What's the top automatic Renault Kadjar?
What will the top of the range automatic Renault Kadjar cost?
John Robertson (Abbeyleix )Aug 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi John,
At the time of writing, the Renault Kadjar pricing ranges from €24,990 to €33,990, the latter for the top-of-the range Kadjar Signature Nav powered by the 130hp 1.6-litre dCi diesel engine featuring four-wheel drive.
It's not currently possible to pair an automatic gearbox with that 1.6-litre engine though, so the most expensive automatic Kadjar is the Signature Nav powered by the 1.5-litre dCi diesel engine with 110hp. That costs €32,290.
Should I be worried about this Toyota Corolla's mileage?
Shall I be worried if a 2005 Toyota Corolla has a mileage if 123,000km? It is 2.0-litre diesel, which I'm looking to buy.
Zubair Manzoor (BirmIn Gham)Aug 2015 Filed under: mileage
Expert answer
Hi Zubair,
Nope, not at all. In fact for a car of that age that's pretty much average mileage. The trick is to make sure it's been looked after. A fully-stamped service book and a thick sheaf of receipts showing that it's been properly cared for should mean it's fine.
How much will the new diesel Honda HR-V be?
Honda is bringing out a new HR-V model; what will the price for the diesel model be?
Patrick Coghlan (Carrick-on-Suir)Aug 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Patrick,
Full pricing for the new HR-V has yet to be confirmed but we have been told that the entry-level 1.6 i-DTEC diesel model will be €25,995.
What's the older Kia Sportage like?
Hi, I'm thinking about buying a 2009 Kia Sportage 2.0 petrol EX manual 4x4. I saw your review of the 1.7-litre front-wheel drive Sportage. How good is the older 4x4 2.0-litre version? It's done 100,000km and just had the timing belt replaced so it looks like a good buy?
Thanks,
Nick
Nick Price (Dublin)Aug 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Nick,
It is a good buy as long as you're not planning to do big miles in it - it's a good bit less economical than the diesel you see, so regular long journeys aren't a great idea. The old Sportage is a good thing though - simpler and more rugged than the current version, and very practical. With four-wheel drive it has decebt off-road ability too, if that's any use to you. No major reported problems or unreliability black spots - just make sure it has a full service history.
Is high mileage a problem for the Citroen C4 Grand Picasso?
Is 122k miles a bit high to justify spending €2,995 on a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso, which has to last us three years?
Stu Paterson (Elgin)Aug 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Stu,
Not necessarily. Mileage is, to be honest, more or less irrelevant. It's all down to the condition of the car and its history. If it comes with a full service book, showing every stamp and receipt, and it's clearly been looked after and cared for then it should be fine.
Just check to make sure that all the electrics are OK and that the cabin doesn't show obvious signs of abuse. Might be worth getting someone to look at the engine too - that 1.6 diesel has a fragile water pump and is prone to 'sludging up' with deposits of old oil. Worth getting it flushed and have the oil changed.
Ford Focus or Citroen C4?
With a budget of around €3,000, I'm looking to buy a Citroen C4 hatchback or a Ford Focus hatchback around 2006-07 1.6 diesel. Would you recommend one over the other? I heard that the Focus can be troublesome but I can't find a bad review on the C4. I've been told I should go for a better make car 2005 with that budget but how can you tell which ultimately is a better buy? Will there be more problems with an 05 than an 07?
Moza Walsh (Galway)Aug 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Moza,
You won't necessarily get more trouble from an 05 than an 07 - it's all down to the condition and history of the individual car.
You're right to say that there are no major problems with the C4 - it's actually pretty well made - but check it for any electrical gremlins. The 1.6 diesel is shared with the Ford Focus (and several other cars) so any problems are basically identical - water pump and oil 'sludge' are the common issues. I'd say the Focus has a slight edge in terms of reliability and quality but it's a close run thing.
If you want a 'better make' and reliability is your primary concern then you need to be buying either Japanese or Korean. Corolla, Civic, Almera etc.
What reliable and economical car for €3,500?
Hi, please suggest a good reliable, economical car as I have to do daily commute of one hour for my job. My budget is €3,500, fuel type, diesel, engine size 1.2- to 1.6 litres, transmission, manual. And should I buy a used car from a dealer or private owner?
Thanks
Rakesh Kumar (Galway)Jul 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Rakesh,
That kind of budget should get you into a Mazda3 1.6 D circa 2005, 2006. Buying from a dealer potentially gives you more peace of mind but if you do your homework and get a history check then buying private can be fine too.
How much are Citroen C4 Grand Picasso brakes?
What price is a set of brake pads for a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso?
Anya Foreman (Wicklow)Jul 2015 Filed under: brakes
Expert answer
Hi Anya,
There's a lot of variety depending on the engine in your car and the quality you're willing to pay for. Here are all the options for the 1.6 110 HDi diesel C4 Grand Picasso front brake pads on MicksGarage.com - you can choose a different model or rear brakes within the search options easily enough there.
For reference, the front brake pads for that car seem to vary in price from about €16 to about €53.
If you'd like a price from Citroen then best bet is to ring your local dealer (search for them here) with your registration number as they'll need that to make sure they select the correct parts and price.
Best of luck
What SUV would suit my off-road needs?
What SUV is the best buy petrol or diesel for €5,000, just for running around my small holding?
John Highland (Wexford)Jul 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi John,
Do you mean for driving off-road, most of the time? Your best bet is to track down a Suzuki Jimny - they're cheap, cheerful, rugged and amazingly good in the mud.
If you want to make regular on-road journeys in a bit of comfort, but still want to have something that'll deal with muddy fields, have a look for a Mk1 Subaru Forester. Great on road, great off road and you can't kill them with a stick.
Have you any information on the Audi Q2?
Have you any information on the Audi Q2?
Frank Dodd (Dublin)Jul 2015 Filed under: future cars
Expert answer
Hi F D,
The Audi Q2 won't actually be called the Q2, it'll be called the Q1. Why? Because Fiat owns the rights to the Q2 badge and won't let Audi play with its ball. So the Q1 will sit beneath the existing Q3, and will be based on the same MQB chassis system that currently underpins almost everything Volkswagen, from Golf to A3 to Passat to Superb. The next Q3 will get a little bigger too, to make some space for the Q1. Expect the Q1 to skew a little more towards an estate, crossover-y body style, leaving the Q3 to be taller and blockier and more SUV-ish.
We have no official word on engines yet but as it's MQB-based expect 1.4 turbo petrol and 1.6- and 2.0-litre TDI diesel, with an SQ1 sports variant using either a tweaked diesel or 230hp petrol turbo. It'll go on sale in 2016 and we'd expect to see a full production model at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
