Which 2017 estate to go for?
Hi,
I want to upgrade my old Ford Focus Estate (2005) as it's not very economical. Would like another estate but don't know if I should go for diesel or petrol or a different make of estate. Hoping to purchase a 2017.
Thanks a mill
Margot
Margot O'Leary (KINSALE)Oct 2019 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Margot,
Well, you could go for the alternative option to both — the Toyota Auris Hybrid estate. Lots of space and excellent economy. I’ve put my reputation on the line recommending these to a couple of friends recently and so far, I’ve not been told off for sticking them with a bad car...
Other good alternatives are the Peugeot 308 SW, the Kia Ceed SportWagon, the VW Golf Estate and the Skoda Octavia Combi. The only issue, really, is finding any of these — estate sales in Ireland are so small that you may have to consider an import.
Here are our relevant reviews to help you decide:
When to change my Mondeo's belt?
My 2015 Mondeo 2.0 auto has done 150,000km on the clock. When does it need a new timing belt/chain.
Many thanks
Declan Curtis (Dublin)Oct 2019 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Declan,
Assuming this is the current shape Mondeo, and that you're talking about the 2.0 TDCi diesel engine (the 2.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine uses a timing chain, not a belt), then the interval is at least every 200,000 kilometres or 10 years - whichever comes first.
Belt or chain in a 2005 Toyota Avensis?
Does my 2005 year Toyota Avensis have a timing belt or a timing chain?
Leigh Willyams (Dunedin )Oct 2019 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Leigh,
It depends on the engine. There's a timing chain in the 1.6, 1.8, 2.0 and 2.4-litre petrol engines and a timing belt in the 2.0-litre diesels. The 2.2 diesel, which only went into production in 2005, has a timing chain.
Belt or chain in a petrol Nissan Qashqai?
Does a 2009 Nissan Qashqai 2.0 Acenta petrol have a timing belt or a chain?
Thanks
Kevin O'neill (Lurgan)Sep 2019 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Kevin,
That petrol engine in the Qashqai has a timing chain.
A few questions about the Volvo V60 T8...
Hi,
Looking at your review of the T8 Volvo V60, I have a couple of questions. It has, according to the stats, great 0-100km/h acceleration. I presume this is based on the electric and petrol motors combined. Would it not be the case that in any longish journey the battery will have been "used up" earlier or does it also recharge the battery from the engine? I'm assuming not, but I don't know.
Do you have any idea of the likely cost of a 7.5kW wall charger? Finally, can I ask, am I correct that there isn't a great deal of difference in the boot space between the V60 and V90?
Thanks
Philip
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Sep 2019 Filed under: hybrid
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
Yes you’re right — the T8’s acceleration is a combination of the engine and the electric motor working in concert. When you run the battery down in electric-only mode, it will always keep a minimal charge on board, so that the car can then function in hybrid mode. If you use maximum acceleration repeatedly and in quick succession, you might well reach a point where the battery cries enough, but it will have charged up again — from both the engine and the regenerative braking system — to go again within a few minutes.
Wall chargers generally cost around €900 to €1,000 fully installed, but there’s a grant from the Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland available that will cover up to €600 of that.
Finally, you’re absolutely right — a V60 only gives away a 31-litre advantage to the larger V90 when it comes to boot space.
Will a 1.0-litre last as long as a 1.6 diesel?
Will a one-litre engine last as long as a 1.6 diesel?
John Seery (Mallow)Sep 2019 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi John,
That's kinda a 'how long is a piece of string?' question, as no two engines are created equally. I mean, every different 1.6-litre diesel engine has a different realistic life span. And while it's reasonable to presume that a diesel engine is designed to be driven over higher mileage, I don't believe that manufacturers aim for 'worse' durability for their smaller petrol engines.
How much VRT on imported Honda Civic?
Hi!
I'm having trouble calculating the VRT due on a car that I'm thinking of buying from Northern Ireland. The VRT Calculator on the ROS website doesn't seem to have the exact spec I'm looking at, although the car is for sale in Ireland too. It's a Honda Civic - five-door hatchback, 1.5-litre petrol engine, manual transmission, 12,000 miles, registered November 2017. If you have any advice that would be great!
Thanks, Katie
Katie Hughes (Meath)Sep 2019 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Katie,
OK, it’s only a rough calculation, but assuming that it’s a Civic VTEC Turbo 1.5 Sport, we reckon that’ll cost you around €2,600 in VRT.
Should I change this B-Max's timing belt?
I'm buying a 2013 Ford B-Max 1.4 petrol. It has been lying up for six months with a drive a couple of times a week. The mileage is 57,647km; should I look at changing the timing belt since it wasn't driving much and is six years old?
David Geoghegan (Mullingar)Sep 2019 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi David,
The recommended interval is 160,000 kilometres or eight years, whichever comes first, so technically it's not due yet. However, in your position, I'd definitely go ahead and change it, just in case.
How good is the Toyota Auris 1.2-litre engine?
How good is the Toyota Auris 1.2-litre petrol engine?
Tom Coughlan (Dublin)Aug 2019 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Tom,
It’s lovely — plenty powerful enough, decent economy and good refinement. Arguably, the hybrid is the better Auris model, but if part-electric power’s not your thing then the 1.2 is a very good substitute.
Which head-turning SUV to go for?
Selfishly, I would like a head-turning vehicle, that's a comfortable ride and stylish. Unselfishly, I need to consider older parents that can get into the vehicle fairly easily and be comfortable in the back. Prepared to pay for the luxury but looking for right choice. Don't drive many miles a year, with a mix of motorway and urban. Petrol or hybrid seems sensible option. Have looked at SUVs briefly including Macan and Maserati, but not sure these are best buys? Looking for recommendations for a nice sized vehicle for up to four people.
Michelle Morgan (Bromley)Aug 2019 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Michelle,
Well, a Porsche Macan or Maserati Levante would certainly be fun choices, but possibly not the best from the point of view of your parents… One potentially very good option could be the Volvo XC60 T8 Polestar — a plug-in hybrid with serious performance and excellent handing, but loads of space in the back and really comfy seats. Audi’s new SQ5 diesel is another good choice (really comfy and plenty roomy), as would be the mighty V8 diesel Audi SQ7. To be honest, though, if you want to spend big on a luxurious SUV that’s also fun to drive, it’s pretty hard to look past a Range Rover...
A little reading to help you decide: