Ford Focus, Opel Astra or Hyundai i30?
I intend to replace my car soon with something more powerful than my 1.0-litre Corsa. I've been looking mostly at an Opel Astra, Ford Focus, or Hyundai i30, and my budget is up to €10,000. Would there be an obvious standout to buy in those three, or any major issues with them? Also, I cover about 650km/week between commuting and life, 90 per cent of which is on good regional roads. Would you have a recommendation either way on whether to choose a petrol or diesel engine?
Thanks
Colm McGrath (Kildare)Aug 2018 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Colm,
OK, first off, with that kind of mileage you’re well into the sort of levels that would justify a diesel engine, although the best of the down-sized turbo petrols are still certainly worth looking at. Of the three cars you’ve selected, I’d leave the Astra, as your €10,000 budget won’t get you into a new-shape model, and the older Astra was pretty dull. Of the other two, the Focus is the best, by far, to drive, and has solid reliability, but the i30 is better for interior space, and would be the more reliable in the long run.
Do I really have to pay back-tax?
Hi, I bought a 2.0-litre Hyundai on the 21st of July and went online to tax it this morning and Revenue wants 75 Euro back tax for July; surely that can't be fair?
Kevin Donegan (Ballina)Aug 2018 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Kevin,
Fair? Maybe not, but it is the letter of the law. Once you’ve bought the car, you're liable for the tax and, if it’s taken you the guts of a month to get it sorted, Revenue isn’t going to give you a break on it. They want their cash and they’re going to get it.
Does my Hyundai ix35 have a belt or chain?
Does my 2010 Hyundai ix35 have a timing belt or chain?
Tony Hansell (Newcastle Upon Tyne)Aug 2018 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Tony,
All petrol and diesel versions of the Hyundai ix35 used a timing chain.
Does Hyundai's warranty transfer to Ireland?
Hi,
I found your article on importing a car from UK very helpful, thanks. My question is, are there any issues regarding the manufacturer's warranty on imported cars? I'm considering purchasing a Hyundai in Northern Ireland and there is over three years left on the warranty; does this transfer without an issue when I bring car to the Republic?
Thanks
Jim Cullen (Clare)Jul 2018 Filed under: warranty
Expert answer
Hi Jim,
It should do, but it would be no bad idea to check with your nearest Hyundai dealer first. In theory, the Hyundai five-year warranty is a pan-European one, so it should transfer without any issues, but of course there is always fine print attached to these things, so check the documentation that comes with the car, and make sure that it’s been serviced at a Hyundai main dealer in the past.
Is my Hyundai's gearbox under warranty?
In January I bought a 141 Hyundai privately with only 60,000 miles on the clock. The car has been stamped on the log book by independent garages (i.e. not Hyundai). Now my car's gearbox has gone and only time it mentions about gearbox servicing in servicing schedule is 96 months. I can understand servicing the engine wrong could bring faults, but as gearbox is a sealed unit not required servicing until 96 months I don't know why Hyundai is refusing to stand over my gearbox. It is saying that it was not properly serviced even though the gearbox was not due to be serviced.
Is this regular practice in your opinion?
Martin Mcgourty (Clonmel)Jul 2018 Filed under: warranty
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
Sadly, in many cases, this is regular practice. While Hyundai offers a very good five-year unlimited mileage warranty, it’s only valid if you keep the car serviced with a Hyundai dealer, and that will be the case whether the part or component in question was specifically serviced or not. Now, there could be a case to be answered that the gearbox, failing as it did that early on in the car’s life, had some sort of manufacturing defect or fault, and in that case you could potentially argue that the car should not have been sold in the first case in that condition, but you’d need to consult a solicitor before taking it any further.
Used Qashqai, Sportage, ix35 or BMW X1?
I am looking for a 2012 Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage or Hyundai ix35 or a 2010 BMW X1. All of these have driven approx. 80,000 miles for a price range of €12-13,000. Which one would you go for? Most driving will be on motorways during weekends.
Thanks
Naved Iraqi (Dublin)Jun 2018 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Naved,
The X1 is, obviously, the most ‘premium’, but it’s also kind of ugly and has weirdly heavy steering, plus it’s quite small inside, so let’s leave that one off the list. The Sportage and the ix35 are basically the same car, but the Sportage is nicer to look at on the outside in my opinion, and slightly nicer to drive too. Reliability between the two should be about even. The Qashqai is very appealing, but as it’s the older model, it struggles against the Sportage and has some reliability issues too, so go for the Sportage.
