Is the Toyota RAV4 worth the price?
Hi,
I want to trade in my 2008 Ford Focus diesel for a new or nearly new car. I really like the SUV style. I drive at least 1,000km per week to and from work so I need something that's reliable, will hold its value and able for big mileage. I really like the Toyota RAV4, but is it worth the price?
What car would you suggest?
Joanne Stafford (Wexford)Dec 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Joanne,
The RAV4 is most definitely worth the price, and it's one of the best cars Toyota currently makes - spacious, reliable and not at all bad to drive. Worth looking at the Nissan Qashqai and Renault Kadjar too, as well as the Skoda Yeti and Mazda CX-5. You won't go wrong with any of those choices, but given your high mileage take a very close look at the Renault and the Nissan - they'll be the most economical overall.
Relevant reviews:
What cars fit three child seats in back?
What cars take three full car seats in the back?
Anne Davis (Wexford)Dec 2015 Filed under: child or baby seats
Expert answer
Hi Anne,
Most MPVs will, so Citroen C4 Picasso, Renault Scenic, Ford C-Max, Peugeot 5008, Kia Carens and so on. The bigger ones too, of course, such as the Ford S-Max and Galaxy and the SEAT Alhambra. If you want something sleeker, such as a saloon, estate or SUV then it comes down to how bulky the child car seats are. Rule of thumb is to always bring the seats (and preferably the kids, even though I know how awkward that is) on a test drive to make sure that they'll all fit in comfortably.
Toyota Auris or Renault Clio, with €10,000 to spend?
Hi, I am looking to buy a second hand car with a budget of €9000-10,000. I will be driving an average of 10,000 miles per year. I looked at a 2010 Toyota Auris petrol for €9,000, but have been told that this car is not very fuel efficient. I was looking at a 2014 Renault Clio petrol for €10,500, but again am unsure as to the fuel efficiency. Which of these two cars would you recommend and are there any others you could suggest that would be suitable for the mileage I will be doing and my price range?
Thanks
Louise Donovan (Limerick)Nov 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Louise,
You're looking at two very different cars - the Auris is considerably larger and more practical than the Clio, but both are actually pretty frugal. The 1.4 VVTi petrol or 1.33 VVTi petrol in the Auris is actually quite economical, as long as you drive it with reasonable care: 45mpg should be easily achieved in daily driving.
What do you think of the Renault Fluence?
I am thinking of buying a 2012 Renault Fluence dCi 90 Dynamique . What do you think of this car?
Michael Mc Nabb (Dublin)Nov 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
If you're going to get one, make sure you get it at a rock-bottom price. Because Renault sold most Fluences at a savage discount the residual values are very poor. As a car, it's OK - comfy and spacious and frugal but not much fun to drive.
What small new cars are the best for Jan 2016?
Please advise on best cars for young lady who wishes to buy new in January 2016 with no trade in, a cash buyer. She likes those with four doors, but may opt for three depending on price.
Thank you
Fergal Reidy (Celbridge)Nov 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Fergal,
I presume you mean something small to medium if you're contemplating three doors. If you want to go really small, the best ones are the Hyundai i10, Volkswagen up! (as well as the Skoda and SEAT versions) and the Renault Twingo - a car I know isn't quite as technically good as the others but I personally really like it.
If you want to go a bit bigger, then your best bets are the Honda Jazz (pricey but really well equipped), the Skoda Fabia or the Mazda2. The Hyundai i20 is also worth looking at but it might be better to wait until it gets Hyundai's new 1.0 turbo engine.
Here are some relevant reviews:
Tell me more about the 151 Renault Clio.
What is the price of 151 Renault Clio and does it have power steering? Do you have to turn on the lights manually?
Grace Griffin (Co. Dublin)Oct 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Grace,
Clio prices start from €15,730 and yes, they all have power steering. All models come with daytime running lights, which illuminate automatically, but if you want automatic, dusk-sensing headlights you'll have to upgrade to a €17,230 Dynamique Nav model.
Volkswagen Jetta or Renault Fluence?
Which would you buy? 2011 Renault Fluence 1.5 dCi 90 Dynamique (57,000 miles) for €10,000 or 2010 Volkswagen Jetta Comfortline 1.6 TDI 105 (41,000 miles) for €12,000?
John Cormack (Cork)Oct 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi John,
Go for the Jetta - it's nicer to drive, nicer looking (to my eyes, anyway) and better built, so it should be more reliable.
Which MPV will I replace our BMW 3 Series with?
Hi Shane & team,
We're looking at trading in again. You helped us source our last car four years ago. We really like our curent 2006 BMW 318, but for the last nine months to a year we've been pouring money into for what feels like constant repairs and the car tax is crippling too. We've now come to the realisation that we need to move to seven-seat territory for these and family reasons. Today we saw and drove both of these cars:
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/renault/grand-scenic/used-2010-renault-grand-scenic-1-dublin-fpa-200914374138165780 http://www.cbg.ie/citroen-c4-grand-picasso-1.6-2008-dublin-diesel-silver-mpv
The Renault felt more car like to drive and I wasn't wild about the delay in the Citroen semi-automatic gearbox. For the Renault they've said the cost to change is €6,500 and just under €7,000 for the Citroen. The Renault, being a 2010 model, is almost seems too good to be true. Can you give me any advice on these? Is the Renault a good buy? Is it reliable or will it swallow money on repairs as our current car is? Are there any others you would recommend? We really don't want to spend more than €6k-ish.
Thanks
Enda
Enda Lowry (Dublin)Sep 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Enda,
I'd tread carefully here. If you don't like the semi-auto box on the Citroen then just let it go - it's not going to get any better and it'll bug you for the rest of your time with the car.
As for the Renault, I'm just not confident predicting reliability. Generally, Renaults are now a lot better built than they used to be, but long-term they can still be a bit shaky. Also, the reason it's a high-spec 2010 model for such a small price is because Renaults depreciate faster than snow in summer.
So, I think you might need to shop around a bit and buy something on the basis of reliability and condition rather than year. Have a look at the likes of a Ford S-Max, Toyota Verso, Volkswagen Touran or, if six seats rather than seven will do the trick, a Honda FR-V. You might need to go back to a 2008 or 2009 model to get one within budget, but buy with a full service history and keep the maintenance up and any of those should give you long and hopefully reliable service.
Last, but not least, Shane, our Editor, is in the same position as you right now and he has homed in on the Mazda5, which has an exceptional reliability record.
Can I swap engines in my Renault Laguna?
Would a 2003 Renault Laguna 1.6 petrol engine fit in place of the 1.9-litre turbodiesel?
Tom Corcoran (Carlow)Sep 2015 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Tom,
There's no doubt that the 1.6-litre petrol engine would fit in the Laguna's engine bay, but it could be a world of pain getting everything to work, from the fuel system to the electronics and sensors. We wouldn't recommend such a project.
What's the top automatic Renault Kadjar?
What will the top of the range automatic Renault Kadjar cost?
John Robertson (Abbeyleix )Aug 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi John,
At the time of writing, the Renault Kadjar pricing ranges from €24,990 to €33,990, the latter for the top-of-the range Kadjar Signature Nav powered by the 130hp 1.6-litre dCi diesel engine featuring four-wheel drive.
It's not currently possible to pair an automatic gearbox with that 1.6-litre engine though, so the most expensive automatic Kadjar is the Signature Nav powered by the 1.5-litre dCi diesel engine with 110hp. That costs €32,290.