What decent diesel suits a young driver?
I'm only 19 and buying a good quality diesel car in the next week. Looking at an Opel Astra 1.3 CDTi or a Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec. What would you reccommend? I'm thinking between 2005 and 2008.
David Egan (Kilmihil)Mar 2015 Filed under: diesel
Expert answer
Hi David,
I would reckon you'd be better off going for the 1.3-litre Opel. If it's pre-08 it'll have cheaper road tax and given your age I would think keeping the engine capacity down as far as possible would be good from an insurance point of view.
Nissan Qashqai, Hyundai ix35 or Kia Sportage?
I had a test drive in the 1.5 diesel Nissan Qashqai, the 1.7 diesel Hyundai ix35 and the 1.7 Kia Sportage, all new; I want to get one but which is the best value for money and also the best resale?
Cheers
Mar 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Jerry,
All three will have excellent resale values, but I'd say the Hyundai has a nose in front in that regard, as it's a big-selling model and the five-year warranty makes it a desirable second hand purchase.
Of the three, the Nissan is probably the best all-rounder when it comes to driving, the Hyundai is bigger and more spacious and the Kia is better looking (matter of opinion, I realise). It's worth noting though that both the Korean cars are up for replacement shortly wheras the Nissan is brand new and has more cutting edge technology.
Further reading:
Which oil do I use for 2014 Toyota Avensis diesel?
Which oil do I use for 2014 Toyota Avensis diesel?
Pat Harford (Navan)Feb 2015 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Pat,
The Avensis has a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) so Toyota recommends you use C2 oil - according to ACEA. An SAE grade of 5W-30 is ideal.
I'd like a high up mid-size car that's reliable.
Hi, still trying to decide what type of midsize car to buy, one that is reliable, economical and good to drive and not too expensive, am looking at the 2010/11/12 range, average mileage. I like the height in a car, like the Kia Venga, but don't like it to drive. What do you think of the Dacia Sandero Stepway? Or any other suggestions would be appreciated.
Eva Brady (Westport Co. Mayo)Feb 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Eva,
The Stepway just isn't worth the extra money over the standard Sandero so avoid that. If you want something compact, with a bit of height that won't break the bank, track down a Suzuki SX4 hatchback. Good to drive, high-ish riding and ruggedly reliable too. We found a 2010 1.6 diesel for just over €10k.
Further reading:
Will a diesel Nissan Qashqai be suitable for low mileage?
I want to buy a 2011 Nissan Qashqai 1.5 diesel, but I only do short journrys. Can these newer diesels handle the short journeys?
Aisling Finnegan (Kildare)Feb 2015 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Aisling,
Yes they can, but they may not be the most cost-effective. If you're worrying about the diesel particulate filter in the exhaust getting clogged with soot and causing an expensive failure (and that can happen) then don't worry - a quick spin up and back the nearest motorway in a low-ish gear will heat the system up enough to let it burn off the soot and all will be well. Do it once a week for 30 minutes or so and you'll be fine.
The other issue is simple one of cost though. You will spend more money to buy a diesel car than you will a petrol and when you're only doing low mileage it's hard to generate the savings from fuel burn to make up the extra you've spent up front. That's why petrol makes so much sense for lower mileage drivers.
The thing is that the Qashqai can be had with a petrol engine, but it suffers much harsher depreciation when you buy it - so you're in a bit of a catch 22. Petrol is better for your driving profile, but worse for retaining value in this particular model. You may need to expand your search out to some other cars to make your sums add up.
Petrol or diesel in a new Nissan Qashqai?
Hi, thinking of buying a Nissan Qashqai, wondering between 1.5 dCi diesel or 1.6 SE petrol engines; which one would be cheaper to maintain (not the running costs) and more reliable? Thank you
Domas Jurevicius (Kinnegad)Feb 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Domas,
Go for the diesel. It's a reliable and solid engine, but over and above that it can be very, very hard to move a petrol-engined Qashqai on again. People want the diesel models, so those old 1.6s tend to be very difficult to sell. That fact should offset the slightly higher servicing costs for the diesel.
Is the Skoda Octavia's 1.2 TSI engine ok?
Hi guys,
Getting rid of my Peugeot 407 HDi after non-stop problems wiith the engine. I do approx 12,000km of mixed driving per year so starting to look back at the petrols. Really looking for trouble free motoring as the 407 has turned me against diesels. Looking closely at Octavia 1.2 TSI and Avensis 2.0-litre diesel as I think the 1.6 petrol will be a bit thirsty in the Avensis. Have you heard of any issues with the 1.2 TSI engine?
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Mick
Michael Mulvey (Ashbourne)Feb 2015 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
If you want to go petrol then there are few better options than Volkswagen's 1.2 TSI turbo, and when it's fitted to the Skoda Octavia, you've got a near-perfect combination. Drive it gently, and you'll probably get very little difference in the overall fuel consumption compared to your old 407. That engine hasn't really been in the market for all that long, so it's a little hard to get a handle on whether or not there are any reliability landmines out there, but in general we've heard nothing bad.
Toyota Auris or Hyundai i30?
Hi, could you tell me how much I should expect to get on a trade in on a 20007 Toyota Corolla? I want to go for a diesel; what do you think of a Toyota Auris or Hyundai i30?
Feb 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Eilish,
You should make around €6,500 to €7,000 on a trade in, assuming it's in top condition and has a full service history. If you're used to a Corolla, then the Auris will feel pretty familiar and it's not a bad car at all - comfy, spacious and very economical. The i30 feels a touch more sophisticated though, and is a little sweeter to drive.
Further reading:
Can you rate the 2008 Opel Vectra?
Can you rate the 2008 Opel Vectra please?
Gerard Tracey (Clara)Feb 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Gerard,
Not the most exciting car in the world, but they're pretty solidly built. Be careful of electrical gremlins and any clonking noises from the suspension means a car is to be avoided. The diesel engines can burn rather a lot of oil so check the levels and beware of any rough running. The 1.8 petrol is adequate but 1.6 is underpowered and consequently very thirsty.
Should I change my Fiesta for a new petrol model?
I have an average mileage of 15,000km a year. I own a 2011 Ford Fiesta Zetec 1.6 diesel. I want to upgrade to a new Fiesta Titanium. Should I change to a petrol model based on my low mileage?
Feb 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Aoife,
I'd say you're just on the cusp of needing the diesel. It's probably down to what kind of mileage you do. If most of that 15,000km is driven on motorways or main roads then you could be just as well sticking with diesel. If you're mostly in town and suburbs, then it could be worth having a look at petrol.
Further reading:
Ford Fiesta review (1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol)