We want to move back to an MPV, but which one?!
For years my husband drove Renault Mégane Scenics, and then about six months ago he took a whim and got a Mitsubishi ASX (not the 4WD model). It was a 2013 demo. The good price, the long warranty and the fact that it was diesel all enticed him. It is much cheaper to run and a nice drive, but the interface (is that the word?) is crude compared to the Renault. No 'intelligent' wipers, lights or windows; and the sound system controls are not on the wheel. Plus, the storage space is poor, and the boot is smaller, etc. etc. The main problem, though, is the appearance of the thing. After years of avoiding SUVs, he has somehow acquired a machine that looks like - oops! - an SUV.
We won't dwell on the reasons for not wanting to drive an SUV, or how he managed to actually buy something that looks like the one thing he doesn't want to drive. But, let's just say that he is unhappy enough that he really wants to change it for a (preferably) 2013 or 2014 (demo model) of something less 'assertive'-looking. If we have to pay to change, we will, although obviously we'd prefer not to. We are looking at another Renault Scenic, but are wondering if there might be another MPV-type car that you'd recommend in the same price bracket?
Our requirements are diesel, five doors, a large boot (for work equipment and for dogs), and preferably a highish car (not an ordinary estate).
Thank you!
Desperate in Dublin
J P (Dublin)Mar 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Jane,
Sounds like you want to move back into a proper MPV and the best one around at the moment, for my money, is the Citroen C4 Picasso. Citroen registered a bundle of them last year for press and promotional purposes so there should be plenty of good nearly-new or dealer demo stock knocking around. It's a classy looking thing, comfy to drive and utterly massive on the inside. Other good options are the Ford C-Max (great to drive but the boot is slightly on the small side) and the Toyota Verso (a touch unexciting but with terrific quality and lots of space). Or, of you want something with a warranty to match the Mitsubishi's, track down a nice 2013 Kia Carens - a classy looking car with bundles of space.
Let us know how you get on
I need a newer car with lower running costs. Help!
Hi,
I am currently driving a 2002 Peugeot 307 three-door 1.6 petrol with 63,000 miles on the clock. Having a son now makes the three doors pretty impractical and the car is expensive to run. I was taken in by Renault's recent ad campaign for the 'Carculator'. It compares all your outgoings on your car with the costs of running a brand new Renault. The problem is, although I could probably purchase say a new Mégane for about the same money per month as my current outgoings on the Peugeot, this involves a deposit of about €6-7k. The Peugeot is only worth about €1,500-2k at best in trade in and I don't have that much extra cash to throw at it.
This got me thinking though, I should be able to purchase a 2-3 year-old car that is substantially cheaper to run and still be able to make repayments on a loan. My current costs on the Peugeot are €514 on tax, about €900 on petrol to cover 4,500 miles annually, approx €600 on servicing plus it needs two new tyres at €130, and €55 on NCT. This comes in at €2,200 for the year. This is where I would like your help. I am sure there are cars that would cost €800-900 a year to run including all these costs, which leaves me with €1,300-1,400 to cover loan repayments for the year.
Can you suggest a car with low tax, far better fuel efficiency, low servicing costs that won't need an NCT for a few years and that with a €2k trade-in, will have relatively low monthly repayments over say five years? I know it's asking a lot but with your knowledge of the market, I hope there might be some possibilities for me.
Thanks,
Rowland (Dublin 5)
Rowland Crawte (Raheny)Mar 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Rowland,
OK, there are a lot of parameters to go with here, but the basics are that you need a car that's cheap to buy (so it can't, sadly be too new), has affordable running costs and won't break down every time it rains. I reckon that gives you a choice of three or four key models: Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla or Auris, Kia cee'd or Hyundai i30.
Have a shop around and you should be able to find several of those all well within your purchase price range, while they all have efficient engines and excellent reliability records. In the case of the Kia and the Hyundai, they also have lengthy warranties, which, even if there's none left on the one you buy, at least means that they're more likely to have been looked after. My personal choice would be the Honda. Track down a nice 1.4 petrol Civic and I don't think you'll look back.
Let us know how you get on
I need a seven-seat MPV to replace my Merc estate...
Hi, my 1997 E 230 Mercedes estate just failed its NCT and I've decided not to put any more money into keeping it going. I am looking for a second hand, large seven-seater (for three kids and two dogs), with a budget of approx €6,000.
