Should I swap my BMW for a Yeti or Qashqai?
I have a 2008 BMW 520d Touring Auto with just 70k miles on it, which is in near perfect condition. I now really need a vehicle that has a higher seating position, making it easier to get in and out of (dodgy knees are the culprit I fear!). The space on offer in the BMW is probably more than I really need now. I'm thinking of a good spec used manual Nissan Qashqai 1.5 dCi or a Skoda Yeti 2.0 TDI. I really do not want to spend more than I can get for my BMW so 2009 or 2010 is probably as recent as I can go? Any thoughts on my choice and advice on asking price for the BMW?
Thanks.
Martin Smith (Galway)Aug 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
Shame you have to get rid of the Beemer. What a fab car, especially the Touring. I reckon you should be looking at a value of around €19-€20k for it, which would make the world your oyster when it comes to trading in for a Yeti or Qashqai. A 2010 model for either should be easy to find, and you may even sneak into a 2011 car. Of the two, I'd go for the Yeti. I find them much more comfortable, and more spacious than a Qashqai, and better to drive too. Go for the 1.6 TDI if you can track one down - the 2.0 TDI is a bit unnecessary.
Let us know how you get on
Skoda Superb vs. Octavia RS diesel?
Hi,
How would you compare, performance wise, the 2.0, 170hp Skoda Superb against the new Octavia RS?
Thanks
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Aug 2013 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
I'm assuming you're referring to TDI diesel versions of both. The Superb is a much larger and heavier car so it doesn't feel quite as rapid, but it's not at all disappointing. That engine has plenty of torque to make it feel usefully quick when you need it to. The Octavia RS, however, is undoubtedly more of a performance car, even in diesel guise. The Octavia feels sportier in general because of its RS interior bits and pieces, low profile tyres and sports suspension too. A review for you:
I need a diesel car for big mileages...
Hey guys,
Iwant to change to a diesel estate car, but am not sure which type to get. I do drive a lot and need a car that is very fuel efficient with low mileage and low maintaining costs. Cars within my budget are either 2006 Ford Focus 1.8, Opel Astra 1.3/1.7 CDTi or Skoda Octavia 1.4 (with Volkswagen diesel engine) or Skoda Octavia 1.9. Which of these are the most fuel efficient/most efficient cars to maintain?
Thank you so much for your help and advice!
Best wishes, Cindy
Cindy Wagner (Waterford)Aug 2013 Filed under: diesel
Expert answer
Hi Cindy,
I would go for either the Skoda or the Opel. The Skoda 1.9 TDI is very economical (50mpg should be pretty easy) and Skodas are well built and reliable.
The only downside is that if it's pre-2008, it'll have a high rate of tax. That's something that the Opel with the 1.3 CDTi engine avoids, and it's still very economical, albeit slightly less so as you'll have to work the smaller engine a bit harder to keep up with the flow of traffic.
Tell me more about the Octavia vRS...
What kind of car is the Skoda Octavia vRS?
Dan Burke (Bandon)Aug 2013 Filed under: hatchback
Expert answer
Hi Dan,
It’s a hot hatch (or Combi estate). While it uses the larger (and saloon-style, if you squint a bit) Octavia body, underneath it’s mechanically identical to the Volkswagen Golf GTI, so you get a 200hp, 230hp, or 245hp petrol, 2.0-litre turbo engine (depending on which generation of Octavia RS you’re buying) or a 180hp diesel. It's big, roomy and comfy, but really quick and good to drive. Reliable, too. Oh, and you can drop the v in the RS badge. It’s only called vRS in the UK market, and is just plain old RS here.
2017 Skoda Octavia RS 230 review (post facelift)
BMW 5 Series, Merc C-Class or Skoda Superb?
Which you would recommend or is most reliable: 2011 BMW 5 Series or 2011 Mercedes-Benz C 180 Sport, or is a 2011 Skoda Superb the one to go for?
David Ward (Dundalk)Jul 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi David,
Skoda all the way. It may not have the prestige of the others but it'll do them for reliability, space and practicality.
Skoda Octavia RS, SEAT Leon FR or Golf GTD?
I'm looking to buy something quick and diesel. I am currently looking at a new Skoda Octavia RS, SEAT Leon FR or Golf GTD. I am also looking at a used 2012 Mondeo Titanium X 163. Which would you recommend? I will be trading a 2007 1.6 petrol Ti-VCT Focus Titanium with 85,000km on the clock.
Gareth Fisher (Galway)Jul 2013 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Gareth,
Go for the Skoda. Dave Humphreys (also of this parish) and I recently drove the latest Octavia RS diesel from Goodwood to Dublin and frankly, you'd be hard pressed to find a car with a broader spread of talents. Go for the estate to get the best looking (as well as most useful) version.
Let us know what you do
Do I need a new part to fix my Skoda electrics?
Hi, the control unit / window motor in my 2002 Skoda Octavia 1.6 petrol seems to be dead. It's affecting the central locking and mirror adjustment etc. It's a minefield getting a seconhand replacement unit as it has to come from an identical car: ie has to have rear electric windows, no sunroof, electric mirrors etc. Am I better off just biting the bulletand stumping up for a new part from Skoda?
Thanks, Alan
Alan Brodie (Dublin)Jul 2013 Filed under: electrics
Expert answer
Hi Alan,
We'd definitely advise you to go straight to Skoda on this one.
Audi A4 or Skoda Superb as a company car?
Audi A4 SE 2.0 TDI or Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI Elegence? Considering BIK and two kids (12 and 8), which would you choose as a company car and why? Expecting annual usage in the 30-40,000km range per year.
Marc Sutton (Dublin)Jul 2013 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Marc,
Well, both cars will be more or less equally economical over that kind of mileage, but you'll be filling the Skoda up more frequently as it has a smaller fuel tank.
Even so, we'd say go for the Skoda. With kids (growing kids at that) you'll find the space in the back and the gargantuan boot are blessings from the car gods. The Audi may be slightly sharper to drive and certainly more handsome but as family wheels the Superb really is hard to beat.
What are the best-selling cars in Ireland?
Hello guys,
I have two questions:
1) What are the most sold cars in Ireland?
2) What is the pricing range for cars people are buying the most in Ireland?
Looking forward to hearing from you
Kind regards, Stan
Stan Melnis (Dublin)Jul 2013 Filed under: miscellaneous
Expert answer
Hi Stan,
OK, well currently (as of the end of September), the best selling cars in Ireland are, in descending order, the Hyundai Tucson, the Nissan Qashqai, the Volkswagen Golf, the Skoda Octavia, the Ford Focus, the Ford Fiesta, the Kia Sportage, the Toyota Yaris, the Toyota Corolla and the Volkswagen Tiguan. The biggest-selling market segment is the SUV/H1 segment (that’s the Qashqai-Tucson-Sportage mid-size SUVs) all of which cost between €24,000 and €40,000 depending on spec.
Is the new Volkswagen Golf Plus worth buying?
Is the new Volkswagen Golf Plus worth buying?
Martina Bannon (Tullamore)Jul 2013 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Martina,
No, it's not really. There's only a marginal increase in cabin space over the standard Golf and a major drop-off in both styling and dynamics. You'd be much better off just buying a new Golf (which is also lighter and more fuel efficient) or if you need the space, go for a Skoda Octavia (a little more space) or a Volkswagen Touran (a lot more space).
Let us know how you get on