How economical is the Skoda Yeti?
What is the Skoda Yeti's 2.0 diesel fuel consumption like?
Tom Hartigan (Limerick)Expert answer
Hi Tom,
The front-wheel drive only Yeti 2.0 TDI returns 52.3mpg (5.4 litres/100km). The four-wheel drive version returns 46.3mpg (6.1 litres/100km).
The Yeti is one of those cars in which it's possible to get close to the official figures - especially on the open road and the motorway.
Hope that helps
What's a good medium, auto SUV?
What's a good small/medium size SUV that has reasonable tax and fuel consumption, but is also automatic? It's for my wife so not a Nissan Qashqai, too common; Kia Sportage, build quality not too hot; and VW Touran is just too boring.
Any suggestions welcome, but has to be auto.
Eoin Heaney (Ennis)Mar 2013 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Eoin,
Have you tried the new Peugeot 3008? Great-looking, good to drive and comes with an (optional) six-speed auto. The 1.2-litre 130hp petrol turbo engine is the one to go for. Alternatively, you could try and grab a run-out Skoda Yeti (always one of our favourites and built like a tank), or have a look at the Toyota C-HR Hybrid, which is striking to look at and really good to drive. Here are our relevant reviews:
Should I go for a Skoda to replace my Golf?
I currently drive a 2009 Volkswagen Golf and am looking for something a bit bigger. I'm six-foot five and my problem is that, with the driver's seat in the correct position for me, you cannot fit our rear facing baby seat, or the first forward facing seat behind me. The only option is to place them on the passenger side, which leaves my older daughter sitting behind me, with her knees in my back, resulting in pins and needles for her and and an uncomfortable drive for me. The other issue is that the frame of the buggy takes up all the boot space, leaving no space for the weekly shop, or for luggage etc. I know the Skoda Superb has miles of leg room, and boot space but are there any other cars I should be looking at? I have always driven diesel and would prefer to stick with it, so I think 2009 would be best in terms of tax and getting two years before the next NCT. A lot of the Skodas on Carzone.ie seem to have huge mileage; what would you consider excessive for a 2009 car?
John Maher (Ennis)Mar 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi John,
The Skoda Superb or Octavia would have been our first suggestions. The Octavia hasn't quite as much rear legroom as the Superb, but it's still better than the Golf's - and the boot is huge. High mileages on diesel Skodas are nothing to worry about so long as it has a proper service history and is in good order. Taxi drivers regularly do hundreds of thousands of kilometres. Avoid high mileage DSG automatic gearboxes, but otherwise they are really robust. So long as the history and price are good I'd not worry about buying one with over 150,000 kilometres on the clock.
One last thing to consider: if you do less than 20,000 kilometres a year a petrol car may suit you better. They're generally cheaper to buy and better suited to low mileage use. They're also quieter!
Hope that helps, but do come back to us if you need more assistance and have a budget in mind so we can narrow down the search for you.
Need a mid-sized saloon for up to €9,000.
My wife and I are looking for a second hand saloon, mid-size (1.5 to 1.8-litre), primarily for her use, with a budget of maybe €8,000 to €9,000. Possibilites we've spotted include a 2008 Mazda6, a 2008 Toyota Avensis and a 2007 Skoda Octavia. The car would be doing 15,000 to 18,000 miles per year, so we're trying to find something that doesn't have excessively high mileage already. Might be a tall order, but any advice on the ones I've mentioned, or are there any suggestions on any other makes and models that might fit the bill?
Many thanks.
Colm Lambert (Wexford)Mar 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Colm,
Of the ones you’ve suggested, I’d say that the Octavia is the best bet, not least because a Mazda6 or Toyota Avenisis with a 1.8-litre engine is going to be at the very bottom of the range. Your budget should get you an Octavia with the 1.2 TSI turbo petrol engine (which is actually a better choice than a naturally aspirated 1.6 or 1.8) and probably with a 131 numberplate.
Yes, you might have to swallow a high-is mileage, but as long as you get one with a full service history, that shouldn’t be a major issue as the Octavia is a reliable car. Other models worth considering are the Toyota Corolla, VW Jetta, SEAT Exeo (if you can find one) and Honda Civic.
Market value for a 2011 Skoda Superb?
Market value for a 2011 Skoda Superb Elegance automatic?
John Mc Donnell (Cork)Mar 2013 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi John,
A lot will depend on the condition and service history, but it should be worth in the region of €9-10,000 — maybe €7-8,000 as a trade-in.
What's the 2002 Skoda Fabia like?
Is a 2002 Skoda Fabia 1.4 Comfort good for a first car? What's the mpg like on it? Any known problems with them?
