Expert answer

Hi Alanna,

If you like the Mazda, then it would be well worth considering an upgrade to the current-shape Mazda3 with the 1.5-litre SkyActiv diesel engine — it's smooth, refined, very economical and with the usual Mazda reliability. A lovely car. Also worth considering are the Honda Civic 1.6 iDTEC diesel or Kia cee’d 1.6 CRDi.

A few reviews for you:

Mazda3 review

Honda Civic review

Kia cee'd review

Expert answer

Hi Breon,

First of all, congratulations on the incoming arrival. As for finding the right car seat, we're really not the experts in terms of advice on specific seats, but we know some people who are. Pop in to your local branch of Mothercare or Halfords (or Tony Kealy's if you live in the Dublin area) and you should be able to get some very helpful advice on which is the correct kind of seat for your kids. As a rule of thumb, the longer you can keep them in a rear-facing seat, and then the longer you can keep them in a full-backed seat, with integral harness, the better. It's down to the size and weight of the individual child though. 

As for cars, you have several choices but they're all MPVs, I'm afraid. Sorry about that... Still, all is not lost, as the Citroen C4 Picasso and Peugeot 5008 are both pleasantly comfy, economical and easy on the eye. Kick up a price and size band and you'll find the Ford S-Max, which is one of our favourite cars, whether or not space is your priority. Handsome and good to drive, that one.

If you're in the second hand market, you could do worse than track down a good used Fiat Multipla (if you can live with the looks, it's got one of the best cabins of any car, ever) or there's always the evergreen Renault Scenic or the (slightly dour) Volkswagen Touran. Finally, there's the Toyota Verso, which isn't the most exciting choice but is solidly built and spacious. Finally, the six-seat Honda FR-V is a left-field choice that's one of those classic "try it and you'll never have anything else" cars.

Hope that helps.

Expert answer

Hi Aine,

Small car? Or small premium car? If you like your Audis, then a smart-but-small A1 could be a good choice, but to be honest you’d be better off buying the new SEAT Ibiza, which uses all the same mechanical bits, but is much, much cheaper. The Honda Jazz is always a good choice, too — roomy, really well made and enjoyable to drive — as is the MINI Cooper if you fancy something small but fun. Or, if you want to go really small, check out a Fiat 500. Here are our reviews of each:

SEAT Ibiza review

Audi A1 review

Honda Jazz review

MINI Cooper review

Fiat 500 review

Expert answer

Hi again Eamonn,

You're right. There does seem to be a recurring issue out there in Civic-land with customers complaining about premature pad and disc wear.

Now, early brake wear is a very hard thing to analyse as we all drive differently. Someone who brakes late, rides the middle pedal constantly and generally displays a lack of mechanical sympathy is clearly going to wear the brakes and pads out faster. Look at F1 history for the perfect comparison. Back in 1988, McLaren engineers working with (super fast) Ayrton Senna and (super smooth) Alain Prost would have to remove and chuck away Senna's brakes after every race whereas Prost's could almost be re-used - if re-using things was something F1 teams ever did.

We have heard about the possibility that this early brake wear issue mostly affects low mileage Civics, as the brakes are simply not used enough to clear corrosion from the discs on a regular basis. Not sure about that one but it sounds just about plausible.

All we can suggest is to either take a competent mechanic along to help you thoroughly inspect any potential purchase (and we mean THOROUGHLY - wheels off and everything) or get the AA to inspect and report on the car prior to purchase. An honest vendor should also tell you whether they've noticed any early-onset brake wear when asked.

Let us know how you get on

Expert answer

Hi Eamonn,

Honda is justly famed for the reliability of its cars and you shouldn't experience any major problems. The paint on some Civics can be a bit on the thin side, which means that, where it wears, you can actually get a bit of surface rust appearing, which will need attention. Engine management system glitches can lead to a drained battery if the car is left sitting for a week or two as well. Other than that, there seem to be no other major issues. 

Compared to a Focus, you'll find the ride and handling a touch flat-footed, as Honda went with a cheaper torsion bar rear suspension, but it should compare very favourably to a Mazda or Toyota - Hondas generally feel noticeably more 'premium' than either of those brands.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Dan,

Indeed so. In fact, the CR-V changed utterly in 2002 with the introduction of an all-new model - and the first diesel version was introduced in 2003. Despite it looking rather similar to the first generation model (which debuted in 1995) the second-gen CR-V is bigger, heavier, more spacious and more sophisticated, even if it did retain the old-style spare wheel mounting on the tailgate. 

Early 2.2 CDTi diesel models have an odd fault - the oil warning light can come on even with a full sump of the black stuff. It seems to be a software issue. Listen for groaning or moaning from the rear differential for the four-wheel drive system (all second-gen CR-Vs were had four-wheel drive) as that can mean that the oil in the diff has degraded and the unit is starting to fail.

Other than that, they're solidly built and heartily recommended. 

Expert answer

Hi James,

The official fuel test rating for that model of Civic (it is a Civic you're talking about, right?) was 44mpg, but in daily use we'd expect you'd get closer to 35mpg, especially if you're using it in town a lot. 

As for reliability, generally Honda is one of the best car makers when it comes to longevity and solidity, but we have heard tales of this generation of Civic eating its way swiftly through brake pads and discs and there are the usual minor electrical maladies to check for too. We have also heard of suspension wear and tear issues, but those don't seem to be widespread.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Gerard,

I’ll take it that you mean the last-generation Civic 1.6 iDTEC diesel? If so, it’s a terrific car. The looks of both the outside and cabin won’t be to all tastes, but it has a truly brilliant diesel engine (frugal, but refined and powerful too), tonnes of space in the cabin and boot, sharp handling and quality that means a well-cared for one will last for half of forever. A cracking purchase. Read our review of the Honda Civic 1.6 here.

Expert answer

Hi Bartlomiej,

Well, it kinda depends what you mean by SUV. If you mean large, the likes of the Hyundai Santa Fe, Honda CR-V etc, then it's probably best to wait until the new 1.6-litre, front-wheel drive version of the Honda arrives later this year, as that will be a big, spacious SUV that has emissions of under 120g/km, although the lack of four-wheel drive might not appeal.

If it's the smaller ones you're looking at then I'd suggest a Skoda Yeti. It bridges the gap, size-wise, between the very small Nissan Juke and the large stuff like Mazda's CX-5 and the Kia Sportage. Go for the 1.6 TDI Greenline version and you'll have a spacious, rugged, practical family car with Band A4 tax (€200 a year) and it should do a pretty steady 50mpg most of the time.

Want something a bit more flash? The MINI Countryman, with its 1.6-litre diesel engine, is super-frugal, but you do need to spend a bit on options to get the right look.

It may also be worth waiting a couple of months until the new Renault Captur and Peugeot 2008 arrive on sale, as both should prove very affordable to run.

Expert answer

Hi Liam,

Wow, you're 24 and thinking of a Honda Accord? I thought all you young 'uns wanted Citroen Saxos or Civics? Well, frankly, I don't think I can recommend a better car than the Accord. They're comfy, refined, spacious and utterly reliable. Just watch the insurance rating as the smallest possible engine is 1.8-litre and that could really crank up your premium.

Again, the Lexus IS is a good choice with solid reliability and a playful rear-drive chassis thrown into the bargain. €15,000 gets you into the current model (just about to be replaced actually) easily enough, and the 2.2-litre diesel engine is the one to go for - it's punchy and frugal.

Let us know if you'd like other suggestions.