Is the Opel Astra 1.7 diesel any good?
Opel Astra 1.7 CDTi Estate: are they good?
Gerry Cluskey (Drogheda)Dec 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Gerry,
They’re generally fine, but that 1.7 diesel is a rough old thing, and not the most reliable engine around. You can do better.
is the new Hyundai i20 a good car?
Hi, I would like to know if the Hyundai i20 is a good car to buy in 1.2 petrol guise (new), or should I stick to the Fiesta, Corsa, Polo etc? My commute is 21km dual carriageway. Would the petrol be ok or should I look at the diesel?
Peter O'Shea (Mallow, Cork)Dec 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Peter,
With a short commute like that, you’re definitely better off with petrol and the Hyundai i20 is a fine car – roomy and well made and quite good to drive. Here are some of our reviews to help you decide:
Best new auto diesel family car with power?
What is the best automatic diesel family car with a bit of poke in Ireland please? I will be trading in an Opel Astra 1.7 diesel saloon - 131.
Thank you.
Donal Finn (Cork)Oct 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Donal,
The best compromise of value and oomph is probably to be found somewhere in the Volkswagen Group. I'd say if you want to mix a decent 2.0 diesel engine with low emissions and an auto box try out a SEAT Leon FR, preferably in very handsome ST estate form. It makes 150hp, but has Band A4 emissions.
Is there something up with the Opel Insignia?
Why is the engine in the Opel Insignia giving so much trouble? And reviews don't seem too good on them.
Bridie Dollard (Portlaois)Oct 2016 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Bridie,
It depends what you mean by ‘the engine’, but we’ll assume for now that you mean the most commonly-sold Insignia, the 2.0-litre CDTi. As far as our research goes, these are reasonably robust units and only have three common areas for faults – the diesel particulate filter, which, as with any diesel engine, can get clogged up if you don’t do regular long journeys; the turbocharger, which can fail; and the dual-mass flywheel, which can also fail.
Now, fair enough, turbo or dual-mass flywheel problems can be very expensive, but the Insignia is far from alone in suffering from those issues, and it doesn’t seem to be that the problems are endemic, nor even all that common.
When you say reviews, do you mean comments on internet articles? Not the same thing I’m afraid – someone who can be bothered to comment online generally already has a problem with their car, so you don’t get to hear from those who’ve had faultless miles of service. It’s called confirmation bias.
Instead of ruling out a given make/model, it's best to take a close look at examples that are offered for sale.
What is the value of a 151 Opel Insignia?
What is the current value of a late 151 Opel Insignia petrol (Eco 1.4), with 11,016km on the clock?
BRENDON COLVERT (MULLINGAR)Sep 2016 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Brendan,
Should be worth around €17-18,000 as a trade-in.
Did the Opel Insignia have electrical issues?
Is it true that the Opel Insignia had electrical problems and if so have these problems been sorted?
Bridie Dollard (Portlaois)Aug 2016 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Bridie,
Yes, it’s true. Early Insignias did have a habit of developing some electrical gremlins, especially with the central locking and alarm systems. They do seem to have been sorted out now though, as it’s very rarely reported.
Best seven-seater for around €15,000?
What is the best seven-seat car priced around €15,000? We have four children, aged 12, 5, 3 and 2. The car needs to be diesel as we have a long distance drive to work. Also need it to be in a low tax bracket, have a roomy boot, good solid engine and be sturdy on the road.
Olga Coss (mullins) (Portlaoise )Aug 2016 Filed under: family car
Expert answer
Hi Olga,
The best two to choose from are the Ford S-Max and the Opel Zafira Tourer. Both should be big enough inside for your needs, and they certainly hit the remaining criteria pretty well. Cars like the Volkswagen Touran and Toyota Verso are also good, but they tend to be too small in the third row of seats for regular use.
New Opel Insignia or Ford Mondeo?
Which is the better car, the new Opel Insignia SE or the 2017 Ford Mondeo? We are considering changing our 2007 Opel and both of us are in our 60s so need a good comfortable car that will last us and trouble free. Budget maximum €32,000.
Bridie
Bridie Dollard (Portlaois)Aug 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Bridie,
I’d be tempted to go with the Insignia. It’s an older design than the current Mondeo but it has good build quality, is very smooth and good to drive and, crucially for those of us getting on in life a bit, has really excellent seats.
Corsa, Corolla, Micra or Polo for €2,000?
Hi, I am a first car buyer in Ireland. I would like to buy an automatic car.
The ones I am interested in are a 2002 Opel Corsa, 2004 Toyota Corolla 1.6, a Nissan Micra 1.0 from 2002 or a Volkswagen Polo 1.4 from 2000. All of them cost between €1,750 and €2,000. I am wondering if these prices are realistic for cars like these, and given the types, which one would be the best choice?
Thank you in advance,
K
Katalin Csesznek (Cork)Jun 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Katalin,
How much if I trade in my Opel Insignia?
How much would I expect to get on a trade in on my 2011 Opel Insignia saloon for a 2016 Insignia?
Gerry Donnelly (Dublin)May 2016 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Gerry,
As a trade-in, you’d probably get about €12,000 for your 2011 Insignia.