Insignia 2.0-litre diesel (160hp), which was very nice to drive.
Just wondering how would this compare to the three above in terms of reliability, handling and resale value. Which would you choose between these four?
Best regards
Barry
Barry Gilbert (Dublin)Aug 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Barry,
The Insignia's really nice and I do have something of a soft spot for it. A car that feels more sophisticated and more engaging the more you drive it. The Passat and Mondeo are nice choices too, but to be honest, the one I'd go for out of all of them would be the Accord. Comfy, smooth, frugal, nice to drive and above all it will almost certainly never break down. There's nothing quite so nice as the feeling you get from driving an utterly indestructible car.
Which of these four saloons would you choose?
Hi,
Two weeks ago I was down to three choices for looking at a secondhand 2011-2013 saloon car: Honda Accord i-DTEC 2.2-litre diesel (150hp), Volkswagen Passat TDI 2.0-litre diesel (140hp) or Ford Mondeo TDCi 2.0-litre diesel (163hp). But on Saturday I test drove a very nice 2012 Vauxhall Insignia 2.0-litre diesel (160hp), which was very nice to drive.
Just wondering how would this compare to the three above in terms of reliability, handling and resale value. Which would you choose between these four?
Best regards
Barry
Barry Gilbert (Dublin)Aug 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Barry,
OK, all are good, solid choices and in terms of reliability, I'd rate them as Accord the best, the Volkswagen slightly behind and the Ford and Opel together, slightly behind the Volkswagen. The Ford would be the most fun to drive, the Volkswagen probably had the nicest interior but the Opel is arguably the most handsome and, as you point out, really very good to drive. If it were me, I'd go for the Accord - no question. It'll be the most reliable and that sells it for me.
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 much will the new diesel Honda HR-V be?
Honda is bringing out a new HR-V model; what will the price for the diesel model be?
Patrick Coghlan (Carrick-on-Suir)Aug 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Patrick,
Full pricing for the new HR-V has yet to be confirmed but we have been told that the entry-level 1.6 i-DTEC diesel model will be €25,995.
Can you convert a Honda Insight to LPG?
Can you convert a Honda Insight to LPG gas?
Gerard Sherry (Dublin 20)Jul 2015 Filed under: aftermarket
Expert answer
Hi Gerard,
Short answer: no. While it's generally possible to convert any petrol burning car to LPG, the Insight's complex electronic systems, which manage its hybrid drivetrain, would probably present a major obstacle.
What five-door diesel hatch will be troublefree?
Hi,
I am think of buy a 2010 five-door diesel car; tax and mpg don't bother me; I just what something that will do 35,000km per year for the next three to five years without engine trouble.
John Scanlon (Dublin 20)Jul 2015 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi John,
If it's a lack of trouble you're looking for, you need to be buying Japanese or Korean. So have a look at a Toyota Auris, Honda Civic, Hyundai i30, Kia cee'd or Nissan Pulsar. All of those should do annual mega-miles without trouble or complaint.
What's the most reliable 2010 diesel car?
What is the best diesel engine in a 2010 car? Tax and mpg don't bother me, just relilability. I am doing 35,000km per year. I don't care about the make, but it has to have four doors.
John Scanlon (Dublin 20)Jul 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi John,
If its reliability you need get a Honda. Either a Civic with the 2.2 or 1.6 diesel will do nicely and you should get 60mpg from it.
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)