What used car for up to €11,000 to buy?
Currently in the market for a used car. Looking for somethining with an engine size 1.3 to 1.6 that is reliable. Can spend up to €11,000. What is your advice on the best value car at the moment? Last car I had was a 2006 Ford Focus, which cost me a mint in repairs.
Michael DMay 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
If it’s reliability you’re looking for, then it’s always best to buy Japanese. Your budget and requirements should mean that either a Honda Civic 1.4 or a Toyota Auris 1.33 are just about right. Both are reliable, and the Toyota especially has a hugely impressive engine – smooth, revvy and frugal. Overall, the Honda is sharper to drive though, and has a bigger boot so it’s the one I’d go for.
Which cars are best for comfort?
Hi,
Can you tell me which SUVs offer a driver's/seating position most like a standard car's? My wife and I currently both use her Opel Zafira and I find the seating position very upright and uncomfortable as the seats will not move back far enough. Effectively it means I have to lift my feet completely to operate the pedals instead of just pivoting on my heels as with a more reclined position. I have recently had a hip replaced and the other one is painful if I drive any reasonable distance.
We test drove a secondhand C-Class Estate and I wanted to buy it but she finds the seating position very cramped (in particular did not like the large console between the seats). We sat in a Honda CR-V after and she much preferred the space and lack of clutter between the seats but I found the seating position uncomfortable. Essentially we are looking for something that has the high ceiling, big windscreen and lack of clutter of most SUVs/MPVs, but with a seating position that gives good enough leg room for somebody over six-foot like me to pivot my feet on my heels rather than having to lift them to operate the pedals. Maybe we need two cars, which is a waste given we are city dwellers and do very small annual mileage between us.
Thanks
Kevin
Kevin McCormack (Dublin 8)Apr 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Kevin,
That’s almost an impossible question for me to answer I’m afraid as, as you’ve pointed out, a car that many might consider comfortable and pleasant (the Honda CR-V) is uncomfortable for you. Mind you, you’re right about the C-Class Estate being small inside – it was never the biggest car around.
What do you think of the new Toyota RAV4?
What do you think of the new RAV4 from Toyota (the diesel) and what about alternatives?
Thanks
Martin Smythe (Roscommon )Mar 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
A really impressive car, although it is looking a touch expensive compared to the likes of the Hyundai Santa Fe or Ford Kuga now. It's good to drive, with surprisingly sharp steering and lots of space in the back, plus the promise of rugged Toyota reliability. The Hybrid version is perhaps not as satisfying as the diesel (and is even more expensive again), but is perhaps worth considering if you live and do most of your driving in town. Rivals worth considering are the aforementioned Ford and Hyundai, and also Honda, both HR-V and CR-V, and the Mazda CX-5.
I've added links to our reviews of all these cars above so hopefully that's of help.
What are the most reliable cars in Ireland?
I would like to know the 50 most reliable and least reliable cars sold in Ireland since 2012.
Brendan Walsh (Oldcastle)Feb 2016 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Brendan,
There is no specific market data for Ireland in this respect. The old rule of thumb still holds true - if you want ultimate reliability, buy a Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Suzuki, Subaru or Mazda. You could probably pretty easily add Kia and Hyundai to that list too now.
The best I can do for you is to point you towards the results of the JD Power Vehicle Dependability Study for the UK market in 2015. An independent research agency, JD Power ranks the various brands surveyed by problems per 100 cars - although it's worth remembering that those problems can range from minor electrical niggles to total engine failure, so you can't read everything into the stats. The last set of figures, ranked from best-performing to worst, were:
Which higher up car to go for like my Corolla?
I own a 2007 Toyota Corolla Terra and I am thinking of changing. I would like a car that is higher off the ground, like the new Hyundai Tucson, but not that big. What other cars similar in size to the Corolla would you suggest?
Jim
JIM WHITE (NAVAN)Feb 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Jim,
There are a number of other potential options you could look at, but seeing as you've been a Corolla driver, I'm guessing you want something that's going to match the Toyota for reliability. So, in that case, have a look at the Honda HR-V or Skoda Yeti. Both are taller than a normal hatch but not so big as a Tucson and both are really well built and reliable.
Relevant reviews:
Is it worth repairing my old Honda Accord?
Worth repairing? Have an old 2000 Honda Accord four-door saloon - 1.8 petrol. It's beginning to give trouble and major oil leak under the engine this weekend. I've been quoted €500 to repair. Reasonably trouble free - 150,000 miles.
Tom Dick (NAVAN)Feb 2016 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Tom,
OK, you've got a couple of choices here. You could trade it in under one of the current 'scrappage' schemes and make potentially as much as €4,500 on it, depending on what car you're trading in against.
Or you could junk it or sell it for parts and grab another Bangernomics special.
Which is the smoothest automatic model?
Which is the smoothest automatic model under 1.5 litres?
Sally Mulford (Greystones)Feb 2016 Filed under: automatic
Expert answer
Hi Sally,
Generally speaking, automatics and small engines don't go well together, but there are a few good ones. Any Volkswagen Group cars using a combo of either 1.2 TSI or 1.4 TSI petrol with the DSG gearbox should be pretty smooth and there are some Toyota Auris 1.4 D-4D diesels around with self-shifters. The Auris, while not exciting, is certainly smooth and comfy.
Actually, your best option could be to go hybrid or electric. The Honda Insight has a 1.3-litre hybrid powertrain and is an automatic and is surprisingly good to drive. Or what about the Nissan Leaf? If the roughly 160km electric range suits your lifestyle, there's nothing smoother than an electric motor.
What's the best supermini right now?
What's the best small family car or supermini of 2016? In terms of value for money, economy, driveability.
Don Naughton (Galway)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Don,
I'd say it's a tied vote between the Honda Jazz (amazingly roomy and reliable, but a bit pricey), the Skoda Fabia (as solid a choice as the day is long) or the Ford Fiesta (brilliant to drive and has a wonderful EcoBoost petrol engine).
Relevant reviews:
Is a PCP right for me in retirement?
I'm approaching 66 and recently had to retire. My state pension will be around €230 when it comes in March plus a small work pension of €57 a week. My car, an Audi A2, is a 2001 reg. It's showing signs of age and as it's an obsolete model services are expensive. I would have 3,000 maybe 3,500 Euros to put towards an upgrade. Can you advise me as to whether I should opt for a new car and a repayment plan or get a second-hand one?
Angela O'Sullivan
Angela O'Sullivan (Waterville)Jan 2016 Filed under: finance
Expert answer
Hi Angela,
I think a PCP plan would be entirely wrong for you, because they really only work if you're intending to come back in three years' time to trade in again. I'm guessing you don't want to do that.
Your Audi is worth about €2,000 so put that together with your €3,000 and we're looking at a budget of around €5,000. That's great because that will get you into a 2007 Honda Jazz - one of the best small cars around. It's spacious, comfortable, frugal and above all reliable. You simply can't go wrong with one.
What will I replace my Kia Soul with?
I had a 1998 Honda CRV auto. I changed it in 2014 as it was costing so much to run. To this day I still pine for my Honda. Its reliability was incredible. I got a Kia Soul diesel 1.6 but find it noisy and bumpy on country roads. Also, the boot is too small for country living. Everything I look at is too big and bulky. I want something in a similar size to my Honda, diesel, 1.6 engine, automatic with low tax. I need height as I have bad back issues.
Many thanks. Margaret
Margaret Devereux (Louisburgh, County Mayo)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Margaret,
I know what you mean. The Honda bug is a hard one to shift once it's bitten you. The good news is that Honda has a new car on the market, the HR-V, which is more compact than a CR-V, but still pretty spacious. It's high-riding, so good for your back, and can be had with Honda's terrific 1.6-litre i-DTEC diesel engine. Looks nice too. Prices start from €23,995 or on a PCP deal from €255 a month and I'd say it's well worth checking out.