Looking for a reliable family car...
We are looking for some good options for a really reliable family car. Nothing too big as parking in the car park my wife works in is a nightmare as it is very tight. We were looking at a 2014 Nissan Qashqai+2, a 2015 Kia cee'd Sportswagon and might look at the Skoda Octavia. Insignia looks good but it's a monster of a size.
The Qashqai+2 seems expensive for a 2014 model. Would it be a waste? We do mileage of about 11k to 12k a year. Are the cars we looked at above the best options or what others would you recommend and best engine to go for? We want a really good boot and rear seat space for young kids with ISOFIX seating.
Thanks
Tomas Best (Dublin)Jan 2018 Filed under: family car
Expert answer
Hi Tomas,
The problem with the Qashqai+2 is that it’s the older model Qashqai, which is nowhere near as sophisticated as the current model. Do you really need the seven seats? If not, then I think that the Kia cee’d Sportswagon is a much better bet — bigger boot than the Qashqai, comfier and better to drive and with that seven-year warranty for peace of mind. A cracking choice.
Also well worth looking at the Octavia Combi and the VW Golf Estate, but make sure you’re going for a petrol engine with that mileage — you won’t need a diesel. Actually, with that in mind, the Toyota Auris Hybrid Sport Tourer estate is also well worth a look. Here are a few reviews to help you decide:
Should I swap my Nissan for a Mercedes?
Hi there,
Thinking of changing my car this year from a Nissan to possibly a Mercedes GLA or B-Class. Are they similar? Can you help me narrow down my decision; should I change or stick with Nissan?
Thanks in advance
Mary Murphy (Clare )Jan 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
Do you mean a Nissan Qashqai? The Mercedes GLA and B-Class are, although mechanically related, really quite different cars. The GLA is a compact crossover, similar in size to the Qashqai, but looking rather like a jacked-up A-Class hatchback. That said, it’s nice to drive, well made and very economical. The GLA 180 petrol or 180d diesel are the best models. The B-Class is a high-roofed five-seat MPV, a rival to the likes of the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, and the Renault Scenic et al. Again, it’s no looker, but it’s not bad to drive, very roomy and again is well-made.
Compared to the Qashqai, they’re both of higher quality in the cabin and slightly sharper to drive, but the GLA is less roomy and the B-Class less stylish (to our eyes). And both will be more expensive to run, as Mercedes servicing costs are higher. Here are some relevant reviews to help you decide, but come back to us again if you need to:
I need a tiny car with a huge boot...
Hi guys, do you have any quick tips on a small enough hatch with a big boot? I need to use split seats to lock a road bike into the car. For security it needs to be in the car for a while. I can just about do it in a Hyundai i10, but it’s a real squeeze. I fold down the bigger seat split, push the passenger seat forward and in it goes but it’s very tricky. Hoping to do the same with something slightly bigger and easier! Tiny hatch with a shiny modern cockpit and a cavern for a boot anyone?
Cheers!
Richie
Richie Daly (Waterford)Jan 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Richie,
Not often we get a question with such a straightforward answer, but in this case it’s easy: get a Skoda Fabia Combi. It has a massive 530-litre boot (expanding to 1,395 litres when you fold the seats), but is still pretty compact on the outside. Plus the cabin is classy and comfy and it’s perfectly nice to drive. Your budget won’t quite stretch to a new one, but a year-to-18-month one should be well inside your reach.
Which SEAT Aronas have parking sensors?
Please advise as to which SEAT Arona models have rear parking sensors as standard.
Louis O' Sullivan (Cork)Dec 2017 Filed under: parking
Expert answer
Hi Louis,
A ‘Vision Pack’, which includes front and rear parking sensors, is optionally available on the SE model Arona, while the Vision Plus Plack, which includes a rear view camera, is also optional on the SE, and standard on the Xcellence and the FR.
We need a reliable family car for two kids...
Hi there,
We are starting to look for a good reliable family car suitable for two young children as our journeys now require a lot more space for everything. I know the estates are probably the most practical, but not our preferred choice so if possible could you recommend more compact options with the best interior space?
We were considering the following: Nissan Quashqai - which is best spec? Renault Kadjar - is it reliable however? Skoda Octavia? Any options from Toyota or Hyundai? Reliability is very important. Your thoughts on the above would be really appreciated.
I also note that most, the Kadjar in particular, are available mostly in diesel. Our mileage is probably around 15,000km a year. Would we be ok with a diesel option?
