Running costs of 2014 Toyota Avensis?
What mileage does a 2014 Toyota 2.0-litre diesel do to the gallon of diesel. And what does insurance cost for a driver with full clean licence and 50% no claims bonus?
Anthony Ryan (Balinrobe )Feb 2019 Filed under: running costs
Expert answer
Hi Anthony,
Timing belt on a 2015 Toyota Avensis diesel?
I have just bought a 2015-reg Toyota Avensis 2.0-litre diesel estate; can you please tell me if it has a timing belt or chain fitted ot this model?
With thanks.
Mumtaz Hussain (Oldham )Feb 2019 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Mumtaz,
That engine uses a timing chain.
Petrol, hybrid or diesel for my next car?
Hello
I'm unsure whether I should opt for hybrid, diesel or petrol for my next car. I drive approx 80km per day, mainly national roads. I am interested in hybrid, but considering I drive very little in town/city environments, I'm not sure it's the best option. I'd love your opinion as everyone I speak to seems to have conflicting advice.
Many thanks
Eimear Morrison (Roscommon)Jan 2019 Filed under: hybrid
Expert answer
Hi Eimear,
It’s a tricky one and it kind of depends on what age of car you’re looking at. I think with your driving profile and the fact that, as you say, you don’t drive much in town, hybrid may not be right for you. Emphasis on the ‘may.’
If you’re buying a new hybrid, that equation changes a little. The current Toyota Prius, for example, gets an easy 65mpg on the motorway, which is better than I’ve ever got out of any diesel. Ditto the Kia Niro plugin-hybrid. It’s not just new cars either. A few years back I squeezed better economy out of a Lexus GS 300h on a run from Dublin to West Cork and back than I did on the same route, in the same week, with a Ford Mondeo Vignale diesel.
What's the best hybrid SUV?
Hi,
I’m currently driving a 2017 Nissan Qashqai SVE and looking to trade to a 17 or 18-reg plug-in hybrid of a similar size and spec level. Budget of about €30k including my car's trade value. What would you recommend? I do mainly city driving so hoping the hybrid would offer some savings.
Thanks
Dara Weston (Dublin)Jan 2019 Filed under: hybrid
Expert answer
Hi Dara,
The best plug-in hybrids around at the moment are the Kia Niro PHEV, the Toyota Prius PHEV and the Volkswagen Golf GTE (assuming you can find a GTE in stock...). Now, these are smaller than your Qashqai inside, so you may need to make that compromise in order to get the plug-in hybrid efficiency. The revised Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is massive inside, and rather nice, but thirsty if you’re not plugging it in all the time and making maximum use of the electric part of the powertrain.
A conventional hybrid might also be worth a look, especially given that you’re driving mostly in town. Honda is just about to launch a hybrid version of the hugely impressive new CR-V, and the new Toyota RAV4 is arriving in dealerships around now. Both are well worth considering if you can stretch the budget out to something brand-new.
Here are some relevant reviews:
What new hybrid would suit my aunt's use?
Hi,
My aunt is looking at buying a hybrid. She currently has a 2010 SEAT Ibiza with 40,000km on the clock, which is in immaculate condition. As indicated by the mileage she doesn't do much driving and what she does is city and suburbs. She's interested in a new hybrid (as opposed to electric - she thinks it's too early in its development) that is reliable. Ideally she'd like an automatic, but doesn't want to pay a huge premium for that. Her budget is €20,000 plus the Ibiza.
What would you suggest?
Thanks
Enda
Enda Lowry (Dublin)Dec 2018 Filed under: hybrid
Expert answer
Hi Enda,
For starters, as far as I can work out, all new hybrids currently on sale are automatic, so there's no such thing as paying a premium for that side of things. On a trade-in, I'd suspect that your aunt will get no more than €3,500 for the Ibiza, even though the mileage is very low, so let's work with a budget of around €23,500.
That would get the top-of-the-range Toyota Yaris Hybrid, which is a perfectly good car for low mileage use by one person. The Yaris has been updated recently and it remains a very solid buy. For a few grand more, the entry-level version of the brand new Toyota Corolla Hybrid is within reach, which is a far more substantial car, but outside the budget you mentioned.
