Should I go for a new Skoda Superb Combi?
Need to upgrade from a 2008 Audi A4 saloon due to family expansion. Is the new Skoda Superb Combi a reasonable option in terms of drive quality and premium feel?
Mike
Mike Gallagher (Cork)Apr 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mike,
Yes, yes, yes and oh, yes. Basically, it’s almost exactly like an A4 (same engines, same platform, same buttons, switches and touch-screen), but much more roomy (space for three child car seats abreast on the back seat and a massive 600-litre boot) and a lot cheaper to buy. Perhaps a touch noisier than the Audi, and maybe a little less precise to the steering, but you won’t feel short-changed.
Would depreciation be bad on a new DS 5?
Would a new DS 5 depreciate ruinously?
David Sexton (Dublin)Mar 2016 Filed under: resale value
Expert answer
Hi David,
Probably. Irish figures are a little tricky to come by, not least because garages tend to artificially inflate advertised prices for used cars, but it seems that a DS 5 will lose at least €12,000 – or around a third of its value – in the first year alone.
How much more for the AMG C 63 Cabriolet?
You did a story on the new Mercedes-AMG C 63 Cabriolet recently. Do you have any idea of the likely price premium for a cabrio over the more "basic" C-Class Coupe models?
Also, Mazda will be introducing a targa top version of the MX 5. Again do you have any idea of the likely price difference?
Thank you
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Mar 2016 Filed under: future cars
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
We don’t have exact pricing details for either as yet, but you can probably figure on paying an extra €1,500 to €2,000 for the convertible in the case of the Merc or the hard-top in the case of the Mazda.
What do you think of the new Toyota RAV4?
What do you think of the new RAV4 from Toyota (the diesel) and what about alternatives?
Thanks
Martin Smythe (Roscommon )Mar 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
A really impressive car, although it is looking a touch expensive compared to the likes of the Hyundai Santa Fe or Ford Kuga now. It's good to drive, with surprisingly sharp steering and lots of space in the back, plus the promise of rugged Toyota reliability. The Hybrid version is perhaps not as satisfying as the diesel (and is even more expensive again), but is perhaps worth considering if you live and do most of your driving in town. Rivals worth considering are the aforementioned Ford and Hyundai, and also Honda, both HR-V and CR-V, and the Mazda CX-5.
I've added links to our reviews of all these cars above so hopefully that's of help.
Which car for three kids and two dogs?
What's the best car that fits three car seats and two dogs?
Richard Collumb (Dublin)Mar 2016 Filed under: child or baby seats
Should I go for a new Ford Fiesta EcoBoost?
Hi,
I am interested in buying the new Ford Fiesta EcoBoost 1.0-litre. I am an old age pensioner and badly need a reliable small car. Which car would you advise me to buy: the Fiesta Zetec or Fiesta Titanium? The road tax is cheap either way. I have a 2005 Skoda Octavia 1.4 petrol my local dealer said he would give me €4,400 trade in for. I don't know much about cars so any advice you give me would be appreciated. Or is there something else similar out there I should look at?
Thank you
Billy Mc Elligott (Tralee)Mar 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Billy,
The Fiesta EcoBoost is a really sweet little car, lots of fun to drive, roomy and very frugal. It's a little difficult to know how reliable it will ultimately be in the long-term as the engine itself is a relatively new design and hasn't been around long enough for us to be able to tell exactly how robust it is. That said, Ford's quality record has been good of late, so I'd say it's a reasonably safe bet.
As for which model, it just depends on what your priorities are. A Titanium will have more standard equipment, but it may well be that there's a lot of extras that you simply won't need nor use, so you're probably better off going for the better value of the Zetec.
Other cars that are worth considering would be a Toyota Yaris, Mazda2 and Skoda Fabia. Hope that helps.
Relevant reviews:
Do all new cars have bucket-style seats?
Hi,
I am looking at new cars and seem to find the majority have bucket type seats, which I find rub/aggravate my right thigh. Has anybody ever complained about this? The only car that does not produce this annoying affect seems to be the Citroen C4
Regards,
Brendan
Brendan Kelly (Limerick)Mar 2016 Filed under: seating
Expert answer
Hi Brendan,
Pretty much the entire industry has long since gone over to bucket-style seats, not least because they offer better back support when cornering, but also locate your body mass more centrally, which allows the driver's airbag to work better. Actually, the C4 Cactus' seats are technically bucket-style, but they're just a bit broader and softer than the norm. I don't think you'll have much luck finding a true non-bucket seat these days, but all I can suggest is to try as many as you can and see if you can find one that's comfortable for you.
Any need to tell UK I am exporting a car?
Great advice - just read through your advice page on importing - what about letting the UK know I am exporting the car - any need?
Dave Shanahan (Dublin)Mar 2016 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Dave,
Nope - there’s no need and they don’t care. It’s the importing authority that’ll be interested…
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:
Is a new Fiat 500L worth a look?
Is the Fiat 500L worth a look?
Offer of €5k scrappage at the moment and looking to change car. Currently have 2004 Ford Focus C-Max and three kids.
Thanks
Donal
Donal ODea (Dublin)Feb 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Donal,
Yeah, it is actually. I know it's not the best looking thing around but it's actually quite nice to drive, very spacious and pretty well made too. And you get a five-year warranty now too, so that should put any unreliability worries to bed. If you've got three kids, it might be worth having a look at the 500L MPW, which is even uglier but has extra seats in the boot.