What's the 2009 Suzuki Alto like?
Hi,
I wanted to know more about the 2009 Suzuki Alto automatic - does it come with timing chain or belt and has there been any history of problems with its automatic gearbox? How is the car overall?
Arunita Burman (Dublin)Mar 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Arunita,
If it’s the 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine (and that was really the only version sold in Ireland) then it should have a timing chain, rather than a belt, which shouldn’t need regular replacement, but it’s a good idea to have it regularly inspected for any possibly defects or stretching. Other than that, the Alto’s a good little car – Suzukis tend to be reliable, it’s not bad at all to drive and runs on a whiff of petrol. A good choice as a city-centric runaround.
Have you reviewed this Fiat Panda auto?
Have you reviewed the Fiat panda Easy 0.9 TwinAir automatic (Dualogic)? I'm considering this car.
Vera Mccready (Derry)Mar 2016 Filed under: automatic
Expert answer
Hi Vera,
We’ve never actually road-tested a Panda Dualogic, but there is a recurring fault on the gearboxes, which involved the actuator mechanism. Basically, if the gear change feels anything less than prompt and swift, especially on up-shifts, then the actuator is on the way out and it can be a very expensive part to replace.
As for the rest of it, the Panda’s a fantastic little car – surprisingly roomy inside, fun to drive and actually really quite well built and reliable. The TwinAir engine is a delight to drive, but actually you’d be better off, overall, with the older 1.2 petrol when it comes to economy.
Should I buy a new diesel or petrol Golf?
Looking out for a new car, in particular the Volkswagen Golf. I travel Cork to Dublin on a weekly basis - would you recommend the Golf Highline 150hp TSI DSG petrol or 150hp TDI DSG?
Aidan Mackey (Blarney)Mar 2016 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Aidan,
I think with a weekly Cork-Dublin run you should probably go for the diesel. Much better long-run economy.
Should I go for a new Ford Fiesta EcoBoost?
Hi,
I am interested in buying the new Ford Fiesta EcoBoost 1.0-litre. I am an old age pensioner and badly need a reliable small car. Which car would you advise me to buy: the Fiesta Zetec or Fiesta Titanium? The road tax is cheap either way. I have a 2005 Skoda Octavia 1.4 petrol my local dealer said he would give me €4,400 trade in for. I don't know much about cars so any advice you give me would be appreciated. Or is there something else similar out there I should look at?
Thank you
Billy Mc Elligott (Tralee)Mar 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Billy,
The Fiesta EcoBoost is a really sweet little car, lots of fun to drive, roomy and very frugal. It's a little difficult to know how reliable it will ultimately be in the long-term as the engine itself is a relatively new design and hasn't been around long enough for us to be able to tell exactly how robust it is. That said, Ford's quality record has been good of late, so I'd say it's a reasonably safe bet.
As for which model, it just depends on what your priorities are. A Titanium will have more standard equipment, but it may well be that there's a lot of extras that you simply won't need nor use, so you're probably better off going for the better value of the Zetec.
Other cars that are worth considering would be a Toyota Yaris, Mazda2 and Skoda Fabia. Hope that helps.
Relevant reviews:
Which auto petrol mobility car makes sense?
A relation is looking for a Fiat Qubo size mobility car, but only petrol and automatic. As the Qubo is only available with diesel, can you suggest any mobility car this size or one that can be converted to take a small disability scooter and have a swivel passanger seat? Failing that, could you suggest a car that could be adapted?
Frank Dodd (Dublin)Mar 2016 Filed under: miscellaneous
Expert answer
Hi F D,
To be honest, we're not really the experts where wheelchair-accessible cars are concerned, so I think you'd be better off asking the experts at Motability Ireland, who you can find here: http://www.motabilityireland.com/advsearchresults.asp
I want to insure my three classic cars...
Hi,
I want to insure my three classic cars: a 1989 Mercedes-Benz 190e 2.0-litre petrol, a 1994 BMW 520 2.0-litre petrol and a 1996 Peugeot 306 XAD van, a 1.9 diesel. Can you tell me the best insurance company to try (not a broker) and also if you could give me a value on the three cars?
