Is the Giulia Quadrifoglio coming to Ireland?
Will the Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio be coming to Ireland? Also, if it is, how much are we looking at?
Simon MacMahon (Dublin)May 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Simon,
Yes, it will be in all its 510hp glory, but it’ll probably be special order only and I’d expect prices to start at around the €100,000 mark for that one. A much more sensible Giulia diesel should only set you back around €38,000 though, and looks pretty much as good. Here are our reviews:
What family car to buy?
Hi there.
I am looking for some advice regarding cars that fit three children's car seats in one row across the back. I would like to get a seven-seater, but for ease of use would like to be able to put all the children in one row. Isofix is preferable. I rather SUV-like cars, but obviously my budget might restrict me to a people carrier as I know these are more economical. Can you help? I love the look of the Kia Sorento, but don't know if this fits the three seats in the back.
Thank you!!!
Christine O'Mahony (Cork)May 2016 Filed under: child or baby seats
Expert answer
Hi Christine,
The Kia Sorento should fit three seats across the back, but you should always take along your seats (and preferably your kids too) on the test drive to make sure everything and everyone fits in nicely. Cracking car that Sorento - other good options are the Hyundai Santa Fe or Land Rover Discovery Sport. If you need to go for an MPV the Ford S-Max, SEAT Alhambra or Opel Zafira Tourer are your best bets, but it's worth considering the Volkswagen Touran too - not quite so roomy, but cheaper to run and very pleasant to drive.
Here are our relevant reviews:
What'll I buy as my first car, for €10,000?
Hi folks,
I'll be buying my first car in a few weeks. Ideally I'd like to find something under €10,000. Just something reliable to get me to and from work, preferably in a low tax band and will keep insurance costs as low as possible (22-year old male). Any advice?
Also, if I'm paying in cash can I expect to get a discount on the asking price in a dealership? If so, roughly what percentage could I hope for?
Thanks in advance, Rob
Rob Henry (Dublin)May 2016 Filed under: learner
Expert answer
Hi Rob,
Well, as far as discounts go, most dealers operate on about an eight per cent margin, so if you're asking for more than a seven per cent discount you're asking for a below cost price. You should get a decent discount for cash right enough, but explore the credit options too - dealers often get bonuses for selling a credit plan so if you can get a good one (at zero per cent interest obviously) and pay it off from your lump sum, it may give the dealer a bit more wiggle room for a discount.
As for the model, with a starter car and the current cost of insurance you need to be looking at no more than a 1.0-litre engine. Happily your budget will easily get you into a Volkswagen up! 1.0, one of the best small cars around (or equally you could go for a mechanically identical SEAT Mii or Skoda Citigo). Can't go wrong really, although if you're looking for other options you could try an Opel Karl (plain but decent), a Renault Twingo (fun but not as well made as the up!) or the Fiat 500 TwinAir (fabulous car, but get an insurance quote first).
Here are reviews of all of those to help you decide:
Which compact MPV suits us best?
Hi,
My wife, daughter Daisy (four years old) and myself are thinking of updating our 2005 Ford Focus C-Max 1.6 with 105,000km in the next few months. We recently test drove a 2012 C-Max 1.6 diesel Titanium with about 40,000km on the clock. It was a nice car at €17,500 with a €2,000 trade in for our own so really €15,500. I said we were paying cash, but we could not get more discount. Do you think that’s a fair offer or do you think I could haggle more, as most websites say Ford will barter with you?
Second question. The Ford B-Max seems to be cheaper than the C-Max. Apart from the sliding doors and height of the cabin on the B-Max, is there any other difference? To a layman they both offer the same inside and out. I have read and seen reviews for both cars and there are no major negatives there.
Third Question. We are thinking of trading up and not spending more than €15,000. What is the best option realistically for us in your opinion? Should we consider a different vehicle altogether? We like the higher ride in these cars because it's easier for both adult and child to get in.
