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Showing 131 - 140 results (out of a total of 296) found for "Opel" in Ask Us Anything

What decent diesel suits a young driver?

I'm only 19 and buying a good quality diesel car in the next week. Looking at an Opel Astra 1.3 CDTi or a Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec. What would you reccommend? I'm thinking between 2005 and 2008.

David Egan (Kilmihil)

Mar 2015 Filed under: diesel

Expert answer

Hi David,

I would reckon you'd be better off going for the 1.3-litre Opel. If it's pre-08 it'll have cheaper road tax and given your age I would think keeping the engine capacity down as far as possible would be good from an insurance point of view.


What engine size for a first car?

What should be the maximum engine size for a 17-year-old buying a first car?

S D (Dublin)

Feb 2015 Filed under: learner

Expert answer

Hi Stephen,

Unless your surname happens to be Axa or Aviva, you need to stick to a 1.0-litre engine. Now, depending on your budget, that might not be the motoring purgatory that you think it is. If you can stretch to it, a Volkswagen up!, Skoda Citigo or SEAT Mii are all terrific to drive and funky to look at and all come with a rev-happy little 1.0-litre lump. Ditto recent versions of the Ford Fiesta with the non-turbo version of the three-cylinder Ecoboost engine.

Need to buy something older and cheaper? Track down an Opel Corsa 1.0. Not the most exciting car, but safe, solid and decent to drive. Older again? Consider a Nissan Micra from the '90s. Yes, it's slow but it's more enjoyable in the corners than you might think and they go forever on minimal maintenance.


Can you rate the 2008 Opel Vectra?

Can you rate the 2008 Opel Vectra please?

Gerard Tracey (Clara)

Feb 2015 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Gerard,

Not the most exciting car in the world, but they're pretty solidly built. Be careful of electrical gremlins and any clonking noises from the suspension means a car is to be avoided. The diesel engines can burn rather a lot of oil so check the levels and beware of any rough running. The 1.8 petrol is adequate but 1.6 is underpowered and consequently very thirsty.


Mazda3, Opel Astra, Renault Megane or Hyundai i30?

Hi, I'm changing to a mid-size car and looking at 2010/11, looking at Mazda3, Opel Astra, Renault Megane and Hyundai i30. Importance is safety, reliability and as much space as possible, also any midsize car that has some height in the driver's seat.

Eva Brady (Westport Co. Mayo)

Feb 2015 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Eva,

All of the ones you picked there are quite low slung but they're also all comfy so shouldn't present any major issues with seat height. 

The Mazda and Hyundai are going to be the most reliable and generally I'd go for the Mazda, but you'll want to go for the 1.5 petrol (if you're doing short journeys mostly) or wait for the new 1.5 diesel as the 2.2 diesel is just too thirsty day-to-day.

http://www.carenthusiast.com/mazda/mazda3__2011__008.jpg


Opel Insignia, Volkswagen Passat or Ford Mondeo?

Any advice please, Ford Mondeo Zetec with 60k on the clock; or Opel Insignia Sport with 80k; or Volkswagen Passat Comfortline with 120k - all 2011 diesels. Which would be best buy?

Mossy Prenderville (Westport Co. Mayo)

Feb 2015 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Mossy,

All good choices, three cars that it's very difficult to separate. I guess the best thing to do is to use the classic car-buying technique - go for the one in the best condition and with the fullest history file - the more receipts, the more paperwork, the more stamps in the service book the better. Forget the mileage, always buy on condition and history.


What is a petrol Opel Insignia worth?

What is the market price for 2010 Opel Insignia SE 1.8 VVTi saloon with 58,000km?

Albert Fordjour (Swords/ Dublin)

Feb 2015 Filed under: used car values

Expert answer

Hi Albert,

Normally I'd say about €11,000 to €13,000 depending on condition, but you're talking about a petrol model and no-one wants those at the moment, so I'm going to have to say around €10,000.


Opel Zafira or Ford Galaxy?

Which is more reliable an Opel Zafira or a Ford Galaxy?

Eamon Hefferon (Wicklow)

Jan 2015 Filed under: reliability

Expert answer

Hi Eamon,

They're two very different cars, the Zafira and the Galaxy. The Opel is much the smaller car so if you're planning to carry full-size adults in the third row, you really need to get the Galaxy. 

In terms of reliability they both have their common issues. The Galaxy's engine can cut out unexpectedly (a software patch is the fix) and its interior trim can be fragile. A clunking noise from the steering could mean that the power steering pump is on the way out. Electrical problems are common and the alarm can give trouble.

On the Opel check that the tailgate release is working as it should and the air conditioning system can be troublesome. The stereo can also forget its preset stations or just stop working altogether. 

More seriously, the diesel engine can give serious trouble. Timing belt, water pump and the turbo are all problem areas. Make sure you get one with a full service history and an aftermarket warranty might not be a bad idea.


What's your opinion of the Opel Insignia?

Hi there.

What your opinion of the Opel Insignia? What kind of common weaknesses does it have? And what parts need to be changed regularly? For example I have B5 Volkswagen Passat. From my experience I can say that suspension (independent) is not good for Irish roads therefore it's a weakness of this car. But engine is good - never had troubles (200,000 miles).

Thanks in advance

Roman R (Dublin)

Jan 2015 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Roman,

The Insignia is a thoroughly good car, and one that feels especially slick and pleasant to drive. The only common problems seem to be small electrical glitches (alarm systems especially) and leaky boot seals that let rain in.

We've never experienced any suspension problems with any Insignia we've driven, nor does it seem to be an issue amongst owners. Could you elaborate on your Passat problems? Could be a useful bit of info for our database...


What could be wrong with my Opel Astra's heating?

Hi. I have a 2008 Opel Astra 1.3 diesel estate. My heating in the car is working but the heat is not that hot at all and this isn't normal. My friend has the same car and there is a vast difference in he heat...

Brian Fitzgerald (Cobh Cork)

Jan 2015 Filed under: fault

Expert answer

Hi Brian,

It's likely that the heating matrix within the car heating system has corroded and needs to be replaced. It could also be the actual switches controlling the heating, but that's less likely.

Either way, you need to get the car to a good mechanic to have it checked over.


Is this trade-in deal on a nearly new Octavia good?

Hi there.

I am thinking of purchasing a second hand (132) Skoda Octavia Elegance 1.2 petrol with 17k miles on it from a main dealer. I currently drive a 2001 Opel Astra (127k miles), which is due for taxing this month. The whole deal including trade-in comes to €16.6k net.

My annual mileage is circa 11,000 so I am wondering if the petrol version is the best option and if the price of the deal is reasonable in your opinion. I would welcome your advice as I have to make a decision in days.

Regards, John from Charleville.

John Rafferty (Charleville)

Jan 2015 Filed under: used car values

Expert answer

Hi John,

Yes, I'd say you're onto a good one there. Obviously, a well used 14-year old Astra isn't going to come with a bundle of trade-in value attached, so I think the price looks pretty fair for the Octavia, especially given the low mileage. Honestly - we see press cars with higher miles than that!

As for the petrol/diesel side of things, I think you'll be fine in the 1.2 TSI. At 11,000 miles a year you're well within the bracket to keep burning petrol rather than switching to more expensive diesel (more expensive to buy the car, not the fuel of course) and the good news is that the 1.2 TSI engine is exceptionally frugal. In fact, I once drove one for 200km before I realised that it wasn't diesel, so slow moving was the fuel gauge. In my defence, it was late and I was tired...


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