What new petrol SUVs cost less than €40k?
I hope to change my Kia Sportage soon. I do less than 10,000 kilometres a year so I may go for petrol and an automatic. Give us some SUV options south of €40k.
Thanks
Eamonn
Eamonn McAndrew (Mayo)Feb 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Eamonn,
Auto petrol SUVs are hard to find in most manufacturers' ranges, but there are a few you can have a look at - Skoda Yeti 1.2 TSI DSG, Nissan Qashqai 1.2 DIG CVT or Volkswagen Tiguan 1.4 TSI DSG, for example. All frugal, good to drive and well under €40k even with options.
What are the most reliable cars in Ireland?
I would like to know the 50 most reliable and least reliable cars sold in Ireland since 2012.
Brendan Walsh (Oldcastle)Feb 2016 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Brendan,
There is no specific market data for Ireland in this respect. The old rule of thumb still holds true - if you want ultimate reliability, buy a Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Suzuki, Subaru or Mazda. You could probably pretty easily add Kia and Hyundai to that list too now.
The best I can do for you is to point you towards the results of the JD Power Vehicle Dependability Study for the UK market in 2015. An independent research agency, JD Power ranks the various brands surveyed by problems per 100 cars - although it's worth remembering that those problems can range from minor electrical niggles to total engine failure, so you can't read everything into the stats. The last set of figures, ranked from best-performing to worst, were:
Which higher up car to go for like my Corolla?
I own a 2007 Toyota Corolla Terra and I am thinking of changing. I would like a car that is higher off the ground, like the new Hyundai Tucson, but not that big. What other cars similar in size to the Corolla would you suggest?
Jim
JIM WHITE (NAVAN)Feb 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Jim,
There are a number of other potential options you could look at, but seeing as you've been a Corolla driver, I'm guessing you want something that's going to match the Toyota for reliability. So, in that case, have a look at the Honda HR-V or Skoda Yeti. Both are taller than a normal hatch but not so big as a Tucson and both are really well built and reliable.
Relevant reviews:
Which of these €4,000 cars are most reliable?
Hi,
I'm looking to buy a car around €4,000. Had a look at the Audi A4, Skoda Octavia, Volkswagen Passat and Toyota Avensis. Which one from your point of view would be most reliable given all of them would be 10 years old and more.
Thank you
Martin Faturik (Dublin)Feb 2016 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
Go for the Octavia or Avensis according to taste - both have superior reliability (crucial when you're buying an older car) and the Avensis will, just slightly, have the edge in that respect.
Have you a review of the Skoda Superb Combi?
Hello,
Do you have a review of the 2016 Skoda Superb Combi L&K?
Eric Walsh (Dublin)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Eric,
We've not driven the new Superb estate in L&K guise as yet, but read our review of the Skoda Superb Combi from the international launch and you'll get a good feel for it we think, as the test cars were well-specified.
What's the best supermini right now?
What's the best small family car or supermini of 2016? In terms of value for money, economy, driveability.
Don Naughton (Galway)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Don,
I'd say it's a tied vote between the Honda Jazz (amazingly roomy and reliable, but a bit pricey), the Skoda Fabia (as solid a choice as the day is long) or the Ford Fiesta (brilliant to drive and has a wonderful EcoBoost petrol engine).
Relevant reviews:
I'm looking at a 2014 Skoda Rapid.
Hi,
I'm looking at a 2014 Skoda Rapid. I don't see many of them around so unsure what to do about it.
Aisling Breen (Wicklow)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Aisling,
Not a huge seller, the Rapid, but it's a perfectly decent car. Skoda designed and built it as a more affordable alternative to the Octavia - it kind of sits between the Octavia and the smaller Fabia in price and space terms. The upsides are a big boot (huge, actually) and a decent line-up of petrol and diesel engines. The downsides are a slightly narrow cabin and bouncy, skippy rear suspension. Plus the interior doesn't look or feel as sophisticated as that of the larger Octavia. It'll be an affordable and very reliable family car though.
Skoda Fabia or Opel Corsa or Renault Clio?
Hi,
Would you go for a 2011 1.2-litre Skoda Fabia (89k miles) or 2012 Opel Corsa 1.0-litre (69K miles) or 2011 Renault Clio 1.1-litre as a second family car/run around?
Catherine Healy (Cork)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Catherine,
Go for the Skoda; assuming that it's in good shape and has a decent service history as it'll be the most reliable of the bunch.
Is the Dacia Sandero worth looking at?
Could you tell me if a Dacia Sandero is a good car... or should I stick with a Skoda Yeti? I'm looking at an ad on DoneDeal.ie
Thanks
Rose Watson
Rose Watson (Cappoquin)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Rose,
The thing is that they're totally different cars. The Sandero is a small and very, very cheap, hatchback - about the size of a Ford Fiesta, but not as good to drive. It's cheap, cheerful and gets the job done, but that's about it. By contrast, a Skoda Yeti is a crossover SUV, much bigger than a Sandero, with a far larger cabin and boot, and is much better built and nicer to drive. It depends what you need - a cheap runaround? Or something more sophisticated?
Toyota Corolla or Skoda Octavia?
Thinking about buying a 2008 Toyota Corolla or Skoda Octavia, similar mileage, 1.4 petrol. Thoughts?
Brendan Toohey (Drogheda )Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Brendan,
Both decent cars. Go with the Corolla if reliability is your overriding priority (although the Skoda's hardly fragile or anything) and go with the Skoda if space and a big boot are your priorities.