VW Passat or Ford Mondeo for taxi?
New Volkswagen Passat 1.6-litre diesel or new Ford Mondeo 1.6-litre diesel, cannot decide which is better for used as a taxi in Dublin.
Paul Mc Mahon (Dublin)May 2011 Filed under: taxi
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
These cars are really very similar and it can be difficult to seperate them when you compare them in almost every category. You didn't mention the Skoda Octavia or Superb here which is surprising since they are rated so highly by the taxi industry and they are also ultra reliable. The Passat hasn't always been that reliable while there appear to be fewer problems with the Mondeo. Having said that, both engines are really very good though and will be super frugal.
To be honest, I would probably still go with the Passat as it looks and feels a little more upmarket and that would be good in your line of work.
What is the value of my 2005 Skoda Octavia?
What is the current value of a 2005 Skoda Octavia 1.6-litre petrol? There are 120,000 miles on the clock and it is in mint condition.
Liam Arrigan (Rathkeale)May 2011 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Liam,
If you planning on selling it privately you should ask around €6,000 as your starting point leaving you room to negotiate. As a trade-in from a garage, you are likely to be offered around €4,000 - €5,000 at best, obviously depending on what you are trading in against.
I hope this helps!
What family diesel would suit me with €10,000 to spend?
I have roughly €10k to spend on a used car and I was hoping you might help with my choice. My requirements are: I drive 50,000 kilometers annually (work mainly) so a diesel would be essential; I have two children so a saloon sized car or bigger would be needed; and I really like a car with generous extras. Have you any ideas what might fit my need?
Thanks so much.
John Woods (Clonmel)May 2011 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi John,
Right John - sensible would be something like a Citroen C5. You could have a choice of diesel ones with low mileage and every conceivable extra for your budget. A Ford Mondeo would fit the bill too. But you would want one with a few decent extras on it. This Skoda Octavia sounds like it could be a super choice for you too.
Torn between Octavia and Lancer
I'm stuck between the Scoda Octavia Greenline and the Mitsubishi Lancer diesel? Both are costing me about the same with scrappage etc. HELP me decide!!!!! I have test driven both and the Mitsubishi has much better performance but the Octavia is much better on the running cost!!
Cormac Breathnach (GALWAY)May 2011 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Cormac,
We drove the new Lancer recently here and as we pointed out, the performance is better than nearly all of its rivals at the same price. It drives really well, and will be reliable, but we felt that the interior felt a little bit dated. The Octavia is, as you will have figured out from your roadtest, very good too. I can't see where there would be a massive difference between the running costs, aside from the fact that the Lancer might have €156 road tax per year compared to the €104 in the Octavia.
Mitsubishi Lancer Diesel
They would have reasonably similar residual values and have similar warranties too. So, Cormac, I have to sound flippant, but I would really say that if I were you I would pick whichever car feels right for you. If you do mega mileage I might go for the Octavia, but the Lancer is so well-equipped for the money and the engine is really good.
Skoda Octavia
The only thing I would say is that time is running out on the scrappage scheme, so you would need to sort out your new car soon and there is a bit of a shortage on Octavias, so you need to act soon!
I have injector problems with my Skoda Octavia.
Hi,
My 2007 Skoda Octavia (a 1.4-litre with 90,000km on the clock) was misfiring badly for a good while before the engine warning light came on. The 'bank 1' oxygen sensor went so we replaced the sensor and the warning light went off. No faults were showing on the diagnostic tool (electrics diagnostics only), but the engine was still misfiring. Unburned fuel was found in cylinder 3, which we eventually got cleaned out.
The coil and spark plugs were testing and found to be firing so it looks like the fuel injector for this cylinder is the problem. I'm going to bring it to a main dealer to try resolve as I think best case is to re-program the injector or worst case, replace it. My question is, how much should this cost to do in best and worst case scenario?
Thanks! Linda
Linda Meehan (Laois)May 2011 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Linda,
It certainly does sound like an injector issue - assuming the coil and plugs are fine. We'd suggest that the injectors are tested before hastily replacing them. Any decent garage will do that for you - it doesn't have to be a main dealer. From the information you've given us about the car, we don't believe you can re-program the injectors. It may be possible to refurbish them, but in most cases it's probably better just to replace it.
If that's what is needed, the cost of the part itself is well over €100, but no garage should charge you more than an hour of labour for replacing it, as it's a relatively easy job.
Hope that helps and you get sorted.
How often should I service the Skoda Octavia?
How often should I service my Skoda Octavia 1.9 Diesel?
NIALL MC MAHON (DUNDALK)Mar 2011 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hello Niall,
Service intervals are fixed at 10,000 miles or 12 months. On top of this, the air conditioning needs recharging each year, fresh brake fluid is required every two years and coolant should be renewed every three years. Replace the cambelt every four years or 80,000 miles on diesels.
Hope that helps.
What car has three ISOFIX points?
Hi
We hope to trade in our 2005 Skoda Octavia during the summer for a car that has three isofix points in the back. We would prefer not to get a seven-seater as we don't need that many seats. Our wishlist would include the three isofix points, a big boot to accomodate a double buggy, low tax and fuel efficiency. We have been looking at the Peugeot 307 SW. The trade in value of our present car seems to be in around the €5,000 mark. We can afford to add another €,5000 to that.
Any advice greatly appreciated! Many thanks.
Feena Farrell (Kilcock)Feb 2011 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi there Feena,
The Peugeot 307 SW would be a good solution for you and it is great value and cheap to run. The 1.6-litre diesel engine is the best-seller in that model, is fuel-efficient and has low road tax. You would get one for within your budget alright. My sister has driven one for the last few years and apart from some loose bits of trim it has been a very solid car. Unfortunately there are only two ISOFIX points in the centre row.
Absolutely brilliant is the Fiat Multipla. Is it a little on the unusual side, but has a really clever 3+3 layout that your kids will really enjoy. The difficulty is that there are only two ISOFIX points in this too.
A little bit of research seems to suggest that there are normally only ISOFIX on the outer seats in the second row of a car. There are exceptions though, with the latest Renault Scenic (late 2009 on) having three ISOFIX points in the second row of seats. But this is outside your budget.
The Citroen C4 Picasso can take three ISOFIX seats across the rear and this might be a little bit outside your budget too, but perhaps you could haggle a little. Here is an example of one.
However, I reckon the solution for you is a Honda FR-V, which has three ISOFIX points across the six seats and it is a really good car. It only came as a petrol model early on, but if you don't do too many miles it should be okay. Here is one from 2006 within your budget.
Hope that helps.
What car-based van will I buy?
I currently drive a 2005 Toyota Avensis saloon - 1.6-litre petrol. I travel up to 450 miles every week to work so I'm looking at getting a diesel car, maybe a VW Golf van, Peugeot van or Skoda Octavia. Don't really know to be honest.
I don't mind a van as my girlfriend has a Ford Focus that I could use whenever needed. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Ronan O Connor (Kilcock)Feb 2011 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Ronan,
I reckon a Volkswagen Golf Van would do a brilliant job for you. You told us by e-mail that you have another €2,000 to spend on top of the value of your Toyota Avensis so I reckon this one could be a good option.
The Ford Focus van is good too, but I don't imagine you want to be a two Focus family! If I was having a car-van I'd have a Golf.
Hope that helps
How can I fix my rear demister?
I have a 2001 Skoda Octavia. The rear dimister does not clear all of the rear windscreen. Can you offer any advice?
Brian May (Kilcock)Feb 2011 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Brian,
From your description it sounds as if the heating element bonded to the rear window has been damaged in some way. Unfortunately there is usally no easy fix to this and it means replacing the whole glass panel, as it's not a part that can be removed.
Note that, if the window itself is cracked or broken it may be that your insurance will cover its replacement for a modest excess.
Hope that helps,
Why is my Skoda Octavia losing power?
Hi, my '05 Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI is giving trouble lately. It loses power and even cuts out, but starts up again. I heard they have a wiring loom problem. Could this be the problem?
Danny Duggan (Cork)Feb 2011 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Danny,
We've spoken to a few experiences mechanics and they've not come across this problem, all saying that the 1.9 TDI engine in general is very reliable. It does sound like an electrical problem though, so the easiest way to trace its cause is to bring it to a mechanic that has a proper diagnostic system. It should pinpoint the issue. It may be just a sensor or loose wire or something.
Here's hoping!