Is there Isofix in the back of Qashqai+2?
Hi, can you tell me how many Isofix points there are on the Nissan Qashqai+2? Nowhere on the internet can tell me if there are Isofix points in the very back two seats.
Thanks
Dave
David Cronin (Cork)Jul 2016 Filed under: child or baby seats
Expert answer
Hi Dave,
No, there aren't Isofix points for the folding third row seats. The Qashqai+2 only has Isofix for the outer two rear seats in the middle row.
Where do I find slim booster child seats?
Hi folks,
I have a 2016 Skoda Superb and three children (five, three and a four-month old). Can you recommend or know of any very slim high back booster seats that will fit beside each other for the five-year old and three-year old please?
Kind regards,
Catherine Cavanagh
Catherine Cavanagh (Dundalk)Jul 2016 Filed under: child or baby seats
Expert answer
Hi Catherine,
Try having a browse in Halfords or Mothercare. They generally have the widest range of child seats and should be able to help you out.
I'm tempted by a new MPV for under €30,000.
Hi guys,
I am looking to replace my Renault Scenic automatic (06). I do about 10,000 miles a year. I know I am probably going to get a very low trade in for a car this age... Do I buy a new car and get a decent €3,000 or €3,500 trade in allowance? (If it's new it needs to be under €30,000) Or do I buy a second hand car?
Ideally I would like a seven-seater (I wouldn't rule out a five-seater just yet). If it is used I do not want anything older than 2013. the most important factor is reliability, as this next car needs to do me at least 10 years, and be very economical (in terms of fuel consumption and tax). It needs to be a manual car, too - I have an automatic at the moment, but I want to revert back to a manual transmission.
I am looking at the Ford Grand C-Max or the Toyota Verso. Which of these is more reliable? Should I be looking at anything else (not French ideally; I will not buy any other French car I think - I have owned three and had nothing but trouble)? I am also tempted to get a hybrid but for a people carrier does it even exist and what type of cost?
Thanks
Lurdes Power (Greater Dublin Area)Jul 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Lurdes,
OK, lots to deal with here. Let’s go through it piece by piece. Theoretically, you will always get better value buying second hand than buying new. 'Buy at three, sell at five' (years old) is the rule of thumb to maximise your value and minimise your exposure to depreciation. But, you’ve been burned in the past by unreliable cars (been there, I feel your pain) so I would say that buying new is actually the best thing for you this time around, especially as you want to hold on to the car for an extended period.
Of the two cars you’ve mentioned, the Toyota Verso should be the most reliable. Nothing much wrong with the Ford, but if reliability is your priority then always buy Japanese. Happily, a manual 1.6 diesel Verso seven-seater is just inside your budget, at €29,100 and there is currently a €3,000 trade-in offer on that model, which means you’ll get a lot more for your old Scenic than you would if you traded it in normally.
There is only one hybrid people carrier so far, and that’s the Toyota Prius+, but to be honest, we couldn’t recommend it. For a start, a new one will bust through your €30k budget barrier, but beyond that it’s a disappointing car – far too thirsty unless all of your mileage is done in town at low speeds. The Verso is a far more versatile car.
What SUVs have three Isofix seats?
What SUVs have three Isofix seats in the middle row? Thinking of putting two Maxi Cosi seats in middle and putting buggy in one seat's position if it's down, as I need the back two seats for children ages five and three. Most SUVs won't take buggy in boot space with seven seats in use. Is this idea viable or a non-runner?
Jim Donovan (Mallow)Jun 2016 Filed under: child or baby seats
Expert answer
Hi Jim,
I think unless you’re going to go for a full-size SUV, such as a Land Rover Discovery, Audi Q7 or Volvo XC90, you’re going to struggle to find an SUV with three Isofix points in the back. Even the family-friendly Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe only have two outer seat Isofix mounts in the middle row. I’d suggest having a look at the Ford S-Max or Galaxy, or a SEAT Alhambra. These would seem to be the only cars that have the necessary Isofix points and the boot volume you’re looking for.
Why the different offers for my SEAT Leon?
Went wth the intention or ordering the new Audi A3 Saloon at my local dealership and they quoted me just €11,000 for my 142 SE 1.2 petrol SEAT Leon SC with just 29,500km on the clock! SEAT was offering me €16k for the same car.
What do you think the trade in value should be?
Sean Cotter (Cork)Jun 2016 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Sean,
I'd say your Audi dealer is low-balling you, but perhaps not by that much. Equally, I'd say your SEAT dealer is over-bidding a little to keep you in the brand. Second hand trade in values are never an exact science because it depends as much on what other cars the dealer has on their lot already as on the actual car itself.
Your Leon is a pretty basic one, but that's not necessarily a bad thing and if it were me, I'd probably pitch you between €13,000 and €14,000 as a trade in and that's staying on the safe side. Again though, every dealer's setup and circumstances are different and therefore every trade in offer is different.
What family car to buy?
Hi there.
I am looking for some advice regarding cars that fit three children's car seats in one row across the back. I would like to get a seven-seater, but for ease of use would like to be able to put all the children in one row. Isofix is preferable. I rather SUV-like cars, but obviously my budget might restrict me to a people carrier as I know these are more economical. Can you help? I love the look of the Kia Sorento, but don't know if this fits the three seats in the back.
Thank you!!!
Christine O'Mahony (Cork)May 2016 Filed under: child or baby seats
Expert answer
Hi Christine,
The Kia Sorento should fit three seats across the back, but you should always take along your seats (and preferably your kids too) on the test drive to make sure everything and everyone fits in nicely. Cracking car that Sorento - other good options are the Hyundai Santa Fe or Land Rover Discovery Sport. If you need to go for an MPV the Ford S-Max, SEAT Alhambra or Opel Zafira Tourer are your best bets, but it's worth considering the Volkswagen Touran too - not quite so roomy, but cheaper to run and very pleasant to drive.
Here are our relevant reviews:
What are 2008 Hyundai Santa Fes like?
What are 2008 Hyundai Santa Fes like? We need a seven-seater as we have four young kids. Is the automatic ok?
Garry OSullivan (Skibbereen )May 2016 Filed under: family car
Expert answer
Hi Garry,
It’s a really good car – reliable, roomy and not at all bad to drive. You just need to watch a couple of things – the stereo system can go a bit haywire from time to time (not recognising radio stations, or spitting out CDs, that kind of thing), the third row seats are pretty tight and quite small and the automatic gearbox, although fine to drive, does significantly drive the CO2 emissions rating up, so check and make sure you can afford the annual motor tax first.
What'll I buy as my first car, for €10,000?
Hi folks,
I'll be buying my first car in a few weeks. Ideally I'd like to find something under €10,000. Just something reliable to get me to and from work, preferably in a low tax band and will keep insurance costs as low as possible (22-year old male). Any advice?
Also, if I'm paying in cash can I expect to get a discount on the asking price in a dealership? If so, roughly what percentage could I hope for?
Thanks in advance, Rob
Rob Henry (Dublin)May 2016 Filed under: learner
Expert answer
Hi Rob,
Well, as far as discounts go, most dealers operate on about an eight per cent margin, so if you're asking for more than a seven per cent discount you're asking for a below cost price. You should get a decent discount for cash right enough, but explore the credit options too - dealers often get bonuses for selling a credit plan so if you can get a good one (at zero per cent interest obviously) and pay it off from your lump sum, it may give the dealer a bit more wiggle room for a discount.
As for the model, with a starter car and the current cost of insurance you need to be looking at no more than a 1.0-litre engine. Happily your budget will easily get you into a Volkswagen up! 1.0, one of the best small cars around (or equally you could go for a mechanically identical SEAT Mii or Skoda Citigo). Can't go wrong really, although if you're looking for other options you could try an Opel Karl (plain but decent), a Renault Twingo (fun but not as well made as the up!) or the Fiat 500 TwinAir (fabulous car, but get an insurance quote first).
Here are reviews of all of those to help you decide:
Which compact MPV suits us best?
Hi,
My wife, daughter Daisy (four years old) and myself are thinking of updating our 2005 Ford Focus C-Max 1.6 with 105,000km in the next few months. We recently test drove a 2012 C-Max 1.6 diesel Titanium with about 40,000km on the clock. It was a nice car at €17,500 with a €2,000 trade in for our own so really €15,500. I said we were paying cash, but we could not get more discount. Do you think that’s a fair offer or do you think I could haggle more, as most websites say Ford will barter with you?
Second question. The Ford B-Max seems to be cheaper than the C-Max. Apart from the sliding doors and height of the cabin on the B-Max, is there any other difference? To a layman they both offer the same inside and out. I have read and seen reviews for both cars and there are no major negatives there.
Third Question. We are thinking of trading up and not spending more than €15,000. What is the best option realistically for us in your opinion? Should we consider a different vehicle altogether? We like the higher ride in these cars because it's easier for both adult and child to get in.
Regards,
Ben O’Connor
Ben O Connor (Dundrum, Dublin)Apr 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Ben,
Well, you can always haggle more and if the dealer isn’t budging, then simply shop around. There are plenty of examples of the C-Max out there to choose from, so don’t get hung up on just the one car if you feel like you’re not getting a good deal. While that does seem like a fair enough price, €17k is top end for a 2012 C-Max, so it had better (a) be perfect, (b) have a full service history and (c) come with a decent warranty.
As for the B-Max, yes there’s quite a big difference. The B-Maxis based on the Fiesta, the C-Max on the Focus so you can see from just that fact that the levels of space on the inside and in the boot are significantly different. Plus the C-Max is a far more comfortable car on a long journey than the B-Max, which can also be sluggish to drive as those sliding doors are actually pretty heavy for such a small car.
As for other cars worth looking at (and I’m assuming you mean against the five-seat C-Max, not the seven-seat Grand C-Max), the Volkswagen Golf Plus offers lots of space and plenty of comfort, as does the five-seat version of the Citroen C4 Picasso.
Here are a few reviews to help you decide:
Which cars are best for comfort?
Hi,
Can you tell me which SUVs offer a driver's/seating position most like a standard car's? My wife and I currently both use her Opel Zafira and I find the seating position very upright and uncomfortable as the seats will not move back far enough. Effectively it means I have to lift my feet completely to operate the pedals instead of just pivoting on my heels as with a more reclined position. I have recently had a hip replaced and the other one is painful if I drive any reasonable distance.
We test drove a secondhand C-Class Estate and I wanted to buy it but she finds the seating position very cramped (in particular did not like the large console between the seats). We sat in a Honda CR-V after and she much preferred the space and lack of clutter between the seats but I found the seating position uncomfortable. Essentially we are looking for something that has the high ceiling, big windscreen and lack of clutter of most SUVs/MPVs, but with a seating position that gives good enough leg room for somebody over six-foot like me to pivot my feet on my heels rather than having to lift them to operate the pedals. Maybe we need two cars, which is a waste given we are city dwellers and do very small annual mileage between us.
Thanks
Kevin
Kevin McCormack (Dublin 8)Apr 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Kevin,
That’s almost an impossible question for me to answer I’m afraid as, as you’ve pointed out, a car that many might consider comfortable and pleasant (the Honda CR-V) is uncomfortable for you. Mind you, you’re right about the C-Class Estate being small inside – it was never the biggest car around.