No torch in my Skoda Kamiq!
My new Skoda Kamiq has no removable torch in the boot, yet all the reviews I've read, including yours, say that it comes as standard.
Admittedly most of them say it's only in the "Ambition" up, but I have the "Style". I called to the dealer today and showed him one of the reviews including a photo. He told me I was looking at UK reviews and that the Irish cars don't have a torch. Can you throw any light on this? I'd really like a torch.
Patricia Costello (Clonakilty, Co. Cork)Aug 2021 Filed under: optional extras
Expert answer
Hi Patricia,
Yes, we can 'throw some light' on the situation for you. Skoda Ireland came back to us with this statement:
"The removable torch was removed from vehicles produced from July 2020 for all markets. There may have been stock around for a few months thereafter. It cannot be ordered as an option either."
That probably explains it.
What to replace my Mondeo with?
Please point me in right direction. I have a 2018 Ford Mondeo and would like to change in January 2022, so I need some advice. I like diesel. What three cars should I be test driving? Around the size of the Mondeo with five doors. Help!
Fergal Reidy (Co. Kildare)Jun 2021 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Fergal,
OK, at the very top of your list should be the Skoda Superb. It’s massive inside, hugely comfortable, has a huge boot, is well made and has an excellent 2.0-litre TDI 150hp diesel engine. It’s well worth checking out the 150hp TSI petrol too though — it's smoother, quieter and nearly as economical unless you're driving at motorway speed all day.
Next go and check out the Mazda6. Now, there’s no five-door fastback version, but there is a hugely handsome Touring estate model, and it’s very good to drive. Tremendous interior quality too. Only problem? Mazda has dropped diesel engines from its line-up, but the 2.0-litre petrol is an excellent unit, and surprisingly economical.
Finally, you could go for one, last Mondeo. It’s coming to the end of its production life right now, but it’s still a firm favourite of ours, and with it being on run-out, you’ll get some proper bargains if you want to buy one of the last ones.
Which cars can fit three child seats?
Hi,
What cars are capable of putting three child seats across the back seats? Ages new born, 2 and 4 years old. So none would be in booster seat just yet. Is it just SUVS or vans? I'm hoping there are some estates capable of this!
Thanks John
John Smyth (Dun Laoghaire)Mar 2021 Filed under: child or baby seats
Expert answer
Hi John,
In my experience (I test a few hundred cars a year and I have three kids myself), your only proper options are people carriers, MPVs and larger SUVs. We ended up buying a Volkswagen Touran, which was absolutely excellent, but there are plenty of other cars with the same kind of space. The Tiguan Allspace, Skoda Kodiaq and SEAT Tarraco all are virtually the same as that inside and ideal for the job. Watch out for smaller SUVs, such as the Qashqai etc, as their rear seats are no wider or more accommodating than an average estate.
Now, depending on whether you're using ISOFIX and how wide the child seats are, you might find an estate that will accommodate the three, so don't give up just yet. The only way to know for certain is to bring the seats with you to try out in the backs of a few cars at a dealer or wherever. The Skoda Superb Combi and VW Passat Combi would be worth a try for sure.
Please do let us know in the comments below how you get on.
Looking for outright comfort in a car...
I am trying to identify the car that will provide the best possible ride quality for my wife who suffers from chronic pain due to multiple injuries.
So far she has found an Audi A3 and Audi A4 too hard, a Mercedes A 220 much better but with a seat that pushes her neck forward, a Volvo V40 R-Design with the best seat for her so far but too harsh a ride.
Perhaps you cannot say precisely what brand and model of car might be more suitable but the factors that overall might offer the best solution. Under consideration at the moment are a Volvo XC40 or XC60 and a Subaru Forester.
Thanks.
Seamus - Dublin 14
Seamus Connolly (Dublin 14)Mar 2021 Filed under: comfort
Expert answer
Hi Seamus,
This is obviously a tricky decision, and we wish your wife all the best in coping with this. When it comes to ride quality, the most important factors are the stiffness, overall, of the suspension, the size of the wheels, and the sidewall depth of the tyres. Basically, smaller wheels and normal suspension is the rule of thumb if you’re trying to get a car with a soft ride quality.
SUVs are actually generally quite bad for ride quality. That sounds counter-intuitive, because of course they’re taller and have longer-travel suspension, but the problem is that the springs and dampers have to be stiffened up to prevent the higher centre of gravity from inducing too much body roll. I would therefore suggest that keeping away from SUVs would be a good bet.
