What's the Peugeot 206 like?
I am thinking of buying a Peugeot 206 as a first car about 10 years old, a 1.1 - what do you think? Are they reliable? Are they good on petrol?
Mattie Whelan (Mallow)Jul 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Mattie,
Mechanically, yes, the 206 is pretty good. That 1.1 engine dates back to the old 205 so is well proven and has few major issues. With 206s the things to watch for are electrical issues and bits of the cabin coming off in your hands. As long as you're not pounding up and down the motorway every day, economy should be just fine and with its sharp steering and entertaining chassis I'd say it's an ideal starter car - a great introduction to what makes for good handling and ride.
Is a high mileage Volkswagen Polo an issue?
Is 48,000 miles too many on a 2011 Volkswagen Polo powered by the 1.2 70hp petrol engine?
Pat English (Waterford)Jul 2013 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Pat,
Probably not. It would mean that the first owner has really been racking up the miles, but if it has a complete service history and you don't get the feeling that it's been abused or uncared for, then it should be fine.
What's the best car around for just €1,500?
What's the best, cheapest and most economical car today for €1,500?
Anthony Gilmartin (KILRUSH)Jul 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Anthony,
Right, I've had a long, hard think about this. You've not specified which type of car you're particularly looking for, so if you're after a seven-seat MPV or some kind of 4x4; sorry, I haven't even considered that.
Oddly, I've also discounted diesel as, at that price level, and with the likely age range, you're looking at older tech engines that didn't have as clear a consumption advantage over their petrol brethren.
You've said cheapest and then specified a price, which suggests to me you mean cheapest to run, which really means reliable and with low tax.
So my best recommendation to you is to track down a 2000-2001 Honda Civic 1.4. Built like a bank vault, spacious and good to drive, economical and the 1.4 capacity means you won't get taken to the cleaners every time you need a new tax disc. Plenty around and most will be within your price range.
What do you think?
What do you think about the Volkswagen Bora?
Hi, just want to know what ye think about a Volkswagen Bora 1.9 TDI: is it good on diesel or would I be better off to stick with the 1.4 petrol version? Only enquiring about buying one at the moment and would be looking from between 2000 to 2004 models.
David Manning (Cork)Jul 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi David,
Cracking car the Bora, solidly built and distinct enough from the Golf to not have the hatchback-with-a-boot-stuck-on-the-back stigma. Definitely go for the 1.9 TDI, as it's a far better performer in all regards than the rather weedy 1.4 petrol. Just make sure the injectors and the air pressure sensor (well known weak points on the old 1.9 'Pump Duse' engine) are in good nick.
How reliable is the Rover 45?
How reliable is the Rover 45?
Tony Ahern (Tipperary)Jul 2013 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Tony,
Er, not very I'm afraid. Yes, underneath it's essentially an old Honda Civic, so those bits are pretty solid but the build quality coming out of Rover's now dead-and-gone old Longbridge factory was never especially good, and you need to be very wary of electrical issues, rain seals, poor quality cabin trim and rust creeping in, especially underneath. Plus, if it's the 1.4-litre petrol, that K-Series engine was always a lovely little powerplant to drive, but it had a plastic inlet manifold that can warp and there's also the all-too-common head gasket failure. Tread carefully!
How much is my Chevrolet Tacuma worth?
What would be a reasonable price to expect for my 2005 Chevrolet Tacuma petrol?
Karen Flynn (Galway)Jul 2013 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Karen,
Without knowing the mileage it's a little hard to tell but probably around €1,750 to €2,000.
Skoda Octavia RS, SEAT Leon FR or Golf GTD?
I'm looking to buy something quick and diesel. I am currently looking at a new Skoda Octavia RS, SEAT Leon FR or Golf GTD. I am also looking at a used 2012 Mondeo Titanium X 163. Which would you recommend? I will be trading a 2007 1.6 petrol Ti-VCT Focus Titanium with 85,000km on the clock.
Gareth Fisher (Galway)Jul 2013 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Gareth,
Go for the Skoda. Dave Humphreys (also of this parish) and I recently drove the latest Octavia RS diesel from Goodwood to Dublin and frankly, you'd be hard pressed to find a car with a broader spread of talents. Go for the estate to get the best looking (as well as most useful) version.
Let us know what you do
Do I need a new part to fix my Skoda electrics?
Hi, the control unit / window motor in my 2002 Skoda Octavia 1.6 petrol seems to be dead. It's affecting the central locking and mirror adjustment etc. It's a minefield getting a seconhand replacement unit as it has to come from an identical car: ie has to have rear electric windows, no sunroof, electric mirrors etc. Am I better off just biting the bulletand stumping up for a new part from Skoda?
Thanks, Alan
Alan Brodie (Dublin)Jul 2013 Filed under: electrics
Expert answer
Hi Alan,
We'd definitely advise you to go straight to Skoda on this one.
Is a 2001 Opel Astra sound?
Is a 2001 Opel Astra sound? [original registration number removed]
Michael Carberry (Dublin)Jul 2013 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
Yes, it should be. OK, so we're talking about a 12-year old car so literally anything could go wrong, but that generation of Astra was sturdy, certainly compared to the rather poor previous generation. The 1.4 petrol (I'm assuming that's the model you are looking at) is robust and quite sporty to drive and because it was never especially loaded with equipment in the first place, there's less to go wrong now. Just tread carefully, make sure there's at least some evidence of previous servicing and if it looks damaged or abused, walk away.
We can't comment on specific cars without seeing them for ourselves and likewise if you need a history or finance check we recommend you go to Cartell.ie.
Can we look at petrol vs. diesel in detail?
Though diesel cars are more expensive to buy, the trade-in value will also be greater, a point that does not seem to be taken into consideration in the diesel vs. petrol debate. The first question a dealer asks is "is it petrol or diesel?", which is generally followed by a turning up of the nose when the answer is petrol.
Practically all motoring correspondents highlight the benefits of diesel without referring to the fact that diesel engines are designed to be driven on long journeys where the engine reaches its optimum temperature, which does not happen on short runs, thereby increasing the potential for engine damage. Thumbs up to you for your very informative question and answer section. How about a full article on diesel-v-petrol taking into account servicing costs and highlighting the potential of engine damage to diesel engines when used only on short journeys?
Michael Corduff (Dublin)Jul 2013 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
Many thanks for the compliment. You’re right on the trade-in aspect, although that does seem to be shifting now in the wake of the diesel issue, especially in urban areas. As for the servicing aspect, it’s a tough one for us to look at in a comparison sense, as all garages are different, have different charges and servicing is not a constant. All cars will need to be serviced differently, according to how they are driven.
We have done some diesel versus petrol comparison work in the past though. Have a look here.