Can the Honda Accord's rear seats fold?
Can you fold rear seats on the Honda Accord?
Jack Hogan (Cork)Jul 2016 Filed under: seating
Expert answer
Hi Jack,
Yes it does. The current (actually just-discontinued) Accord comes with 60:40 folding rear seats and a boot capacity (with the seats up) of 467 litres.
Audi A3 TDI or Toyota Auris Hybrid?
Hi,
As our family is fleeing the nest, I am hoping to buy a new or nearly new slightly smaller and economical (possibly hybrid?) car. Changing up from a 2009 Toyota Avensis 2.0-litre high-spec diesel with 98,000km on the clock. Do about 15,000km per year mostly in the city and trips to Wicklow, and odd long trip to West Cork for pleasure.
Not sure if I should go for diesel again, or hybrid. Is hybrid risky and will the residuals drop as newer technology comes onstream? Offered €6K by Audi for my Avensis (poor!) against a brand new A3 Sportback 1.6 TDI diesel (net after discounts and trade in = €25K) or €10k by Toyota against brand new 1.8 Auris Hybrid Luna (€26,225 + €575 + €180 road tax + €575 metallic paint = €16,980). Love the look of the A3 Sportback, but in my heart think Toyota is more practical for a privately run car. I am paying cash so am conscious I might have this car a while, i.e. five years.
Do you think a new car is advisable, or good demo, and also will the Audi be expensive to run?
Thanks,
Linda DJ, Dublin
Linda Dwyer Joyce (Dundrum)Jun 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Linda,
€6k is at the bottom end of 2009 Avensis trade in values and your Toyota dealer is possibly boosting your trade in a bit (€10k is definitely top end) to keep you in the family.
I think with 15,000km annual mileage you definitely don't need a diesel - you'll really struggle to make back the extra purchase cost in fuel savings and if you're not doing lots of long journeys you could run into problems with the particulate filter. The Audi wouldn't be expensive to run at all - they're reliable and frugal, but the servicing would probably be slightly pricier than for a Toyota.
As for the Auris Hybrid, I think it sounds like it might be just about right for you, especially as most of your mileage is around town and that's where it works best. You may find it hard to get the best economy out of it on that long run to West Cork, but the rest of the time it should be about right, and super-reliable too.
An ex-demo is always a good idea as you'll get it cheap with minimal mileage, but there are fewer of them around these days.
Relevant reviews on the site:
Thinking of buying a Suzuki SX4 S-Cross...
Thinking of buying a 2014 Suzuki SX4 S-Cross: any thoughts on reliability etc> Has about 48,000km on the clock.
Ian Slowey (Sligo)May 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Ian,
We haven’t heard of any specific issues with that model and, generally and excepting the recent recall for dodgy brakes in the Celerio city car, Suzukis are usually very reliable, so you should be fine. A nice car, the S-Cross, actually — rather underrated.
Which cars are best for comfort?
Hi,
Can you tell me which SUVs offer a driver's/seating position most like a standard car's? My wife and I currently both use her Opel Zafira and I find the seating position very upright and uncomfortable as the seats will not move back far enough. Effectively it means I have to lift my feet completely to operate the pedals instead of just pivoting on my heels as with a more reclined position. I have recently had a hip replaced and the other one is painful if I drive any reasonable distance.
We test drove a secondhand C-Class Estate and I wanted to buy it but she finds the seating position very cramped (in particular did not like the large console between the seats). We sat in a Honda CR-V after and she much preferred the space and lack of clutter between the seats but I found the seating position uncomfortable. Essentially we are looking for something that has the high ceiling, big windscreen and lack of clutter of most SUVs/MPVs, but with a seating position that gives good enough leg room for somebody over six-foot like me to pivot my feet on my heels rather than having to lift them to operate the pedals. Maybe we need two cars, which is a waste given we are city dwellers and do very small annual mileage between us.