Regards
Thomas
Thomas Ryan (Dublin 12)Mar 2016 Filed under: insurance
Expert answer
Hi Thomas,
Well, for a start, you're not going to be able to insure any of the three as classics, as none has passed the 30-year mark yet. If your intention is to use them for 'classic-style' driving (only bringing them out for events or days out etc.) then you might be able to get a limited mileage policy that will reduce your costs a bit.
The next problem is that Irish insurers are conducting something of a war against cars of that sort of age – they reckon that older cars are at higher risk of claims so the premiums are being loaded out of all proportion. Most of the major insurers will do a multi-car policy, but with their ages I think you might struggle to find an affordable quote.
As for value, if they're all in exceptional condition then I'd say the Mercedes and BMW could be worth as much as €5-7,000 each (they really would have to be exceptional though) and the Peugeot van probably about €3,000 (again – if in exceptional condition).
What price to trade my A3 in for new Audi Q2?
Hi,
What trade in price would you expect to get on an Audi A3 three-door, 141, 1.4 TSI petrol with 7,500 kilometres on the clock against the coming Audi Q2? My car was pre-registered, 500km, purchased September 2014 for retail price €27,000.
Frank Dodd (Dublin)Mar 2016 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi F D,
Somewhere around the €18,000 mark I would think.
Would a small new estate suit us?
We have two small kids. We live in the city but like to go camping in the summer. Can you recommend a car suitable for city driving but still with enough room to carry camping equipment? We currently have a Mazda5 diesel, but the DPF gives us trouble due to us doing mainly short journeys. I was thinking of a petrol estate such as Fabia Combi or a petrol Corolla. Any suggestions please ?
Ray Mehigan (Limerick)Feb 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Ray,
The new Fabia Combi might well be worth looking at as the boot is absolutely enormous, but you may find the back seats a little tight as the kids get bigger. A Toyota Auris Touring Sports estate would certainly make a good buy - roomy and hugely reliable and Toyota's old 1.4-litre petrol engine has always been a good unit. Also worth looking at the Kia cee'd Sportwagon or Skoda Octavia Combi.
Relevant reviews:
How much to change an Altea's head gasket?
How much should it cost to get the head gasket supplied and fitted on a 2006 SEAT Altea 1.6 petrol?
Tristan Jacobs (Galway )Feb 2016 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Tristan,
Prices for labour will vary depending on where you get the work done, but we spoke with a SEAT dealer to get an indication and were told that it really will depend on if other components have been damaged in the overheating process. An estimation was anywhere between €400 and €800. Best thing to do is bring the car to a garage you trust and get an estimate there.
I'm struggling with buying a petrol car...
Hi,
Trying to buy a replacement for my 1999 Avensis and the scarcity of petrols and abundance of diesels on the market baffles me. I don't think it wise to buy diesel for my standard drive of eight miles to work and home and same six days a week with road trip round 300 miles just six times a year.
This is supposedly "economical" and "green driving" even though in London it costs more for a permit going into city with diesel car and trends in London have historically impacted directly on us in three to five years. I would love to know of a diesel car 2008-2011 (for cheap tax) with no necessary DPF that I have to worry about, or will I stick to petrol believing that in five years time petrol is a more saleable/popular engine than diesel is? Then there might be a hybrid to suit. Volkswagen, Japanese or any good 1.4+ hatch or saloon suggestions?
Thanks,
Pauline.
Pauline Anne Connor (Galway)Feb 2016 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Pauline,
You're absolutely 100 per cent dead right - diesel is not for everyone and especially not for those with overall low mileages and short commutes. And as the recent emissions scandal has shown us, diesel exhaust can be staggeringly bad for your health.
As for finding a diesel without a DPF filter, I'm not sure you'll be able to. In order to meet the particulate emissions legislation under EuroV and EuroVI regulations you pretty much had to have one. Some people have, of course, removed the DPF to avoid maintenance issues, but then you're just spewing out a plume of highly carcinogenic soot particles as you drive...
So, I think your best bet is to go for a compact turbocharged petrol engine or, just maybe, a hybrid. The Toyota Prius would potentially be ideal for your daily drive, but could be a bit of an over-thirsty pain on that six-time-a-year longer journey. Try instead a car fitted with the Volkswagen Group's excellent 1.2-litre TSI turbo petrol engine (Golf or Skoda Octavia are the best ones), a Ford Focus with the 1.0 EcoBoost engine or maybe an Opel Astra 1.4 Turbo. Here are a few relevant reviews for you to consult: