Looking at maybe a new petrol SUV.
Hi,
I'm looking to change my 151 Toyota Corolla 1.4 Luna diesel at the end of this year or early next year. It currently has 93,000km on the clock. About 70 per cent of our driving is on short journeys such as short runs to town of about 10km. Would I be better to stay with diesel or go to petrol? I'm thinking about getting a crossover/SUV, something like a Peugeot 3008, Nissan Qashqai or a Kia Sportage, or would I get better value getting a smaller SEAT Ateca, Suzuki Vitara or Opel Mokka? My children are all adults now and are only around at weekends so our mileage will be decreasing a bit. Any advice would be great.
Thanks
Rob
Roddy McMyler (Kilkenny)Jun 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Roddy,
Well, it sounds definitely as if petrol is the way to go, and as you’ve mentioned the Ateca, that’s a good one to look at. It’s cheaper, by a little, than most of the competition, has an excellent 1.0-litre 115hp turbo petrol engine (don’t be put off by the small engine — it copes just fine) and isn’t ‘smaller’ at all — it’s the same size as the VW Tiguan, thanks to using the same chassis. The same goes for Skoda’s Karoq. A Peugeot 3008 with the 1.2 PureTech petrol engine would also be a good choice, but the Sportage isn't currently offered as a decent small petrol version, so we’d give that a swerve. The Nissan Qashqai comes with a good 1.2 turbo petrol, but doesn’t feel as good to drive in that form as the diesel. The Opel Mokka X is just too old a design and feels well out of date, but actually if you can cope with the smaller size, the Suzuki Vitara’s a good shout — good to drive, good looking and hugely reliable.
Read or reviews for more:
We need a new family car for under €25k.
Hi,
We are in the market for a new family car that is low maintenance, fits three car seats and preferably be on or just above the €25k mark. We do very little mileage, we currently do one round trip of about two miles to a creche and back with some longer drives at the weekend, but rarely. We both commute by public transport for work. We are considering hybrid/electric as we drive so little but to be honest with the research I've been doing, it seems most hybrids start at €25k and i'm prepared to consider a petrol model if it kept us below that price and suited our needs. We have no brand loyalty at all, but more interested in the ones that offer long warranties.
Any suggestions?
RUTH COONEY (Dublin)Mar 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Ruth,
I think to get what you need, your best bet is to buy second hand and go for a Toyota Prius+. It’s ideal for low mileage users, has seats for seven and will be incredibly reliable. Just be aware that on longer journeys it will be considerably thirstier.
You could go for a nearly-new Prius or Kia Niro (or a Hyundai Ioniq), but I fear they wouldn’t have the rear seat space that you need. That said, it will depend on how old your kids are and how big their seats are. If you have at least one on a booster cushion (and the Bubble Bum inflatable one is very good for middle rear seats) then you might squeeze in.
My VW Transporter is vibrating...
Good day,
I am referring to a question sent in by Ken Maher (Ballyger, Co.Galway) on 16 March 2014. He asked about a 2004 VW Transporter that had a vibration at about 2,000rpm when under power/load. I am experiencing the exact same problem with my 2007 Transporter T5. Was there ever a reason other than the CV joints?
Derek Wormald (Queenstown)Mar 2018 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Derek,
As ever, it's very difficult to assess such things from afar and we recommend finding a good mechanic to look at it. It could be the CV joints, but it could just be a wheel out of balance too, so best have it looked at.
I need a larger car for my golfing needs!
I currently drive a 2008 Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion. I would like to change to a car that is higher off the ground. I need a boot big enough to hold golf club and caddy, but not looking for a big expensive SUV. Does the new Golf fit with these conditions? I also would like an automatic; what makes do you recommend please?
Kind regards
Angela
Angela Osullivan (Wicklow)Feb 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Angela,
The current Golf’s boot isn’t all that much larger than that of the 2008 model, so if you’re struggling to fit your golfing gear into that one, then I don’t think the new one will help. Happily, there is a solution — go for the Golf Estate, which, with its 600-litre boot, has more than enough room for all of your clubs, the caddy, bags, shopping, one or two kitchen sinks etc. The Golf’s optional DSG automatic is very good too, so it’s well worth a look. Also worth a look is the Toyota Auris Touring Sports Hybrid, which has similar boot space combined with a 'saintly' hybrid transmission, and there’s a handsome new Kia Ceed estate coming in the next few months.
