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I need a huge car for my dogs and kids please!

Hi,

I'm looking for a recommendation. I have six big dogs (four labradors, two St Bernard) that need to fit in. A van is no good as I need seats for my two kids too. Currently driving an old Volvo 740 estate, but is getting too old/problematic now. Budget of max €15,000, fuel efficient diesel preferred as I average 700km a week. Two of the dogs are getting old so high up (off roaders) not really suitable. New Volvo V70 just not big enough.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Jennifer Rafter

Jennifer Rafter (Dublin 16)

Aug 2016 Filed under: family car

Expert answer

Hi Jennifer,

You could try a Skoda Superb Combi, but I think that many big dogs would overwhelm even that car’s massive boot. Perhaps you need to go down the road of a van-based MPV. Maybe try a Citroen Berlingo or Volkswagen Caddy Life? Seats for the kids and (hopefully) enough space for the dogs, plus their tailgates aren’t too high off the ground so the older dogs shouldn’t have too much trouble getting in and out.


Best seven-seater for around €15,000?

What is the best seven-seat car priced around €15,000? We have four children, aged 12, 5, 3 and 2. The car needs to be diesel as we have a long distance drive to work. Also need it to be in a low tax bracket, have a roomy boot, good solid engine and be sturdy on the road.

Olga Coss (mullins) (Portlaoise )

Aug 2016 Filed under: family car

Expert answer

Hi Olga,

The best two to choose from are the Ford S-Max and the Opel Zafira Tourer. Both should be big enough inside for your needs, and they certainly hit the remaining criteria pretty well. Cars like the Volkswagen Touran and Toyota Verso are also good, but they tend to be too small in the third row of seats for regular use.


Do you know the price of new Skoda Kodiaq?

Do you know the price of new Skoda Kodiaq?

Dana Batt (Ballinrobe)

Aug 2016 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Dana,

No, not yet – it won’t be fully revealed to the public until 1st of September, and it will be some time after that before Irish prices and specs are worked out. However, we can infer from some of its rivals how expensive it might be. The primary cars that it will be going up against will be the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe, both of which have prices that start at €38-39k, and also the Nissan X-Trail, which, in seven-seat form, starts at €37k. So around the €37k mark might be a sensible bet.

That said, the new Volkswagen Tiguan, on which the Kodiaq is based, mechanically, starts at just under €30k, and there will be a seven-seat version of that soon too, so Skoda will have to carefully balance its prices to make sure that it’s a little, but not too much, cheaper than the seven-seat Tiguan. Complicated, isn’t it? I reckon somewhere between the €35,000 and €37,000 marks would be a reasonable guess as to the Kodiaq’s starting price.


New Opel Insignia or Ford Mondeo?

Which is the better car, the new Opel Insignia SE or the 2017 Ford Mondeo? We are considering changing our 2007 Opel and both of us are in our 60s so need a good comfortable car that will last us and trouble free. Budget maximum €32,000.

Bridie

Bridie Dollard (Portlaois)

Aug 2016 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Bridie,

I’d be tempted to go with the Insignia. It’s an older design than the current Mondeo but it has good build quality, is very smooth and good to drive and, crucially for those of us getting on in life a bit, has really excellent seats.


Best seven-seat diesel SUV right now?

What is the best seven-seat SUV with a 2.0-litre diesel engine?

Anthony Crean (Gorey)

Aug 2016 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Anthony,

Well, the best is actually a 2.2-litre; it’s the current model of the Kia Sorento. It's big, comfy, roomy, easy-going and pleasant to drive. Very American in feel actually, and we mean that in the best sense possible.


With up to €5,000 to spend, what will I get?

Hi,  I'm starting a new job and will be travelling about 700km per week. I have €3-5k to spend and really need to keep costs down in relation to fuel costs. What would you recommend?

Thanks

Chris Dunne (Westmeath)

Aug 2016 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Chris,

You’re going to need something comfortable as well, doing that kind of mileage, so I’d suggest a MINI One D. There are a few around at your budget,  they’re exceptionally frugal, have good seats and are fun to drive into the bargain.


How much is a Peugeot 307 estate worth?

Hello,

Thinking of selling my car but price on the websites vary quite a lot for a similar car so finding difficult to see which price to ask. It is a red Peugeot 307 estate (five seater) diesel with 74,000 miles on the clock and in very good condition, with full service history and NCT until August 2017.

Thanks for your help

Asier Pagaza (Trim)

Aug 2016 Filed under: used car values

Expert answer

Hi Asier,

It would of course depend on the year, which you haven’t given us I’m afraid, but the ballpark runs from €1,400 for a 2004 model to around €6,000 for a 2008 model. 


Which comfy car for a retired couple in Tralee?

We are a retired couple, 70 and 68 living in Tralee Co. Kerry and in need of a new car.

Our 16-year-old Toyota Corolla is coming to the end of its trouble free life; the choice of a Toyota was decreed by circumstance, we bought it new, found it a bit 'light' and would like a 'heavier' car with firm and comfortable seating. Can you recommend something?

Please do not recommend a new Volkswagen; to buy one we would need to buy it from the sole Volkswagen dealer in Kerry and after our terrible experience with this dealer we would never, ever buy a car from that dealer again.

Our budget would be about €18,000/20,000, non diesel as we do not do enough driving to justify a diesel car. Can you recommend models of cars we should consider?

With thanks and good wishes

Yours sincerely

Mary G. Johnson

Mary G. Johnson Johnson (Tralee. Co. Kerry)

Jul 2016 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Mary,

Have you considered a Ford Focus? I’m not sure what the situation is in your area with dealers etc, but a Focus has terrific steering – firmly weighted, direct and full of feedback and feel, and it’s also comfortable and well made (although, as a bad-back sufferer myself I would always suggest as lengthy a test drive as possible to make sure you find the seats a good shape). Quality and reliability are also good, if not quite up to Toyota levels. Your budget should get you into a year-old, maybe 18-month-old model and the 1.0-litre turbocharged EcoBoost petrol engine should make for an ideal option for you.


Thoughts on the Land Rover Discovery?

What is your view of the Land Rover Discovery?

Nick Strong (Glin)

Jul 2016 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Nick,

A genuinely remarkable vehicle. Seats for seven (and seven fully grown adults at that) and with the sort of on-road refinement and comfort you'd need a Mercedes-Benz E-Class to better. Yet it can get into and out of remote, rocky, boggy, muddy, snowy places in a manner that occasionally boggles the mind. Yes it's big, heavy and thirsty and it rolls a lot in corners, but it's a truly great car. Reliability is the only Achilles'  heel. It's much better now than it used to be, but older models still suffer from gearbox, electrical  and suspension issues. 


A classy car that'll fit in three child seats?

Hi,

I want to fit three car seats (3.5-year-old twins and 1.5-year-old) into the back of a new used car. Estate type of car only - no people carriers! I'm looking at Audi Avants, BMW 5 Series, Volvo V60s - can these fit three car seats in the back? Also am I missing any other make of car with similar class that will last me 10 years+ that will fit the three rug rats?!

Thank you in advance :)

Twins Rule Mac (Cork)

Jul 2016 Filed under: child or baby seats

Expert answer

Hi Valerie,

The problem is that you’re going to struggle in a premium-brand car to find the sort of rear-seat width that you need. The sad fact is that most sporty, expensive estates are designed around four passengers and the middle rear seat is usually an uncomfortable perch that’s often too narrow to comfortabley fit a car seat into.

So, I’d suggest you broaden your remit a little. Of the premium cars, realistically only the Volvo V70 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class are going to offer the kind of cabin space you need. If those are too expensive, look instead to the more workaday brands – Ford  Mondeo, Volkswagen Passat, Toyota Avensis, Mazda6 and Peugeot 508. You may not get the premium badge you crave, but you’ll get the interior room you need and at a much lower cost.


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