Nissan Qashqai or Kia Sportage?
Could you do a comparison, please, between the Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai, both petrol and diesel? Thanks
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Mar 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
The Sportage is very much on its way out right now, with a new model due next year. That said, it's still a nice car, but it can't match the Qashqai for handling or for the emissions from their diesel engines. As for petrol, there really isn't a viable Sportage petrol option right now, but the Qashqai's 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine actually makes pretty good sense if you're doing low mileage and mostly drive around town.
Further reading:
Should I go petrol or diesel Toyota Verso?
Is there any issues with the 2007 petrol Toyota Verso or am I better going with a newer 2009 diesel with the 2.0-litre engine? Don't do much miles - about 10,000 a year.
James Brett (Charlestown)Mar 2015 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi James,
No, if you're doing that kind of mileage then you probably don't need a diesel - you'll be a long, long time getting back the cost of purchase in fuel savings at any rate. Nothing much wrong with the 07 Verso - they're as solid as you get.
Tell me more about the 2009-2011 Mazda3.
2009-2011 Mazda3: reliable? Reasons to go for diesel over petrol model?
Dave C (Dublin)Mar 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Dave,
Very reliable - a really safe choice. Only go for diesel over petrol if you're doing upwards of 15,000km a year.
Help me spend €24,000 on a new car!
Hi, I bought my present car, a Mitsubishi Space Star 1.3 GLX petrol new 15 years ago, so it's long overdue replacing. Trouble is I haven't got a clue about choosing a new car and I need your advice.
The max price I wish to pay is €24,000 so I'm also chasing the best scrappage deal. I had a drive in the Hyundai ix35 and I like it but it has its drawbacks. However, the Nissan Qashqai is a non-contender for me as it has only an emergency spare wheel and the fifth passenger has to sit like riding a donkey with the big centre console protruding from the front.
What do you think I should go for? I'm thinking of looking at the Kia Sportage and Kia cee'd, but also the Nissan Pulsar and Peugeot 3008. I would be grateful for your advice.
Kind regards, Anto.
Anthony Kavanagh (Kilkenny)Mar 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Anthony,
The Pulsar or the cee'd would be the most sensible choices and both fall well within your budget. Both are reliable and decent to drive, and the Kia's not bad looking either. In fact, I reckon you should go for the estate version of the cee'd - it's one of the nicest, comfiest and most practical cars around.
Further reading to help you decide:
I put dodgy diesel in my SEAT Ibiza...
Dodgy diesel was put into a 1.2 SEAT Ibiza, which stopped on the road. The car was towed to a garage where the diesel tank was cleaned out, but the car would not start so next step is to get a pump. Would it be a bad idea to get a second hand pump instead of a new one and in your opinion should this solve the problem?
Sandra Campbell (Dundalk)Mar 2015 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Sandra,
Dodgy diesel can do a lot worse than just damage the fuel pump. I reckon, and sorry to be the bearer of bad news, you either need a complete strip-down and rebuild or possibly a complete replacement engine. That laundered diesel (and petrol) is nasty stuff, so avoid any fuel seller that appears to be even slightly less than kosher, especially in the areas around the North/South border. Sticking to the big brands may cost a few more cent per litre, but a new engine is a heck of a lot more expensive than that.
Will a diesel Nissan Qashqai be suitable for low mileage?
I want to buy a 2011 Nissan Qashqai 1.5 diesel, but I only do short journrys. Can these newer diesels handle the short journeys?
Aisling Finnegan (Kildare)Feb 2015 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Aisling,
Yes they can, but they may not be the most cost-effective. If you're worrying about the diesel particulate filter in the exhaust getting clogged with soot and causing an expensive failure (and that can happen) then don't worry - a quick spin up and back the nearest motorway in a low-ish gear will heat the system up enough to let it burn off the soot and all will be well. Do it once a week for 30 minutes or so and you'll be fine.
The other issue is simple one of cost though. You will spend more money to buy a diesel car than you will a petrol and when you're only doing low mileage it's hard to generate the savings from fuel burn to make up the extra you've spent up front. That's why petrol makes so much sense for lower mileage drivers.
The thing is that the Qashqai can be had with a petrol engine, but it suffers much harsher depreciation when you buy it - so you're in a bit of a catch 22. Petrol is better for your driving profile, but worse for retaining value in this particular model. You may need to expand your search out to some other cars to make your sums add up.
Petrol or diesel in a new Nissan Qashqai?
Hi, thinking of buying a Nissan Qashqai, wondering between 1.5 dCi diesel or 1.6 SE petrol engines; which one would be cheaper to maintain (not the running costs) and more reliable? Thank you
Domas Jurevicius (Kinnegad)Feb 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Domas,
Go for the diesel. It's a reliable and solid engine, but over and above that it can be very, very hard to move a petrol-engined Qashqai on again. People want the diesel models, so those old 1.6s tend to be very difficult to sell. That fact should offset the slightly higher servicing costs for the diesel.
Is the Skoda Octavia's 1.2 TSI engine ok?
Hi guys,
Getting rid of my Peugeot 407 HDi after non-stop problems wiith the engine. I do approx 12,000km of mixed driving per year so starting to look back at the petrols. Really looking for trouble free motoring as the 407 has turned me against diesels. Looking closely at Octavia 1.2 TSI and Avensis 2.0-litre diesel as I think the 1.6 petrol will be a bit thirsty in the Avensis. Have you heard of any issues with the 1.2 TSI engine?
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Mick
Michael Mulvey (Ashbourne)Feb 2015 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
If you want to go petrol then there are few better options than Volkswagen's 1.2 TSI turbo, and when it's fitted to the Skoda Octavia, you've got a near-perfect combination. Drive it gently, and you'll probably get very little difference in the overall fuel consumption compared to your old 407. That engine hasn't really been in the market for all that long, so it's a little hard to get a handle on whether or not there are any reliability landmines out there, but in general we've heard nothing bad.
How much should I ask for my Hyundai Santa Fe?
Hi!
I would like to sell my 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.0L petrol with 100k miles and fully serviced. Not sure what would be the right price to ask for? And what can I hope for if I want to trade in?
Thanks for your help.
Joe Apostol (Galway)Feb 2015 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Joe,
The bad news is that 2-05 Santa Fes go for as little as €2,500, which means if you were trading it in you'd probably be offered as little as €1,000 to €1,500.
The good news is that yours has a full service history, which really helps, so I'd say your Santa Fe sits a bit higher up the value pile. If it's in perfect nick you might get €4,500 privately or around €3,000 to €3,500 on a trade in.
Can you rate the 2008 Opel Vectra?
Can you rate the 2008 Opel Vectra please?
Gerard Tracey (Clara)Feb 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Gerard,
Not the most exciting car in the world, but they're pretty solidly built. Be careful of electrical gremlins and any clonking noises from the suspension means a car is to be avoided. The diesel engines can burn rather a lot of oil so check the levels and beware of any rough running. The 1.8 petrol is adequate but 1.6 is underpowered and consequently very thirsty.