What's a Volkswagen Transporter 4Motion?
What's a Volkswagen Transporter 4Motion?
Ray Brophy (Kilkenny)Feb 2018 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Ray,
The 4Motion bit means it has four-wheel drive.
Any idea of the VRT on a 2013 Lexus RX?
Hi,
I'm thinking of importing a 2013 Lexus RX 450h F Sport with 64,000 miles on the clock; any idea of the VRT on that?
Many thanks, Robert.
Robert Scott (Dublin)Feb 2018 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Robert,
It will depend on the total spec, inclusive of extras, but a rough calculation says it should be around €4,800-€5,000.
How much VRT on a 2017 BMW 4 Series?
How much VRT would there be on a 2017 BMW 4 Series M Sport Coupe with about 100 miles on the clock? Diesel automatic.
Joanne Lawlor (Firhouse)Jan 2018 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Joanne,
It will depend on the spec and what options the car has, but the ballpark figure will be around €7-8,000 of VRT.
Looking to buy a 2016 or 2017 SUV...
I'm looking to buy a 2016 or 2017 SUV, 1.6 to 1.7 diesel, Manual gearbox with cruise control. I'm not too bothered by my most other factors, other than a decent comfortable motorway drive with good fuel economy. Can you advise which are the most fuel efficient SUVs for motorway driving in Ireland within this range? Currently, I'm considering a Kia Sportage or Honda CR-V or Hyundai Tucson.
Thanks, Paul
Paul Keyes (Dublin)Jan 2018 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
The Hyundai or Kia will be more efficient than the 1.6 i-DTEC Honda, but only just and at the expense of a considerable amount of performance — the Honda feels much brisker and is more comfortable than the other two as well. In that size range, it’s also well worth considering the VW Tiguan, especially the current-shape model, which is very frugal in 2.0-litre 115hp form. Some reviews below to help you decide:
Is the diesel auto Kia Sportage good on fuel?
I now have a 1.2-litre petrol automatic 161 Nissan Qashqai and thinking at getting a 181 Kia Sportage 1.7-litre diesel auto. Will I be spending less on fuel?
Mark Crowley (Ennis)Jan 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
You’ll probably use a little less fuel, but overall you’re going to be spending more because of the cost of upgrading to what’s quite a pricey diesel version, especially with the automatic gearbox. Kia quotes official fuel economy for that model of 57mpg, but we’d expect to see more like 40-45mpg in real world conditions. That’s a little better than the Qashqai 1.2 petrol, but not very much better. If you want to do better on the economy front, consider dropping the automatic gearbox and getting a manual instead.
Looking for a reliable family car...
We are looking for some good options for a really reliable family car. Nothing too big as parking in the car park my wife works in is a nightmare as it is very tight. We were looking at a 2014 Nissan Qashqai+2, a 2015 Kia cee'd Sportswagon and might look at the Skoda Octavia. Insignia looks good but it's a monster of a size.
The Qashqai+2 seems expensive for a 2014 model. Would it be a waste? We do mileage of about 11k to 12k a year. Are the cars we looked at above the best options or what others would you recommend and best engine to go for? We want a really good boot and rear seat space for young kids with ISOFIX seating.
Thanks
Tomas Best (Dublin)Jan 2018 Filed under: family car
Expert answer
Hi Tomas,
The problem with the Qashqai+2 is that it’s the older model Qashqai, which is nowhere near as sophisticated as the current model. Do you really need the seven seats? If not, then I think that the Kia cee’d Sportswagon is a much better bet — bigger boot than the Qashqai, comfier and better to drive and with that seven-year warranty for peace of mind. A cracking choice.
Also well worth looking at the Octavia Combi and the VW Golf Estate, but make sure you’re going for a petrol engine with that mileage — you won’t need a diesel. Actually, with that in mind, the Toyota Auris Hybrid Sport Tourer estate is also well worth a look. Here are a few reviews to help you decide: