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What do you think of the Nissan X-Trail?

Hello, I am thinking of buying a 2006 Nissan X-Trail 2WD, 2.0-litre petrol. It has run about 125,000 kilometres. Just wanted to check what is your view on that? I am looking for a family SUV.

Komal Shah

Jun 2012 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Komal,

The X-Trail of that age in general is a fine car. The two-wheel drive versions are the most economical and all are generally reliable. However, the 2.0-litre petrol engine is not the best option as it's a little gutless. Wouldn't worry about the mileage, but perhaps look around for a diesel.

Also, if four-wheel drive is not a priority perhaps consider something less 4x4 looking?


Which manual, diesel 4x4s are good?

What is the best type of 4x4 with a manual transmission and diesel engine?

Aidan Kelly (Kildare)

Jun 2012 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Aidan,

Without knowing your budget and what your needs with regards to towing etc. are it's difficult to give a precise answer, but as a starting point, and in alphabetical order:

None of Audi's Q models are really suited to heavy off-road work, though the Q5 and Q7 are fine towing machines. Not that you'll find a Q7 with a manual gearbox.

Same story with BMW's X models. Fine for towing. You'll have to seek out an older X5 if you want a manual transmission though.

Citroen C-Crosser, Ford Kuga, Honda CR-V, Hyundai ix35: fine road cars.

Hyundai Santa Fe: depending on age and spec can be quite good off-road and as a tow car.

Hyundai Terracan: horrible beast of a thing, but it is big...

Hyundai Tucson: more car-like than most 4x4s.

Isuzu Trooper: hard as nails, durable workhorse.

Jeep Cherokee: good workhorse, but raucous on the road.

Jeep Compass: really not that great on the road despite its 'crossover' image.

Jeep Grand Cherokee: surprisingly good depending on age.

Jeep Patriot: a Compass with more upright bodywork...

Jeep Wrangler: tough, great off-road, but not so good on it.

Kia Sorento: first generation a tough tow car; latest more road-biased.

Kia Sportage: fine road car - especially the latest one.

Land Rover Defender: same comments as Jeep Wrangler above.

Land Rover Discovery: one of the very best all-rounders - newer versions way better.

Land Rover Freelander: good mix of on-road behaviour with all-road ability, but others at price better.

Range Rover line-up: luxurious regular model not bad off-road, Sport great to drive on-road and Evoque not really a 4x4 despite the badge.

Mazda CX-5: new SUV in the crossover mould - lovely on the road, where it should stay.

Mercedes-Benz M-Class: see BMW X5 comments.

Mitsubishi ASX/Outlander: very much road cars.

Mitsubishi L200/Pajero/Shogun: durable, strong, tough, but also rough and unrefined - proper 4x4 system though.

Nissan Navara/Pathfinder: see L200 etc. above...

Nissan Qashqai: a road car, even in 4x4 guise.

Nissan Terrano: old-school 4x4.

Nissan X-Trail: pretty good mix of attributes.

Opel Antara: road car - and not a good one.

Peugeot 4007, Renault Koleos, Skoda Yeti: just road cars.

SsangYong Actyon/Kyron/Rexton: rough and ready tow machines.

Subaru Forester: more a road car, though later one pretty good.

Subaru Outback/XV: road cars - nice ones.

Suzuki Grand Vitara: not bad as an all-rounder - relatively cheap and cheerful.

Suzuki SX4: car with 4x4 mechanicals.

Toyota Hilux/Land Cruiser: enviable reputation for toughness and reliability, though not very civilised.

Toyota RAV4: good road car, ok tow car.

Volkswagen Amarok: good all-rounder, though just a pick-up.

Volkswagen Tiguan: lovely road car, but most models so-so off-road.

Volkswagen Touareg: high quality car that's a good all-rounder.

Volvo XC60/XC90: good road cars - not for off-road.

So come back to us with more details and we'll talk you through a purchase.


What cars are good for first time buyers and drivers?

Which used car is the best to buy for a first time buyer who has a learner licence?

Viji Punneghade (Dublin)

Jun 2012 Filed under: learner

Expert answer

Hi Viji,

As we don't know your budget we'll be general in our advice. Most learners are comfortable in a small car with light controls. It's also good for it to be reliable and ideally safe. Think along the lines of the Toyota Yaris, Nissan Micra, Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo. If you're buying new we'd urge you take a look at the SEAT Mii/Skoda Citigo/Volkswagen up! triplets or even the excellent new Fiat Panda.

Come back to us with more details and we'll talk you through the purchase if you wish.


What do you think of the CVT Nissan Qashqai?

What's your opinion of the CVT gearbox in the Nissan Qashqai?

Peter Craig (Delgany Wicklow)

May 2012 Filed under: gearbox

Expert answer

Hi Peter,

It looks like nobody working with CompleteCar has driven this combination. The CVT is only offered with a 1.6-litre petrol engine in Ireland and our experience of any CVT gearbox with any petrol engine is not good. It is smooth, as there are no gear changes as such, but engine revs don't often correspond to forward motion, so it often feels that the engine is revving unnecessarily. CVT works well enough with diesel, but not with petrol engines.

Saying all that, you really should try it for yourself before discounting it completely.

Hope that helps.


What small car for €8,000 could replace my MINI?

Hi, I am driving an 08 MINI Cooper 1.6D that is a work lease car. I want to buy a small car for less than €8,000 - ideally a 1.1 or so that I don't feel the drop too much! I do very low mileage - 5,000km per year - but want something that could manage a motorway journey or two a year ok. What would you recommend? I have been looking at something 08 or newer: Hyundai i10, Toyota Yaris; old model Fiesta/Polo - any other ideas?

