Which is the best seven-seat car?
I am planning to buy a seven-seat car; which is the best?
Paul S (Limerick)Feb 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
It depends on what size you need. If it's a mid-size seven seater, then the Volkswagen Touran, Kia Carens, Toyota Verso and the new Renault Scenic. If you need something larger go for a Ford S-Max or SEAT Alhambra. Here are our reviews:
Which saloon to get with under €12,000?
Hi,
Looking to buy a second hand saloon car for under €12k. Do about 10-15k km per year. Decent sized engine, four doors and fuel efficient and wanted to buy something other than the usual boring Toyota or Nissan! Any advice?
Thanks Michael
Michael Doran (Dublin)Feb 2017 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
You've got a lot of options depending on the year and size of car you want. How about an Audi A4 2.0 TDI? Perhaps a BMW 520d? Something simpler? How about a Ford Mondeo 1.6 TDCi? Or a Volkswagen Jetta 2.0 TDI? A Mazda6? A Lexus GS? There's a whole world of choice out there for €12k.
Petrol or diesel Golf for my mileage?
Trying to decide between a Volkswagen Golf 1.4 petrol and the diesel 1.6, both 2010: the petrol has 44k miles on the clock and diesel 50k miles. I've been told that unless you do high mileage the petrol might be the better option.
Gerry Manning (Dublin)Feb 2017 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Gerry,
Absolutely. Unless you’re doing at minimum 20,000km a year, it makes much more sense to have a petrol engine. Cheaper to buy up front, lower maintenance costs and no issues with exhaust filters (DPFs) etc.
For reliability: Volvo, Passat or Octavia?
Which is more reliable: the Volvo S40, the Passat TDI 1.6 diesel or the Skoda Octavia?
John
John D Clarke (Blackrock)Feb 2017 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi John,
The Skoda. Both the Volvo and the Volkswagen are decent, solidly built and generally reliable cars, but Skoda always seems to beat Volkswagen in major reliability surveys, so go for the Octavia if reliability is paramount.
Is my Volkswagen Passat recalled?
How do I know if my Passat is affected by the emissions scandal?
Declan O Flynn (Blackrock)Feb 2017 Filed under: recall
Expert answer
Hi Declan,
If it is, you’ll get a letter from Volkswagen to ask you to book the car in for an inspection. If you’re still concerned, contact your local dealer to check.
What are the safest cars on sale today?
What is the safest car/SUV on the Irish market today? I am particularly interested in any vehicle that provides extra protection when somebody crashes into your back.
Anthony Morris (Dub)Feb 2017 Filed under: safety
Expert answer
Hi Anthony,
According to the EuroNCAP crash test experts, the three best-performing cars tested in 2016 were the Toyota Prius, Hyundai Ioniq and Volkswagen Tiguan. That said, the NCAP crash test is a laboratory test, and its parameters can be designed in to a car's structure. Only two car makers still have teams that investigate real-world accidents involving their cars and they are Volvo and Mercedes-Benz. Generally speaking, if I'm thinking of safety above all else, those are the two brands I'd look at.
Has Volkswagen Ireland no Golf info yet?
Hi,
Why on earth is there radio silence from Volkswagen Ireland regarding the new Golf?! In the first time for forever we have an excellent, dedicated car enthusiasts' website for Irish customers where I can read about the new Golf, but Volkswagen Ireland has no information whatsoever on its website or within its dealer network. I am having to use the excellent Volkswagen UK website as a reference yet there is no guarantee what I desire there will even be 'offered' here...
I am in the fortunate position of being able to order my third 'performance' Golf at launch yet am getting that same 'here's what you could have won' feeling seeing the UK launch and generous spec... Maybe it'll be worth the wait this time...
Martin Smith (Dub)Feb 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
Well, we can't speak for Volkswagen or its IT department, but we have seen the prices (hence how we were able to include them in our review of the new Volkswagen Golf) and they're pretty much the same as before, with slightly better equipment as standard all round, which is actually much the same as UK spec. Any delay in getting the new details on the website are likely down to a delay in finalising the options pack prices and, let's face it, trying to make sure that the last few remaining examples of the outgoing model get sold.
Volkswagen Tiguan or BMW X1?
Volkswagen Tiguan 150hp diesel Comfortline front-wheel drive or BMW X1 sDrive18d Xline: if cost wasn't an issue what would you recommend?
Martin Moroney (Dublin)Feb 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
Probably the Tiguan, mostly because it's roomier and more comfortable. That said, there's no denying that the X1 is a terrific car and very desirable. Here are our reviews of the versions we have tried:
Is a 142 Volkswagen Tiguan 1.4 possible?
Hi, I believe hat Volkswagen stopped making the 1.4 TSI Tiguan in 2008, but Frank Keane in Deansgrange has this 142 example for sale; how can this be?
Brendan Cullen (Knocklyon)Feb 2017 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Brendan,
No, Volkswagen didn't stop making the 1.4 Tiguan in 2008, but it was dropped from the Irish price list then as we all went diesel-crazy after the tax change. The car was always available to order, and it's possible that the car you're looking at is a UK import.
Will the Volkswagen software affect tax?
Will the software update affect my road tax?
Hugh Murphy (Ballydesmond )Jan 2017 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Hugh,
Assuming you mean the Volkswagen diesel software update, no, it shouldn't. Volkswagen has had to clear all the updates with the German federal transport agency to comply with a ruling that any changes won't affect the CO2 emissions or fuel economy of the cars.