Thanks
Kevin
Kevin McCormack (Dublin 8)Apr 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Kevin,
That’s almost an impossible question for me to answer I’m afraid as, as you’ve pointed out, a car that many might consider comfortable and pleasant (the Honda CR-V) is uncomfortable for you. Mind you, you’re right about the C-Class Estate being small inside – it was never the biggest car around.
How can I compare all the electric cars?
Hi,
Is there anywhere one can see all currently available electric cars compared, not just under the usual headings of driving range, charging times, 0 to 100km/h time and overall drivability and practicality, but also the overall running costs (electricity charges, road tax etc.), which can vary when you include battery lease models like the Renault Zoe?
Donal M
Donal Murphy (Cork)Apr 2016 Filed under: electric cars
Expert answer
Hi Donal,
Short answer – no. That’s partially down to the fact that such in-depth comparisons have to take into account the type of mileage you do, the electricity tariff you’re on and more. The best I can suggest is that you have a good long look through our various electric car reviews and then use the cost calculators on both the ESB and SEAI websites to further refine your research:
What's the 2009 Suzuki Alto like?
Hi,
I wanted to know more about the 2009 Suzuki Alto automatic - does it come with timing chain or belt and has there been any history of problems with its automatic gearbox? How is the car overall?
Arunita Burman (Dublin)Mar 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Arunita,
If it’s the 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine (and that was really the only version sold in Ireland) then it should have a timing chain, rather than a belt, which shouldn’t need regular replacement, but it’s a good idea to have it regularly inspected for any possibly defects or stretching. Other than that, the Alto’s a good little car – Suzukis tend to be reliable, it’s not bad at all to drive and runs on a whiff of petrol. A good choice as a city-centric runaround.
How much to tax a Lexus GS 450h hybrid?
What is the annual road tax on the 2006 Lexus GS 450h? Is it based on CO2 or engine size? Do you get any benefit from the fact that it's hybrid?
William Grogan (Cork)Mar 2016 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi William,
Unfortunately not - all cars registered before Jan 1st 2008 are on the old engine capacity system so with a 3.5-litre engine you'll have to pay €1,808 a year in motor tax.
Would a small new estate suit us?
We have two small kids. We live in the city but like to go camping in the summer. Can you recommend a car suitable for city driving but still with enough room to carry camping equipment? We currently have a Mazda5 diesel, but the DPF gives us trouble due to us doing mainly short journeys. I was thinking of a petrol estate such as Fabia Combi or a petrol Corolla. Any suggestions please ?
Ray Mehigan (Limerick)Feb 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Ray,
The new Fabia Combi might well be worth looking at as the boot is absolutely enormous, but you may find the back seats a little tight as the kids get bigger. A Toyota Auris Touring Sports estate would certainly make a good buy - roomy and hugely reliable and Toyota's old 1.4-litre petrol engine has always been a good unit. Also worth looking at the Kia cee'd Sportwagon or Skoda Octavia Combi.
Relevant reviews:
What's the Ford Galaxy 1.6 TDCi like?
What is the 2012 Ford Galaxy Zetec 1.6 TDCi like? Is the engine strong enough?
Gerry
Gerry Lee (Sligo)Feb 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Gerry,
It's fine, and is good for motorway or city work, but if you habitually carry a full load of people or cargo and need a bit more oomph for overtaking then consider an upgrade to the 2.0 TDCi.
Is the Qashqai's 1.5-litre engine enough?
Is the Qashqai's 1.5-litre engine powerful enough or does the 1.6 make for a better alternative to the Hyundai Tucson or the Toyota RAV4? My driving is a mix of rural roads, motorways and urban.
P. J. Hynes (Dublin)Feb 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi PJ,
It's a slight oddity that the Qashqai has two different engines so close in capacity. The 1.6 is actually a replacement for the old 130hp 1.9-litre engine while the slightly older 1.5 has 110hp and is a direct competitor for most rivals' 1.6-litre engines. Confused? Don't worry - the basic answer is that the Qashqai's 1.5 is indeed competitive and should suit your driving just about perfectly. There's plenty of poke in it and it's still very economical.