What's the towing capacity of the Hyundai Santa Fe?
What is the towing capacity of a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe EX 4WD with the 2.2 diesel engine?
Charles Alken (Dublin)Mar 2015 Filed under: towing
Expert answer
Hi Charles,
For the seven-seat model it's up to 2,500kg with a braked trailer or 750kg with an unbraked one.
Kia Picanto or Hyundai i10?
I am looking at a 2009 Hyundai i10 and a 2010 Kia Picanto. The Hyundai has 8,000 less mileage than the Picanto but then the Picanto is a year younger. Mileage on both is low. There is two years' warranty left on the Picanto, which is a plus. Is there anything that I should be aware of in connection with these two cars?
Martina McCarthy (Co Cork)Mar 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Martina,
Neither car suffers from any major recurring mechanical maladies, although both can develop minor electrical system issues, especially with the stereos.
Being as they're basically the same car, it's entirely down to personal preference as to which one you should go for. As the Kia still has warranty left to run, that would be a good bet but check with the Hyundai's seller - there may be a warranty option there too.
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.
Help me spend €24,000 on a new car!
Hi, I bought my present car, a Mitsubishi Space Star 1.3 GLX petrol new 15 years ago, so it's long overdue replacing. Trouble is I haven't got a clue about choosing a new car and I need your advice.
The max price I wish to pay is €24,000 so I'm also chasing the best scrappage deal. I had a drive in the Hyundai ix35 and I like it but it has its drawbacks. However, the Nissan Qashqai is a non-contender for me as it has only an emergency spare wheel and the fifth passenger has to sit like riding a donkey with the big centre console protruding from the front.
What do you think I should go for? I'm thinking of looking at the Kia Sportage and Kia cee'd, but also the Nissan Pulsar and Peugeot 3008. I would be grateful for your advice.
Kind regards, Anto.
Anthony Kavanagh (Kilkenny)Mar 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Anthony,
The Pulsar or the cee'd would be the most sensible choices and both fall well within your budget. Both are reliable and decent to drive, and the Kia's not bad looking either. In fact, I reckon you should go for the estate version of the cee'd - it's one of the nicest, comfiest and most practical cars around.
Further reading to help you decide:
Nissan Qashqai, Hyundai ix35 or Kia Sportage?
I had a test drive in the 1.5 diesel Nissan Qashqai, the 1.7 diesel Hyundai ix35 and the 1.7 Kia Sportage, all new; I want to get one but which is the best value for money and also the best resale?
Cheers
Mar 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Jerry,
All three will have excellent resale values, but I'd say the Hyundai has a nose in front in that regard, as it's a big-selling model and the five-year warranty makes it a desirable second hand purchase.
Of the three, the Nissan is probably the best all-rounder when it comes to driving, the Hyundai is bigger and more spacious and the Kia is better looking (matter of opinion, I realise). It's worth noting though that both the Korean cars are up for replacement shortly wheras the Nissan is brand new and has more cutting edge technology.
Further reading:
Toyota Auris or Hyundai i30?
Hi, could you tell me how much I should expect to get on a trade in on a 20007 Toyota Corolla? I want to go for a diesel; what do you think of a Toyota Auris or Hyundai i30?
Feb 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Eilish,
You should make around €6,500 to €7,000 on a trade in, assuming it's in top condition and has a full service history. If you're used to a Corolla, then the Auris will feel pretty familiar and it's not a bad car at all - comfy, spacious and very economical. The i30 feels a touch more sophisticated though, and is a little sweeter to drive.
Further reading:
How much should I ask for my Hyundai Santa Fe?
Hi!
I would like to sell my 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.0L petrol with 100k miles and fully serviced. Not sure what would be the right price to ask for? And what can I hope for if I want to trade in?
Thanks for your help.
Joe Apostol (Galway)Feb 2015 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Joe,
The bad news is that 2-05 Santa Fes go for as little as €2,500, which means if you were trading it in you'd probably be offered as little as €1,000 to €1,500.
The good news is that yours has a full service history, which really helps, so I'd say your Santa Fe sits a bit higher up the value pile. If it's in perfect nick you might get €4,500 privately or around €3,000 to €3,500 on a trade in.
Nissan Qashqai or Hyundai Tucson?
1.5-litre diesel 2008 Nissan Qashqai or 2.0-litre diesel Hyundai Tuscon?
Feb 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Eva,
Actually, these are two quite different cars - the Tucson is a heftier vehicle. If we were comparing new Hyundai ix35 with new Qashqai then I'd have to give the nod to the Qashqai, but in the case of these older versions, I think the Hyundai just might shade it. It's bigger inside, with more space in the back seats and boot than the first generation Qashqai.
Mazda3, Opel Astra, Renault Megane or Hyundai i30?
Hi, I'm changing to a mid-size car and looking at 2010/11, looking at Mazda3, Opel Astra, Renault Megane and Hyundai i30. Importance is safety, reliability and as much space as possible, also any midsize car that has some height in the driver's seat.
Eva Brady (Westport Co. Mayo)Feb 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Eva,
All of the ones you picked there are quite low slung but they're also all comfy so shouldn't present any major issues with seat height.
The Mazda and Hyundai are going to be the most reliable and generally I'd go for the Mazda, but you'll want to go for the 1.5 petrol (if you're doing short journeys mostly) or wait for the new 1.5 diesel as the 2.2 diesel is just too thirsty day-to-day.
Should this high-mileage Hyundai i30 be ok?
Hi, I am looking to buy a 2011 Hyundai i30. However it has high mileage at 76,600 miles - should timing belt be replaced at this stage and what else should I be wary of with such high mileage?
Thanks
Christina Monaghan (Co. Meath)Feb 2015 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Christina,
We don't think that it's staggeringly high mileage and as long as all the service intervals have been hit spot on, you shouldn't have any major troubles. Besides, there's another year of full manufacturer's warranty yet to run, so you're covered for a little while at least (again, assuming that all scheduled servicing has been carried out correctly - the warranty can be invalidated if the previous owner has skimped). The 1.6 diesel i30 actually uses a timing chain, not a belt, so it should just need an inspection and an adjustment at regular servicing time, not a full replacement.