Suzie Perry (Dublin)

May 2012 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Suzie,

Others to consider include the Citroen C3 and Fiat 500, Mazda2, Nissan Micra, Opel Corsa, Peugeot 207, SEAT Ibiza, Skoda Fabia and Suzuki Swift. They're all good small cars. Given your low mileage you're definitely better off with a petrol model.

I assume you know that you could afford slightly larger cars in the Ford Focus class as well with that budget, but that you don't want one that big? They'd be far more comfortable on the motorway.

With all that in mind, and sticking to your small car demand, we reckon one of the three Volkswagen Group cars makes the most sense - that's the Skoda Fabia, SEAT Ibiza or the Polo. If you'd like help narrowing down your search further come back to us.


Does it make sense to swap my Nissan Note for a BMW or Merc?

Hi gents,

I have a 2010 Nissan Note 1.4 petrol Sport model with 21,000km, which I bought new and it's a grand car, but I recently had my head turned by two others that I LOVE!

A 2007 Mercedes-Benz C 180 1.8 petrol, auto, 19,000 miles and 2008 BMW 316i ES petrol, 33,000 miles. Both are immaculate with leather seats and loads extras and I'm being asked €4,500 to change. Is this reasonable? Am I mad?

Taking everything into consideration, that either of the new ones would set my heart on fire to own at versus the sensible brilliance of the one I have, what should I do please?

Thanks, Niamh

Niamh O'Donnell (Dublin)

May 2012 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Niamh,

That's a nice problem to have. Thanks for sending the details of the cars to us via email.

In my opinion, the BMW is the better driver's car and more practical. However, the Mercedes is faster and much sportier looking. It also looks to be better equipped. Both are quite reliable in general, especially with low mileages, so I wouldn't worry about that unduly.

Maybe get a Cartell.ie car history check to verify the mileage and that there is no outstanding finance when you decide which you prefer.

It's imperative that you drive both cars yourself for as long as the seller allows you, as, no matter what we say, your preference is all that matter.

Now, onto money. A figure of €4,500 seems a little steep as a cost to change given the asking price of those cars and the estimated value of your own. I'd be tempted to offer €2,000 and see what they say. Don't be afraid to walk away, as there will be plenty of other cars like this. Also consider selling your car privately for a better price - if more hassle...

Come back to us if you need anything else.


What small diesel car would you recommend from 2008?

What would be the best diesel cars to buy? I'm looking at 2008 and not a big car. We have a 2003 Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI so it would ideally be 1.4 to 1.6 in diesel really.

Thanks

Noel Mc Grath (Tralee)

May 2012 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Noel,

There's a lot of choice out there within those restrictions and you've not given us your budget, so we'll give you a list of the cars we think are worth looking at to start with and you can come back to us if you'd like help narrowing the search:

  1. Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi
  2. Hyundai i30 1.6 diesel
  3. Kia cee'd 1.6 diesel
  4. Mazda3 1.6 diesel
  5. Nissan Note 1.5 diesel
  6. Nissan Qashqai 1.5 diesel
  7. Peugeot 207 1.4 HDi
  8. Peugeot 308 1.6 HDi
  9. Toyota Auris 1.4 D4-D

The Volkswagen Polo and Golf and the Skoda Octavia are other considerations, though the 1.6 TDI engine was not introduced until 2010.

Let us know what you think


Can I get a new catch for my Nissan Note's glovebox?

Apparently there is no closing catch available for Nissan Note glovebox as a separate part.

What do I do?

John Lamb (Leixlip)

May 2012 Filed under: parts

Expert answer

Hi John,

Your best bet is probably to talk to a scrap yard or car dismantlers. They won't charge you much so long as they have the car there.

If you need help finding one in your area, come back to us.


Should I swap my 5 Series for a BMW X3 or a Merc M-Class?

Hello I need some advice please.

At the moment I own a 2010 new model BMW 5 Series, which I bought new. It's a fantastic car, but my previous car was a Nissan X-Trail and I really miss the high driving position. We have recently had a baby, which means lots of bending with car seats and buggies. We also have a five-year old and elderly parents who sometimes travel with us.

We have decided to trade the 5 Series for a 2.0-litre diesel SUV and have narrowed the choice down to two. My husband likes the new BMW X3, but I am more drawn to the Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2.0, as I don't really like the looks of the X3.

My question is, which of these two do you think would suit us best?

Thanks.

Jenny Moran (Cork)

Apr 2012 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Jenny,

I'm a family man myself so I know well your needs! Before saying anything more though I assume you've looked at the pricing of the BMW and Merc and that's not a consideration? The X3 starts at about €47,000, while the M-Class costs from €71,000.

If price is not a problem then the answer has to be the Merc. It's a bigger, more luxurious car with more equipment. There's nothing at all wrong with the X3 (I'd consider owning one myself), but the Merc is in a different league - as it should be for that price difference.

Come back to me if we can help further.


We need a second car for less than €5,000.

Hi there. I am looking for a used small car from 2006 on with four doors and small engine, just as a second car for my wife. Maybe for less than €5,000. Any recommendations or no goes?! Thanks

Hagen Stroh (Greystones)

Apr 2012 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Hagen,

There's a lot of choice on the market for that price. Here's a few cars we'd consider good buys for the purpose you've described:

Citroen C3, Fiat Panda, Ford Fiesta, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Honda Jazz, Mazda3, Nissan Almera, Nissan Micra, Opel Astra, Opel Corsa, Peugeot 207, SEAT Ibiza, SEAT Cordoba, SEAT Leon, Skoda Fabia, Suzuki Swift, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Yaris, Volkswagen Golf, Volkswagen Polo.

I appreciate that's a long list, but we've left out plenty too! If you'd like more in depth help with choosing from the above come back to us.


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