What family diesel would suit me with €10,000 to spend?
I have roughly €10k to spend on a used car and I was hoping you might help with my choice. My requirements are: I drive 50,000 kilometers annually (work mainly) so a diesel would be essential; I have two children so a saloon sized car or bigger would be needed; and I really like a car with generous extras. Have you any ideas what might fit my need?
Thanks so much.
John Woods (Clonmel)May 2011 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi John,
Right John - sensible would be something like a Citroen C5. You could have a choice of diesel ones with low mileage and every conceivable extra for your budget. A Ford Mondeo would fit the bill too. But you would want one with a few decent extras on it. This Skoda Octavia sounds like it could be a super choice for you too.
Torn between Octavia and Lancer
I'm stuck between the Scoda Octavia Greenline and the Mitsubishi Lancer diesel? Both are costing me about the same with scrappage etc. HELP me decide!!!!! I have test driven both and the Mitsubishi has much better performance but the Octavia is much better on the running cost!!
Cormac Breathnach (GALWAY)May 2011 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Cormac,
We drove the new Lancer recently here and as we pointed out, the performance is better than nearly all of its rivals at the same price. It drives really well, and will be reliable, but we felt that the interior felt a little bit dated. The Octavia is, as you will have figured out from your roadtest, very good too. I can't see where there would be a massive difference between the running costs, aside from the fact that the Lancer might have €156 road tax per year compared to the €104 in the Octavia.
Mitsubishi Lancer Diesel
They would have reasonably similar residual values and have similar warranties too. So, Cormac, I have to sound flippant, but I would really say that if I were you I would pick whichever car feels right for you. If you do mega mileage I might go for the Octavia, but the Lancer is so well-equipped for the money and the engine is really good.
Skoda Octavia
The only thing I would say is that time is running out on the scrappage scheme, so you would need to sort out your new car soon and there is a bit of a shortage on Octavias, so you need to act soon!
I have injector problems with my Skoda Octavia.
Hi,
My 2007 Skoda Octavia (a 1.4-litre with 90,000km on the clock) was misfiring badly for a good while before the engine warning light came on. The 'bank 1' oxygen sensor went so we replaced the sensor and the warning light went off. No faults were showing on the diagnostic tool (electrics diagnostics only), but the engine was still misfiring. Unburned fuel was found in cylinder 3, which we eventually got cleaned out.
The coil and spark plugs were testing and found to be firing so it looks like the fuel injector for this cylinder is the problem. I'm going to bring it to a main dealer to try resolve as I think best case is to re-program the injector or worst case, replace it. My question is, how much should this cost to do in best and worst case scenario?
Thanks! Linda
Linda Meehan (Laois)May 2011 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Linda,
It certainly does sound like an injector issue - assuming the coil and plugs are fine. We'd suggest that the injectors are tested before hastily replacing them. Any decent garage will do that for you - it doesn't have to be a main dealer. From the information you've given us about the car, we don't believe you can re-program the injectors. It may be possible to refurbish them, but in most cases it's probably better just to replace it.
If that's what is needed, the cost of the part itself is well over €100, but no garage should charge you more than an hour of labour for replacing it, as it's a relatively easy job.
Hope that helps and you get sorted.
What SUVs are good for towing, but in a low tax bracket?
What cars or SUVs are in the lower tax bands and can pull a horse box with two horses inside?
Steve Royston (Listowel)Apr 2011 Filed under: towing
Expert answer
Hi Steve,
Here's an answer to a similar question:
http://www.completecar.ie/askusanything/question/397/Are-there-any-Band-B-4x4s
Depending on your budget, I think the new BMW X3 would be ideal. Perhaps the Skoda Yeti 4x4 would work if you are working off a smaller budget. Bear in mind that the most either of those cars can legally tow is 2,000kg (dependant on model), so whether they are suitable really depends on the weight of your horsebox - and horses of course...
Some versions of the Volkswagen Tiguan have a 2,500kg towing limit, but they fall into higher tax bands.
If you give us an actual weight to work with we can advise you further, but there certainly are not many four-wheel drive SUVs on the market that can tow more than 2,000kg and still be in Band A or Band B.
Are there any Band B 4x4s?
Are there any 4x4 diesels that fall into Band B for tax, and if not, what diesel 4x4s have the lowest tax rate?
Steve Royston (Listowel)Expert answer
Hi Steve,
From what we can tell, no there isn't any SUV with 4x4 in Band B, as yet. There are lots of SUVs and crossovers in Band B with front-wheel drive. You'll find the likes of the Skoda Yeti, VW Tiguan, Nissan Qashqai all have versions with frugal diesel engines.
When it comes to 4x4, the best you can probably do at the moment is Band C. The Skoda Yeti 4x4 sits in Band C, as does the new BMW X3, which is selling well with good reason.
The Lexus RX Hybrid sits in Band C, as do the Hyundai ix35 2.0 CRDi 4wd and the Volvo XC60 AWD.
Hope that gives you something to think about
How often should I service the Skoda Octavia?
