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Showing 141 - 150 results (out of a total of 321) found for "automatic" in Ask Us Anything

What will I replace my Lexus GS with?

Hi, I currently drive a Lexus GS 300. I love it but the tax is too expensive. I have about €25k to spend and I was thinking of the Audi Q3, but it has to be automatic. Is there any other model you would suggest? My car is over 10 years old, so other car dealers are offering the scrappage deal. What would you suggest?

Cathal O'Donnell (Tara)

Mar 2015 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Cathal,

The Q3 is nice and all but the Q5 is definitely superior so perhaps think of going for a nearly-new Q5 instead of a brand new Q3? There is no official scrappage programme at the moment, but some car makers are offering self-funded scrappage deals - Opel, Nissan, Toyota and Ford among them. Audi isn’t though, so you may need to re-think your brand if you fancy a trade-in leg-up. That said, even with the tax, a Lexus is still a Lexus so you should get a decent trade-in offer.

Read our Audi Q3 review here


What's the tax on Nissan's X-Trail?

What car tax do you pay for a Nissan X-Trail automatic?

Paul Sheehan (Waterford)

Mar 2015 Filed under: taxation

Expert answer

Hi Paul,

If you mean the current model X-Trail, then you're looking at Band B1 (€270 per annum) or Band B2 (€280 per annum) depending on the spec of the car.

Have you read our review of the Nissan X-Trail?


Should I change my Polo's timing belt?

Do I need a new timing belt for a 1998 Volkswagen Polo 1.4 automatic with 10,000 miles on the clock?

Declan Finucane (Dublin)

Feb 2015 Filed under: servicing

Expert answer

Hi Declan,

Even though your Polo has such low mileage, rubber timing belts perish over time so it's recommended that they are changed regardless of mileage. Volkswagen recommends that the 1998 Polo 1.4's belt is changed at least every four years.

Better safe than sorry


Can you tell me about the new Audi TTS?

Hi, I was wondering if you would know what the spec of a new Audi TTS in Ireland is. I am finding it hard to get info.

Thomas Hourigan (Nenagh)

Feb 2015 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Thomas,

I've just emailed you the full PDF brochure from Audi, but the spec highlights are:

Priced from: €63,350 on-the-road (€2,600 extra for S Tronic automatic)

Standard:

- 19-inch five-arm alloy wheels

- Metallic Paint as standard

- Fine Nappa Leather upholstery with S embossing

- Extended Leather Package

- Super Sports Seats

-LED Headlights

- Anti-Theft Alarm

- Virtual Cockpit (S Model Specific with rev clock front and centre)

- Audi Drive Select

Hope that's of help


How reliable is the 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

2003 Mercedes-Benz W211 E 200K: how reliable are these models?

Shayne Mangan (Limerick)

Feb 2015 Filed under: reliability

Expert answer

Hi Shayne,

Electrics, electrics, electrics. The W211 was full of electrical and electronic toys and all of them are suspect. Mercedes was going through an especially poor stage in its history at this point and the W211 suffered more than most models. Anything with a wire poking out of the back is a potential worry and the battery can run it self flat if the car is left standing even for just a few days.

The electronic brain that controls the brakes is also deeply troublesome often leaving the car in limp home mode. Check that the automatic gearbox picks up gears smoothly and that there are no flat spots in the engine's power delivery. Paint can often be an issue too - check for damage or flakes coming off.


Should I buy a new Mitsubishi Pajero?

Hello, I would like to know what you think of the Mitsubishi Pajero please. I really like the look of it and wonder would it be reliable. Could you explain what it means when it says the tax on the cost of buying the car is refundable? Would it be ok to use it for normal everyday driving when it's classed as a commercial?

Thanks.

Mary Casey (Wexford)

Feb 2015 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Mary,

You can get a full run down on what we thought of the Pajero here. But the short version is: it's a bit old fashioned but we really rather like it. It's big, comfy and should be endlessly reliable. The Pajero's reputation is that you can't kill it with a stick...

On the tax side, things are a little more complex. The good news is that because the Pajero Executive's boot space qualifies it for commercial rate Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) you can get it, fully loaded with leather, automatic and a kick-ass sound system, for a lot less than many more prestigious rivals. 

You can also claim back the VAT if you're buying it for business purposes, although your accountant is the person you should be asking about that, not me. 

The trickier thing is road tax. Theoretically you can just pay the commercial vehicle road tax on one of these but it's complicated. You have to be able to prove, if challenged, that you bought the car for strictly business purposes. That's fine if you're, say, a developer or an architect or a builder or a farmer - someone who needs to carry big loads and visit muddy construction sites a lot. But if you're, say, a software engineer then that's just not going to fly and you're going to get a massive fine for your troubles. Better to pay the full passenger car rate (€1,200 in this case) and be on the safe side.


How econimical is the 2010 Audi A6?

How economical is the 2010 Audi A6 automatic 168bhp please?

Liam Mccarthy (Macroom)

Dec 2014 Filed under: fuel economy and emissions

Expert answer

Hi Liam,

The official figures for that model were 34mpg or 8.2 litres per 100km on the combined cycle.


Should I go for this automatic Peugeot?

Hello, I am looking at a 2006 Peugeot 307 Automatic and am wondering if you know much about their performance and reliability? I'm not looking for an automatic specifically but this car seems very clean and comfortable and is a high spec model. It only has 75k miles on the clock. I was planning on a 1.4 but this crossed my path and seems like a good car but I don't know much about automatics.

Many thanks, Sinead

Sinead McPhillips (Galway)

Nov 2014 Filed under: automatic

Expert answer

Hi Sinead,

To be honest, I'd avoid it. The 307 was never a great car to begin with and it was probably one of the lowest points for Peugeot build quality. They tend to suffer every electrical problem going, the cabins and interiors are very fragile and the suspension is prone to outright failure. 

If you still fancy a Peugeot, see if you can stretch your budget to a 308 - that was a much better built car, has decent reliability and if you get the 1.6 diesel then 65mpg in daily driving is a reality for you.


Which fast Volkswagen Golf to buy next year?

If you were buying a fast Golf in 2015 and did about 20,000- to 25,000km a year would you have a Golf R, Golf GTI Performance or Golf GTD? Also, I have driven automatics for the last few years and like them, but would you have DSG or manual in these cars? I'm thinking GTI performance with DSG is a nice balance, as the R still has higher road tax and presumably insurance and performance that will only lose me my licence, while the GTD might be a little pedestrian.

Would value your opinion.

Andrew Kelly (Limerick)

Nov 2014 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Andrew,

You're in an enviable position! I'll take your points one by one:

1) Mileage: you definitely do enough miles to see a benefit in having the GTD diesel model, assuming much of it is on the motorway. But the Golf R and GTI aren't really all that bad at a cruise either...

2) Gearbox: I personally would prefer the manual, though I accept that it's a very personal thing in a performance car and if you're used to automatics then stick with the DSG. For the record, it doesn't detract from the car one little bit.

3) GTD vs. GTI: if you read my review you'll see that I was pleasantly surprised by this car, but it took very hard driving to make it shine. At regular speeds (i.e. most of our driving) it felt quite ordinary, whereas the GTI always feels special.

I must admit that, if my budget stretched to the Golf R (and it's cheaper than ever now), I'd go for it. It's always going to be rare and exclusive (though perhaps hard to sell on) and as well as the extra performance it has a brilliant four-wheel drive system.

Nonetheless, I reckon the Golf GTI Performance is probably the best all-round choice, as you've identified for yourself. It's a sensational car, noticeably better to drive even than the regular GTI. You won't regret it one little bit.

Let us know which way you go in any case and here's some more reading for you:

Volkswagen reduces the price of the Golf R

Volkswagen Golf GTI five-door manual road test

Volkswagen Golf GTD road test

Volkswagen Golf GTI Performance (manual)


Is it possible to disconnect the stop-start system?

Hello, is it possible to disconnect the stop-start system on a 2010 Volkswagen Passat 1.4 DSG TSI? I find it annoying and I am not convinced it does anything to lower fuel consumption.

Stephen Murphy (Bray)

Nov 2014 Filed under: fuel economy and emissions

Expert answer

Hi Stephen,

I agree it can be a little annoying on an automatic car, as you can't decide when you do and don't want it to happen at any given moment. I'm sure you're aware that there is a button on the dashboard to disable it at any time, but it sounds like you'd rather disable it completely. Sadly, there's no legitimate way to do this. The car's official CO2 emissions and fuel economy figures rely on this feature, so even if you find a fuse or relay to remove for the system there will at the very least be a warning light on in the dashboard - and it may even go into 'limp home' mode.

By way of explanation, the 'combined cycle' is a relatively low-speed and short duration (standardised) test cycle all the car makers adhere to for their CO2 and fuel consumption figures. Stop-start makes a big difference for this as the car is idle for considerable amounts of time. In the real world, this tends to happen only in slow traffic or in town with lots of traffic lights. You would see a saving in those situations, but in reality it'll be small.

Sorry not to be of more assistance.


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