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.
When to change this Mondeo's timing belt?
I have a 2008 Ford Mondeo with 200,700km on the clock; when do I change the timing belt?
John Long (Cork)Sep 2016 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi John,
It depends on the engine. The 1.6-litre petrol needs it to be changed every 160,000km or every eight years, the 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 diesels need to have their belts changed every 200,000km or every 10 years.
Should I buy a petrol car for short trips?
Hi,
If the vast bulk of my driving is in short trips, is it better to buy petrol over diesel, or does it really matter? Unlike the mass market models, for upmarket models, like Mercedes, there isn't any significant initial price difference between petrol and diesel models. Possibly, also with diesel becoming slightly less popular, the level of depreciation might not be that significant. I would welcome any thoughts you might have.
Thank you, Philip
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Sep 2016 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
Petrol is better for shorter trips, period. Apart from the extra cost of buying a diesel car (which as you correctly point out, narrows a bit with some models), there's the question of maintenance - doing short hops is just bad for a diesel engine as it won't warm through properly and you could develop problems with the particulate filter and other engine components.
How much should I pay for a 2007 Kia cee'd?
How much should I pay for a 2007 Kia cee'd 1.4 petrol manual with 65,000 miles on the clock?
Paul Wallace (Cork)Aug 2016 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
Somewhere around the €5,000 mark should be a fair price.
Will petrol particulate filters cause problems?
I read that Volkswagen intends to introduce a Gasoline Particulate Filter to petrol engines. Will this mean that low mileage, short run petrol owners like me could have the same expensive problem that low mileage diesel owners have?
Frank Dodd (Dublin)Aug 2016 Filed under: future engines
Expert answer
Hi F D,
Short answer? We don't know yet. Theoretically, petrol engines heat up much more quickly than diesel engines (mostly because they're less thermally efficient) and therefore shorter journeys are less of an issue in that respect. It just depends on how much heat you need to generate to clean the filter and for how long. I'm sure that car makers will claim, as they did with diesel, that the filters are designed to be maintenance free, but then we've heard that before haven't we?
I am looking for info on this Passat please.
I am looking for information on this reg: 04 D *****
Siobhan Ennis (Dublin 12)Aug 2016 Filed under: miscellaneous
Expert answer
Hi Siobhan,
We've blanked out the reg in your question for the owner's privacy. A quick and free check with Cartell.ie reveals that the car is a 2004 Volkswagen Passat Saloon, powered by a 1.6-litre petrol engine (1,595cc), producing 102hp. We can also find out that it costs €514 a year to tax. For a detailed history check go to Cartell.ie and sign up for one of its paid products.
Which comfy car for a retired couple in Tralee?
We are a retired couple, 70 and 68 living in Tralee Co. Kerry and in need of a new car.
Our 16-year-old Toyota Corolla is coming to the end of its trouble free life; the choice of a Toyota was decreed by circumstance, we bought it new, found it a bit 'light' and would like a 'heavier' car with firm and comfortable seating. Can you recommend something?
Please do not recommend a new Volkswagen; to buy one we would need to buy it from the sole Volkswagen dealer in Kerry and after our terrible experience with this dealer we would never, ever buy a car from that dealer again.
Our budget would be about €18,000/20,000, non diesel as we do not do enough driving to justify a diesel car. Can you recommend models of cars we should consider?
With thanks and good wishes
Yours sincerely
Mary G. Johnson
Mary G. Johnson Johnson (Tralee. Co. Kerry)Jul 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
Have you considered a Ford Focus? I’m not sure what the situation is in your area with dealers etc, but a Focus has terrific steering – firmly weighted, direct and full of feedback and feel, and it’s also comfortable and well made (although, as a bad-back sufferer myself I would always suggest as lengthy a test drive as possible to make sure you find the seats a good shape). Quality and reliability are also good, if not quite up to Toyota levels. Your budget should get you into a year-old, maybe 18-month-old model and the 1.0-litre turbocharged EcoBoost petrol engine should make for an ideal option for you.
Will Audi Ireland offer a 2.0-litre petrol A3?
Does Audi Ireland intend to offer the new 2.0-litre petrol engine in the revised A3 range?
Gary Murray (Dublin)Jul 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Gary,
It’s only available in the 310hp S3 model at the moment, and given the trend for down-sizing and having smaller, more efficient engines, I’d say it’s unlikely to be offered in a lower state of tune in a more affordable version. Mind you, the 1.4 TSI engine has a very healthy 150hp so is well worth looking at.
Looking for a car for around €10,000.
Looking for a car for around 10 grand. I have a 2005 Mazda3 1.6 petrol with 150k on the clock, which has never let me down, but I want a more powerful and comfortable car, which is reliable. I was looking at the 2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class diesel and also the 1.8 petrol, but my head is telling me to stay away; are they that unreliable? I am also looking at Mazda6 2.2 diesel and Lexus IS 2.2 diesel; what do you think of them?
The prices of diesel cars seem to be excessive when you look at the mileage a lot of them have; are thay worth it? I do about 12-15 thousand miles a year.
Michael Walsh (Mayo)Jul 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
I’d avoid the pre-2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class – it had no end of reliability issues. Your other two choices, the Mazda and the Lexus, make much more sense as both have excellent reliability. Both are also tremendously enjoyable to drive, and it’s worth keeping an eye out for a hybrid Lexus if your mileage is that low, and especially if most of your miles are in town.
I need to tow 750kg, but want ease of access...
Hi, how are things?
I am a farmer who has to pull a load of max. 750kg and I have family member who is finding it difficult to get into our Mazda6, a petrol model. What are the best options in a four-door car?
Thanks
Mike Carmody (Listowel )Jun 2016 Filed under: towing
Expert answer
Hi Mike,
Most average family cars will pull 750kg easily enough, and if you like Mazdas, can I suggest a Mazda CX-5? It’s one of the better SUVs out there, and the extra height might make it easier for your family member to climb in and out. Plus the 2.2-litre diesel should bring down your running costs a little.