When will the Volkswagen T-Cross arrive?
Hi, I saw a picture of a T-Cross Breeze at the Geneva Motor Show, a convertible version, which I believe is based on the Volkswagen Polo platform. Have you any idea when either the hard top or soft top version might become available?
Cheers and thanks
P
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Mar 2016 Filed under: future cars
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
Volkswagen has made no announcement as yet, but we are expecting a new Polo-sized SUV to appear on sale in 2017 at some stage. I really doubt there'll be a three-door or open-topped version though.
I need a new car to accommodate my mum.
Hi,
I'm planning on buying a new car to accommodate my elderly mother. She has arthritis in her knees and has limited mobility in her lower limbs. She's 5'5" and uses two sticks, but I also need room for a wheelchair. I originally thought a higher car, e.g. an SUV, but they are too high for her. I'd appreciate any advice or car recommendations.
Regards
Orla Curran
Orla Curran (Galway )Feb 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Orla,
I think your best bet could be to go for a small van-based MPV, such as the Citroen Berlingo or a Volkswagen Caddy Life. They have seating positions that are a bit higher, but not so high as to need to climb up, and there will be plenty of room in the back for a wheelchair. In fact many have been converted with wheelchair ramps and lifts in the back, which may be of some use.
Hope that helps and all the best to your mum.
What new petrol SUVs cost less than €40k?
I hope to change my Kia Sportage soon. I do less than 10,000 kilometres a year so I may go for petrol and an automatic. Give us some SUV options south of €40k.
Thanks
Eamonn
Eamonn McAndrew (Mayo)Feb 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Eamonn,
Auto petrol SUVs are hard to find in most manufacturers' ranges, but there are a few you can have a look at - Skoda Yeti 1.2 TSI DSG, Nissan Qashqai 1.2 DIG CVT or Volkswagen Tiguan 1.4 TSI DSG, for example. All frugal, good to drive and well under €40k even with options.
What cars can fit three child seats in the back?
What cars/SUVs can fit three child seats across the back?
Oonagh Mangan (Innishannon, Co Cork)Feb 2016 Filed under: child or baby seats
Expert answer
Hi Oonagh,
Not many; you really need to be looking at MPVs such as the Volkswagen Touran and Toyota Verso, or the Ford S-Max or SEAT Alhmabra if you fancy something bigger. That said, the recently introduced Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage are just about wide enough, but it depends on what seats you're using. Also, larger seven-seat 4x4s such as the Volvo XC90 and Land Rover Discovery will take three-abreast, but they're expensive to buy.
Is the Mercedes-Benz M-Class a good buy?
I'm a retired driver with full no claims insurance bonus. I'm looking for a reliable, comfortable and high end car or SUV with about 100,000 miles on the clock plus room for golf clubs and a folding trolley in the boot. I like SUVs because I'm finding it increasingly difficult to get out of cars that are lower on the road (have an older E -Class Merc at the moment). A car that would still look well in about five years' time appeals to me. Can you please advise if a 2007 Mercedes-Benz ML 280 would be a good buy?
David Rafferty (Malahide)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi David,
Yes, that M-Class is a particularly nice one, but there's a couple of things to watch for. Mercs of that era can be electrically fragile so beware of anything with a button or a switch and don't dare buy anything without a full and comprehensive service history.
The other thing to worry about is insurance - next year that car will be 10 years old and you'll get hammered for insurance by pretty much all Irish providers. Not a problem for this year but possibly something to keep in mind.
Is the Dacia Sandero worth looking at?
Could you tell me if a Dacia Sandero is a good car... or should I stick with a Skoda Yeti? I'm looking at an ad on DoneDeal.ie
Thanks
Rose Watson
Rose Watson (Cappoquin)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Rose,
The thing is that they're totally different cars. The Sandero is a small and very, very cheap, hatchback - about the size of a Ford Fiesta, but not as good to drive. It's cheap, cheerful and gets the job done, but that's about it. By contrast, a Skoda Yeti is a crossover SUV, much bigger than a Sandero, with a far larger cabin and boot, and is much better built and nicer to drive. It depends what you need - a cheap runaround? Or something more sophisticated?
