What is the cheapest crossover as a second hand car?
What is the cheapest crossover as a second hand car?
Mary Boyce (Parked On Drive)Jul 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
Almost certainly a Nissan Qashqai. Early Mk1s are hovering around the €6k mark now, but beware of high-milers that have suffered dog's abuse.
Is the clutch in the Nissan Qashqai+2 ok?
I am trading in my 2007 Toyota Avensis Strata for a Nissan Qashqai+2. Just wondering are there problems with the clutches in them, as the warranty from the garage does not cover this.
Thanks
John, Castlebar, Co. Mayo
John Walkin (Castlebar, Co. Mayo)Jul 2015 Filed under: gearbox
Expert answer
H John,
There are no recurring problems that we've heard of with Qashqai clutches. Maybe make sure the garage checks the clutch thoroughly before you buy for peace of mind.
What will we replace our Kia Sportage with?
Hi, my wife is driving a 2013 Kia Sportage and is thinking of updating. What would you recommend?
Joe Malone (Dublin)Jun 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Joe,
Lots to choose from, but if she fancies another Sportage, then hang on for a year - there's an all-new model coming. You could consider a trade-up into the excellent new Kia Sorento, but that's a bigger, more expensive car. If you want to stick in the same size range (and stick with an SUV) then have a look at the Volkswagen Tiguan, Nissan Qashqai or Toyota RAV4.
Relevant reviews:
Can you help me choose from these family car?
Which would be cheaper, more economical and have low maintainance, for family of five that require good boot size, mostly city driving, 12,000km mileage per year: Kia Carens diesel, Nissan Qashqai diesel or petrol 1.2, Kia cee'd estate or Skoda Fabia Combi either 2014 or 2015?
Thanks, Mary
Mary Strike (Cork)May 2015 Filed under: family car
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
I'd leave the Fabia Combi out straight away. It's a very good little car but it's just too small if you're putting five people into it regularly. The cee'd estate is one of our favourite cars - practical, handsome and good to drive and those are things you can equally say about the Qashqai. However, again, I'd say if you're trying to get five people in every day, space in the back could be an issue.
Which leaves us with the Carens. Thankfully it's a very good choice - all the attributes of the cee'd, but with extra space and comfort for those in the back. My advice would be to go and test drive each one but make sure you bring along everyone who's going to regularly be using the car and make sure everyone's comfortable in it. Not just a spin around the block either - drive for long enough to make sure everyone has a chance to get fidgety.
Worth noting though that with your driving pattern, the petrol Qashqai is going to have the best engine for your purposes. You may need to make a compromise between engine and seating at some point.
Relevant reviews:
What is the best crossover to buy?
What is the best crossover to buy?
Eamonn Carter (Gorey)Apr 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Eamonn,
Do you mean big or small? Actually, the new Fiat 500x we've just driven could be a good shout for a small crossover, or if you don't fancy that, take a look at the MINI Countryman.
Something more medium? There are only two players really - Skoda Yeti or Nissan Qashqai. Ford Kuga is also worth a look, but only the current model, not the old one.
Bigger than that? Honda's CR-V is always a good one, or if you're buying new have a long, hard look at the latest Kia Sorento.
Relevant reviews:
Nissan Qashqai+2 or Toyota RAV4?
Nissan Qashqai+2 or Toyota RAV4?
Bronagh Donohoe (Galway )Apr 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Bronagh,
If it's the current RAV4, then I'd say the RAV4 - really sweet to drive and lots of space. If it's the older model (or if you really, really need the seven seats) then go for the Qashqai.
Further reading:
Nissan Qashqai or Kia Sportage?
Could you do a comparison, please, between the Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai, both petrol and diesel? Thanks
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Mar 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
The Sportage is very much on its way out right now, with a new model due next year. That said, it's still a nice car, but it can't match the Qashqai for handling or for the emissions from their diesel engines. As for petrol, there really isn't a viable Sportage petrol option right now, but the Qashqai's 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine actually makes pretty good sense if you're doing low mileage and mostly drive around town.
Further reading:
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:
Will a diesel Nissan Qashqai be suitable for low mileage?
I want to buy a 2011 Nissan Qashqai 1.5 diesel, but I only do short journrys. Can these newer diesels handle the short journeys?
Aisling Finnegan (Kildare)Feb 2015 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Aisling,
Yes they can, but they may not be the most cost-effective. If you're worrying about the diesel particulate filter in the exhaust getting clogged with soot and causing an expensive failure (and that can happen) then don't worry - a quick spin up and back the nearest motorway in a low-ish gear will heat the system up enough to let it burn off the soot and all will be well. Do it once a week for 30 minutes or so and you'll be fine.
The other issue is simple one of cost though. You will spend more money to buy a diesel car than you will a petrol and when you're only doing low mileage it's hard to generate the savings from fuel burn to make up the extra you've spent up front. That's why petrol makes so much sense for lower mileage drivers.
The thing is that the Qashqai can be had with a petrol engine, but it suffers much harsher depreciation when you buy it - so you're in a bit of a catch 22. Petrol is better for your driving profile, but worse for retaining value in this particular model. You may need to expand your search out to some other cars to make your sums add up.