Which big SUV to go for with €18,000?
What will be a good all-round SUV around €18K price mark? I need a seven-seater. Audi Q7 or BMW X5 etc.
John Navin (Navan)Dec 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi John,
The Q7 and BMW X5 would both be good choices, as would a Land Rover Discovery (although you'd definitely want to take out an aftermarket warranty on any of those three at that price level).
Better options are out there though. Volvo's XC90 is hugely spacious and built to last, but if you want something totally indestructible, track down a long wheelbase Toyota Land Cruiser.
Is the Mitsubishi Outlander worth a look?
We are looking for a seven seater to replace our 2005 Land Rover Discovery. The tax needs to be less and I see the Outlander looks good in that respect. Are there any PCP deals available on cars of this type?
Louise Phillips (Dalkey)Dec 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Louise,
Yup, the Outlander is a cracking car (although you'll have to accept that it's not as spacious as the Discovery) and Mitsubishi does indeed have PCP plans available. Your local dealer will have all the details.
Read our review of the Mitsubishi Outlander
Am I mad to go for Land Rover commercial?
Hi there,
I am a rural vet driving a SWB commercial Toyota Landcruiser. I need to change to a 4x4 with more seating for the kids. I'm thinking of a Land Rover Discovery utility commercial. I'm wondering am I mad to make this move as the stories over the years about Land Rover reliability are plentiful.
Ed
Ed Myers (Cork)Nov 2015 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Ed,
Land Rover's quality has been getting better and better and it seems as if the current Discovery model has shaken off a lot of its reputation for weak gearboxes and electrical maladies. I think it's probably worth the punt, but there are two other good options - both the Mitsubishi Pajero and Toyota Land Cruiser are also available in 'business versions' that mean you can buy them for the price of a commercial but you get the back seats and luxury touches. That said, you'll have to tax them as a private car if you're going to carry the kids around - it's a €4,000 fine if you're caught with the incorrect tax.
Can I alter the exhaust in my Land Rover Defender?
I have read that by removing the catalytic converter and the EGR valve from a TD5 Land Rover Defender, the car will perform better and be a lot more economical. There are replacement pipes and plugs available on the internet, for that purpose and it is MOT-approved. My question is: if I do this in Ireland, would my Defender fail the NCT test?
Cesar Pereira (Mullaghmore, County Sligo)Oct 2015 Filed under: NCT
Expert answer
Hi Cesar,
Yes, pretty much an instant fail there. If you take out the cat and the EGR valve you're going to push your emissions readings up significantly. Please don't do it - that equipment is there for a reason.
What's my Land Rover Discovery worth?
What's my Land Rover Discovery 4 3.0 TD V6 five-seat XE auto worth?I t has 40,000 miles on it and I want to sell it privately.
Thanks
Mark, Waterford
Mark Rhys Thomas (Waterford)Aug 2015 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
I'd say you're looking at in and around €45,000 for it.
What's the 2006 Land Rover Freelander like?
2006 Land Rover Freelander five-door with 67,000 miles on the clock: looking at to buy. It's well kept, drives fine and is very clean all round. What are they like?
Steve Mahony, Cork
Steve Mahony (Cork)Jul 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Steve,
Tread carefully. If it's the second-generation Freelander (the one that's only just been replaced by the new Discovery Sport) then you need to keep a careful eye on the engine, the gearbox and anything electrical for any potential trouble. It's not a terrible car from a reliability point of view, but they do suffer their little niggles. If it's the older model, the one originally launched way back in 1998, then to be honest we'd just avoid it - they were never built properly.
New Kia Sorento or Land Discovery Sport?
Which is the better car keeping value for money in mind: a 2015 Kia Sorento automatic AWD Platinum or a 2015 Land Rover Discovery Sport Automatic HSE?
Mike Kemmy (Limerick)May 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mike,
Actually, and please note that this is a dyed-in-the-wool Land Rover fan saying this, I'd actually go for the Kia. It's one of the best mid-size SUVs around, hugely comfortable and nice to drive and it's much better value than the Land Rover. Although the headline prices are quite similar, the Kia's much better equipped as standard. You'd have to spend well over €50k to get a Discovery Sport up to the same spec as the Sorento.
Relevant reviews:
Help me choose a €20,000 family car.
I'm currently driving a 2010 Renault Grand Mégane and wondering what type of car would serve us well over the next three to five years. Do I stick with estate or look at SUV? There's two back seat passengers aged five and two, but would like something that can seat additional passengers from time to time - grandparents, other kids etc. Ideally would like something up to two years old and have budget of €18,000 to €20,000.
Gerry Connolly (Skerries, Dublin)May 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Gerry,
OK, lots of options here. Seven-seat SUVs are the coming thing and Hyundai's Santa Fe is one of the best. Lots and lots around for that kind of money so be choosy and buy the most recent one you can, so as to make the most of that five-year warranty.
The rear seats are a little tight though, so maybe look at a Ford S-Max. Big, spacious and really good to drive, you'll probably get a good deal on a nearly-new one at the moment as there's an all-new version about the be launched.
Or you could go all-out and get a Land Rover Discovery, which is a wonderful car but don't say I didn't warn you when it comes to running costs, and you won't find a two-year old one for that money.
Relevant reviews:
What big SUV do you suggest for me and my boys?
I'm looking for a new SUV. I have three boys into sports so need boot space as well as cabin space and it also needs to be an automatic. What do you suggest?
Liz Corbett (Galway)Apr 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Liz,
A few key choices here - compact: Skoda Yeti or Mazda CX-5; medium: Honda CR-V or Kia Sorento; and large: Land Rover Discovery or Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Of the lot, I think overall our pick would be the new Kia Sorento. It's big, comfy, spacious, has seven seats and is really well made.
Relevant reviews:
What do I do with a converted Land Rover Discovery?
Folks, I am looking to buy a 2002 Land Rover Discovery commercial. The previous owner had it as a passenger vehicle and converted it to commercial - but left seats in it. How can I formalise this, and is there an online calculator for this?
Niall Staunton (Ballina)Mar 2015 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Niall,
I think you'd have to talk directly to Revenue about that - they have very strict rules about what does and does not count as a commercial vehicle (it depends largely on the boot space) and your business may well have a bearing on whether or not you're allowed to run it as a commercial.