Regards,
Ben O’Connor
Ben O Connor (Dundrum, Dublin)Apr 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Ben,
Well, you can always haggle more and if the dealer isn’t budging, then simply shop around. There are plenty of examples of the C-Max out there to choose from, so don’t get hung up on just the one car if you feel like you’re not getting a good deal. While that does seem like a fair enough price, €17k is top end for a 2012 C-Max, so it had better (a) be perfect, (b) have a full service history and (c) come with a decent warranty.
As for the B-Max, yes there’s quite a big difference. The B-Maxis based on the Fiesta, the C-Max on the Focus so you can see from just that fact that the levels of space on the inside and in the boot are significantly different. Plus the C-Max is a far more comfortable car on a long journey than the B-Max, which can also be sluggish to drive as those sliding doors are actually pretty heavy for such a small car.
As for other cars worth looking at (and I’m assuming you mean against the five-seat C-Max, not the seven-seat Grand C-Max), the Volkswagen Golf Plus offers lots of space and plenty of comfort, as does the five-seat version of the Citroen C4 Picasso.
Here are a few reviews to help you decide:
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.
Which of these cabriolets to go for?
Hi,
I'm looking at three secondhand folding roof hard top coupes for my partner (Ford Focus CC, Astra cabriolet and Volkswagen Eos). Leaning towards an Eos. Can you advise of any potential pitfalls to this regarding reliability or known issues, insurance costs etc? Plus, which in your opinion is the more usable vehicle for everyday use? Also as a curve ball can you suggest an alternative to the above?
Cheers, Alan
Alan Burke (Dublin 8)Apr 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Alan,
All are, in general, pretty solidly reliable cars as you would expect, but the issues come with the added weight and complexity of those folding hard-tops. All three can suffer roof failure (often at the point of being half way up or down) and all three suffer equally from increased tyre and suspension wear relative to their hatchback cousins, not to mention higher fuel consumption. None, to be honest, are especially pleasant to drive.
Of the three, I’d say the Eos is the best built, the Focus by a slim margin the best to drive and the Astra fractionally the roomier in the back seat. As an alternative, what about an Audi A4 Cabriolet? You’d have to go for an older one to match the price, but it’s a better car and a better convertible than any of these. Alternatively, if you don’t need the back seats, get a Mazda MX-5 – literally the only small convertible that’s actually worth buying.
Changing company car with €40k to spend...
Hi guys,
Just changing company car, ballpark of €40k ish to spend, but could push if needed more for correct car. Have two children and baby en route. Was thinking seven-seater, but afraid we will loose driving style and enjoyment because of this. Finally, live in country and the idea of 4x4 even in car just seems like right thing to look for, but am I just being crazy?
Any advive would be great, need to make decision this week as soon as possible to get car ordered.
Thanks
Dan
Dan Duffy (Louth)Apr 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Dan,
Easy answer to this… Ford S-Max. Lots of space for you and the kids, not at all bad looking and, crucially, fun and engaging to drive so you’re not having to hand in your youthful driving exuberance at the MPV door.
Is this too much mileage for a Peugeot 508?
Would you consider 119k kilometres too much on a 2012 Peugeot 508 diesel?
Mark Hamilton (Dublin)Apr 2016 Filed under: diesel
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
It's more important to look at the condition than the mileage, really. If all of those miles were on the motorway, if it's shiny and fresh-looking and there's a service book full of nice dealer stamps then it should be fine.
When do you review the Volvo S90?
Hi,
When do you estimate that you will have a review of the new Volvo S90 on your website?
James Murphy (Cork)Apr 2016 Filed under: future cars
Expert answer
Hi James,
We are driving the new Volvo S90 and V90 on 16-17 June and the review will be live on the Car Reviews page shortly after.
Is 1.6 diesel enough for new Mercedes C-Class?
The new C-Class Mercedes has option of a 1.6 diesel engine with 115hp. Is that a little weak for a big car? What do you think?
Oliver Buckley (Bandon Co Cork)Apr 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Oliver,
Actually, it's really good. True, not the fastest car in history, but peppier than you'd expect, smooth and very economical. Actually suits the car rather well, but if you're doing low mileage, have a look at a C 180 petrol model, which uses a 1.6 turbo petrol engine. Well worth checking out.