Would an Opel Insignia be a good alternative to an Octavia?
You recommended in June a Skoda Octavia or SEAT Leon for my needs. The Leon would be too small and I've being trying unsuccessfully to get an 08/09/10 Octavia since. Would an Opel Insignia be a sensible alternative in terms of efficency, reliability and durability?
Thanks!
Cormac Mc Cashin (Maynooth)Sep 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Cormac,
Yes, and the Insignia is also lovely to drive and really quite classy. It may not be quite so robustly reliable as an Octavia though. But if you buy with a full service history and look after it properly it shouldn't give any major trouble.
What is the most economical small car?
What is the most economical small car for driving at 120km/h?
Simon Hodgson (Limerick)Aug 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Simon,
Go for a Volkswagen up!, Skoda Citigo or SEAT Mii. They all seem to do 50mpg no matter how or where you drive them.
Relevant reviews:
Can you tell me the trade-in value of my 2010 Skoda Superb?
Hi, can you tell me the trade-in value of my 2010 Skoda Superb Elegance with leather seats and a manual gearbox and 177,000km on the clock?
Ed Donnelly (Dublin)Aug 2015 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Eamonn,
As a trade-in I'd say around €11,500.
Can you tell me my Skoda Superb's value?
Hi,
Can you tell me the trade in value of my 2010 Skoda Superb Elegance manual with leather seats and 177,000km on the clock?
Ed Donnelly (Dublin)Aug 2015 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Ed,
In the region of €10-11k.
Do I need an SUV for towing my horsebox on the motorway?
Hi, what SUV would you recommend for pulling a horsebox and also motorway driving? I do about 500 to 600km a week going up and down to Dublin a couple of times a week from the midlands so I need an SUV that is economical on diesel but also able to handle a horsebox.
Many thanks
Louise Fox (Dublin)Jul 2015 Filed under: towing
Expert answer
Hi Louise,
You don't necessarily need a 4x4 for that - a mid size estate car would do the job just as well. So, have a look at the following and see what you'd like: Mazda6 2.2d, Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi, Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI.
Or, if you really have to have a 4x4, check out the Hyundai Santa Fe, Audi Q5 or Nissan X-Trail.
Relevant reviews:
How does the new Toyota RAV4 compare to the new Honda CR-V?
Hi! What is my 2011 Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI with 103,000 kilometres on the clock, worth? And how does the new Toyota RAV4 compare to the new Honda CR-V?
Thank you
Joe. Limerick
Joe Franklin (Limerick)Jul 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Joe,
I'd say your Octavia is worth in and around €12,000. The RAV4 and the CR-V are not really direct rivals although there is some crossover of their price points.
The RAV4 is very nice, well made, decent to drive and very spacious, but the more expensive CR-V looks and feels appropriately more sophisticated.
Relevant reviews:
2015 Honda CR-V review (AWD)
Honda CR-V review (front-wheel drive)
How much roughly would a 2012 Skoda Superb Combi be worth?
How much roughly would a 2012 Skoda Superb Combi Elegance 1.6 TDI Greenline with 60k kilometres be worth as a trade in?
Thanks
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Jun 2015 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
You’re in the €20k ballpark with that one, or a bit less for a trade-in.
Mazda3, Skoda Octavia or Toyota Corolla?
Hi guys.
I currently drive a Volkswagen Golf (2007) and am looking to upgrade to accommodate a growing family (two young kids). I've narrowed my selection down to Mazda3 (saloon), Skoda Octavia, or the Toyota Corolla. Space is a main concern.
Any advice?
Cheers, Ronan
Ronan Murphy (Carrigaline)Jun 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Ronan,
Go for the Octavia. The Mazda3 is nice to drive and incredibly reliable and the Corolla is about as reliable and unbreakable as a granite rock, but the Octavia has the best interior space and reliability is generally excellent, so go for that. Case in point: once spent two consecutive weekends hauling my young family from Dublin to Waterford to visit relatives. First weekend with a Ford S-Max, second with an Octavia (this would have been 2006) and the Octavia carried the same amount of luggage as the S-Max...
Relevant reviews:
Opel Astra Sports Tourer or Skoda Octavia Combi?
Opel Astra Sports Tourer against Skoda Octavia Combi: which is the better option? New 2015 models.
A O'brien (Longford)Jun 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi there,
I'd go for the Octavia. The boot is significantly bigger than that of the Astra's, and the Astra is also starting to feel its age a bit - there's an all-new model coming towards the end of the year, so the Octavia feels fresher and better to drive.
That said, there's absolutely nothing wrong with the Astra, and if, with that new model coming along, you can get a sharper deal on the Astra, there'd be nothing wrong with grabbing one.
Relevant reviews:
Do I need an MPV to fit in three child seats?
I have two kids aged three and five, a third coming in October. I would prefer not to have get an MPV. Is there any saloon or crossover SUV for about €30k new that will take the three child seats across the back row?
Thanks. Pat Kennedy
Pat Kennedy (Cork)Jun 2015 Filed under: child or baby seats
Expert answer
Hi Pat,
Crossover SUV? Only one at that price level; the Skoda Yeti has three individual seats across the back. However, while the outer two slide and their backrests tilt, it's not by enough to squeeze in larger booster cushions/seats with a rear-facing baby seat. Perhaps with particularly slim seats it may be possible, but otherwise we'd suggest not. Bring the seats to a Skoda dealership to try it for yourself though.
Estates generally don't have the width any more to take three seats abreast in the back, but there are conversions available (from EP Mooney in Dublin) that will allow a conventional estate (or any car for that matter) to take as many as four child safety seats.
Otherwise you're looking at larger SUVs or at the least, a compact MPV.