CompleteCar
Search Ask Us Anything
Showing 271 - 280 results (out of a total of 375) found for "Irish" in Ask Us Anything

Which of these new SUVs would you recommend?

Hi,  I would like to know which one of the following cars you think is best and if there is any I should avoid: Honda CR-V, BMW X3, Mitsubishi Outlander, Hyundai Santa Fe, Subaru Forester and Audi Q5. All 2015 models and 2.0-litre diesel. Thanks.

Mary Walsh (Cork)

Jan 2015 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Mary,

Hmmm. Tough choice. Please note that the following is based purely on personal taste and other opinions are available. They're wrong, but they're available...

1. Honda CR-V: Not the glamorous choice but it's massively spacious, comfy, well made and frugal. Might be worth waiting for the new 150hp 1.6 diesel which arrives later this year - alongside a facelift.

2. Audi Q5: Super-slick, nice to drive and has a cracking 2.0 TDI diesel engine. 

3. Mitsubishi Outlander: Referring specifically to the PHEV plugin hybrid, it's the most cost-effective and practical way of going (partially) electric and it's hugely clever. 

4. Hyundai Santa Fe: Stylish, spacious and affordable plus it has a five-year warranty. Hard to beat, really. 

5. BMW X3: It's a sight better looking than the original X3 but it's still quite stiff-riding and it's not as nice to drive as the Q5.

6. Subaru Forester: Not pretty and it has a terrible cabin (all cheap plastics and ancient-looking displays) but it's probably the most ruggedly reliable car here and has genuine off-road ability. 

Further reading:

Road test of the Honda CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC

First Irish drive of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Road test of the Hyundai Santa Fe

Road test of the Subaru Forester


Is the new Nissan Note worth the money?

Is the new Nissan Note 1.2 SV worth the money?

Una McAllister (Dublin 24)

Jan 2015 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Una,

If you had said the old-shape Note, then I'd say yes. It was always a nice car to drive, and both spacious and reliable too. If you mean the new one, then no - it just feels cheap and built down to a price. Not a nice car at all. However, if you fancy something Nissan-y for a bargain price, then I have good news. Nissan Ireland is currently offering up to €4,000 trade-in bonus on the new Pulsar. Now, it's perhaps not the most exciting car on the road, but it's comfy, roomy, well-built and well-equipped. Definitely worth a look.

Further reading:

First Irish drive of the Nissan Note

First drive of the Nissan Pulsar


Is the Audi A3 Saloon bigger than the hatch?

Is the Audi A3 Saloon much larger than the Audi A3 three-door?

Frank D (Dublin)

Jan 2015 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi F D,

There are some small differences. The three-door A3 sits on 2,601mm wheelbase, while the A3 Sportback (the five-door hatch) has a 2,636mm wheelbase so there's a bit more room in the back. The A3 Saloon has a wheelbase that's fractionally longer again, at 2,637mm, but that's a negligible difference, so really, it has the same rear seat space as the Sportback. There's a significant difference in boot space though. Both hatchback versions come with a 380-litre boot, or a 340-litre one if you opt for quattro four-wheel drive (the rear diff has to go somewhere, after all). The saloon has a much bigger boot though, at 425 litres for the front-drive version or 390 litres for the quattro version.

Read our Irish road test of the Audi A3 Saloon here


What insurance companies are best for an Indian driving permit?

I have an international driving permit from India. I am planning to buy a small car. Please recommend the companies that can provide me car insurance.

Rob Eccleston (Dublin)

Jan 2015 Filed under: driving licence

Expert answer

Hi Rob,

I'm afraid there's nothing for it but to start ringing around and working your way through the websites of Irish insurers. There are no specific restrictions on drivers using international driving licences, but I think you can expect that your insurance costs will be significantly higher than if you had a full Irish licence.


What 4x4 diesel crossovers are there in Ireland?

What options are there in the Irish car market for a four-wheel drive crossover with a diesel engine?

Willy Boland (BALLINASLOE)

Jan 2015 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Willy,

Lots. Want something compact? Track down a Skoda Yeti 2.0 TDI 4x4. Surprisingly good off road, that one.

A little bigger you say? Well, I've got a big soft spot for the Subaru Forester, both the current and previous models. Permanent four-wheel drive, a peachy flat-four diesel and they're virtually indestructible. 

There is also the fleetingly rare Nissan Qashqai 4WD but good luck finding one if you're buying second hand.

Have a yen for something luxurious? Try a Volvo XC70. 

Of course, with all of these cars, and especially when buying second hand, make sure they're actually equipped with four-wheel drive. Most of them are sold with front-drive and a great many owners simply don't know or can't tell the difference.


Can you do a review on the Opel Insignia?

Can you do a review on the Opel Insignia?

Liam Mccarthy (Macroom)

Dec 2014 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Liam,

Here's the latest Opel Insignia review on the site - from the end of 2013.


Have you prices for SsangYong cars?

Have you heard of SsangYong Motor? There aren't any prices on www.ssangyong.ie

Sam Sary (Birr)

Dec 2014 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Sam,

We're not quite sure why SsangYong Ireland doesn't appear to have any prices on its site at the time of writing. Our latest information is for the following prices:

- Korando ES: €25,995

- Korando EL: €29,495

- Rexton W 'Limited Edition': €44,475

- Rexton W 'Limited Edition' auto: €48,184

Our drives of the cars:

SsangYong Korando Sports

SsangYong Korando

SsangYong Rodius


How much biofuel is in our diesel?

How much biofuel is in the diesel sold at petrol stations?

Thanks

Philip Donegan (Ballina)

Dec 2014 Filed under: diesel

Expert answer

Hi Philip,

It varies from station to station and supplier to supplier, but the standard for all Irish fuel is E5, which allows for (but doesn't specify) a five per cent mix of bio-derived ethanol in petrol. Ask at your local station to be certain though.


How much to import my Toyota from the Middle East?

Hello, hoping this query finds you well. I am SO happy to find a site like this :) (especially for those women among us who aren't the most clued up on all car issues)

I'm hoping to be moving back home early mid summer 2015 and am hoping to bring my SUV with me... if it's financially feasible to do so. I'd be importing it from where we bought it in the Middle East in 2008 (2009 model). It's a Toyota Fortuner GX2 2.7 five-door petrol - I can't find exact or approximate costs for a VRT band on this, what road tax be like for it or get online insurance quotes for it either, so am wondering if you could throw any light on this for me please, as I'd rather avoid the case of some possible nasty shocks by doing my homework from now on this.

Many thanks for any advice at all. Rosemarie, from Cork.

Rosemarie O'Riordan (Cork)

Nov 2014 Filed under: importing

Expert answer

Hi Rosemarie,

OK, good news - if it's coming in with a transfer of residence, and you can show that you've been the owner and user of the vehicle for at least six months prior, then it's basically free. There may still be a small fee payable for re-registering the vehicle (Revenue seems to be oddly coy about this fact), but basically once you can show it's yours and you're moving home, then you can bring it in for nothing. Just make sure you alert Revenue to the presence of the vehicle within seven days and then get the re-registering done within 30 days.

Road tax, I'm afraid though, will be payable at the top rate of €2,350 per annum, which is a nasty bill to have to foot every year. Insurance costs are likewise probably going to be hefty, as it's a vehicle most Irish insurers won't know even exists. Your best bet, in terms of running costs, may be to sell it before you leave and use the cash to get yourself something a bit more tax and insurance friendly when you get here.

Let us know how you get on


Which fast Volkswagen Golf to buy next year?

If you were buying a fast Golf in 2015 and did about 20,000- to 25,000km a year would you have a Golf R, Golf GTI Performance or Golf GTD? Also, I have driven automatics for the last few years and like them, but would you have DSG or manual in these cars? I'm thinking GTI performance with DSG is a nice balance, as the R still has higher road tax and presumably insurance and performance that will only lose me my licence, while the GTD might be a little pedestrian.

Would value your opinion.

Andrew Kelly (Limerick)

Nov 2014 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Andrew,

You're in an enviable position! I'll take your points one by one:

1) Mileage: you definitely do enough miles to see a benefit in having the GTD diesel model, assuming much of it is on the motorway. But the Golf R and GTI aren't really all that bad at a cruise either...

2) Gearbox: I personally would prefer the manual, though I accept that it's a very personal thing in a performance car and if you're used to automatics then stick with the DSG. For the record, it doesn't detract from the car one little bit.

3) GTD vs. GTI: if you read my review you'll see that I was pleasantly surprised by this car, but it took very hard driving to make it shine. At regular speeds (i.e. most of our driving) it felt quite ordinary, whereas the GTI always feels special.

I must admit that, if my budget stretched to the Golf R (and it's cheaper than ever now), I'd go for it. It's always going to be rare and exclusive (though perhaps hard to sell on) and as well as the extra performance it has a brilliant four-wheel drive system.

Nonetheless, I reckon the Golf GTI Performance is probably the best all-round choice, as you've identified for yourself. It's a sensational car, noticeably better to drive even than the regular GTI. You won't regret it one little bit.

Let us know which way you go in any case and here's some more reading for you:

Volkswagen reduces the price of the Golf R

Volkswagen Golf GTI five-door manual road test

Volkswagen Golf GTD road test

Volkswagen Golf GTI Performance (manual)


-->