Toyota Corolla or Skoda Octavia?
Thinking about buying a 2008 Toyota Corolla or Skoda Octavia, similar mileage, 1.4 petrol. Thoughts?
Brendan Toohey (Drogheda )Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Brendan,
Both decent cars. Go with the Corolla if reliability is your overriding priority (although the Skoda's hardly fragile or anything) and go with the Skoda if space and a big boot are your priorities.
Does this 141 Audi A3 Saloon sound ok?
I am seeing a 141 (2014 Apr) Audi A3 Saloon 2.0 TDI 150hp, SE with Milano leather, a good spec car overall and has done only 10,000km so far. The price being quoted is €25,000. I am actually worried because the price quoted is low for its value. What could the seller be hiding? Any suggestions to help not to get cheated? Seller is a dealer (not SIMI) and has no problems me getting a Audi showroom health check.
Gokul Gurijala (Cork)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Gokul,
It's not massively cheap, maybe a couple of grand below the average asking price, but with just 10,000km on it, it does look a touch suspicious. Independent dealers can be, shall we say, very variable in their quality of sales and service, but maybe ask around and see if others in the area have had any experience.
Nissan Pulsar or Toyota Corolla?
How would you rate the Nissan Pulsar against the Toyota Corolla and what are their prices new?
Joe Naughton (Limerick)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Joe,
They're both pretty similar to be honest, although at the moment the Corolla is only available as a four-door saloon and the Pulsar as a five-door hatch.
Both are solid, reliable, unremarkable workhorses. If you're looking for excitement, sexy styling or dynamism, you've come to the wrong place - but both major on space (the Pulsar in particular has massive space in the back seats), comfort and simplicity.
The Corolla's diesel engine lags a bit behind the Nissan's in terms of performance, but other than that, they're pretty closely matched and seeing as both will probably be endlessly reliable you can safely choose according to your taste.
New, Corolla prices start at €20,995 and Pulsar prices start at €19,995.
Relevant reviews:
How much to change to a new Ford Focus?
What would it cost me to upgrade from a 131 Focus, five-door hatchback, diesel with 60,000km and 60k service completed to a new similar Focus? Also what is the price of the new Focus five-door hatchback?
John Keating
John Keating (Carrigaline)Dec 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi John,
Your Focus is probably going to be worth about €17,000 as a trade in, maybe a little less. New Focus prices start from €20,295.
Which new Peugeot 5008 diesel to go for?
Hi,
I was hoping to buy either a 2016 Peugeot 5008 1.6 BlueHDi 120 or a 2.0 BlueHDi 150; both are very similar: which one would you recommend in terms of performance, economy and reliability?
Thanks, Gary
Garret Hearns (Laois)Nov 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Gary,
Go for the 1.6. It has plenty of poke (270Nm of torque) and can be coaxed up to near enough 60mpg if you're careful. There are some reliability issues (water pump and turbo among them), but if it comes with a full service history and you keep it looked after (and crucially keep giving it high quality oil at service time) then it should be fine.
Should I buy a new Skoda Octavia L&K Combi?
Hi, you reviewed the Skoda Octavia L&K recently and I was wondering what wheel and engine noise were like in the cabin of the car. I am close to making a decision on a Combi estate version and the spec is very high compared to other similarly priced cars. Overall would you think it would be a good investment, as I intend to keep it for five years at least?
Many thanks, Ian O'Neill
Ian O'Neill (Waterford)Nov 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Ian,
Cracking car, but yes, you do get a good bit of tyre noise, especially in the back. Take it for a good test drive on the nearest motorway or dual carriageway to see if it's too noisy for you.
Should I switch my Ford Focus for a diesel car?
Petrol or diesel? I am looking to change my 2005 Ford Focus 1.4 petrol to something similar. I am averaging 40,000 miles per year and wonder what would be a good option for me. The budget is approx €10k.
Shirley Mulcahy (Portlaoise)Oct 2015 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Shirley,
I think you need to be looking at diesel with that kind of mileage. A €10k budget would slot you nicely into a 2009 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CDTi (don't worry about the size: it's cheap to tax). It's ood to drive, massively spacious, economical and reliable.
There are also some Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDIs and Toyota Auris 1.4 D-4Ds around for this budget that are well worth looking at.
Do I need to change my Mondeo's timing belt?
Hi,
Our 2007 Ford Mondeo 2007 just passed its NCT, had a service, got a new battery etc. Just wondering (as I do not have a notion!) when I may need to get timing belt replaced? Seen a similar reply on a Mondeo but unsure if it is the same with our 07 saloon model.
Thanks,
Karen
KAREN MARIA O'MALLEY (DUBLIN 13)Oct 2015 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Karen,
You've not mentioned the engine size, but assuming it's either the 1.8- or 2.2-litre TDCi diesel then the timing belt should be changed every 125,000 miles (just over 200,000km) or every 10 years.
Do all diesel cars require AdBlue topping up?
Regarding your comment in the Audi A4 review that "all diesel A4s have a 12-litre AdBlue tank that will require topping up between services; the car warns you 1,600km before it runs dry". I presume a similar feature will apply to other marques. How much roughly do you think it will cost to get it topped up, and what would happen if it's not topped up? Will the engine refuse to run or will it damage the engine (as well as the environment)?
Thanks
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Oct 2015 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
Not all marques and not all models use AdBlue as yet. AdBlue is a urea solution that can be injected into he exhausts of diesel cars to neutralise a significant proportion of their emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) - very much in the news at the moment of course. The rule of thumb is generally only that larger, more powerful engines need an AdBlue treatment system as many smaller engines don't need the assistance. Each manufacturer, and indeed each individual engine, will have its recommended AdBlue top-up times, and it will be directly related both to mileage and how much acceleration the car has been doing. You can top up the AdBlue tank yourself - a 1.5-litre refill should cost around €11-12.
Are newer Volkswagens free of the 'defeat device'?
Are new generation Volkswagen diesels free of "defeat device" software? I heard a radio report saying that the newer engines may have a similar device to the one fitted to the EA189 engines
Gary Murray (Dublin)Oct 2015 Filed under: recall
Expert answer
Hi Gary,
Volkswagen has confirmed that, following investigations, the EA288 engines, designed for EU5 and EU6 compliance, are not affected by the scandal surrounding the EA186 engines. In other words, the current Volkswagen diesel engines are fine and have been given a clean bill of health. If you've any lingering doubts over a car that you own, go to http://www.campaigncheck.ie and enter your reg number.