BMW X3 or Mitsubishi Outlander?
Hello,
I am very interested in buying a diesel 2.0-litre automatic SUV. The two I'm most interested in are the BMW X3 2016 model xDrive and the Mitsubishi Outlander 2016 model. I know the BMW would be faster because it has the higher power output and probably would be better to drive. The thing is though the Outlander has the eight-year warranty and is a lot less expensive. I would wait until the new version of the X3 comes out if I decided to go with that so I probably would have to wait until next year to get one of those. Do you think it would be worth the wait or should I go for the Outlander?
Thanks.
Mary Walsh (Limerick)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
The Outlander is a decent car, and hugely well equipped, not to mention having seven seats. It's fine to drive, and the recent update has brought better refinement and a higher quality cabin.
There's no question though that an X3 would be sophisticated and more engaging to drive, but it's well worth checking out the new and more affordable X1 - it's much improved over its predecessor and almost as spacious as the X3.
The Mitsubishi should beat both in terms of long term reliability though.
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Jeep Renegade or Honda HR-V?
Which is better value for money, has the best mpg, reliability and low running costs: A Jeep Renegade or a Honda HR-V? I don't need an off reader or four-wheel drive, but I do live in a rural location up a high boreen and would need the SUV to be able to get me through icy or snowy conditions should they arise.
Thank you
Aryelle
Aryelle Anders (Wicklow)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Aryelle,
It's a slight win for the Jeep as, in basic 1.6 diesel form, it has a €1,000 price advantage over the HR-V. Mind you, we'd expect the Honda to be slightly more economical overall, but the gap won't be huge.
Now, one word of warning - you say you don't want four-wheel drive, but if you're looking to get through those icy and snowy conditions you might need it. In which case the Jeep is your only choice as Honda doesn't offer a 4WD HR-V yet. You'll have to upgrade to the €31,200 Renegade 2.0-litre to get all-wheel drive though.
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Are electric cars a real option now?
Are electric cars a real option now? Looking to purchase a second hand car 2012 upwards. What do you think?
Paul Mccabe (Kilkenny)Jan 2016 Filed under: electric cars
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
Yes, and no. And a bit yes. It still depends on your lifestyle and driving habits. Lots of short journeys, mostly around town? Don't mind taking the time to plan long journeys carefully and be prepared to take breaks for charge ups?
Things are getting dramatically better though. Nissan has just updated the Leaf with a new 30kwh battery (read our review of it here) that extends its range to around 250km, which is a lot more useful, and if you're suitably loaded a Tesla Model S can go for 500km between charges.
If you're not quite ready to take the full electric car plunge, how about a plugin hybrid? Short hops under electric power with a petrol engine for longer journeys. Try the Volkswagen Golf GTE, Audi A3 e-tron, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV or a Volvo XC90 T8.
However, if you're looking for a second hand car, your options with electric power are severely limited, as sales have been slow so far.
Which new crossover/SUV to go for?
Hi,
Can you advise on crossovers/mini-SUVs available on the Irish market please?
(A) most economical?
(B) Standard spec vs high spec (including leather seats, parking sensors, cruise control etc)?
(C) Warranty period vs reliability (current driving Kia pro_cee'd nearing end of problem-free seven-year/150k km warranty)
Many thanks,
Adrienne Redmond
Adrienne Redmond (New Ross)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Adrienne,
OK, let me take that section by section...
(A) Most small crossovers use 1.5- or 1.6-litre diesel engines so you're going to average between 40- and 50mpg in any of them. Ignore the official consumption figures - they're not representative of real-world driving.
(B) Standard spec on most will include at least air conditioning and probably Bluetooth, but the items you've listed will push prices up into the €25-30k region.
(C) Kia, Hyundai and Mitsubishi have the best warranties on the market at the moment - seven, five and eight years respectively. Ford, Renault and Peugeot all offer five-year warranties too, while Fiat offers a four-year one. Most others have three-year cover. In terms of reliability, Japanese and Korean brands will almost always beat their European and American competitors.
Of the cars you're looking at, I'd say the strongest contenders are Honda's new HR-V, the Jeep Renegade, the Peugeot 2008 and the Kia Soul. All well worth a look.
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New car on PCP or secondhand?
Hi,
I'm looking at getting a small family car that's going to have low running costs. I'm torn between taking out a PCP for a new car like a Nissan Pulsar or topping up the cash I have with a small credit union loan for a five(ish)-year old car like a Hyundai i20.