I want space, practicality, reliability and preferably low running costs. My preference would be Ford Galaxy (on reputation), but mileage in my price range tends to be high. French brands (Citroen C8, Peugeot 807 and Renault Espace) seem to review poorly. Hyundai Trajet maybe? SEAT Alhambra? Any others I should be considering? All advice gratefully received.
Richard, Dublin
Richard Butler (Dublin)Feb 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Richard,
The Alhambra would be my choice here. A budget of €6,000 won't get you the current model, but it should find you an old one and they're still good. SEAT's reliability is pretty solid and you should be able to find one at a lower mileage than an equivalently priced (and mechanically identical) Ford Galaxy.
It would be worth keeping an eye out for a Ford S-Max too, though €6,000 is the very, very bottom end for S-Max prices, but keep your eyes peeled and haggle hard and you might just land a nice one.
And, as I always advise anyone looking for a seven-seater, there's always the option of a Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate with extra seats in the boot...
Is the Renault Mégane 1.5 dCi any good?
I am looking at buying a Renault Mégane Monaco 1.5 diesel. Are these good cars? Are they reliable? Would they be cheap on diesel?
Bobby Nugent (Wexford)Feb 2014 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Bobby,
Well, it's a lot better than the old Mégane, but then that's not saying much... It should be fine, actually. That 1.5 dCi diesel is a solid engine, and Nissan uses it too so it can't be bad, right? Keep an eye on all electrical systems though as these seem to be a perennial Renault weak point and carefully check the rather cheap-feeling cabin for signs of excess wear and tear.
Renault Mégane or Ford Focus C-Max?
Which is the better family car, a 2004 Renault Mégane with a 1.4 engine or the 2004 Ford Focus C-Max with a 1.6 engine? The dealer also has a 2003 Mégane diesel. Which is safer and which is the most economical?
Catherine Daly (Kilkenny)Feb 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Catherine,
Go for the Ford C-Max. They're ruggedly reliable and good to drive. Méganes of that era are best avoided.
Is Mercedes-Benz using Renault engines?
Is the engine in the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class 220 CDI a Renault unit? I know the 180 CDI is.
Riccardo Macari (Dublin)Feb 2014 Filed under: diesel
Expert answer
Hi Riccardo,
No, it's not. You're quite right that the 1.5-litre CDI engine in the A 180 model is derived from Renault's long-serving dCi engine, but the 220 CDI unit is Mercedes' own 2.1-litre four-cylinder engine in 170hp trim.
When to change a Renault Fluence's belt?
Hi,
I would like to know when should I change the timing belt in a 2010 Renault Fluence 1.5 dCi 86hp? Mileage is 97000 kilometres.
REMIGIJUS LEONAVICIUS (KINGSCOURT)Feb 2014 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Remigijus,
Renault’s official recommendation is not for a change at a specific mileage, but at a specific year. They say it should be changed every six years, so it sounds like yours is due.
Is the 2011 Renault Mégane estate a reliable car?
Is the 2011 Renault Mégane estate 1.5 dCi a reliable car?
Liam Harding (Dublin 12)Feb 2014 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Liam,
By and large, yes. Some minor electrical glitches here and there but Renault had really gotten on top of he reliability problems that plagued the previous Mégane.
What could be wrong with my Renault Laguna?
Why is the engine management light flashing on my 2003 Renault Laguna? The car is also vibrating when ticking over. It is a 1.6 petrol.
Paul Mc Mullan (Ennistymon)Feb 2014 Filed under: electrics
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
The coil pack would be the first place to start, as they fail regularly in that model Laguna. The vibration, we suspect, is from misfiring at low speeds.
It's definitely a job for a qualified mechanic, but let us know how you get on.
Are Renault Méganes a good buy?
Are Renault Méganes a good buy?
Noel Downey (Loughrea)Feb 2014 Filed under:
Expert answer
Hi Noel,
Not really, no.
The second generation (the strikingly styled one with the bustle boot) looks great and is nice to drive, but suffered from a catalogue of reliability disorders including dodgy electrics and brakes.
The third generation (current model) is far better from a reliability standpoint but rampant discounting of the car during the most recent scrappage scheme has seen used values collapse, so while they're cheap to buy, you'll never get rid of it.
Actually, the best Mégane to buy might just be the first generation, which ran from 1994 to 2002. Yes, they're all getting old now but they were reasonably robustly built, exceptionally comfy and not at all bad to drive. Pick one up for buttons and drive it until it owes you nothing.