Many thanks
Mark Yeates (Cork)Dec 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
Yes, estates are definitely the most practical, and generally offer a lower purchase price and lower running costs than an equivalent SUV or crossover. They tend to have bigger boots, too. The best Qashqai spec is generally SV or SVE, which come with the touchscreen, air conditioning and some other nice toys. The Kadjar is essentially mechanically identical to the Qashqai, so should be fine from a reliability front.
The Skoda Octavia Combi estate would probably be the best overall bet for you. The rear seats and boot are massive and very kid-friendly, and they’re reliable. With your mileage, you’re probably better off with a petrol engine, so go for a 1.2 TSI for the best overall value.
It’s well worth looking at a Toyota Auris Estate too — it's huge inside and virtually unbreakable. Worth considering the hybrid as well. Hyundai is also well worth a look. The Tucson makes a good SUV option, and the i40 Tourer estate is a terrific car, but you’ll struggle to find anything other than a diesel. Here are a few reviews for further reading:
Can I get leather on a new Toyota C-HR?
I have asked my Toyota dealer if I can order the leather seats for my 2018 C-HR 1.2 Luna Sports and he said it doesn't come with them, ut another garage said yes I can order them no problem, for €1,000. Can l or can't I?
Mark O Shea (Cork)Nov 2017 Filed under: seating
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
We asked Toyota Ireland about this and the explanation appears to be that the leather seats are not set up to be ordered from the factory, though they can be purchased as an aftersales accessory.
Which engine in a 2018 VW Polo?
Can you please explain the engine choice in the new 2018 Volkswagen Polo? Wondering are the naturally aspirated petrol options 65hp and 75hp only suitable for city driving? I understand the TSI petrol 95hp are only available in automatic, is this true? I do mostly city and country driving with the occasional motorway trip. At the moment I drive a 1.4 diesel 75hp Peugeot 207 and want to go for petrol as my yearly mileage is only 6,000 kilometres. Which petrol engine do you think would be the best for me?
Regards,
Catherine
Catherine Connolly (Galway )Nov 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Catherine,
Any info on the TMC Costin?
Hi, have you any information on the TMC Costin?
Stephen Roche (Dublin)Nov 2017 Filed under: classic cars
Expert answer
Hi Stephen,
The TMC Costin was, kind of, Ireland’s Caterham. Built by the Thompson Motor Company, (hence TMC) in Wexford (established by brothers Sean and Anthony) it was a small, light, two-seat sports car very much in the mould of the Lotus, later Caterham, 7.
The body was designed for TMC by legendary aerodynamicist Frank Costin (hence the name) and it was usually powered by a 1.6 Ford Crossflow engine (or a Cosworth BDA if you were feeling brave). Celebrity owners included none other than Stephen Roche of Tour De France (and Calvita cheese!) fame (you're not related, are you?). Around 40 cars were built before the firm went bust in 1987 (although there had been claims of as many as 100 built) and the rights to the chassis design were later sold off to Don Panoz, who later developed the basic chassis into the Panoz roadster.
Which seven-seat SUV would you buy?
Which seven-seat SUV that has low road tax would you buy? I’m thinking of buying new.
Brian O Rourke (Dungarvan)Oct 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Brian,
I’d be very tempted by the new Peugeot 5008, especially the one with the 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol 130hp engine. It’s really roomy, comes with seven seats as standard, is good to drive and even with the petrol engine isn’t too harsh on tax. The Skoda Kodiaq is another very, very good seven-seat SUV, but you do have to pay extra for the extra seats. Kia’s Sorento is a big favourite of ours too, but it’s bigger and pricier and has higher tax than the Peugeot or Skoda. Here are our reviews to help you decide:
Can you suggest a car to suit our needs?
Might be looking for a car that doesn’t exist, but we’re hoping to find something that’s easy for elderly parents to get in and out of; handsome looking; economical (ideally a hybrid); could easily take child seats; reliable; and have all the mod cons - reverse camera, heated seats etc. Can you help?!
Thanks!
Aisling Costelloe (Dublin 7 )Oct 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Aisling,
OK, that’s a very particular set of criteria, and I think realistically only three cars match it — the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, the Toyota C-HR Hybrid and the Kia Niro hybrid. Of those three, I think that it’s the Kia that comes closest to matching your needs, as the RAV4 might actually be a bit too tall for your parents, while the C-HR might be too tight in the back. The Niro’s actually quite a decent car, although totally unexciting to drive. If that doesn’t matter much to you, go check one out. Here are our reviews: