Looking for used automatic car...
Hi, I am looking for a used automatic hatchback petrol car for my wife. She's a learner and would prefer a small automatic hatchback. Would you mind helping me to find the best automatic car from year 2015 to 2017? We went through your reviews and made a list of cars thatsuits our needs. They are Hyundai i10, Skoda Citigo, Kia Picanto, Toyota Yaris, SEAT Ibiza, SEAT Mii, Opel Corsa, Peugeot 108 and Renault Clio etc. I was wondering if you could suggest me the best option?
Nithin Mathew (New Ross, Wexford)Apr 2020 Filed under: automatic
Expert answer
Hi Nithin,
You’re kind of shopping in two separate segments of the market, there — small city cars (such as the Up and the i10) and larger superminis (such as the Yaris and Clio). If it’s one of the small ones you want, then the decision is kind of made for you. The Up is one of our favourites, but there’s no automatic option, so the Hyundai it has to be. No bad thing — it’s an excellent car.
If you fancy something a little larger and roomier, then I’d suggest going for the Toyota Yaris Hybrid — it gets you the automatic transmission you want, plus you’re future-proofing yourself a little with the hybrid powertrain.
Which big car for a growing family?
Hi guys,
I love your website and the reviews are great.
I have a family of two girls under three with third child due in two months! We have a Kia Sportage that is full with two baby car seats and have no space for a third. We have the need to upgrade. Currently considering the Volvo XC90 as it seems to have the best third-row option - I really can't see myself driving a Galaxy... We have been looking at 2016/2018 models.
Are we better off waiting and seeing what happens? Any advice on what you would recommend would be great - open to suggestions.
Thanks
Colm Fuller (Dublin)Apr 2020 Filed under: family car
Expert answer
Hi Colm,
Well, in terms of ’seeing what happens’, how long have you got? The first thing I’d say is that you shouldn’t rule out cars like the Galaxy, the SEAT Alhambra, the VW Sharan and especially the Ford S-Max. I know MPVs are not as fashionable as SUVs, but when you’ve got kids to haul around, they really do make a huge amount of sense. Plus, if you were to go for the S-Max, you’d be getting a car that’s brilliant to drive, too. Get it in a smart metallic colour with nice alloys and it looks good, as well.
If you’re determined to get an SUV, then yes — the XC90 is probably the best of them, and reliable too. The Hyundai Santa Fe is well worth a look as well (although its third row isn’t as roomy as that of the Volvo’s) as is the Kia Sportage (one of our favourite SUVs, actually).
But seriously, go for the S-Max.
Which nearly-new crossover to get?
I am in the market for a compact SUV (small town SUV). My 17-year-old daughter wants to learn to drive in it also so I need a manual. I think a 1.0- or 1.2-litre petrol engine would be the sort of thing. I've driven a Captur, Juke, T-Cross, Kona, Crossland X, ix20 and a Toyota C-HR. The Toyota drove really well but it's pricier and longer. What would you recommend as a 2017/2018 vehicle based on drive and value for money and a learner driver?
Anne Marie O'Byrne (Wexford)Mar 2020 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Anne Marie.
Well, normally for a learner driver and for mostly in-town driving, we’d recommend a hatchback, rather than an SUV or crossover, but if your heart is set on one… Of the list you’ve given us below, the Toyota is the best, although arguably as a 1.2-litre petrol, you’re not getting the best C-HR (which is the hybrid, but then that’s an automatic). The Volkswagen T-Cross would be an excellent choice, has a brilliant little 1.0-litre engine and is a bit more upright and square than the others, so is a bit easier to see out of, which might be helpful for your daughter while she’s learning. The Kona would also be an excellent choice, but we’d also add the Suzuki Vitara to your list as its a solid and rugged choice - and hugely reliable.
Read our Renault Captur reviews
Read our Volkswagen T-Cross reviews
Hyundai i30 or Opel Astra?
Hi,
I'm looking at buying a diesel 131 Hyundai i30, but also have my eye on a diesel 162 Opel Astra; which car would I be better off buying?
Maria Coen (Tipperary)Feb 2020 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Maria,
Both are very good. We’d rate the Hyundai for its reliability, neat styling and roomy cabin, and the Astra for its peachy chassis and steering. Worth considering the turbocharged petrol versions of both, too, as they make more sense overall than diesel, unless you’re doing mega-miles every week.
Belt or chain in my Focus?
Does my 2008 Ford Focus have a wet belt or timing chain or belt? The reg is 08 CE XXXX.