Any advice?
Thanks
Leah
Leah Murray (Ballina)Jan 2016 Filed under: finance
Expert answer
Hi Leah,
It all depends how long you want to keep the car for. If you're planning to change again in three years' time, then a PCP makes great sense as you get a new car (with a warranty) and you're basically protected from depreciation, plus your car is your deposit for your next car.
If you're planning to keep the car longer, then you're better off with a loan and a second hand car, although I'd suggest buying one younger than five years old and make sure you get a decent warranty with it, just to help keep costs under control.
What's the Skoda Roomster like?
Could you tell me if the Skoda Roomster is a good car to buy? I would like to buy a car that's off the ground, cheap to tax and insurance.
Thanks
Rose Watson (Cappoquin)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Rose,
Yes, it's a good car. A little quirky to look at and a little bit noisy to drive, but really roomy (hence the name) and very well made and reliable.
But it's not high up off the ground. The front seats are mounted higher than those of a Fabia - 30mm higher in fact, but if it's height you want, for ride height for rough roads, you need to look at the Skoda Yeti.
Nissan Pulsar or Toyota Corolla?
How would you rate the Nissan Pulsar against the Toyota Corolla and what are their prices new?
Joe Naughton (Limerick)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Joe,
They're both pretty similar to be honest, although at the moment the Corolla is only available as a four-door saloon and the Pulsar as a five-door hatch.
Both are solid, reliable, unremarkable workhorses. If you're looking for excitement, sexy styling or dynamism, you've come to the wrong place - but both major on space (the Pulsar in particular has massive space in the back seats), comfort and simplicity.
The Corolla's diesel engine lags a bit behind the Nissan's in terms of performance, but other than that, they're pretty closely matched and seeing as both will probably be endlessly reliable you can safely choose according to your taste.
New, Corolla prices start at €20,995 and Pulsar prices start at €19,995.
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I'd like to change my Octavia for a Qashqai.
Hello,
I am considering changing my 2007 Skoda Octavia (420,000km on the clock) to a Nissan Qashqai. Can you advise me on best option? Other than visual look I have no knowledge of the Qashqai - where can I read a review? What trade in value/scrappage can I expect? Is it better to seek finance or pay cash?
Any advice and guidance on how I should progress will be appreciated.
Regards
PJ Ferris (Drogheda)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi P J,
The current model Nissan Qashqai, introduced at the beginning of 2014, is a really cracking choice - well made, frugal and nice to drive. Go for the 1.5 diesel if you do big miles, or the 1.2 petrol turbo if you're mostly doing short hops around town. As for your Octavia, I'd say you could expect to get around €5,000 as a trade in, depending on the dealer and your car's condition and history.
Finance or cash? Easy: if you can afford to pay cash, do it. You'll be able to argue yourself a decent discount up front and you won't be paying any interest. As for finance, PCP offers are tempting and very good value, but they kind of rely on you coming back in three years' time for another car. If that's not your plan, then a personal Credit Union or bank loan could actually work out better value overall. If you have a financial advisor they can give you more detailed advice than I, and check out the CompleteCar.ie Guide to Car Finance for more information.
Which new exec diesel auto saloon to go for?
What compact exec would you choose in a diesel auto as a private buyer? BMW 320d M Sport, Audi A4 S tronic, Jaguar XE Portfolio or Mercedes-Benz C-Class? Or would you go with something cheaper like a Volkswagen Passat Highline DSG 190?
Andrew Kelly (Limerick)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Andrew,
Well, of the posh-badge brigade, my personal favourite is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class - it's supremely comfy, beautifully made and really satisfying to drive, but, to be honest, you couldn't go wrong with any of those cars, it really is down to personal taste.
Your other question is an interesting one though. If you can live without the posh badge, and aren't quite so worried about driving dynamics, then a Skoda Superb is pretty much unbeatable. Same mechanical make up as the Audi but far bigger and way better value. Try a Ford Mondeo or Mazda6 if you want something with a keen chassis or a Toyota Avensis if you never, ever want it to break.
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Ford B-Max or Nissan Juke?
Ford B-Max versus Nissan Juke?
Nigel Naughton (Castlebar)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Nigel,
Two totally different cars so they're quite hard to compare. The B-Max is small but spacious, and those sliding side doors make it very handy in tight parking spaces, but it's slow and not much fun to drive. The Juke is far more striking to look at (perhaps even a bit ugly?) and more engaging to drive, but space in the back and boot is really quite poor.
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