Which compact SUV would suit my needs?
Can you recommend an affordable two- to three-year old SUV/4x4 that has relatively low road tax, is fuel efficient and would have cruse control also?
Thanks Sinead (Limerick)
Sinead Hope (Limerick)Aug 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Sinead,
I'd say your best bet is to seek out a Skoda Yeti. Really cracking car, high quality and good to drive. All-wheel drive 4x4 ones are a bit thin on the ground, but look hard enough and you'll find them. Expect to pay between €17-20k for a nice example.
I need a high-up car to get comfortable.
Hi, I was wondering which is the best second hand car for me. I would like a high off-the-road car because I have back problems. I have between five and six thousand to spend.
Ta, Evelyn
Evelyn Heffernan (Cashel)Aug 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Evelyn,
I'd suggest choosing between a Skoda Yeti or Nissan Qashqai if your budget allows - both have high h-points, or the point at which the base of the seat lies, without being so tall that you have to climb up into them. Test drive both to see which one you find the more comfortable, and it's also worth considering the Kia Sportage and Hyundai ix35 if you can find either within budget.
Let us know how you get on
What will I do with my two Volkswagen Golf diesels?
We have two cars at present: a 2008 Volkswagen Golf Estate 1.9 TDI diesel (low tax, 90,000 miles, does approx. 10k miles per year), which is a family car doing town trips and three days a week motorway driving 74 miles round trip on the M1 and M50. The other is a 2007 Golf Plus 1.9 TDI with 110,000 miles on the clock doing approx. 20,000 miles per year (mainly round trips of 74km per day seven days per week on the motorway). Very happy with both cars and not giving any problems, but have been told that both cars will need the dual mass flywheel changed at some point as this is often a problem with these Golfs.
Was going to change the Golf Plus for new family car worth approx. €17k - was going to get approx. €5-5.5k as trade in and a loan for €12K. Trying to justify changing car! Both cars are serviced at most 1,000km after service is due. How much is too many miles on these cars? Could I get high mileage on these cars without too much of an outlay on repairs or should I regularly update the car? If I'm to change I was going to look at a Volkswagen Passat, Skoda Octavia or a Toyota Avensis. Am I right in sticking to diesel?
Many thanks
Brian Byrne (Balbriggan, Dublin)Aug 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Brian,
Yeah, I think you're probably right to stick with diesel with those sorts of mileages. Mind you, it's worth pointing out that those two Volkswagens you have aren't on mega-miles yet and it could be more cost-effective to spend a little on getting them spruced up and fit for thousands more miles than chopping and changing.
That said, if you're in need of a good, reliable family car then I'd have a long look at a Toyota Avensis estate. The 2.0-litre D-4D diesel engine is a good 'un and cheap to tax, it's comfy, ideal for long motorway runs and if it's not the most exciting car in the world, then at least it's solidly reliable. Spacious too.
Probably the most cost-effective option is to replace the high-miler with something younger and fitter and then spend a little extra to keep the runaround Golf fresh.
Let us know what you decide on.
What saloon should I replace my Chevrolet Aveo with?
What is the best saloon car to drive? Thinking of purchasing a new or used car. I have a 2008 Chevrolet Aveo and would not want anything too expensive.
Richard
Richard O Leary (Cork)Aug 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Richard,
There is lots of good choice out there in the compact saloon world, whether you're buying new or used. The Toyota Corolla, Volkswagen Jetta, Skoda Octavia, Ford Focus Saloon or Mazda3 Saloon all spring to mind and all make solid purchases. Just one thing - for pity's sake, don't buy another Aveo - not only is it cheap, nasty and bad to drive, but it was one of the worst-scoring cars ever on the EuroNCAP crash test.
What diesel auto car would suit by growing brood?
What options are out there for diesel auto car or SUV under 2.0 litres, that will take two bum boosters and an Isofix car seat? Without going for an MPV!
Mr D. Ryan, Limerick
Dee Ryan (Limerick)Jul 2014 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Dee,
Get yourself into a Skoda Yeti. Fab family car that. Three individual rear seats, which slide, tip, fold and remove. Should easily take your seating arrangement and they're brilliant to drive. 1.6 TDI is the best all round engine and it's available with the DSG automatic gearbox. Still a cracking car after all these years - reliable and high quality too.
What do you think?
What do you think of the Volkswagen CC?
Hello, I'm thinking of buying a 131 Volkswagen CC 177 GT DSG; can you advise please? I have received a good trade in offer on my 2011 Skoda Octavia RS for the CC.
Thanks.
David Mc Kenna (Dublin)Jun 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi David,
All I can say is go for it. The CC (I still always start to say Passat CC even though the Passat name has been dropped) is a fabulous car - smooth, comfy and good to drive and really quite devastatingly handsome. Problems are few and far between, but make sure that the service record is up to date (at only a year old it certainly should be) and check that the seals around the frameless door glass is in good nick and keeping out the rain. Other than that, I'd say you can't go wrong.
Why won't my Octavia start properly when it's cold?
I have a 1999 Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI diesel. When the engine is cold it's almost inpossible too start. What do you think is the problem? When the engine is warm its starts directly. It is any typical thing?
Bjarne Rålund (Dublin)Jun 2014 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Bjarne,
The first thing we'd check are the heater plugs. They're not cheap though, so have an auto electrician test them before you shell out money paying for their replacement.
What's the Skoda Fabia like in terms of economy and reliability?
Just wondering about a 2012 Skoda Fabia 1.2 petrol. How reliable it is, whether it is economical on fuel. Any major faults showing up on it etc.
Thanks, Claire
Claire Lane (Cork)May 2014 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Claire,
Generally speaking the reliability record of the Fabia is pretty impressive and you shouldn't suffer any major problems. There are reports of the occasional 'nightmare' car where just everything seems to go wrong, but they appear to be few and far between. In terms of fuel economy, beware the 1.2. It's a very underpowered engine, and you have to thrash it hard to keep up with the flow of traffic, especially on the motorway, so it might be worth shopping around for a 1.4 depending on what kind of driving you'll be doing with it.
Is it possible to get a small hatch to fit bikes in for under €10,000?
If you had up to €10k to spend on a hatchback with low running costs (small diesel ideally) with enough room for a couple of bikes in the back, what would you spend your money on?
Rob Davis (Dublin)Apr 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Rob,
Hmmm. The bikes bit makes this awkward - assuming you mean adult bikes, not kids'. You could try a Skoda Fabia Combi, but to be honest, I'm not sure that two bikes would fit easily in the back, even with the seats folded. Your best bet could be a decent diesel hatchback and a really good bike rack for the boot.
Where's the crank sensor on my Octavia?
Where is the crankshaft sensor located on the 2007 Skoda Octavia with a 2.0-litre TSI diesel engine.
Ladi Akanni (Galway)Apr 2014 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Ladi,
I believe it's on the gearbox side of the engine below the starting motor. It's really awkward to get to and we would recommend that it is removed only by a professional mechanic.