Gavin Mccormack (Kilkenny )Feb 2020 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Gavin,
I'm afraid the registration you gave us came back as a Hyundai on Cartell.ie, so we assume there's a typo there. However, looking at the 2008 Focus:
1.4/1.6 petrol: timing belt
1.6/2.0 TDCi diesel: timing belt, with small timing chain at back of engine joining the camshafts
1.8 TDCi diesel: timing belt, with separate belt or chain for high-pressure pump drive
1.8/2.0 petrol: timing chain
Hopefully that covers your car, but come back to us if not, with more details.
Is now the right time to go electric for me?
I'm currently driving up to 25,000km per year. Mostly motorway commuting, approx 90km daily, Mon-Fri. I'm upgrading my 2013 Hyundai ix35 diesel with 93,000 miles. I'd love to go electric and I'm sure I could manage it by charging every night, but I'm not sure if it's the right time to make the move. Should I take the plunge or go with another diesel?
Thanks!
Julie Aherne (Kilpedder, Co Wicklow)Feb 2020 Filed under: electric cars
Expert answer
Hi Julie,
In many ways, diesel would be the safe bet, but with your 90km per day driving pattern, I’d suggest that you’re potentially an ideal candidate for switching to electric. Certainly, a current Kia e-Niro or Hyundai Kona Electric would do your five-day daily commute on almost one charge (although realistically you’d probably top it up much more regularly than that). As long as you have a driveway where you can install a home charging point (and a charging point at work would be helpful too), then I’d say it’s well worth looking at electric. The savings on fuel alone will help to balance out the cost of purchase.
When to service a Hyundai ix35?
Hyundai ix35: at what mileage to change oil and filter and what's included in a full service?
Stephen Guerin (Limerick)Feb 2020 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Stephen,
Taking the 1.7 CRDi diesel as an example, Hyundai recommends a 30,000km or 12 months interval for oil and oil filter changes. Along with all the usual checks on lights, levels, brakes, etc, Hyundai also recommends changing the brake fluid, clutch fluid and cabin filter at that time.
Every 60,000km or two years, the air filter must also be changed, while the coolant should be replaced every 210,000km or 10 years.
What could be up with this Hyundai ix35?
My sister's car, a 151 Hyundai ix35 that she ony bought six months ago, decided to cut out on her when she was out driving today. What could the problem be? The engine malfunction light came on. Could it be to do with the timing chain in it or a relay in the engine or something else altogether?
Thanks in advance for the reply.
Alan Carty (Edenderry)Dec 2019 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Alan,
It's very difficult to analyse such a thing remotely, so it'll need a good mechanic to look at it and probably plug it into a diagnostic computer to retrieve error codes. We will say that the ix35 is generally a very reliable car, but one known issue is to do with its engine control unit (ECU), which may need to be reprogrammed in some circumstances.
Hyundai Kona Electric or Kia e-Niro?
Which is the best electric car - Hyundai Kona or Kia Niro?
Patrick Garvey (Carrickmacross)Nov 2019 Filed under: electric cars
Expert answer
Hi Patrick,
Both are very good indeed, and that’s perhaps not surprising as they’re both basically the same car, using the same batteries and motor. The e-Niro, for us, nudges slightly ahead simply because it’s larger and more practical inside, but the Hyundai is a little sharper to drive, and arguably more stylish on the outside. Worth also considering the Kia e-Soul — again, the same batteries and motor, but stylish both inside and out.
Our reviews to help you decide:
Which fuel to get for lots of commuting?
Hello,
I have a 1.4-litre 171 hatchback Volkswagen Polo with manual transmission and a diesel engine. I drive approx 100km a day five days a week for work, and the car currently has a mileage of approx 116,000km on the clock. Given that diesel and petrol cars are currently being phased out of the market, what's the best car for me to invest in, going forward given that I drive long distance and also do a lot of driving in cities? Is hybrid or electric the best option for long distance commuting and city driving?
Thanks
Anne O'Sullivan (Cork)Oct 2019 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Anne,
Is that a 100km round trip every day? Or 100km each way? Either way, you could potentially get away with a fully-electric car, assuming that you can charge at home and charge again at work. Either way, though, you’ll have to spend big and go for one of the latest electric cars with a 50kWh or 62kWh battery, such as the Hyundai Kona Electric or the new Renault Zoe. What could well be an easier (and much cheaper) option would be to go for a hybrid. There’s only one hybrid-engined car in the Polo-size class at the moment, and that’s the Toyota Yaris. The current version is pretty good, but there is an all-new one coming next year, so you might be best off waiting for that to appear. By then, the new Honda Jazz, also a hybrid, should be available. Or, you could keep it a lot simpler and go for a new Polo with the excellent 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine. It'll be tough to beat your diesel Polo for outright economy, though.