What petrol car to replace my Corolla?
Hello there,
I currently drive a 1995 Toyota Corolla 1.3 petrol hatchback and spend about 70 to 75 Euro a week on petrol. I get about 440 miles from a full tank of petrol. I have thought about buying diesel, but am worried about high servicing costs. Could you recommend some very economical petrol cars that are the same size internally and as roomy as the Corolla.
Jimmy Smith, Newbridge
Jimmy Smith (Newbridge)Dec 2013 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Jimmy,
Try a Skoda Octavia 1.2 TSI petrol. It's massive inside and has a huge boot, and it can easily reach 50mpg in daily driving, with around 900km to a tank possible.
What's wrong with my 2007 Skoda Octavia?
Hello,
I have a 2007 Skoda Octavia 2007 1.9 TDI that sometimes won't start - the engine will turn over, but won't start. When it does eventually start it runs ok for a while, then it cuts out and won't start any more: fuel pump, pipes, filter and fuses etc, have been checked and all ok. Have a fault code but not sure if related - P1650 data bus powertrain: missing message from instrument cluster ECU.
Thanks
Steve
Steve Daly (Cork)Nov 2013 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Steve,
That fault code indicates a wiring issue somewhere that may well be your problem, but would require a good auto electrician to sort out.
However, before doing that, a known issue with that car causing similar problems is a faulty engine coolant temperature sensor that intermittently sends the wrong signal to the car's brain and causes all kinds of problems. It needs to be replaced and shouldn't cost the earth.
Volvo V60 D4 or Skoda Octavia RS TDI?
How does the new Volvo V60 D4 compare to the Skoda Octavia RS diesel?
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Oct 2013 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
The Octavia RS is a much sportier car overall with a more driver-focused chassis (though firmer and less comfortable). However, the new D4 Volvo engine is superior in every way (assuming you mean the new 181hp four-cylinder one tested here).
So, personally, I would have the Skoda look, spec and chassis, but the Volvo engine and running costs!
Depends what's important to you...
Should I replace my Corolla with a Golf or Octavia?
I bought an 09 Toyota Corolla 1.4 petrol with 64,000km on the clock three months ago. It is still covered by the dealer's one-year warranty, is taxed until July 2014 and NCT'ed until July 2015. Since then, I have changed job and will now be commuting two hours a day on the motorway and so need to change for a diesel. Even though I'm generally the only one in the car, I prefer saloons and like a big car around me, partly for safety reasons. I also want a comfortable, hi-spec, economical car. And as I will be putting a lot of miles on it, I want something with low mileage. I am thinking a diesel Volkswagen Golf or a Skoda Octavia.
Have test driven the Ford Focus and Hyundai i30 and the interior put me off. Maybe I was driving the basic models but found them to be quite cheap in feel. I am trying to keep the total spend to about €2,000 to €4,000 with my own for trade-in.
First of all, am I on the right track in the types of cars I am looking at for what I want? Secondly, how much should I roughly be expecting to get for my own car?
Grainne Callanan (Kilkenny)Oct 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Grainne,
I'd say you can expect to get about €8,000 and €9,000 as a trade-in value for your Corolla, although that could vary quite a bit from dealer to dealer. As for the cars you're looking at, a diesel Golf or Octavia would probably be ideal for the type of driving you're looking at doing, but if it's refinement you need, then I'd go for the Volkswagen over the Skoda - there's not a lot in it, but the Golf is that bit quieter.
Hope that helps
I need a car that's easy to get in and out of...
Can you advise me on a car that's easy to get in and out of? Presently driving a Skoda Octavia. How about something like a Peugeot 208?
Christpoher Reid (Navan)Sep 2013 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Christopher,
I think what you need here is a car of medium height, not low slung like a hatch or tall like an SUV, but in the middle, so that it's easy (apologies for being indelicate) to get your bum on the seat and swing your legs in more easily. A tall hatch, essentially. So perhaps have a look at a five-door Ford C-Max, or possibly a Honda Civic or Volkswagen Golf Plus. They usually present an easier entry-exit setup than something more low and rakish. Try a few out and see what works best for you.
I'm looking for a reliable, fuel efficent diesel car.
Hi, I have €16,000 and a 2007 Nissan Almera to trade in. I'm looking for a reliable, fuel efficent diesel; can you recommend some?
Paddy Bowe (Rathdowney Co.Laois)Aug 2013 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Paddy,
Well, with that kind of budget to shop with you're well into the price range for most compact 1.6 diesel hatchbacks, and I'm talking new (or nearly new if you're looking to maximise the bargain).
So I'd recommend going for one of Volkswagen's new trio of compact cars, the Golf, Octavia or Leon (sadly the Audi A3 is probably out of your price range). All three are excellent, solidly build and share the same frugal 1.6-litre TDI diesel engine. Of the three, I'd suggest going for the Leon as it gets you the best all round car, but the classiness of the Golf or the practicality of the Octavia are equally strong draws. Can't go wrong with any of them really.
Estates: Ford Focus or Skoda Octavia?
Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi diesel estate €12,950 or Skoda Octavia Combi Elegance 1.6 CR 105 at €15,225? Both diesel estates same mileage, both 2010, prices quoted are asking prices with room for negotiations. Which would you choose?
Denis Scannell (Cork)Aug 2013 Filed under: family car
Expert answer
Hi Denis,
Both are excellent cars, but we'd go for the Octavia. It's more spacious by far and surely that's the whole point of having an estate. Cracking car.
Skoda Octavia or Kia cee'd SW as a taxi?
2013 Skoda Octavia or Kia cee'd SW as a taxi? My main priorities are comfort and reliability.
Paul Mc Mahon (Dublin)Aug 2013 Filed under: taxi
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
Both solidly reliable, but the Octavia would have an edge (albeit a small one) in terms of comfort.
What other family cars should I consider for up to €8,000?
I'm looking for an economical family car for long commutes, with a large boot and space for two car seats, around the €7,000-€8,000 mark. So far have come up with the Ford C-Max... Any other suggestions?
Roisin Vaughan (Dublin)Aug 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Roisin,
When you say large boot, exactly how large do you mean? Ford C-Max is an excellent choice, and if you're looking in the MPV market then there's always the solidly reliable Toyota Verso too, or the Mazda5. For slightly less money, and indeed for slightly lower running costs, you could be into a compact estate though, a class of car that gets unfairly ignored these days. The Focus Estate is excellent and has a massive boot, but the absolute best choice is a Skoda Octavia Combi. It has a simply massive boot, lots of space in the back seats for the kids and, if you get one with the 1.6 or 1.9 TDI engine, you've got an excellent long-haul, economical family car. Reliable too.
Skoda Superb vs. Octavia RS diesel?
Hi,
How would you compare, performance wise, the 2.0, 170hp Skoda Superb against the new Octavia RS?
Thanks
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Aug 2013 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
I'm assuming you're referring to TDI diesel versions of both. The Superb is a much larger and heavier car so it doesn't feel quite as rapid, but it's not at all disappointing. That engine has plenty of torque to make it feel usefully quick when you need it to. The Octavia RS, however, is undoubtedly more of a performance car, even in diesel guise. The Octavia feels sportier in general because of its RS interior bits and pieces, low profile tyres and sports suspension too. A review for you: