Is the Volvo XC90 a good car?
What are the main things to look out for in a 2008 Volvo XC90? I'm looking at a high mileage example.
Ronan Mc Greevy (Westport)May 2013 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Ronan,
Thankfully the potential glitch list on XC90s seems to be pretty small, especially if you go for the diesel engine and the Asin-Warner automatic gearbox. Apparently most XC90 problems relate to the petrol engined versions, running a GM gearbox.
Make sure that the timing belt has been changed at 100,000-mile intervals. Check for outer-shoulder tyre wear caused by suspension mis-alignment. The top suspension mounts can be weak on the early models, but as the one you're looking at is a 2008, you should be OK, as Volvo replaced many under warranty. Wheel bearings can wear, so listen for rumbling noises and the brakes pads and parking brake mechanism are both prone to early wear.
Hope that helps; let us know how you get on.
Can you recommend a new automatic SUV?
Hi - in choosing a new automatic SUV to buy, what make / model would you recommend. Where possible, engine size to be less than 2 litres (1.9 fine) for insurance purposes. Indifferent as to petrol / diesel
John McCormack (Westport)Apr 2013 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi John,
Interestingly, you haven't given us a budget to work with here, so that means a whole world of possibilities looked to be opening up, and then you hit us with the sub-2.0 clause, which instantly shut them down again.
So how about these for some suggestions:
Kia Sportage: you'll get a 2.0-litre diesel 4x4 auto for €35k and it's as stylish and good to drive as you could wish for.
Want something a bit more premium? How about an Audi Q3? Very stylish, but a bit more pricey. €41k gets you a 2.0 TDI quattro.
Finally there's the new Ford Kuga. Bigger and more practical than either of the other two mentioned, you'll pay €43k for a 2.0 TDCi diesel with Powershift auto.
What do you think?
What economical family car should I trade up to?
I am looking to trade in a 2008 Citroen C4 Coupé (three-door) for a more economical family car with at least four doors, low road tax and I have a tight budget. I need either a saloon or estate and have approx €6,000 to spend with my car - any recommendations?
Catherine Walsh (Westport)Apr 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Catherine,
A rough estimate of your C4's value should give you a budget of around €12,000 (and you might even do a bit better than that if you're lucky). Even at that level though, there is a plethora of cars matching your description out there. How about we start with something really classy? A BMW 316i maybe? Plenty out there, all priced around €11k and the 1.6-litre engine means reasonable tax and fuel economy even though it's a petrol engine.
Or you might need something a bit more spacious and economical. So we found a Citroen C5 Tourer estate with the 1.6-litre HDi diesel engine. It's a 2008 model so you'll be on the new CO2-based tax system, it's massive inside and very comfy. Well built too.
Finally, you might fancy something a bit more compact and cheaper to run, and that budget opens up a world of Ford Focus saloons and estates with either the 1.6-litre petrol or 1.8 diesel engines. Simple, spacious, reliable and plentiful, you won't go wrong with that one.
WHat do you think?
Can you help me chose a small convertible?
Which small convertible should I go for? I have a budget of up to €13,000 and would like a stylish car for a change from my 2005 Toyota Yaris. I do little mileage and would hope to buy something I will love for a number of years. I have been looking out for a Volkswagen Eos 1.4 with leather interior but these are not that easy to find. I have also looked at the Peugeot 207 CC 1.6 but am open to all suggestions.
Thanking you.
Cathy Johnson (Dublin)Apr 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Cathy,
The Eos is a nice car, right enough, but a bit thin on the ground here in Ireland. You may need to widen your search to the UK if you're going to find one you like.
That budget should give you a pretty good spread of possible purchases though. How about a BMW 318Ci convertible? Classy, practical and cool, we found one on Carzone.ie for €12,950. If you fancy something a bit smaller, there are a few MINI Cooper Convertibles knocking around at similar money. The MINI is not as practical as the Peugeot 207 CC you've suggested, but it is more fun to drive. Then again, the 207 does have that desirable folding steel roof.
But if you're really sold on the Eos, Karmann Volkswagen dealers in Dublin, on the Naas road, currently have one up for €12,950 with the 1.6 FSI petrol engine. Snap it up if you want it...
Let us know how you get on
Should I trade in my Impreza for a Mazda RX-8?
I have a 2003 Subaru Impreza 1.6 petrol saloon 4wd with approx 170,000 miles on the clock and an NCT until next March. I am looking around at the moment at other cars, and the Mazda RX-8 is taking my fancy. Just wondering would I be able to cut a deal with a dealer to sell my Impreza, whether it would be worth anything to me?
David Tuohy (Wexford)Apr 2013 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi David,
We reckon the Impreza (and what a cracking car that was) should be worth between €2,000 - €3,000 to you, but getting a dealer to take it as a trade-in could be tricky - at least if you want to get the best price for it. It basically depends on the dealer in question. You might be better off going through the Irish Subaru Drivers' Club (http://www.isdc.ie) and seeing if one of its members is in the market for a car like yours. Subaru's appeal is still something of a niche thing and preaching to the converted may help you get a better price.
Whatever, it'll be worth it to get your hands on an RX-8. It's still one of the most fun, and coolest, cars we've driven in years and the day it went out of production (just recently) left more than a couple of damp eyes around here. Remind us to tell you some time about a late run across a deserted North Wales to catch the Hollyhead ferry in a 192hp RX-8...
Which of these models is most efficient?
What car is more fuel efficent: 2005 BMW 5 Series 2.2 petrol, 2005 BMW 5 Series 2.5 diesel or a 2007 Lexus IS 250 petrol - all automatics
Thanks
Sean McGeown (Dublin)Expert answer
Hi Sean,
According to the official figures, the comparison in terms of combined fuel economy is this: the 520i gets 28.8mpg, the 525d gets 36.2mpg and the Lexus IS 250 gets 31.0mpg. A clear win for the diesel 5 Series there, but it's worth remembering that these figures are taken from laboratory samples and you may have to knock off as much as 25% to get the real-world driving figure.
Hope that helps
When to change my Tucson's timing belt?
When should the timing belt be replaced in a 2006 Hyundai Tucson?
Brian O Connor (Portlaoise)Apr 2013 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Brian,
For all the 2.0 CRDi diesel variants, whether it's 2WD or 4WD, the change interval is 120,000 kilometres or every eight years, whichever comes first. For the 2.0-litre petrol model it's 90,000km or six years, as is the ultra-rare 2.7-litre petrl version.
I need to replace my Focus and I need to carry logs
What to replace my 2000 Ford Focus 1.6 petrol saloon with? It's starting to rattle a bit and it's only doing 35mpg plus high tax for an old car. I recently purchased a stove and need a lot of timber to supply it. I have been loading up the boot of my Focus with timber logs, which is not ideal (I don't want to pay a few hundred Euro on getting a tow bar fitted as the car isn't worth it). A few bits starting to give trouble - steering linkage, engine missing sometimes, timing belt due, NCT due, four new tyres etc. I only do about 10,000km a year, live in the country (rough roads, potholes etc), two young kids. I was thinking about a 4x4 SUV or pick-up to cover both transporting kids around and for the timber work, or should I look for a more economical car with a towbar? I want to come up a few years (maybe stretch to 2008 for low tax).
Sorry it's a bit longwinded but any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks
K C (Cork)Apr 2013 Filed under: towing
Expert answer
I'm not sure I'd recommend a pickup for you, as, until the very recent arrivals of the Volkswagen Amarok and Ford Ranger, they were all a bit crude and dreadful. They're commercial vehicles, not family cars. That said, if you want something truly rugged, then what about a Land Rover Defender 130 with a crew cab? Iconic looks and unbeatable toughness, but they can be expensive to buy and run.
Actually my recommendation would be to track down an old-shape Kia Sportage. It's surprisingly good at going off-road, comfy and decent to drive on the road and circa €8,000 should pick you up a good one, potentially with still a bit of Kia's famous warranty left to run. Not as stylish as the current Spprtage it's true, but invest in a sturdy rubber liner for the boot and you should have the ideal log-carrying device.
Hope that helps
How much is a petrol Mazda3 worth now?
How much would a 2006 Mazda3 petrol saloon with 110,000 kilometres on it be worth a) selling for cash and b) as a trade in?
Claire O'Malley (Ardee)Apr 2013 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Claire,
Depending on specification, history and condition we'd suggest you advertise this for €5,500 and be ready to accept a little less for cash. It's trickier to estimate the trade-in price, as dealers will all have their own agendas. If they don't particularly want your car they'll not give you a good offer, but conversely if they're keen to sell the car you're looking at they may be more generous. The only way to know for sure is to go to a few garages and ask them.
Hope that helps
What roomy, economical car can I get for €5,500?
I have about €5,500 to spend on a secondhand car. I would like something roomy but economical - 1.6-litre max. What do you recommend?
Noel Grier (Dublin)Apr 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Noel,
A few of suggestions here.
€5,500 gets you into a nice 2005 Audi A3 1.6 petrol Attraction three-door, from a dealer. Albeit it does have quite high mileage. Not necessarily a problem, but you would want to check and make sure all the paperwork is in order and the service record is complete.
Or, you could be really daring and go for a 2007 Daihatsu Copen two-seat cabriolet, with its zany combination of turbocharged 700cc motor and folding steel roof. Oddball but oddly appealing and we found one for €5,750 with 31,000 miles (about 50,000 kilometres) and a six-month warranty.
Going down the much more sensible route, how about a Fiat Panda 1.1 Eco? €5,950 (and you could probably argue that down a little), still fun to drive but very practical and more reliable than the reputation would have you believe.
Finally, and this is possibly the most sensible solution, a Honda Jazz 1.2 Sport, from a main Honda dealer, for €5,490. Spacious, comfy and as reliable as it's possible for a car to be.
If none of those work for you come back to us and we'll have another think.