Is a pick-up with seats a commercial vehicle?
Is a pick-up with seats in the back considered a commercial vehicle?
Joe Healy (Cork)Sep 2018 Filed under: pick-up
Expert answer
Hi Joe,
Assuming you mean a crew cab design with the seats separate to the load bay, then yes that would be considered a commercial vehicle. Note, though, that a vehicle such as that, registered and taxed as a commercial vehicle, cannot be used for any private reasons whatsoever.
Which seven-seat SUV won't break the bank?
Am looking for a seven-seater that has three ISOFIX points in the middle seats and has either four-wheel drive or assist. And that won't break the bank. Am coming up short on anything that's not mega expensive.
Nial Tully (Co. Roscommon)Aug 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Niall,
Have you tried a new-shape Peugeot 5008? That has three ISOFIX points across the middle row of seats, and while there’s not a four-wheel-drive option, you can get them with Peugeot’s clever adjustable traction control system. Prices start at under €30,000 for a new one, and used models are obviously a good bit less than that.
Is the Ford C-Max a wise investment?
Thinking of changing my 2010 Ford Focus Style 1.6 TDCi hatchback for a 2012/2013 Ford Focus hatchback of similar engine size. Or maybe a Ford Focus C-Max of similar age. Any advice on what would be best? Wondering about selling on the C-Max in a few years - is there much demand for them with the wide variety of SUV/crossover vehicles available now?
Fiona O'Rourke (Cork )Aug 2018 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Fiona,
A C-Max would possibly not be a great plan — demand for MPVs is definitely on the way down as people make the switch to SUVs. I think a regular Focus could well be the better bet — unless you need seven seats, it’s not that much less practical, and it will definitely be easier to sell on again later.
Which family car for €25-30k? An A6 Avant?
My budget is €25-30k for a family car (we have three kids). Considering a 2014-15 Audi A6 Avant. I keep cars for a long time, planning at least 5-8 years. Current mileage is very low (10,000km a year). What other cars would you consider - based on my desire for an A6? Is paying over the odds for a diesel sheer lunacy based on my mileage, and considering that diesels MAY be worthless by the time I go to trade in?
Andy FitzPat (Cork )Jul 2018 Filed under: family car
Expert answer
Hi Andy,
While I don’t think a diesel car is going to be worthless by the time you trade it in, it might well be worth less, if you see the distinction. That said, with your mileage, I’d say you should be looking at petrol or hybrid all the way. A 2.0 TFSI A6 Avant sounds ideal if you can find one and assuming that you’re already happy that all three kids can fit safely and comfortably in the back. A BMW 520i Touring would be the most obvious alternative (and a darned fine one at that) and a Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate even better again (assuming you can find one with a petrol engine) and you can find them with seven seats. Volvo’s old-shape V70 is also worth a look, not least from the safety point of view. That said, make absolutely sure you check out a current-shape Skoda Superb Combi estate too — they’re actually roomier inside than any of the premium-badge stuff, and very comfortable too.
Looking at maybe a new petrol SUV.
Hi,
I'm looking to change my 151 Toyota Corolla 1.4 Luna diesel at the end of this year or early next year. It currently has 93,000km on the clock. About 70 per cent of our driving is on short journeys such as short runs to town of about 10km. Would I be better to stay with diesel or go to petrol? I'm thinking about getting a crossover/SUV, something like a Peugeot 3008, Nissan Qashqai or a Kia Sportage, or would I get better value getting a smaller SEAT Ateca, Suzuki Vitara or Opel Mokka? My children are all adults now and are only around at weekends so our mileage will be decreasing a bit. Any advice would be great.
