Nissan Note or Almera?
I was thinking of buying a 2007 Nissan Note or Almera; what do you think?
Mark Blighe (Rathcormac)May 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
Of the two, I'd go for the Note. The Almera is a reliable old workhorse but it's about as dull as a car can get. The Note, by contrast, is nicer to look at, pleasant to drive and massively spacious and practical. There are a few things to keep an eye on though, which is surprisingly given Nissan's reputation for reliability. Electrical gremlins, including needing a complete reset and reboot of the ECU, are not uncommon, while the folding rear seat mechanism can jam. There have been reports of problems with the diesel engines on early models too.
Is €22,000 too high for this Volkswagen Passat?
Is €22,000 a high price for a 2012 Volkswagen Passat 1.6 TDI? Back in 2009 we bought a 2007 Passat similar spec for €17,000. It was a 2.0-litre TDI two-year old; dealers seem to be looking for crazy money now!
Matt Lawlor (Dublin)May 2014 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Matt,
I'm afraid €22,000 doesn't seem to be a high price for that car any more. In fact, it's right in the general ballpark for the Passat for a 2012 diesel. The problem you're looking at is one currently facing a great many used car buyers - used values have risen significantly since 2009, because of the scarcity of good cars in the market, a legacy of the collapse in new car sales following the financial meltdown. In some cases, values have risen by as much as a third, and with both Volkswagens in general and diesel models especially being highly sought after, you're shopping in one of the most expensive categories in the second hand market.
Sorry to not have better news!
How much is the tax on a the Volvo XC90?
How much is the tax on a the Volvo XC90?
Anne Hilty (Portumna, Co.galway)May 2014 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Anne,
An all-new Volvo XC90 is due in Ireland in 2015 so the current car is being phased out. The last examples sold in the country are in either D4 or D5 diesel spec with a Geartronic automatic gearbox. They both sat in Band F for road tax, costing €1,200 per annum.
Can you help me choose what to do about my car situation?
Hi, I am currently driving a 2000 Toyota Yaris that has only just hit the 100k mileage mark (mainly clocked up in last three years). Still has a bit of life left in it with a bit of work, but I have been looking to change. I've done some test drives and have my eye on a Peugeot 307 1.4 diesel circa 2011, as the Volkswagen Golf was a bit out of my price range (< €10k) and I travel quite a bit for work.
Circumstances have changed though and I no longer have such a long commute to work so wondering should I invest and hang on to the old 'lady' a while longer, go for a different model/make (2008-2010), which would reduce cost, or can you recommend/suggest anything that would give me value for money, that's reliable and economically sound?
Bit of a tall order maybe but any advice would be great.
Thanks in advance, N
Nicky Dunne (Dublin)May 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Nicky,
OK, I think you have a couple of options here. First off, assuming you have a friendly, trustworthy mechanic who looks after your Yaris, it's worth having a word with them to find out how much life they realistically think is left in it and how much money you'll need to spend to keep it going. If the omens are good in that respect, then there's nothing wrong in the slightest with sticking with what you know and keeping your current, faithful steed.
If it's a poorer prognosis then I'd suggest sticking with what you know and simply upgrade to a newer Yaris. The model that's just been replaced was a fine car, sturdy as ever and really quite nice to drive. You won't go wrong. As an alternative, have a look at a Honda Jazz. They are usually a little more expensive than an equivalent Yaris but are more spacious inside and a little more technically advanced, so well worth a look.
Let us know how you get on
Will all versions of the Citroen Berlingo run on bio-fuel?
What is the difference (engine) between the Citroen Berlingo 1.9 diesel Mark 1 and the 1.9 diesel mark 2? And will they both take being run on biofuel?
Steven Thomas (Sheffield)May 2014 Filed under: diesel
Expert answer
Hi Steven,
We asked Citroen Ireland about this one and here was the reply:
"There are two possibilities of engine type in Berlingo mark I 1.9d - you may have an XUD9, which is the earlier engine and is a Euro 2 emissions type engine; the second option is a DW8, which is a Euro 3. In Berlingo mark II 1.9d you only have DW8 type. You can tell the type from code found on the engine block."
The use of Bio-diesel and the associated guarantee conditions:
"Citroën approves of the use of Biodiesel as long as the quality of the biofuel/methyl-ester conforms to the European standard EN14214 and that the fuel mixture meets standard EN590, having a maximum 5% of fatty acid methyl-ester. A mixture of up to 30% Biodiesel in diesel fuel can be used. (B30: vegetable oil methyl-ester made from oil-seed rape). Such fuel must be supplied by the petrol companies directly and the fuel must not be stocked for more than three months.
On the other hand, Citroën does not cover under guarantee the use of pure biodiesel (B100): poor resistance of rubber components in the fuel circuit (leading to the risk of leaks and starting and running problems) and of the fuel injection components."
Hope that's of assistance
Peugeot 407: what do you reckon?
I'm thinking of buying a 2006 Peugeot 407. What do you reckon?
Kieran O'Connell (Celbridge)May 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Kieran,
Tread carefully. On the upside, the 407 is still slick to look at and terrific to drive. On the downside, the diesel engines can give troubles (turbos, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valves and injectors) so any diesel 407 that idles lumpily or doesn't accelerate cleanly is to be avoided. In spite of the myriad buttons in the cabin, and some cheap plastics, it's actually pretty well built inside, so any uneven panel fit or loud rattles could be a sign of accident damage. Watch also for rounded-off security bolts on the alloy wheels - many a 407 owner got over-enthusiastic with the wheel brace when faced with a flat. Make absolutely sure that it comes with a full and complete service history.
What's your opinion on the Suzuki Grand Vitara diesel?
What's your opinion on the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara diesel 1.9?
Des Keane (Dublin)May 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Des,
As with all Suzukis the Grand Vitara is impressively well bolted together and there are very few reports of any major reliability issues. The only recurrent problems seem to be glitches in the electrical system, but as long as the car you're looking at has a full service history, you should be OK. There are only two major downsides: the interior looks and feels pretty cheap and old-fashioned compared to some rivals, while the 1.9-litre diesel engine (which Suzuki actually bought in from Renault) can be very thirsty, as the Vitara is no lightweight.
What's the new Opel Mokka like?
I'm thinking of buying an Opel Mokka 1.7 diesel SE. How are they rated?
Noel
Noel Doyle (Dublin)May 2014 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Noel,
I actually quite like the Mokka; it's good looking, has a pleasant interior and is quite good to drive. However, I'd hold off on buying one until the new 1.6-litre diesel engine comes on line. The current 1.7-litre is an ancient design, noisy and rattly and prone to stalling at low speeds. Avoid that and wait for the new engine if you can, or if you're only doing low mileage, consider the excellent 1.4-litre turbo petrol unit instead.
Should I worry about high mileage on a Volkswagen Tiguan?
Is 156,000km too much mileage on a 2009 diesel Volkswagen Tiguan?
Aisling Connor (Meath)May 2014 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Aisling,
No, it should be OK as long as you are absolutely on-the-ball when it comes to making sure that it has a full service history. The Tiguan is essentially a tall Golf, so all of the mechanical bits are pretty robust and well proven, but watch for some small niggles. The electronic handbrake (if fitted) has been known to fail. The rear door handles can stick open, but that should have been sorted under warranty and the air conditioning can fail, but that's usually just the dashboard switches and not the deeper mechanical bits of the system. Oh, and check carefully underneath for signs of off-roading damage - Tiguans aren't really designed for proper mud-plugging, but the four-wheel drive system sometimes fools people into thinking that they're Land Rovers...
What's the old SsangYong seven-seater like?
Looking for some feedback on a 2008 SsangYong seven-seater: 1.9 diesel, automatic.
Thanks
Darrell Tipper (Blessington)May 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Darrell,
Generally speaking SsangYongs are very reliable (it's the upside of them being somewhat old-fashioned and mechanically simple), but the price you pay for that is them being really rather crude to drive and live with. Noise levels from the engine will be very high indeed, cabin quality will resemble that of a Toyota from the 1980s and the handling will be little short of terrible.