How often should I service my Skoda Octavia 1.9 Diesel?
NIALL MC MAHON (DUNDALK)Mar 2011 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hello Niall,
Service intervals are fixed at 10,000 miles or 12 months. On top of this, the air conditioning needs recharging each year, fresh brake fluid is required every two years and coolant should be renewed every three years. Replace the cambelt every four years or 80,000 miles on diesels.
Hope that helps.
What car has three ISOFIX points?
Hi
We hope to trade in our 2005 Skoda Octavia during the summer for a car that has three isofix points in the back. We would prefer not to get a seven-seater as we don't need that many seats. Our wishlist would include the three isofix points, a big boot to accomodate a double buggy, low tax and fuel efficiency. We have been looking at the Peugeot 307 SW. The trade in value of our present car seems to be in around the €5,000 mark. We can afford to add another €,5000 to that.
Any advice greatly appreciated! Many thanks.
Feena Farrell (Kilcock)Feb 2011 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi there Feena,
The Peugeot 307 SW would be a good solution for you and it is great value and cheap to run. The 1.6-litre diesel engine is the best-seller in that model, is fuel-efficient and has low road tax. You would get one for within your budget alright. My sister has driven one for the last few years and apart from some loose bits of trim it has been a very solid car. Unfortunately there are only two ISOFIX points in the centre row.
Absolutely brilliant is the Fiat Multipla. Is it a little on the unusual side, but has a really clever 3+3 layout that your kids will really enjoy. The difficulty is that there are only two ISOFIX points in this too.
A little bit of research seems to suggest that there are normally only ISOFIX on the outer seats in the second row of a car. There are exceptions though, with the latest Renault Scenic (late 2009 on) having three ISOFIX points in the second row of seats. But this is outside your budget.
The Citroen C4 Picasso can take three ISOFIX seats across the rear and this might be a little bit outside your budget too, but perhaps you could haggle a little. Here is an example of one.
However, I reckon the solution for you is a Honda FR-V, which has three ISOFIX points across the six seats and it is a really good car. It only came as a petrol model early on, but if you don't do too many miles it should be okay. Here is one from 2006 within your budget.
Hope that helps.
Why is there a difference in VW Group finance rates?
Why are SEAT and Skoda able to offer finance at 4.9%, but VW only does 5.9%? All three are provided by the Volkswagen Bank, right?
Paul Campbell (Irishtown)
Feb 2011 Filed under: finance
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
We spoke to Volkswagen Ireland about this and this is what it had to say:
"Direct lenders (banks) and credit unions are supplying money (if at all) at around 9 percent - 10 percent. Volkswagen are offering 5.9% so significantly under standard rates and hardly a rip-off. SEAT and Skoda for tactical reasons have decided to offer exceptional rates on certain model lines to push sales even harder and you can see that Volkswagen have also done that for Polo. The rate is a decision by each Brand and used as tactical tool where appropriate."
I hope this helps!
What car-based van will I buy?
I currently drive a 2005 Toyota Avensis saloon - 1.6-litre petrol. I travel up to 450 miles every week to work so I'm looking at getting a diesel car, maybe a VW Golf van, Peugeot van or Skoda Octavia. Don't really know to be honest.
I don't mind a van as my girlfriend has a Ford Focus that I could use whenever needed. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Ronan O Connor (Irishtown)Feb 2011 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Ronan,
I reckon a Volkswagen Golf Van would do a brilliant job for you. You told us by e-mail that you have another €2,000 to spend on top of the value of your Toyota Avensis so I reckon this one could be a good option.
The Ford Focus van is good too, but I don't imagine you want to be a two Focus family! If I was having a car-van I'd have a Golf.
Hope that helps
Opel Insignia or Skoda Superb diesel estate?
Hi,
We are changing our car under the scrappage scheme. We were looking at diesel estates such as the Opel Insignia Sports Tourer and the Skoda Superb Combi. The Superb Combi is well priced but it has a 1.6 TDI engine, which I think maybe too small for the car. The Opel is more expensive and you lose space and it is not as well specced. Or should I look at something else?
Thanks
Des Wynne (Dundalk)Feb 2011 Filed under: scrappage
Expert answer
Hi Des,
You've identified two great choices there. With our own money we'd buy the Skoda Superb Combi. It's a cracking estate car with a huge amount of room, great quality, good comfort and the 1.6 TDI engine is refined and economical. Unless you intend to tow regularly I wouldn't worry too much about the performance. This engine may not have a lot of power (105hp), but it has plenty of torque low down in the rev range, which is far more useful in everyday driving.
Admittedly, the Opel will feel faster and it's a nice car too, but make sure you test drive as many alternatives as you can. Where as Skoda only appears to offer one version of the Superb Combi that qualifies for the scrappage scheme, Ford has several Mondeo Estates that do - and it's a great car.
Worth paying a little more for is the brand new Volkswagen Passat Estate. It's a fabulous car and there are several Band A and Band B options.
If you need any more assistance come back to us of course.