Should we get a second EV for towing?
Hi, a question about a second car. What would be a good choice for a second car for travelling to work that does small mileage (10-20 miles) daily? Our main car is a Nissan Leaf, which we use for the majority of our driving. A car that can tow a small trailer would be ideal, something with low tax and running costs. Budget is about 6-7 thousand euro, with the intention of trading in the car in a few years time for a newer model. Have thought of buying another electric car, but not sure about having two electric cars in household until longer range cars are available or charging network improves.
Thank you for your help.
Barry
Barry Slye (Cork)Jun 2018 Filed under: electric cars
Expert answer
Hi Barry,
The problem with electric cars is that, generally, they’re not rated for towing (I think that the new Nissan Leaf is one of the first with a towing rating), so you’re probably going to have to switch back to petrol or diesel for this one. Probably your best bet is to go for something very conventional, such as VW Golf or Ford Focus, and maybe go for the estate version of one of those to give yourself a little extra versatility. A Toyota Auris Hybird would also work well, and would at least keep you going on half-electric power. Plenty of them around in your price range.
I have a €3,500 budget for an economical car...
I have a budget of €3,000-€3,500 and want to buy a used car. What is a decent mileage I could expect for a diesel car registered on 2008 and after? Which brands are good and reliable?
Thanks
Vis Heg (Galway)Jun 2018 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Vis,
There’s plenty of choice at that price level for a 2008-onward diesel, but the mileage you’ll get will vary hugely according to how you drive. For instance, you could get a 1.6 HDi diesel Citroen C5 saloon within your budget, and that’s capable of doing 60mpg or better, but again that comes down to how you actually drive it. In terms of reliability, you’ll never beat a Japanese brand for that, so go for a Honda Civic 2.2 CDTi, a Mazda3 1.6 D, or a Toyota Auris or Corolla 1.4 D-4D.
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 will we get for our 2008 Toyota Auris?
Hi,
Just wondering what realistically should we be getting on a trade in for a 2008 Toyota Auris petrol Terra with 160,000km on the clock and no issues? We are now looking for something more spacious. I know you can't guarantee what should be offered, but in your opinion what would be a fair trade in price for it?
Thanks
Mark Thomas (Wicklow)Jan 2018 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
It should be worth in and around the €4,500 mark, a little less as a trade-in, but that will depend on condition and service history of course.
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:
Tell me about the Toyota Auris 1.2...
Hi,
My friend is considering buying a new Toyota Auris 1.2 Turbo petrol and was asking me for some advice. Is this engine the same as the Puretech one made by Peugeot, as I know Toyota and PSA share some engines, etc? Or is it made by Toyota themselves or is it a BMW engine? I would almost rather if it was much the same as the PSA Puretech one, but is this so?
Kieran, Waterford.
Ciarán Holohan (Waterford)Dec 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Ciaran,
No, it’s actually Toyota’s own design of engine, and is quite closely related to the 1.0-litre three-cylinder unit in the Yaris and Aygo. It’s pretty clever actually — able to switch from Otto cycle to Atkinson cycle (which helps to save fuel) and back again. It’s a good engine to drive, if you’ve not tried one, smooth and reasonably powerful (only 114hp but a decent 184Nm of torque).
We need a reliable family car for two kids...
Hi there,
We are starting to look for a good reliable family car suitable for two young children as our journeys now require a lot more space for everything. I know the estates are probably the most practical, but not our preferred choice so if possible could you recommend more compact options with the best interior space?
We were considering the following: Nissan Quashqai - which is best spec? Renault Kadjar - is it reliable however? Skoda Octavia? Any options from Toyota or Hyundai? Reliability is very important. Your thoughts on the above would be really appreciated.
I also note that most, the Kadjar in particular, are available mostly in diesel. Our mileage is probably around 15,000km a year. Would we be ok with a diesel option?
Many thanks
Mark Yeates (Waterford)Dec 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
Yes, estates are definitely the most practical, and generally offer a lower purchase price and lower running costs than an equivalent SUV or crossover. They tend to have bigger boots, too. The best Qashqai spec is generally SV or SVE, which come with the touchscreen, air conditioning and some other nice toys. The Kadjar is essentially mechanically identical to the Qashqai, so should be fine from a reliability front.
The Skoda Octavia Combi estate would probably be the best overall bet for you. The rear seats and boot are massive and very kid-friendly, and they’re reliable. With your mileage, you’re probably better off with a petrol engine, so go for a 1.2 TSI for the best overall value.
It’s well worth looking at a Toyota Auris Estate too — it's huge inside and virtually unbreakable. Worth considering the hybrid as well. Hyundai is also well worth a look. The Tucson makes a good SUV option, and the i40 Tourer estate is a terrific car, but you’ll struggle to find anything other than a diesel. Here are a few reviews for further reading:
Petrol Golf, Civic or Toyota Auris Hybrid?
Unsure what to buy, I am torn between three cars, the Honda Civic Smart Plus, VW Golf Comfortline and the Toyota Auris Hybrid Luna Sport. All are petrol, doing 1,000km a week so looking for most economical and within reason an all round good car.
Thanks.
Declan Dore (Tralee)Nov 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Declan,
It’s actually really hard to pick a winner out of those three. The Auris Hybrid is a good choice, but works best if most of your mileage is in town. At 1,000km a week, it sounds like you’re doing longer journeys than that. Between the Golf and the Civic? Both have excellent 1.0-litre turbo petrol engines, but I think on balance we’d come down on the side of the Civic. It's roomier inside than the Golf and has (slightly) better reliability prospects in the longer term.
Looking for a practical compact estate...
Hi,
I'm looking for a small estate the back seats of which fold completely flat. Which models, to your knowledge, best fit this requirement?
Thanks, Tom Nelson
Tom Nelson (Maynooth)Jul 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Tom,
The best ones to go for are the Volkswagen Golf Estate, Skoda Octavia Combi, Peugeot 308 SW, or Toyota Auris Touring Sports. Our reviews:
Tell me about the Toyota Auris...
What's good and bad about the Toyota Auris?
Pam Riddles (Brakpan)May 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Pam,
Good: reliable, roomy, comfortable.
Bad: a touch dull, and the 1.4 diesel is underpowered.