Nissan X-Trail or Hyundai ix35?
What would your choice be between a 2014 Nissan x-Trail 1.6 dCi and 2014 Hyundai ix35?
Jacqui Samuels (Pretoria)Mar 2018 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Jacqui,
I think, assuming price to be more or less the same, I’d go for the X-Trail. It’s a bit bigger than the Hyundai, can be had as a seven-seater (not all were, though, so make sure you check) and the 1.6 dCi diesel engine is a sweeter unit than Hyundai’s 1.7. Plus, and I know this is hardly the most important point, I think the X-Trail is nicer looking.
We need a new family car for under €25k.
Hi,
We are in the market for a new family car that is low maintenance, fits three car seats and preferably be on or just above the €25k mark. We do very little mileage, we currently do one round trip of about two miles to a creche and back with some longer drives at the weekend, but rarely. We both commute by public transport for work. We are considering hybrid/electric as we drive so little but to be honest with the research I've been doing, it seems most hybrids start at €25k and i'm prepared to consider a petrol model if it kept us below that price and suited our needs. We have no brand loyalty at all, but more interested in the ones that offer long warranties.
Any suggestions?
RUTH COONEY (Dublin)Mar 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Ruth,
I think to get what you need, your best bet is to buy second hand and go for a Toyota Prius+. It’s ideal for low mileage users, has seats for seven and will be incredibly reliable. Just be aware that on longer journeys it will be considerably thirstier.
You could go for a nearly-new Prius or Kia Niro (or a Hyundai Ioniq), but I fear they wouldn’t have the rear seat space that you need. That said, it will depend on how old your kids are and how big their seats are. If you have at least one on a booster cushion (and the Bubble Bum inflatable one is very good for middle rear seats) then you might squeeze in.
Looking for a large family car...
I'm looking for a family car and have two children under three.
I've had coupes (currently in an Audi A5) all my life so ideally I'd like to switch it up and get an SUV. I'm at a loss of what to get - I'd love the Volvo XC90 and can afford it, but the pragmatic side of me is telling me not waste a huge amount of money on a depreciating asset like that, no matter how great it is.
On the other end of the scale I think the Hyundai Santa Fe is a great looking car, but I can't stand the plasticky feeling of the interior and the ugly interior layout. Do you have any recommendations that would allow me to keep the luxury feel of my Audi, but not cost the earth like the Volvo?
Or... do I just compromise and get a 3-4-year-old Audi A6 Avant estate?
Rich K (Dublin)Feb 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Rich,
OK, there’s a lot to unpick here. First of all, any car you buy (other than perhaps a classic Mercedes SL or an old Ferrari) will be a depreciating asset, so there’s not much point in thinking that buying one car over another will save you from that. Obviously some cars depreciate a bit less than others, but they do all depreciate in the end.
The XC90 is a cracking car, a really good one, but as you rightly point out it’s big and expensive, and if you’ve only got the two kids, you probably don’t really need the seven seats. The Santa Fe is an excellent car, reliable and hard-wearing, but you’re quite right that the cabin can be a bit low-rent at times. It might be worth having a look at the Kia Sorento — mechanically identical to the Santa Fe, but a touch roomier and we prefer the Kia’s interior. Also well worth having a look at slightly smaller seven-seat SUV rivals such as the Peugeot 5008, Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace and Skoda Kodiaq, all of which have genuinely excellent interiors and are good to drive too.
Mind you, once again, you’re right — you don’t need an SUV (no-one really does, but that’s a debate for another day) so actually the idea of an Audi A6 Avant estate is a really good one. You already like Audis, they’re great for quality and reliability and look awesome into the bargain, and have plenty of space for two growing kids. Worth looking at a BMW 5 Series Touring and Mercedes E-Class Estate too (the BMW’s a little better to drive, the Mercedes is bigger inside) and well worth checking out the gorgeous new Volvo V90 if the XC90 has taken your fancy. Here are all our reviews of the above cars to help you decide:
Any light green Hyundai Tucson colour?
Did the Hyundai Tucson ever come in a light green colour?
Kevin Bbehan (Dublin)Jan 2018 Filed under: paintwork
Expert answer
Hi Kevin,
The Tucson doesn’t currently have a light-green paint option, no. The available paints at the moment are Stargazing Blue, Fiery Red, Micron Grey, White Sand, Phantom Black, Moon Rock, Platinum Silver and Polar White.