How far will my Hyundai go on €10 petrol?
My petrol gauge is stuck in my 2006 1.6 petrol Hyundai Elantra. Roughly how many miles will I get for €10? Can't get the car fixed until Monday.
Thanks.
Mike Geary (Lettterkenny)Expert answer
Hi Mike,
Well, the 1.6 Hyundai Elantra has official combined fuel economy of 38mpg, which is the equivalent of 6.1 litres per 100km. A sum of €10 buys you 7.46 litres of petrol at the average October pump price of €1.34 a litre. Assuming you reach the official fuel consumption figure that means you'll get 119km for your €10. However, you may well not reach the quoted average economy - very few people do and it's actually a pretty arbitrary number. How much less? I simply can't say - it depends on your own driving style, the condition of your car, the weather, the roads you're driving it on... Better play safe and just fill it up.
Should I go diesel on a new car in 2016?
Hi guys,
I currently drive a 2011 1.4 TSI petrol Volkswagen Passat, which I am very happy with. I'm thinking of changing my car in 2016 and wondering if I should consider switching to a diesel Passat. I currently drive 32km every day to work, 16km each way, but this is done on the M50 so do you think it would be in my interests to switch?
Brendan Cullen (Knocklyon)Nov 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Brendan,
Nope, I'd stick with petrol. With that kind of mileage you're just not going to get the benefit from diesel. Check out the new Passat 1.4 TSI or, alternatively, the Ford Mondeo 1.5 EcoBoost, Skoda Superb 1.4 TSI or Mazda6 2.0 SkyActiv-G petrol.
Should I switch my Ford Focus for a diesel car?
Petrol or diesel? I am looking to change my 2005 Ford Focus 1.4 petrol to something similar. I am averaging 40,000 miles per year and wonder what would be a good option for me. The budget is approx €10k.
Shirley Mulcahy (Portlaoise)Oct 2015 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Shirley,
I think you need to be looking at diesel with that kind of mileage. A €10k budget would slot you nicely into a 2009 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CDTi (don't worry about the size: it's cheap to tax). It's ood to drive, massively spacious, economical and reliable.
There are also some Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDIs and Toyota Auris 1.4 D-4Ds around for this budget that are well worth looking at.
What do you think of the 2005 BMW 1 Series?
I'm looking at a 2005 BMW 1 Series with 105,000km on the clock. Are these cars reliable and are they going to be dear to run? It's a 1.6-litre petrol engine. Any advice on the car?
Thank you
Karen Murphy (Dublin 10 )Oct 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Karen,
If it's the 1.6 petrol you should be fine - it's the diesel engine that gives trouble on older BMWs. Have a good poke around it all the same and make sure it's been looked after properly. Make certain it has a full service history, and check for obvious signs of abuse like parking scrapes or battered alloy wheels.
Is there a timing belt in the Suzuki Liana?
Is there a timing belt in the 2006 Suzuki Liana?
Ber Ronnoc (Waterford)Oct 2015 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Ber,
It depends which engine you have under the bonnet. The 1.3-litre petrol version uses a timing chain, which has no scheduled maintenance, while the 1.4-litre diesel model uses a timing belt.
From 2012: Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf?
Which 2012 car is better: Volkswagen Golf or Ford Focus?
Stephen English (Dublin)Oct 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Stephen,
Both pretty good but I'd lean on the side of the Golf - it's roomier and more refined than the Focus, and that 1.2 TSI petrol turbo engine is a cracker. The Volkswagen 1.6 TDI engine is smoother than the Ford's too.
When do I need to replace the timing belt on 2010 Ford Fiesta?
When do I need to replace the timing belt on a 2010 Ford Fiesta?
Ede Osullivan (Dublin)Oct 2015 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Ede,
It depends on which engine your Fiesta is powered by. The 1.4- and 1.6-litre TDCi diesels have change intervals of 10 years or 125,000 miles (just over 201,000km), while the petrol engines (1.25-, 1.4- and 1.6-litre) have timing belts that need to be changed every eight years or 100,000 miles (160,000km).
We'd always advise readers to have the timing belt changed sooner rather than later, especially if the service history of the car is unknown.
What's the 2011 Hyundai i10 like?
Just looking at a 2011 Hyundai i10 petrol priced at €7,750. Price seems ok just that I don't know anything about these cars!
Anthony Ryan (Cork)Oct 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Anthony,
Don't worry - cracking car. Not quite as nice as the current-model i10 but still reliable, solid, nice to drive and should do you for a good while. Just make sure it's been serviced properly (preferably with a Hyundai dealer).
How much is my Volkswagen Passat worth?
I have a 2002 Volkswagen Passat tested until May 2016, 1.8 petrol. Heated seats 6 disc CD changer, four new tyres, Comfortline model. How much is it worth?
Martin Keegan (Meath)Oct 2015 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
Only around €1,500 I'm afraid.
Is the engine different in later Citroen Picasso?
Did Citroen change its 1.6-litre petrol engine from 2004 to 2007 in the Picasso?
Damien Butler (Galway)Sep 2015 Filed under: miscellaneous
Expert answer
Hi Damien,
No, it's the same EP6 model 1.6-litre petrol engine, with 120hp and CO2 emissions of 145g/km.