Does my diesel Avensis have a timing chain?
Please could you tell me if my 2012 Toyota Avensis 2.0 D-4D diesel has a timing chain or belt?
Jeff Landeg (Port Talbot)Aug 2017 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Jeff,
That car has a timing chain so should need no maintenance other than timely oil changes.
Kia Optima or Volkswagen Passat?
Considering buying a 2016 Kia Optima, but am sceptical of its resale value or trade in value. Other options being considered are a 2015/16 Passat, which will be more expensive now, but would it be better in the long run from a trade in value perspective in the future?
Daithi Glynn (Limerick)Aug 2017 Filed under: resale value
Expert answer
Hi Daithi,
Well, the best brands for residual values are generally held to be Toyota, Skoda or the premium German car brands. That said, Kia tends to perform quite well in residual terms right now, not least because of that impressive seven-year warranty. An Optima should make a good choice, then, as would a Toyota Avensis. That said, it’s very clear right now that the market is moving, rapidly, to being centred around SUVs and crossovers, not traditional four-door saloons, so you might be well advised to have a look at one of those — a Kia Sportage, perhaps, or Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, Nissan Qashqai or Volkswagen Tiguan.
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:
Which of these Toyota Avensis to go for?
Thinking of buying one of the two cars mentioned below:
2009 2.0-litre Toyota Avensis D-4D Luna four-door with 145,000km on the odometer or 2010 2.0-litre Toyota Avensis Strata with 87,000km on the odometer. The 2010 model is €995 dearer, but with a difference of 58,000km on the odometer it might be a better buy? Both are diesel. Other than a lower mileage, do you have an opinion which is better? Also what is the max mileage one can expect to get over the lifetime of this car
Many thanks. Marlen
Marlen Carvalho (Wicklow)Jul 2017 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Marlen,
It's impossible for us to accurately assess a car that we haven't seen, but for a small premium such as that it could well be worth having the newer car. That said, one should never buy on age and mileage, but on condition and history, so go for whichever one is in better condition and which has the more complete service history.
As for potential mileage, if you keep a car properly serviced and cared for (Toyotas especially so) the sky's the limit...
Will I go for a new Kia Carens?
I currently have a 141 Kia Carens [up on DoneDeal, no phonecalls]. I require a car that will fit three highback boosters across the middle row and two pop up seats for car pooling. I like the style of the Kia and of course the seven-year warranty. I want to know what to expect to pay to upgrade to a 171 model or should I look at other cars? Do certain seven-seat cars have better resale value?
Bgt Ryan Kiely (Tipperary,)Jun 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Ryan,
Your Carens is going to be worth in the region of €16,000 to €18,000 as a trade in, and the cheapest new Carens is €28,000, so you’re looking at finding or financing €10-12k to trade up.
Generally speaking, all seven-seaters hold their value pretty well, not least because we’re still going through something of a baby boom at the moment and families are keen to trade-up to cars that can handle multiple child car seats. The best for resale are the Volkswagen Touran, Toyota Verso, Citroen C4 Picasso and your Carens.
If you like it, I’d stick with it for your new car — the Carens is one of the best compact seven-seaters around.
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.
Should we buy a Kia Niro on PCP?
Hi,
My husband and l are thinking of buying a new Kia Niro through PCP. Neither of us are "into" cars as such. We will have a deposit of €10,000 and it will be replacing our 2004 Toyota Corolla Verso. We like the fact that the Kia Niro is hybrid and we have already had a test drive and this sold it to us.
Any advice about the car or PCP would be much appreciated.
Many thanks
Jean
Jean McConnon (Carrickmacross)May 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Jean,
The Niro isn’t a bad car at all, and is certainly very frugal, although if you’re replacing a Corolla Verso you’re going to find that it’s much less roomy and less versatile inside. As for PCP, it’s a great idea for getting cheap finance and a low monthly repayment rate, but to make it work properly you really need to be committed to the idea of buying another new car in three years’ time. If not, then you could be better off with either a Hire Purchase agreement, or an old-fashioned bank loan.
What's good about the Toyota Prius?
Good and bad things about the Toyota Prius hybrid?
Mihails Grigorjevs (Dublin)May 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mihails,
Good: economical if you drive it right (i.e: gently), well made, incredibly reliable, roomy, comfortable, cool gear shifter.
Not so good: not pretty, not fun to drive, thirsty if you try and drive it quickly, lots get used and abused as taxis, not good for motorway work (unless you mean the current model).
Read our review of the 2017 Toyota Prius here
New Honda CR-V or Nissan X-Trail?
Hi,
I have a recommendation question. I'm wondering which of the following cars I should consider? I have always driven Toyota and currently have a RAV4 D-4D. I'm considering a change and have the following in mind: Honda CR-V ES or Nissan X-Trail SV. I do 50,000km in two years and purchase new. I want something that will be a good trade-in against a Toyota should I revert to the brand in two years' time again.
Thanks
Stephen Fox (Galway)May 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Stephen,
Either would be good as a trade-in and it’s actually pretty hard to separate them out in that sense, as Hondas are generally considered to have higher levels of quality, but the X-Trail comes with seven seats and seven-seaters are currently much in demand. Both are good cars, but we’d come down on the side of the Honda, which is better to drive, and better built.
Best small car for value and reliability?
What is the best small car on the market with respect to value and reliability?
Made;eome O'Sullivan (Limerick)May 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Maddy,
If it's reliability you want, you need to buy either Japanese, Korean or Czech. That means Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Skoda, Kia, or Hyundai.
The Honda Jazz is really good, exceptionally roomy and smooth to drive, but it is pricey. Now, that higher price includes a lot more standard equipment than in rivals, but it's a hurdle to get over. On the whole, it would be our choice with the Toyota Yaris and Skoda Fabia tied second and the Kia Rio and Hyundai i20 bringing up the rear.
If you're buying new, it's also potentially worth waiting for the new SEAT Ibiza, which is very roomy, well made and nice to drive.