Bob Runner (Wicklow)Mar 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Bob,
The Fabia is a pretty rugged car, but obviously with this one being 16 years old now, you’ll need to thoroughly check it all over. Common failure points are fuel pumps, water temperature sensors and water pumps, rattling dashboards, clutch master cylinders, leaking rear doors and dashboard lights. Economy should work out in the low-forties, in terms of miles per gallon, depending on how and where you drive it.
Generally, I’d say it’s an excellent first car — easy to drive, roomy and robust.
Which luxury saloon for up to €30,000?
What would I buy for €30k max? Must be automatic, 2010 or newer, do 10,000km per year, preferely a saloon or SUV. I currently have a BMW 520d.
Paul Byrne (Drogheda)Feb 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
I’m tempted to say get another 520d — for the budget, they’re hard to beat. Well worth looking at an Audi A6 2.0 TDI as an alternative, though, and a Mercedes E 220d. Or a Jaguar XF if you’re feeling like a bigger change. Of course, what you could do is take that budget and spend it on a two-year-old Skoda Superb and get a fully-loaded version...
How much are my used Skoda Octavias worth?
How much can I expect to get, trading an 05 Skoda Octavia Combi with 80,000 miles plus a 2010 Octavia Combi 4x4 with 110,000 miles; both 1.9 engines, against a 2012 Skoda Octavia Combi or a Superb?
Thomas Geoghegan (Letterkenny)Feb 2013 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Thomas,
Well, we can’t predict how much a specific dealer will offer you against a specific car, but in general your 05 Octavia should be worth around €1,000 as a trade-in (depending on condition and history, of course) and your 2010 Combi 4x4 should be worth around €6-7,000.
Wiper and fogging issues in my Octavia.
I drive a 2007 Skoda Octavia Ambient 1.4. I am having problems with wet inside the front and rear windscreens, yet the car does not seem damp. Also, the rear wiper stops and starts as it sees fit. What would you suggest?
Eoin Ryan (Waterford)Feb 2013 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Eoin,
The rear wiper is an easy one to start with as it's very common with this car. The wiring loom gets broken near the hinge for the hatchback so you'll need a good mechanic or auto electrician to fix that one, but it shouldn't cost a fortune to do.
It's trickier to assess your fogging-up problem from afar. It essentially means there is moisture in the car somewhere, though sometimes simply cleaning the inside of all the windows properly sorts this out. Other than that, avoid using recirculation of the interior air, do use the air conditioning if you have it and, if all else fails, consider leaving a dehumidifier running for a while in the cabin to take out moisture.
Hope that helps
With €20,000 what family car will we upgrade to?
We are upgrading our car as we have a baby with another on the way. My current car is an Audi A3 Sportback. What can you recommend? Our budget is about €20,000 including trade-in and we cover about 15,000 kilometres per year commuting.
Gillian O Riordan O Riordan (Cork )Feb 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Gillian,
With two small kids myself I completely understand your needs. Really, you're probably after something with a much bigger boot, but I assume you like the premium look and feel of the Audi. People in your situation would often upgrade to a bigger car in the same brand, say an Audi A4 or a compact SUV. I've taken a look through Carzone.ie with your budget and needs in mind and here's a list of potential replacements:
- Audi A4: way bigger inside and in the boot than your A3 and significantly more comfortable on the road. Your budget gets you a clean 2010 model saloon or Avant estate with a 2.0 TDI engine.
- Audi A6: much bigger again than the A4, but for the same money you'll get less equipment or an older model - you could afford the saloon or Avant estate though.
- BMW 3 Series: quite comparable to the Audi A4, though not as spacious inside and few Touring estate examples on the used market. Very efficient engines.
- BMW 5 Series: lovely car in same class as Audi A6, though your budget will probably mean a high mileage example. Insist on full service history.
- Honda CR-V: well made family SUV that was designed more for on-road than off-road use. Not all that common, but hugely spacious and reliable. Make sure you go for the newer model that has only just been replaced.
- Mazda6: I'm not sure if you're attached to the Audi badge, but this car is well worth a look. It's massive inside (especially the estate), good to drive, well equipped and reliable. Your budget gets you a low mileage 2011 example too.
- Skoda Superb: no kids will ever kick the back of your seat in this car such is its rear legroom! The boot is massive too and it comes with a range of different engine options. The 1.6 TDI is especially economical. You can afford a 2010-2011 saloon, though personally I prefer the Combi estate.
- Volkswagen Passat: there are a few 2011-2012 Passat saloons available for your budget and it'd be a sensible purchase in some ways. This car is still on sale now new. There aren't many estates about unless you go for the previous generation model.
- Volkswagen Tiguan: a good option, though supply is limited at you budget to 2008 versions. High driving position and spacious all-round.
If you'd like help narrowing your search further, please do come back to us. Also, with such a low annual mileage, it's worth seriously considering a petrol car if you find a well-priced one.