Hyundai ix35 or Ford Mondeo Zetec?
Can you please compare the Hyundai ix35 to the Ford Mondeo Zetec? Both diesel 2012.
Tom O'Neill (Cork)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Tom,
Totally different cars so it's quite hard to compare them directly. The ix35 is one of the better crossover SUVs - it's roomy and very nice to drive and hugely reliable too.
The Mondeo was always one of the best large saloons around, and that fourth generation model was a good one - solidly built (although you need to keep an eye out for niggling electrical problems) and really great to drive. Plus, both the cabin and boot are massively spacious, even more so than those of the ix35.
So it depends what your priorities are. Like a high-riding car and fancy something with 4x4 styling? Get the ix35. Not bothered about SUVs but want something truly rewarding to drive? Get the Mondeo.
BMW X3 or Mitsubishi Outlander?
Hello,
I am very interested in buying a diesel 2.0-litre automatic SUV. The two I'm most interested in are the BMW X3 2016 model xDrive and the Mitsubishi Outlander 2016 model. I know the BMW would be faster because it has the higher power output and probably would be better to drive. The thing is though the Outlander has the eight-year warranty and is a lot less expensive. I would wait until the new version of the X3 comes out if I decided to go with that so I probably would have to wait until next year to get one of those. Do you think it would be worth the wait or should I go for the Outlander?
Thanks.
Mary Walsh (Limerick)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
The Outlander is a decent car, and hugely well equipped, not to mention having seven seats. It's fine to drive, and the recent update has brought better refinement and a higher quality cabin.
There's no question though that an X3 would be sophisticated and more engaging to drive, but it's well worth checking out the new and more affordable X1 - it's much improved over its predecessor and almost as spacious as the X3.
The Mitsubishi should beat both in terms of long term reliability though.
Relevant reviews:
Jeep Renegade or Honda HR-V?
Which is better value for money, has the best mpg, reliability and low running costs: A Jeep Renegade or a Honda HR-V? I don't need an off reader or four-wheel drive, but I do live in a rural location up a high boreen and would need the SUV to be able to get me through icy or snowy conditions should they arise.
Thank you
Aryelle
Aryelle Anders (Wicklow)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Aryelle,
It's a slight win for the Jeep as, in basic 1.6 diesel form, it has a €1,000 price advantage over the HR-V. Mind you, we'd expect the Honda to be slightly more economical overall, but the gap won't be huge.
Now, one word of warning - you say you don't want four-wheel drive, but if you're looking to get through those icy and snowy conditions you might need it. In which case the Jeep is your only choice as Honda doesn't offer a 4WD HR-V yet. You'll have to upgrade to the €31,200 Renegade 2.0-litre to get all-wheel drive though.
Relevant reviews:
Which new crossover/SUV to go for?
Hi,
Can you advise on crossovers/mini-SUVs available on the Irish market please?
(A) most economical?
(B) Standard spec vs high spec (including leather seats, parking sensors, cruise control etc)?
(C) Warranty period vs reliability (current driving Kia pro_cee'd nearing end of problem-free seven-year/150k km warranty)
Many thanks,
Adrienne Redmond
Adrienne Redmond (New Ross)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Adrienne,
OK, let me take that section by section...
(A) Most small crossovers use 1.5- or 1.6-litre diesel engines so you're going to average between 40- and 50mpg in any of them. Ignore the official consumption figures - they're not representative of real-world driving.
(B) Standard spec on most will include at least air conditioning and probably Bluetooth, but the items you've listed will push prices up into the €25-30k region.
(C) Kia, Hyundai and Mitsubishi have the best warranties on the market at the moment - seven, five and eight years respectively. Ford, Renault and Peugeot all offer five-year warranties too, while Fiat offers a four-year one. Most others have three-year cover. In terms of reliability, Japanese and Korean brands will almost always beat their European and American competitors.
Of the cars you're looking at, I'd say the strongest contenders are Honda's new HR-V, the Jeep Renegade, the Peugeot 2008 and the Kia Soul. All well worth a look.
Relevant reviews: