What is the market value of a 1995 Daihatsu Sportrak?
What is the market value of a 1995 Daihatsu Sportrak in very good condition serviced and NCT'ed in January 2015 with 138k miles on the clock?
Brendan Byrne (Dublin)Apr 2015 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Brendan,
If it's in really good nick you should get between €1,500 and €2,000 for it.
Ford Kuga or Kia Sportage?
I am buying a new car and I'm undecided between a 131 Ford Kuga or a 142 Kia Sportage. Have test driven the Kuga and it is gorgeous but the seven-year warranty with the Sportage is seriously tempting.
Neasa Macnamara (Limerick)Mar 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Neasa,
I know what you mean, although it's worth pointing out that the Kuga can be had with a five-year warranty right now. I actually think that the Kuga is a very underrated car - it's spacious, handsome and really good to drive. The Kia still looks good but in terms of its cabin, engine and chassis you can sense that it's ageing a bit now, and a new model is due next year.
Incidentally, don't make a final decision until you try a 1.6 i-DTEC Honda CR-V. Cracking car - slightly more expensive than the Ford or Kia, but worth a look for its high quality, reliability and cabin space.
Further reading:
Nissan Qashqai or Kia Sportage?
Could you do a comparison, please, between the Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai, both petrol and diesel? Thanks
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Mar 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
The Sportage is very much on its way out right now, with a new model due next year. That said, it's still a nice car, but it can't match the Qashqai for handling or for the emissions from their diesel engines. As for petrol, there really isn't a viable Sportage petrol option right now, but the Qashqai's 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine actually makes pretty good sense if you're doing low mileage and mostly drive around town.
Further reading:
How about the Opel Mokka for a new car?
Hi,
Thank you for your very prompt reply and your advice. The cee'd estate is that now known as the cee'd Sportswagon, right, available in TX and EX versions. Also, may I ask, is the Opel Mokka in the running with a very generous €4,500 scrappage allowance?
Thanks again, Anto
Mar 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Anthony,
Yes, I quite like the Mokka and our ed, Shane, says that the one with the new 1.6 CDTi diesel engine is a cracker. That said, the cee'd would be a good bit more practical from a space point of view so you need to work out exactly what you need.
Further reading:
Help me spend €24,000 on a new car!
Hi, I bought my present car, a Mitsubishi Space Star 1.3 GLX petrol new 15 years ago, so it's long overdue replacing. Trouble is I haven't got a clue about choosing a new car and I need your advice.
The max price I wish to pay is €24,000 so I'm also chasing the best scrappage deal. I had a drive in the Hyundai ix35 and I like it but it has its drawbacks. However, the Nissan Qashqai is a non-contender for me as it has only an emergency spare wheel and the fifth passenger has to sit like riding a donkey with the big centre console protruding from the front.
What do you think I should go for? I'm thinking of looking at the Kia Sportage and Kia cee'd, but also the Nissan Pulsar and Peugeot 3008. I would be grateful for your advice.
Kind regards, Anto.
Anthony Kavanagh (Kilkenny)Mar 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Anthony,
The Pulsar or the cee'd would be the most sensible choices and both fall well within your budget. Both are reliable and decent to drive, and the Kia's not bad looking either. In fact, I reckon you should go for the estate version of the cee'd - it's one of the nicest, comfiest and most practical cars around.
Further reading to help you decide:
Is there a way to track a new car in transit at sea?
Hi guys, I've been told that my new car is in transit. Is there anyway of seeing where it is at sea?
Simon MacMahon (Dublin)Mar 2015 Filed under: miscellaneous
Expert answer
Hi Simon,
It depends where it's coming from. If it's coming from the UK or Europe, then it'll probably come by train to a major port and then by car transporter ship to either Dublin, Cork or Rosslare. From Europe it wouldn't be at sea long enough to be of any interest.
If it's coming from Japan or the Far East then it might be worth trying to find the name of the shipping vessel and then you can track it's movements from this website: http://www.marinetraffic.com
Nissan Qashqai, Hyundai ix35 or Kia Sportage?
I had a test drive in the 1.5 diesel Nissan Qashqai, the 1.7 diesel Hyundai ix35 and the 1.7 Kia Sportage, all new; I want to get one but which is the best value for money and also the best resale?
Cheers
Mar 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Jerry,
All three will have excellent resale values, but I'd say the Hyundai has a nose in front in that regard, as it's a big-selling model and the five-year warranty makes it a desirable second hand purchase.
Of the three, the Nissan is probably the best all-rounder when it comes to driving, the Hyundai is bigger and more spacious and the Kia is better looking (matter of opinion, I realise). It's worth noting though that both the Korean cars are up for replacement shortly wheras the Nissan is brand new and has more cutting edge technology.
Further reading:
Skoda Yeti, Nissan Juke or Kia Sportage?
Can you compare the Skoda Yeti to Nissan Juke and Kia Sportage?
Mick O'Flynn (Kilkenny)Feb 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mick,
Well, there's a significant difference here in that the Juke is much smaller (and in fairness less expensive) than either the Yeti or Sportage. It's fun to drive too but to be honest I think its lack of rear seat and boot space counts it out here (though the 2015 model has a larger boot than before in two-wheel drive guise).
The Sportage is a good choice - good looking, high quality and with that long Kia warranty. But it's the Yeti we'd go for. It is well made, good to drive and massively practical.
Further reading:
Skoda Yeti vs. Fiat 500L Trekking twin test review
Can you tell me about the new Audi TTS?
Hi, I was wondering if you would know what the spec of a new Audi TTS in Ireland is. I am finding it hard to get info.
Thomas Hourigan (Nenagh)Feb 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Thomas,
I've just emailed you the full PDF brochure from Audi, but the spec highlights are:
Priced from: €63,350 on-the-road (€2,600 extra for S Tronic automatic)
Standard:
- 19-inch five-arm alloy wheels
- Metallic Paint as standard
- Fine Nappa Leather upholstery with S embossing
- Extended Leather Package
- Super Sports Seats
-LED Headlights
- Anti-Theft Alarm
- Virtual Cockpit (S Model Specific with rev clock front and centre)
- Audi Drive Select
Hope that's of help
New BMW X3 or Mitsubishi Outlander?
Hello, I have to make a choice between a BMW X3 or Mitsubishi Outlander. Both 2015 models. Which do you think is better?
Thanks.
Jane Crosby (Cork)Feb 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Jane,
I have to admit I'm not a big fan of the current X3. Too hard-riding and not practical enough for my liking, although I'll grant you it's very good to drive.
But, while the Outlander isn't the most exciting or dynamic vehicle around, it does have a few advantages. It can be had as a seven-seater, it comes with an eight-year warranty and Mitsubishis tend to be very reliable.
Best of all, for the price of an X3 you could get into the PHEV plugin hybrid Outlander, which is a properly ground breaking car. Get an E-Car charger on the driveway (you should still be able to get a free one if you're quick) and you'll be able to go 50km without using the petrol engine, but you still have a proper fuel tank on board for long journeys and can average 40mpg with the petrol engine going.
Can't go wrong, really...
Further reading:
BMW X3 review (pre-facelift model)
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV review (first Irish drive)