There are no other new hybrid cars on the market within budget, I'm afraid. At this price point, we'd suggest that an efficient petrol engine is possibly better value, but if your aunt really wants a new hybrid, then the Yaris is not a bad option at all.
Which new crossover or SUV for me?
Hello,
Which crossover/SUV would you recommend? I do circa 25-30k kilometres per year, mostly motorways, but also a fair bit of urban driving.
Roseanna
Roseanna Gorman (Bray)Dec 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Roseanna,
First things first — if you’re doing mostly urban and motorway miles, you really don’t need an SUV. A more conventional hatchback, saloon, or estate is going to be more comfortable, better value, more economical and a better-engineered vehicle all round. If you’re looking for something with practicality then the likes of a Skoda Octavia Combi estate, a Volkswagen Golf Estate, a Kia Ceed SW, or the new Ford Focus Estate all have much bigger boots than any small-to-medium SUV (more than 600 litres, all of them, compared to around 450 litres for, say, a Nissan Qashqai), and they’re all better to drive and more frugal.
However, if you’re hooked on SUVs then we’d recommend a SEAT Ateca (plain wrapper, but it’s roomy, comfy and nice to drive) or a Toyota C-HR (small on the inside, relatively, but hugely stylish and the hybrid version is frugal). If you’re looking to ‘posh-up’ a bit, then the incoming new Audi Q3 is a bit of a stunner, or if you want something smaller and more affordable than any of those, try the updated Fiat 500X, which is kinda cute and charming.
Here are our relevant reviews for you to read more:
I need comfort and space for €45,000...
Hi all,
I’m driving a Mercedes C-Class and looking to change early next year. I want more seat comfort and boot space as primary issues (boot space for golf clubs and more). I am thinking of either a 1.5 TSI Superb or Toyota Camry or an SUV like a hybrid Honda CR-V or a Toyota RAV4. I drive around 12,000km per year, mainly city with monthly 600km round trips. My budget is up to around €45k (without trade-in). I am open to alternatives. Any advice welcomed!
B.
Barry Moynihan (Dublin)Nov 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Barry,
Well, much though we love the new Camry, it’s actually quite small in the boot department — just 445 litres — so that probably counts it out here. The CR-V Hybrid is also a little short on boot space (just 497 litres). The incoming new Toyota RAV4 should have a decent boot, but if it’s boot space you need (and seat comfort too) then the Skoda Superb is hard to beat. Plus it looks smart, it’s nice to drive and well made. A brilliant package, really.
Relevant review links below:
Belt or chain on diesel Avensis?
Hi there,
I have a 2010 Toyota Avensis 2.0-litre D-4D. Does this have a timing belt or a chain?
Thanks
Therese Conway (Galway )Nov 2018 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Therese,
This car uses a timing chain.
How best to deal with car finance in negative?
I have a car that is worth €8,000 and the finance outstanding is €11,000 so if I buy a car with a trade in bonus it narrows the gap in clearing my loan. Toyota's deal comes to mind here. Apart from finding the difference myself is there any option open to me?
Thanking you.
Gerard Power (Kilrush,Co.Clare.)Nov 2018 Filed under: finance
Expert answer
Hi Gerard,
Theoretically yes, but the trade-in bonuses are not that straightforward. They’re not a blanket ‘we’ll give you an extra €4,000 on top of what your car is actually worth.’ Rather, they’re usually intended as a sweetener to get owners of older cars, who might not usually be shopping for a new model or with a main dealer, in through the door with the chance for a half-decent trade-in. I’d check the fine print of any deal on offer, and have a good chat with the dealer in question, before committing to anything. If you’re in negative equity with your car loan, I’d also sit down for a chat with either your own accountant (if you have one) or with a financial adviser at your bank before proceeding.
They may have some helpful advice.
Which small car for infrequent use?
Can you recommend the best car for infrequent use? I currently own a 2010 1.6 SEAT Leon, but as I now bus it to work I don't need a diesel engine and it's gathering dust in the driveway weekdays. I just need something for pottering around at the weekend and any holidays. I'm thinking Nissan Micra, Hyundai i10/i20, Ford Fiesta. Don't need a huge car as there's only two of us. Not looking for something massively pricey, but with trade-in perhaps a 151 or 161 model.
Stephen Ridgeway (Dublin)Oct 2018 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Stephen,