With €11k budget, I'd like a modern small car.
Hi, planning to buy a small hatchback petrol/hybrid car (1.0-1.4-litre) where annual mileage will be approx. 8,000km-10,000km including motorway. Budget is €8,000-€11,000 but looking for a used car with near today level technology, dependable engine and impressive economy. Could you please give me top five models that may fit the bill? I don't mind the make and model but road tax shall not be more than €270.
Thanks in advance
Rory
Rory Rory (Dublin)Jul 2019 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Rory,
OK, the car that most obviously fits your criteria is the Toyota Yaris Hybrid. However, the cheapest one we’ve seen for sale is a 2015 model for €12,995 so that’s a bit over budget and already four years old. A Toyota Auris Hybrid would also seem to fit the bill, but again you’re looking at a much older car to fit your budget — probably a 2012 or 2013 car, so that’s not going to have the modern electronic systems you’re looking for.
I think the best bet might be to go small — like really small. Like Volkswagen Up or Skoda Citigo or SEAT Mii small. You’ll easily find one of those in budget, with a small petrol engine (1.0) and, if you shop around a bit, with the high-tech options you’re looking for.
Skoda Kodiaq: import or buy new?
Hello,
We're thinking of buying a Skoda Kodiaq seven-seat petrol. We have a €10k deposit. We have two options: get a 2017 version from UK for €30k all in or buy a new one on PCP for €37k. Repayments will be the same on a six-year HP vs a three-year PCP, but leaning towards the used option from the UK. Anything we should consider? Is it better to buy new as easier to exchange?
Lee Russell (Dublin)Jun 2019 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Lee,
There’s a lot of weighing up in this, but it’s mostly about the finances. The car will, to all intents and purposes, be identical in either scenario, PCP deals are tempting, because of their low monthly repayments, but don’t forget that they are a lease, not a purchase, so you have to keep the vehicle to an agreed standard and condition, or there will be penalty costs at the end of the three years.
There shouldn’t be any issue in terms of depreciation, but obviously a 2017 car will be worth less than a new car at the end of three years, but then you’ve paid less up front for it in the first place, so it should more or less balance out.
Of course, buying from the UK, you won't be able to trade in your current car, so you'll have to factor in the hassle of selling that yourself.
Looking for a new estate car...
Hi,
I am looking for a new estate car and would like to hear your opinion. I have been driving an Octavia Combi (1.6-litre TDI diesel, Ambition) for the past six years. I do approx. 25,000km per year, not many of those on the motorway. I really like the Skoda but would prefer something with a little more power and spec. I am thinking a 2.0-litre diesel in a high spec and have my eye on a one-to -two-year-old Superb or Passat. Any advice when choosing between those two? Also, I see if I go maybe one year older I could get an Audi A4 Avant. Would the A4 be a better option for comfort/spec over the other two?
Interested to hear your opinion.
Thanks.
M Lowe (Carrick On Shannon)May 2019 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi there,
The A4 would be a little better in terms of comfort, but not in terms of space or practicality, and to be honest the benefits are pretty marginal. Either the Passat or the Superb make fantastic estate cars. The Superb has an edge on luggage capacity (around 60 litres extra), but the Passat is a little sharper to drive, and has arguably a nicer interior. A marginal decision then, but we’d probably go for the Superb on balance. Or, just to throw a spanner in the works, have a look at the excellent Mazda6 Tourer before deciding…
A few reviews to help you decide:
What will I replace my VW Golf R with?
I recently had my 182 VW Golf R stolen. They broke into my home to take the keys, which terrified us all, most especially my kids. Now I need to buy a replacement car. I have no clue what to buy due to the rapidly changing pace of cars from diesel to electric and I cannot hold out until the autumn for the launch of newer cars. What I would like is something no smaller than a Golf, up to any size. It cannot be a flashy car or a targeted car like my Golf R, but not as boring as the typical taxi car either. Believe it or not I would like something as fuel efficient as possible without compromising on build or ride quality. I mainly drive country roads and motorways, with city driving maybe once a week. I find cars like hatchbacks great for getting more stuff in when the seats are down. I would also like the car to keep with the times for the next three years so not diesel.
Hope you can help
Joe Lyons (Dundalk)Apr 2019 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Joe,
I think a good bet here, if you want to buy new, is the new Mazda3 2.0 M-Hybrid. It’s only a mild-hybrid, but it’ll be good on fuel, yet it has decently punchy performance and is really enjoyable and engaging to drive. Looks great too, but not as tempting to the criminal fraternity as a Golf R. If you fancy something with a bit more grunt, but still understated styling, how about a Skoda Octavia RS? Quick and agile, and not too shabby when it comes to economy.
Can I connect a Huawei P8 to my Skoda?
Hi,
I have a 2012 Skoda to which I have Bluetoothed a pre-smartphone Nokia. Recently when I tried to connect a Huawei p8 it did not recognise the device. Is that solutionable?
Thanks
Philip
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Apr 2019 Filed under: Bluetooth
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
Possibly, but it will depend on the software that’s in the Skoda. Given that it’s a 2012 car, it’s probably running Bluetooth generation 4.0, which has since been superseded by generation 5.1, which might explain why the older Nokia connects but not the new Huawei . It’s possible that you might be able to upgrade the software in the car, but I think the first port of call should be to your local Skoda dealer.
Should I change my Skoda Fabia's belt?
I have a 60-plate Skoda Fabia 1.6 TDI, mileage 91k. My garage keeps telling me I should get the cambelt changed. No record of it having a new one fitted before I bought it, when it showed 48k.
Please advise.
Tim Staveley (Grantham)Mar 2019 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Tim,
It doesn't need to be done until 210,000km on the clock - regardless of time.
Used Passat or Skoda Octavia diesel?
I'm debating between a 152 VW Passat Trendline BlueMotion Technology with 133,000km and a 2016 Skoda Octavia 1.6 TDI Ambition DSG model with 80,000km on the clock. Any feeback would be great.
Thanks
Shane
Shane Egan (Galway)Mar 2019 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Shane,
Both are excellent, but in general we’d lean towards the Skoda. Although a slightly smaller car overall, you’re not sacrificing much rear seat space, and you are gaining a bigger and more versatile boot. Our only concern would be to get a very careful history check done, as the Octavia is popular as a taxi, and that’s something to be avoided.
We need a bigger car for our kids...
Hi there!
Having just added to our family a few weeks ago for the second time, my faithful little Opel Astra is stretched to breaking point. My partner is 6ft 6'' and is squeezed into the driving seat and squashed against the car seat behind him and getting fairly fed up. We have been looking for something with a bit more room but we are really struggling. Any advice on what cars are best for tall drivers and rearward facing car seats?
Chris
Chris McGrath (Mayo)Mar 2019 Filed under: child or baby seats
Expert answer
Hi Chris,
The answer here is Skoda Superb. Nothing else, at least nothing else affordable, has the sort of rear legroom to truly allow a very tall driver to get comfy in front of a rear-facing infant seat, and the Superb has the kind of massive boot that every parent of two growing kids will truly need. They’re not expensive, either — go for the second-generation or later model (which first launched in 2009, although the current version, launched in 2015 is nicer still) and you’ll be onto a winner, just make sure to get one with a full and comprehensive history and make sure that it’s not been previously used as a taxi (many have). Even better — get the Combi estate for maximum practicality.
Looking for a spacious family car...
Looking for recommendations for a family car for a two-year old and a newborn. Petrol, good legroom and boot size, affordable and doesn't feel 'huge' to drive or difficult to park. Already checked out Skoda Octavia and Nissan Qashqai so any advice on these? We weren't looking to buy a brand new car but they both seem to have good scrappage deals...
Orla Greaney (Dublin)Mar 2019 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Orla,
Get the Skoda. Trust me, as the father of two growing boys a Qashqai is just not big enough inside. The Octavia, on the other hand, has lots of rear legroom (crucial for people in rear-facing child seats or boosters) and a massive boot, especially if you go for the very practical Combi estate version. If you’re looking for other alternatives, stick within the mid-size estate market — they’re much more practical for families than a compact SUV, and usually cheaper too run too. Oh, and they’re not much bigger than the hatchbacks they’re based on, so parking etc. is still a doddle.
Good alternatives to the Skoda are the Ford Focus Estate, the Kia Ceed Sportswagon, the Hyundai i30 Tourer and the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports. Click on those links to read our reviews of each.
Hyundai Santa Fe vs. Skoda Kodiaq 4x4?
Hi.
Could I ask you to do a comparison between the Skoda Kodiaq and new Hyundai Santa Fe in 4x4 format, please?
Thanks
Philip
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Feb 2019 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
Well, the first thing to note is that with four-wheel drive, both models will be quite a bit thirstier on fuel than if you went for the more basic front-wheel-drive models. In terms of making a direct comparison of the Kodiaq and Santa Fe, that’s actually kind of tricky as they sit at very different price points. You can pick up a basic Kodiaq for €32,495 while a new Santa Fe starts at €42,745. The Skoda is a really nice car — handsome, roomy and good to drive, but its cabin can feel a little bit plain at times, unless you spend a lot of money on optional extras. The Hyundai looks and feels rather more luxurious, as befits its price, and it feels more of a premium product. Both, in seven-seat form, suffer from the usual SUV problem of the third row seats not really being big enough, either for adults or for small kids in bulky safety seats. If it’s value you’re after, then the Skoda is the obvious choice, but if you fancy something that can take on the German premium brands, at a slightly lower price, then it’s worth looking at the Hyundai. Both should be very reliable in the long term, incidentally.