That said, the Subaru Forester you’ve mentioned below does indeed have a soft ride quality, again as long as you avoid the larger alloy wheel options. Ditto the smaller Subaru XV, which is helpfully lower to the ground and can get away with slightly softer suspension rates. Citroen, of course, is famed for having pillowy-soft ride quality, and the current C5 Aircross is pretty soft and springy, and has great seats into the bargain. You should definitely look at a Toyota Camry as well (very soft, and again with great seats) and the Skoda Superb.
Avoid anything that has a sporty designation (S line, R-Line, M Sport etc) as that will almost automatically have stiffer springs and bigger wheels.
Hope that helps. Below are links to our reviews of the cars mentioned above:
Are these Hyundais and Skoda coming here?
Are the Hyundai i10 N and i20 N coming to Ireland? And the Skoda Octavia Scout? When will it make its debut? There are no used Octavia Scouts in the 2017 to 2019 range; I have been watching all the car-selling websites in Ireland for four years now and nothing.
M L (Kildare)Feb 2021 Filed under: future cars
Expert answer
Hi Mossy,
Hyundai Ireland told us that the full-on i20 N will not be offered for sale here. There is no i10 N, so perhaps you're referring to the N Line? No sign of that as yet and we would not be surprised if it never comes here.
The new Octavia Scout has already been revealed by Skoda, but it has never been a popular new car here as it's quite expensive, which explains why there are so few on the used market. We don't know if Skoda Ireland will offer it this time around.
Diesel or petrol Skoda Kamiq?
Is the diesel or the petrol a better investment in the Skoda Kamiq?
Anne Heffernan (Listowel )Feb 2021 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Anne,
It entirely depends on the type of driving you do. If a diesel engine isn't used regularly at higher speeds and loads (i.e. on the motorway), then its various components, including its Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) in the exhaust, don't get up to temperature and can't burn off desposits of soot etc. They eventually clog up and can cost a fortune to repair or replace. Along with that, diesel engines emit more NOx, which is a pollutant that is bad for human health.
So, petrol is the sensible way to go in the Kamiq unless you rack up well over 20,000km a year at higher speeds in our opinions.
Is the Mazda3 expensive to fix?
Hello,
Is the 2007 Mazda3 expensive to repair compared to VW Polo, Skoda Fabia, etc?
Thanks
Vishwanath Bijapur (Dublin)Jan 2021 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Vishwanath,
It really shouldn't be, especially not if you're using non-official parts, which most people would do for cars of that age.
NOx figure for a 2018 Octavia RS?
NOx emissions on a 2018 Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI CR vRS?
Thomas DALY (County Dublin)Jan 2021 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Thomas,
It will depend on the detailed specification of the car (manual or DSG; hatch or estate; which wheels?), but it looks to be 67-71mg/km.
Is the 2013 Skoda 1.4 TSI engine ok?
Is the 1.4 TSI engine in the Skoda Octavia 2013 model reliable and what mileage is it good for?
Willie Keogh (Wexford)Jan 2021 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Willie,
It's impossible to put a mileage on an engine, as it will depend on how it was maintained and driven, so no two are alike. However, we can tell you that the 1.4 TSI engine has a major known issue that can lead to requiring a whole new cylinder head due to issues with the manufacturing. If you're buying one, check if this has been done already. If it has, then the engine should be sound.
Having difficulty insuring a commercial Yeti...
Hi guys,
I was really interested to read your article on taxing and insuring commercial vehicles for private use. I drive a commercial Skoda Yeti (2.0-litre 4x4) that is registered commercially, but which I have taxed and insured privately. I have no VAT number so commercial tax and insurance is out of the question. Adding to this, I can only find one insurer to give me a policy. I was wondering if it's possible to re-register the car as a private vehicle that just happens to have no back seats. This was flagged as the reason insurers won't look at me (my driving history is squeaky clean). Any suggestions here would be great. I love the car and got a great price on it so I really dont want to sell it.
Conor Behan (Thomastown)Jan 2021 Filed under: insurance
Expert answer
Hi Conor,
You say you’ve already taxed the Yeti privately, is that right? Once you’ve informed your local motor tax office of the change of status, that should be sufficient for any insurer. That said, Irish insurers will find any excuse in the book to either not quote you, or to give you some astronomical quote just to make you go away. Our advice is to find a good insurance broker who can help you navigate the ins and outs.