Is the Rover 75 automatic a good car?
Is the Rover 75 automatic a good car, mechanically?
John Griffin (County. Cavan. Ireland)Jul 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi John,
Only. If. You're. Very. Lucky.
Actually, they're not that bad - probably the best car that Rover ever built, but then you need to place that statement in the context of some of the build quality horrors they did turn out... And besides that, the youngest possible 75 turned 10 this year. The oldest ones are almost old enough to vote by now.
You need to watch for some specific problems. If it's got the 1.8 turbo petrol engine, avoid it - they overheat and do their head gaskets and at that point you may as well just throw the engine away. The 2.0-litre V6 petrol is lovely and smooth but complex and expensive to maintain. The BMW-sourced 2.0-litre diesel is the best powerplant, but it does develop turbo problems and they're heavy on the transmission. You also need to check for worn, saggy suspension and rusty brake pipes.
What do you think of this Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
Hi.
I want to buy a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Elegance automatic 2.7 CDI. First of all is it a good car? The lift pump is broken in the car I am looking at so when it gets to half tank it cuts off and it also have a malfunction of the light sensor. It has 173,000km on the clock.
Simon Hlati (Capetown)Jul 2015 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Simon,
If say it's best avoided. Mercedes E-Classes from that generation were notoriously troublesome and if this one is already giving bother then it's probably not going to stop even if you get those items fixed. Find one that's been cared for, with a proper service history, and you might be OK.
What is the towing capacity of the Toyota RAV4
What is the towing capacity of the Toyota RAV4 2.2?
Larry Farrell (Capetown)Jul 2015 Filed under: towing
Expert answer
Hi Larry,
It depends on whether the car in question has an automatic gearbox or a manual. The current 4x4 RAV4 powered by the 2.2-litre diesel engine has a maximum (braked trailer) capacity of 2,000kg with a manual gearbox, or 2,240kg with an automatic.
Tell me more about BMW X1 pricing.
On the article about the new BMW X1 you recently published, are the prices you quoted for the automatic models?
Martin Moroney (Dublin)Jun 2015 Filed under: future cars
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
I assume you mean this BMW X1 story. The prices are for the auto only where it's indicated that auto is standard.
Hope that's clear
What small to medium auto car would suit me?
I need a medium/small automatic car with high seats, with air conditioning, mirrors that turn in when parking. What do you recommend?
Pauline Roberts (Dun Laoghaire)Jun 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Pauline,
I think your best bet is to go for a Honda Civic 1.4 EX with the CVT automatic transmission. High seats, lots of space, comfortable, frugal, reliable and yes it has standard folding electric mirrors in that spec.
How economical is the Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake
How economical is the Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake 1.6 petrol Urban model?
Caroline Conroy (Limerick)Expert answer
Hi Caroline,
The manual version of the CLA 180 Urban returns 51mpg (5.5 litres/100km) on the combined cycle. Our data seems to suggest that the DCT automatic model is the same.
In case you weren't aware, official 'combined cycle' figures are to be taken with a pinch of salt for most cars. This one would do well to top 40mpg by most drivers we reckon.
Further reading:
New Kia Sorento or Land Discovery Sport?
Which is the better car keeping value for money in mind: a 2015 Kia Sorento automatic AWD Platinum or a 2015 Land Rover Discovery Sport Automatic HSE?
Mike Kemmy (Limerick)May 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mike,
Actually, and please note that this is a dyed-in-the-wool Land Rover fan saying this, I'd actually go for the Kia. It's one of the best mid-size SUVs around, hugely comfortable and nice to drive and it's much better value than the Land Rover. Although the headline prices are quite similar, the Kia's much better equipped as standard. You'd have to spend well over €50k to get a Discovery Sport up to the same spec as the Sorento.
Relevant reviews:
What big SUV do you suggest for me and my boys?
I'm looking for a new SUV. I have three boys into sports so need boot space as well as cabin space and it also needs to be an automatic. What do you suggest?
Liz Corbett (Galway)Apr 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Liz,
A few key choices here - compact: Skoda Yeti or Mazda CX-5; medium: Honda CR-V or Kia Sorento; and large: Land Rover Discovery or Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Of the lot, I think overall our pick would be the new Kia Sorento. It's big, comfy, spacious, has seven seats and is really well made.
Relevant reviews:
How do you rate the Subaru Forester?
How do you rate the Subaru Forester? I wouldn't use the back seats, but I do like comfort and a nippy response.
Pat Lough (Co.donegal)Apr 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Pat,
As luck would have it I have the latest version of the Subaru Forester on test this very week. It's powered by the 148hp 'boxer' diesel engine, which also has 350Nm of torque. Paired with the 'Lineartronic' automatic transmission it's surprisingly responsive. That's a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and it seems to do a great job of keeping the engine at its optimum operating speeds for a variety of situations. We've not fans of these gearboxes when fitted to petrol engines, but they work well allied to diesel and in the Forester it's a good match.
Officially this Forester 2.0D XC Lineartronic does 0-100km/h in 9.6 seconds, but even at motorway speeds it has plenty of go and it happily cruises above 120km/h.
In terms of comfort, the Forester scores well too. The suspension is quite soft and absorbent so bumps are dispatched with ease and it's relatively quiet on the motorway. The upright seating position is comfortable too.
Shame you don't need the back seats, as they're massively spacious.
Further reading:
Subaru Forester review (2013 manual model)
Have you tested the new Ford Mustang 2.3?
Will you be testing the Ford Mustang Ecoboost 2.3-litre automatic? If so, when? I am interested in the handling, performance of the engine, road tax, fuel economy and insurance costs.
Sean Cotter (Newtownmountkennedy)Mar 2015 Filed under: future cars
Expert answer
Hi Sean,
We are driving the new European-spec Ford Mustang next month so keep an eye on our reviews page for the full lowdown.