Is an auto Jap import Nissan less frugal?
Nissan Note 1.5 petrol with automatic transmission: this vehicle is a Japanese import. Would the transmission make a difference to the car's economy?
John Delaney (Mountmellick)Expert answer
Hi John,
We don’t have precise fuel economy figures for that model, as it was never sold here so never got put through the EU NEDC fuel economy test. Generally, an automatic car will be a little more thirsty than a manual version, but on a car as small as the Note, it probably won’t make a huge difference.
What's the BMW 218i Coupe like?
I don't see a review of the BMW 218i Coupe on your site and would like your opinion on this car. I don't see many of them for sale either.
Frank Dodd (Dublin)Mar 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi F D,
The reason that you don’t see many petrol 218is for sale is the same reason we don’t have a test drive on one yet — BMW doesn’t sell many, and so doesn’t see the value in providing one to review. We’ll raise the matter and see if we can get one reviewed for you, though. In the meantime, here's our review of the excellent BMW 220d M Sport Coupe.
How much VRT on imported Toyota Verso?
How much VRT can I expect to pay on a 2013 Toyota Verso 1.8 petrol if I import from the UK?
Alan Russell (Dublin)Mar 2017 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Alan,
It depends on the condition, history and mileage of course, but your VRT bill should be somewhere in the region of €4,000.
We'd like an SUV with three ISOFIX points.
Hi,
We are looking for a car, ideally an SUV that will have three ISOFIX seats for three children under the age of three. This is proving hard to find; do you know of any?
If not, can you suggest a suitable MPV with an SUV look?
Thank you
Jacinta, Cork
Jacinta O'Mahony (Cork)Feb 2017 Filed under: child or baby seats
Expert answer
Hi Jacinta,
Mostly, SUVs with three ISOFIX points in the middle row are the really big ones - Land Rover Discovery, Audi Q7 and so on. The good news is that Peugeot is about to launch the new 5008 and that has three ISOFIX points in the middle row, but it won't be on sale until July in Ireland.
Petrol or diesel Golf for my mileage?
Trying to decide between a Volkswagen Golf 1.4 petrol and the diesel 1.6, both 2010: the petrol has 44k miles on the clock and diesel 50k miles. I've been told that unless you do high mileage the petrol might be the better option.
Gerry Manning (Cork)Feb 2017 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Gerry,
Absolutely. Unless you’re doing at minimum 20,000km a year, it makes much more sense to have a petrol engine. Cheaper to buy up front, lower maintenance costs and no issues with exhaust filters (DPFs) etc.
Would an electric car work for us?
Hi there,
My wife drives a 2005 Toyota RAV4 1.8 petrol. Over a year ago she changed jobs from a 6km commute to one with a 48km commute each way. This is half motorway and then mainly country roads. This coupled with kid taxi duties means she does nearly 650km a week (Mon to Fri) and spends around €75 a week on petrol. I do 900km a week and already have a car loan for a diesel car.
So my question is, an electric car feasible for someone with that commute and no option to charge at work, except for probably emergencies, and monthly repayments must be €300 or less? Which I assume means that the new Ioniq and new Leaf are out of reach.
David Delaney (Kells)Feb 2017 Filed under: electric cars
Expert answer
Hi David,
Yes, you could just about do 48km each way in an electric car, certainly in the Ioniq and just about in the 30kWh Nissan Leaf, although it would be hugely helpful if there could be some way of charging up at work. A Renault Zoe might do the trick too.
Hyundai asks for a minimum €5,000-odd deposit on a new Ioniq, and the repayments are quite steep so that one might be out of the question, although they come down to around €360 if you can put a €10,000 deposit down. A basic Nissan Leaf, with €6,762 down, will cost you just €264 a month, which might leave enough wriggle room to go for the bigger battery, and Nissan has some tempting free insurance offers on at the moment, while Renault asks just €179 a month for a Zoe, but the battery rental is extra and it comes with some quite tight mileage stipulations.
The other, possibly better, option would be to go half-electric. Toyota can put you into a Prius or an Auris Hybrid for as little as €199 to €263 a month (again, depending on deposits etc.) or you can get the rather impressive new Kia Niro for €353 a month with a €9,000 deposit. All of those should average as much as 60mpg, which would put a big dent in your fuel costs.
Read our relevant reviews here to help you choose:
I have €6,000 for a compact MPV...
Hi,
I am thinking of buying a Ford C-Max, but I do not know which one: 1.8 TDCi: I have heard of problems with cutting out and also problems with common rail; or 1.6 petrol Zetec, but the problem then is economy is less and it's an old engine.
I do about 10.000 miles a year. If these are no good can you recommend something else?
I want to spend about €6,000.
Thanks for your time
Andy Wood (Barking Essex)Feb 2017 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Andy,
If you're only covering 10k a year mileage then you're probably better off in a petrol, so go for the 1.6. It's a solidly reliable engine too. If you want some alternatives, then maybe have a look for a Toyota Corolla Verso or a Honda FR-V, both of which come with pretty frugal petrol engines and are hugely reliable.
Petrol or diesel for a new Toyota?
Hi, I am currently looking at a new Toyota Corolla or Auris. I don't know whether the 1.33 petrol or 1.4 diesel would be better. I have a 50km round commute on main roads and dual carriageways and my annual mileage is 16,000km.
Thanks for your help.
Jerry O'Connor (Mallow, Co Cork)Feb 2017 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Jerry,
I think you’d probably be better off with the petrol in this case. You’re in something of an uncomfortable middle ground with that kind of annual mileage, but being as that Toyota 1.33-litre engine is super-economical for a small petrol unit, I think it’s the right one to go for.
Should we bring our car from Germany?
Hello,
Can I ask for some advice please? My girlfriend is a German national who has come to live in Ireland. She wants to sell her car here in Ireland. The car in question is a 2011 Nissan Qashqai - very good spec with a petrol engine. There is a Moldovian national who is interested in buying this car, but we are concerned that the car will not be registered in Moldova and we are aware that a lot of German cars are in Moldova on German plates.
Any help or advice would be appreciated .
Warmest regards
Michael Roche
Michael Roche (Cork)Feb 2017 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
I think your best bet is to sell the car in Germany first, but possibly not to this other person you’re speaking about. If you’re concerned about what a future owner may do with a car, then the best thing is to find someone else to sell it to. Bringing the car into Ireland to sell will involve a large amount of paperwork and a hefty price tag in Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT), so I think you’re going to be better off by far selling the car in Germany.
What to look for on Megane estate?
When was the Renault Megane Estate TomTom 1.5 diesel introduced to the market? Is there anything a potential buyer ought be aware of?
Robert Foley (Cork)Jan 2017 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Robert,
The estate (or 'Grand Megane' as Renault insisted on calling it) TomTom edition was announced in 2009 and introduced to the market in 2010. It was much better built and more reliable than the previous Megane, but there are still some weak points to keep an eye out for. Those include fragile fuel line clips, burned out coil packs on the 1.6 petrol, particulate filter problems on the 1.5 diesel, electrical problems especially with the windows and the heating system and premature clutch wear.