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...
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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.
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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.
How do Skoda air filters last so long?
Why does Skoda nor change the air filter until 100k miles?
Tom Daly (Limerick)Jun 2015 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Tom,
We asked Skoda about this one and here's the response:
The manufacturer recommends a replacement interval of 90,000 kilometres (note, not miles) or six years for air filters (whichever comes first). It feels that the quality of the genuine filter is sufficient for this duration.
However, at service, a technician will carry out a visual inspection and may recommend an earlier replacement if they feel it necessary. This would depend on the environmental conditions the car encounters.
Hope that's of interest
SEAT Leon, Skoda Octavia or Volkswagen Golf?
Which car is the best secondhand buy: SEAT Leon, Skoda Octavia or Volkswagen Golf? I just changed jobs and need a new car. I'll be doing 25-30,000km a year so I'm only really looking at diesels in the 2005-2008 bracket. Which of the cars is best value for money in fuel efficency, cheapest repairs, car longevity etc. Any tips on what I should look out for when buying or any other cars you would suggest?
Cormac Mc Cashin (Maynooth)Jun 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Cormac,
Go with the Octavia or the SEAT - both are comfy for long journeys, frugal on diesel as long as you go for the 1.6 TDI and both should work out a little bit cheaper to service and run than the Golf, if only fractionally. It's worth shopping around to see if anyone has any inclusive service or extended second hand warranty offers on the go - both can save you a fortune further down the line.
What is best small SUV to buy?
What is best small SUV to buy?
Margaret Moore (Longford)May 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Margaret,
Well, you could do a lot worse than the Jeep Renegade. Looks cool, is actually capable off-road (if you go for the four-wheel drive version) and it's comfy and good to drive. Other good options are a Skoda Yeti or the new Mazda CX-3.
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Is the Volkswagen Golf Highline 1.2 a good car?
I'm looking for a mid-sized family car and have looked at the Golf Highline 1.2 TSI; Volkswagen finance options are good so am considering buying new. Can you please advise if this is a good family car and any alternatives you would suggest?
Thanks, Karen
Karen Golden (Dublin 6)May 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Karen,
Yup, it’s a cracker - well made, nice to drive and that 1.2 TSI is super-econmical. Good alternatives would be the Skoda Octavia with the same engine, a Ford Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost 125hp, or a Peugeot 308 with the new 1.2-litre PureTech petrol turbo engine.
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Can you help me choose from these family car?
Which would be cheaper, more economical and have low maintainance, for family of five that require good boot size, mostly city driving, 12,000km mileage per year: Kia Carens diesel, Nissan Qashqai diesel or petrol 1.2, Kia cee'd estate or Skoda Fabia Combi either 2014 or 2015?
Thanks, Mary
Mary Strike (Cork)May 2015 Filed under: family car
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
I'd leave the Fabia Combi out straight away. It's a very good little car but it's just too small if you're putting five people into it regularly. The cee'd estate is one of our favourite cars - practical, handsome and good to drive and those are things you can equally say about the Qashqai. However, again, I'd say if you're trying to get five people in every day, space in the back could be an issue.
Which leaves us with the Carens. Thankfully it's a very good choice - all the attributes of the cee'd, but with extra space and comfort for those in the back. My advice would be to go and test drive each one but make sure you bring along everyone who's going to regularly be using the car and make sure everyone's comfortable in it. Not just a spin around the block either - drive for long enough to make sure everyone has a chance to get fidgety.
Worth noting though that with your driving pattern, the petrol Qashqai is going to have the best engine for your purposes. You may need to make a compromise between engine and seating at some point.
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Why won't my Skoda Octavia petrol restart?
My 2004 Skoda Octavia petrol engine died and would not restart. It has a good battery. Any ideas?
Terry Coogan (Dublin)Apr 2015 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Terry,
It's very difficult to assess such an issue from afar I'm afraid. Is the engine turning over (i.e. the starting motor is fine)? Is there fuel in the tank? Is the fuel pump in the tank working? Is there spark? Has a sensor failed and there's an electronic problem?
You'll have to bring the car to a mechanic I'm afraid. Best of luck with it.
What big SUV do you suggest for me and my boys?
I'm looking for a new SUV. I have three boys into sports so need boot space as well as cabin space and it also needs to be an automatic. What do you suggest?
Liz Corbett (Galway)Apr 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Liz,
A few key choices here - compact: Skoda Yeti or Mazda CX-5; medium: Honda CR-V or Kia Sorento; and large: Land Rover Discovery or Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Of the lot, I think overall our pick would be the new Kia Sorento. It's big, comfy, spacious, has seven seats and is really well made.
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