New Toyota Verso or Prius+ for our family MPV?
Hi,
We are planning to purchase a new MPV this year. We've three kids so need a good sized five-seater with two additional seats for occasional use. We've narrowed the list to the following: Toyota Verso - looking at the 1.6 D-4D - or the Toyota Prius+. We do around 17,000km a year with about 5k of that long motorway journeys and the rest short school runs, local shops etc. We've never owned a diesel and I'm a little concerned with going that route given our usage is mostly in town and I've heard horror stories about EGR/DPF problems . The Verso (Luna Skyview) is going to work out about €3K cheaper than the Prius+ so my head is saying Verso but perhaps the Prius is a better fit for our usage patterns? I'd appreciate any advice!
S G (Dublin)Jan 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Shane,
Go for the Verso. It's a lovely car anyway, really practical and well built, and your regular motorway hops will keep the DPF clear. The Prius+ is one of the most frustrating cars I've ever driven - tight on space in the third row and horrendously thirsty when you take it out of town. Motorway journeys in it are hell...
Is the Audi A3 Saloon bigger than the hatch?
Is the Audi A3 Saloon much larger than the Audi A3 three-door?
Frank Dodd (Dublin)Jan 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi F D,
There are some small differences. The three-door A3 sits on 2,601mm wheelbase, while the A3 Sportback (the five-door hatch) has a 2,636mm wheelbase so there's a bit more room in the back. The A3 Saloon has a wheelbase that's fractionally longer again, at 2,637mm, but that's a negligible difference, so really, it has the same rear seat space as the Sportback. There's a significant difference in boot space though. Both hatchback versions come with a 380-litre boot, or a 340-litre one if you opt for quattro four-wheel drive (the rear diff has to go somewhere, after all). The saloon has a much bigger boot though, at 425 litres for the front-drive version or 390 litres for the quattro version.
How much should I sell my Peugeot CC for?
How much do you think I can sell my car for either to the trade or privately? It's a 2006 Peugeot 307 CC 1.6 with 95,000km, three owners, good condition, full service recently, red metallic, cloth seats.
Pat Craney (Cork)Dec 2014 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Pat,
I'd say you could potentially get between €4,500 and €5,000 if you sell it yourself, or probably between €3,000 and €3,500 if you trade it in. One tip though - don't try to sell it now. The value of cabriolets drops sharply in the winter. If you can hang on until the summer you'll potentially make a few more quid, or at least find it easier to sell.
Why is my Skoda Octavia not starting?
Hi, my 2007 Skoda Octavia will not start. It will turn over but will not start (had to jump start it the day before). What could be wrong?
Jon Ward (Drogheda)Dec 2014 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Jon,
I'm afraid this sort of thing is nigh on impossible to diagnose from afar as there are so many factors at work. Here are a few things to look at, but really, you need a mechanic to take a look:
- Hook it up to a diagnostic machine and get any error codes - that could save time
- Perhaps the glo plugs aren't working - they'd be needed in this cold weather (if it's diesel)
- Maybe the fuel tank pump isn't working. Turn the ignition on and you should hear a buzz from under the rear seats
- Is there sufficient fuel in the tank?
Best of luck with it - let us know how you get on
What family car for three kids do you recommend?
What car would suit me? I want a family car with room for three kids in three car seats. I need a large boot and preferably 1.6 diesel.
Deirdre Ryan (Tipperary)Dec 2014 Filed under: family car
Expert answer
Hi Deirdre,
You realistically need to be looking at an MPV. How about a Peugeot 5008? It fits all your requirements, there are plenty out there, they're nice to drive and reasonably affordable to buy and run.
What's the 2013 Opel Astra 1.4 like?
I am looking at purchasing a 2013 Opel Astra 1.4 S. I have heard there have been lots of niggling problems with this car. What have you heard or what is your opinion on its reliability
Thank you,
Andrew Murphy
Andrew Murphy (Dublin)Dec 2014 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Andrew,
It seems there are some niggly little issues with the current shape Astra, but none of them seem to be utterly disastrous. There have been some reports of electronic issues, particularly around the cruise control and the (optional) electronic parking brake. Those problems can also cause the brake lights to flicker annoyingly. There have been two recalls issued for the car, one for the anti-trap sensor in the electric windows and one for faulty bolts on the front passenger seat. Make sure both of those have been carried out. Finally, as with the Insignia, there seems to be an occasional issue with the rubber seals on the boot so check the boot carpet for any signs of damp or water getting in.
How to clean out milk from a Touran's seats?
How do I take out the interior foam from the third row seats of my Volkswagen Touran 1.6 diesel BlueMotion? Milk was spilled on the very back seats that fold into the boot floor. I was told to try and remove the interior foam and wash it to get the smell out.
Please help!
Tony
Tony Kane (Belfast)Nov 2014 Filed under: cleaning
Expert answer
Hi Tony,
There should be either a zip-off seat cover or a pull-out panel on the upholstery that will allow you to get into the body of the seat and get at the cushion. It might mean unbolting the seat from its mounts to do it though, so you may need to seek some professional help.
What small runabout would you recommend?
What four- to five-year-old small run about car would you recommend?
D F (Belfast)Nov 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi there,
If you don't need acres of space in the back seats, go for a Suzuki Swift - it's small, reliable, frugal and lots of fun to drive. If you need a bit more in the way of cabin or boot space, consider a Skoda Fabia Combi estate.
What mid-sze petrol car should my parents buy?
My elderly parents are in the market for a mid-sized hatch with a budget of around €22k, which seems to get them most brand's lower-mid trim models. A crossover they feel is too big for them despite me recommending the easier entry of the higher seats. They need a small petrol engine, as their mileage is low and will never reach a speed capable of clearing a DPF.
The question is what car? There is a really good range of options between Golf, i30, Focus, Pulsar, Auris and many others. What is the best all round option, and do you happen to know if any of them are easier to get into/out of than others?
Thanks
Shane Sheridan (Dublin)Nov 2014 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Shane,
If it's a small petrol hatch you're looking for then I think the best options are either a Ford Focus with the 1.0-litre EcoBoost turbo engine (the 100hp version is the sweetest) or either one of the three Volkswagen Group hatches (Golf, Skoda Octavia or SEAT Leon) with the brilliant 1.2 TSI turbo. Both engines, if driven gently, should yield close-to-diesel fuel economy.
Incidentally, your point about higher seats being easier to get in and out of for elderly drivers is well made. It might be worth checking out something nearly-new along the lines of a Golf Plus or Ford C-Max in that regard.
Any tips for replacing my old petrol Golf with a diesel?
I want to change my petrol 2002 Golf with 85k on the clock. I was looking at getting a diesel as I'm driving 60km per day for work. My budget would be about €6,000. I'd prefer a medium size car like a Ford Focus or SEAT Ibiza - any tips?
Karla Devenney (Dublin)Oct 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Karla,
Well, you're looking at two different sizes of car there. If you want to physically downsize, then the Ibiza is the one to go for - it's smaller than the Golf (based on the same chassis as the Volkswagen Polo), but still pretty spacious, rather handsome and nice to drive. They're very reliable too, but quite noisy and uncouth on a longer journey. A Focus is roughly the same size as a Golf, but if it's painless, economical motoring you're after than a 1.6 TDCi Focus could be the answer - plentiful, well-made, sweet to drive and 55mpg.
What do you think?