Difference between the Skoda Fabia trims?
What is the difference between the Skoda Fabia Style and the Skoda Fabia Ambition?
Ben Jackson (LIMERICK)Nov 2019 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Ben,
Ambition is the Skoda Fabia’s mid-level trim, one up from a basic Active. Prices for the cheapest Fabia Ambition start at €17,000 and standard equipment includes 15-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, leather multi-function steering wheel, front and rear electric windows, a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth connection, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, front and rear reading lights and an umbrella stashed under the front passenger seat.
A €19,900 Style upgrades all that with extra toys such as 16-inch alloy wheels, manual air conditioning, rear parking sensors, keyless ignition and entry, automatic headlights, a front centre armrest and height adjustable seats.
How much to tax a commercial Santa Fe?
Can you please tell me how much my tax would be on a Santa Fe 2.0-litre commercial SUV, but with private tax cause I don’t have a VAT number? The car has only two seats.
Naomi Campbell (Tipperary )Oct 2019 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Naomi,
Quick question — are you sure it’s a 2.0-litre? Only most Santa Fes since 2006 have had a 2.2-litre diesel engine. If it is indeed a 2.0-litre, then taxing it as a private vehicle will set you back €710. If it does turn out to have a 2.2 then that’s going to be €951.
Which Ford Kuga has heated leather seats?
Which Ford Kuga model has heated leather seats?
Catherine Stanley (Mallow)Oct 2019 Filed under: optional extras
Expert answer
Hi Catherine,
At the moment, the only Kuga model with standard-fit heated seats is the top-spec Vignale model, but you can have them on a Titanium or ST-Line version by simply ticking the box for the Winter Pack option, which also comes with a ‘Quickclear’ heated windscreen, heated washer jets and a heated steering wheel, for €450.
Are the Qashqai bumpers the same?
Can a 2012 Nissan Qashqai+2 use the bumper off a five-seat Nissan Qashqai?
Chris Mcdonagh (Roscommon)Sep 2019 Filed under: bodywork
Expert answer
Hi Chris,
The front bumpers should be interchangeable (though you may find differences in style), but the rear bumpers are completely different.
Why it my Ford Kuga's tax so high?
I've a 2011 Ford Kuga with back seats; tax is €580 a year; is it because it came from the UK?
Cheers
David Devine (Skerries)Sep 2019 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi David,
Nope, not because it comes from the UK, but because it’s the four-wheel-drive version. The extra weight and friction of the four-wheel-drive system pushes the Kuga’s CO2 level up to 159g/km, and that incurs a €570 per annum motor tax charge.
Can child seats touch each other safely?
Hi,
We are currently trying to fit three car seats in the back of a Ford Mondeo; we can fit a rear facing infant seat on a base (belted not ISOFIX), a slim high back booster non harnessed and a forward facing harnessed slim type high back booster. Only issue is they are all touching and whilst I have room to put my hand between the two boosters to buckle and unbuckle my eldest, I have had conflicting advice. Some people say it's not safe for the seats to be touching, others say once you have room to put your hand between to buckle and unbuckle it is safe, but in reality unless I move up to an SUV, any seats you fit three across in a family-sized car are going to touch off one another.
I would love to hear any advice or research to say whether it is safe or not to have them touching (mainly in regards to side car impact).
Thank you
Mary
Mary McSweeney (Skerries)Sep 2019 Filed under: child or baby seats
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
No, you don’t need to be worried if the seat sides are touching or rubbing together. After all, as the car leans over in corners, the seats will lean too and rub in different ways, so it’s not really an issue. As long as you can safely reach the seatbelt release in an emergency, and as long as the seatbelts are fitting properly across everyone’s shoulders, you should be fine. And of course that there's no danger of one seat pushing the release button for another.
What are the new BMW 330e seats like?
Hi there.
I'm interested in the new BMW 330e plug-in hybrid. I test drove the older version and found the sports seats very cramped (as I'm a big lad!). Have you any info on the G20 sports seats? Have they been improved/made bigger?
Austin Molloy (Dublin)Aug 2019 Filed under: seating
Expert answer
Hi Austin,
So far, we’ve only test-driven the BMW 330e in one specification — M Sport, which does include sports seats. Now, I’m a fairly chunky guy myself (38-inch waist, bigger tummy, 44-inch chest) and I didn’t notice the seats being especially tight. For reference, I find the bucket seats in the Ford Fiesta ST WAY too tight across the back and thighs. You could always get one that’s not M Sport — Sport spec on the 3 Series is a good half-way house between the basic SE versions and the M Sport models, and comes with seats that are not too heavily bolstered.
Which head-turning SUV to go for?
Selfishly, I would like a head-turning vehicle, that's a comfortable ride and stylish. Unselfishly, I need to consider older parents that can get into the vehicle fairly easily and be comfortable in the back. Prepared to pay for the luxury but looking for right choice. Don't drive many miles a year, with a mix of motorway and urban. Petrol or hybrid seems sensible option. Have looked at SUVs briefly including Macan and Maserati, but not sure these are best buys? Looking for recommendations for a nice sized vehicle for up to four people.
Michelle Morgan (Bromley)Aug 2019 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Michelle,
Well, a Porsche Macan or Maserati Levante would certainly be fun choices, but possibly not the best from the point of view of your parents… One potentially very good option could be the Volvo XC60 T8 Polestar — a plug-in hybrid with serious performance and excellent handing, but loads of space in the back and really comfy seats. Audi’s new SQ5 diesel is another good choice (really comfy and plenty roomy), as would be the mighty V8 diesel Audi SQ7. To be honest, though, if you want to spend big on a luxurious SUV that’s also fun to drive, it’s pretty hard to look past a Range Rover...
A little reading to help you decide:
Difference between these SEAT Tarracos?
What is the difference between the SEAT Tarraco XCellence and the XCellence Lux besides the price?
Thank you
Mat Monteith (Warrington)Aug 2019 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mat,
The Tarraco XCellence Lux isn’t actually officially offered in Ireland, but it is available in the UK. It’s basically an XCellence with 20-inch wheels, leather sports seats, electric seat adjustment, ’top view’ parking camera and a winter pack with heated front and rear seats and headlamp washers.
Looking for family car for about €17,000...
Looking to buy a five-seat family car with a budget of around €17k. The car will be used mostly for short journey commutes with some long journeys. Currently have 2004 SEAT Alhambra 1.9 TDI. Do about 12 to 13k a year so looking for something reliable and fairly roomy.
Leo OHara (Galway)Aug 2019 Filed under: family car
Expert answer
Hi Leo,
It kind of depends on how big your kids are and what kind of car seats they need. If you need three individual seats in the back, I’d recommend something like a VW Golf SV or a similar mid-size MPV. Or you could go for another Alhambra of course — it’s a great car.
I’m assuming you want a change from the Alhambra though, and, MPVs in general, so how about a medium-sized estate? Lots of space, roomy back seat, but smoother and more agile to drive, with better fuel economy. How about a Skoda Superb Combi? Vast boot, massive back seat for packing the kids in and one of the nicest cars on the road.