Thanks
Rob
Roddy McMyler (Kilkenny)Jun 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Roddy,
Well, it sounds definitely as if petrol is the way to go, and as you’ve mentioned the Ateca, that’s a good one to look at. It’s cheaper, by a little, than most of the competition, has an excellent 1.0-litre 115hp turbo petrol engine (don’t be put off by the small engine — it copes just fine) and isn’t ‘smaller’ at all — it’s the same size as the VW Tiguan, thanks to using the same chassis. The same goes for Skoda’s Karoq. A Peugeot 3008 with the 1.2 PureTech petrol engine would also be a good choice, but the Sportage isn't currently offered as a decent small petrol version, so we’d give that a swerve. The Nissan Qashqai comes with a good 1.2 turbo petrol, but doesn’t feel as good to drive in that form as the diesel. The Opel Mokka X is just too old a design and feels well out of date, but actually if you can cope with the smaller size, the Suzuki Vitara’s a good shout — good to drive, good looking and hugely reliable.
Read or reviews for more:
Can I fit electric seats to my Focus?
Hi guys.
I have just purchased a set of black leather seats for my 2009 Ford Focus Zetec model. They came out of a Ford Focus Titanium of the same year. The driver's seat on the Titanium is electric and that in my Zetec is not! Will it be ok re working etc?
Many thanks. Peter.
Peter Tilling (Ruislip, Middx)May 2018 Filed under: seating
Expert answer
Hi Peter,
I think you may have a few issues there, unless you find it's easy to swap the manual adjustment mechanism from your old seats to the new ones. I suspect that won't be a simple task, unfortunately. And you'd need a lot more wiring, etc. to get the electric seats to work.
Looking for an extra-comfy car...
I saw the Skoda Fabia - Toyota Yaris comparison. I am looking for a car with a smooth drive as my dear wife has back problems and feels every bump. Also, do othropedic seats that you place on the car seat help?
Thanks,
Allan
Allan Katz (Tel Aviv - Israel )May 2018 Filed under: comfort
Expert answer
Hi Allan,
Orthopaedic seat covers can help, right enough, but it can be a bit of a process of trial and error, and I’d say the best bet in that instance is to get some advice from your doctor, or your back specialist if you have one. As for cars with the best ride quality, the Yaris is pretty good in that respect (although the heavier hybrid version is perhaps less good), but the best bet is, whatever car you’re going to buy, make sure you go for the smallest possible wheel option, with the largest possible tyre sidewall profile. It’s the secret to a comfy ride.
Ford Mondeo, Skoda Octavia or Opel Insignia?
Hi there,
I commute between Gorey and Dublin 3/4 times a week and am in the process of changing my car. I'm tall (six-two) and appreciate leg and head room... Looking at three cars at the moment (diesel): Mondeo, Octavia or Insignia.
Recommendations?
Andy Long (Gorey)Apr 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Andy,
All three are good cars (and reliable too, with the Octavia at the top of the pile in that respect, the Mondeo second and the Insignia third). The Mondeo is the best to drive, and has the most interior space, but the Octavia actually wouldn’t be far behind, and has good seats. If cabin space is your thing, the Insignia comes off worst — it’s quite small in there, unless you’re talking about the new-shape model, introduced in 2017, which is actually very roomy.
Is there a seven-seat Jeep 1.4?
Does the Jeep 1.4-litre turbo petrol come in seven-seat form?
Josephine Nolan (Kilkee)Apr 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Josephine,
I assume you mean either the Jeep Renegade or brand new Compass model. Neither come with seven seats, I'm afraid. In fact, Jeep doesn't have any seven-seat vehicle on sale in Ireland right now.
Nissan X-Trail or Hyundai ix35?
What would your choice be between a 2014 Nissan x-Trail 1.6 dCi and 2014 Hyundai ix35?
Jacqui Samuels (Pretoria)Mar 2018 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Jacqui,
I think, assuming price to be more or less the same, I’d go for the X-Trail. It’s a bit bigger than the Hyundai, can be had as a seven-seater (not all were, though, so make sure you check) and the 1.6 dCi diesel engine is a sweeter unit than Hyundai’s 1.7. Plus, and I know this is hardly the most important point, I think the X-Trail is nicer looking.