How would you rate the Jaguar XF estate?
How would you rate the Jaguar XF estate?
Peter Kelly (Naas)Feb 2014 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Peter,
A brilliant car, albeit one with a couple of shortcomings relative to its German rivals. It's probably the best-looking car in the class, and the 500-litre boot is a match for the BMW 5 Series Touring and Audi A6 Avant (though much smaller than that of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class). It's utterly delightful to drive too, better even than the much-praised BMW, with brilliant steering and a comfy ride.
On the downside, the interior is a step behind the Germans (not enough space, old-fashioned touch-screen infotainment system, narrow front seats) and the fuel tank is on the small side, limiting your touring range and making the car feel thirstier than it actually is. The 2.2-litre diesel engine in 190hp form is the best all-round to go for, but the lower power 163hp is a bit cheaper to buy and you'll hardly ever notice the difference in day-to-day driving. Or, you could get the best version; the 272hp 3.0 D V6 diesel – a properly quick, practical car that.
How reliable should a 2010 Volvo S80 be?
We are looking at a 2010 Volvo S80 with 80,000 miles on the clock - it's a 1.6 diesel. What should we look out for when buying it? Are the turbo and particle filter likely to give trouble at this stage or does it have a good reputation? Would this car have a good reputation all round?
Patrick O Reilly (Dublin)Feb 2014 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Patrick,
I really like the S80 - a lovely big comfy thing, ideal if you're doing lots of long journeys and that 1.6 diesel engine is super efficient; you could get up to 1,500km from a tank of fuel.
Reliability shouldn't be a major issue once you make sure that the car has a full service history. Like any executive saloon there's a lot of electronic toys in there and if it's been well cared for, there's less chance of them going wrong. Keep an eye on the service schedule to make sure that the engine has always been topped up with the highest grade of oil and if it feels down on power or sluggish when accelerating, it's most likely the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve.
How do you rate the Mazda6?
How do you rate the Mazda6?
Tony Ellis (Dublin)Feb 2014 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Tony,
New or old? Frankly, they're all good. The current car is slick, massively spacious, lovely to drive and, aside from occasionally poor fuel economy, terrific ownership prospects.
The previous generation is all of that with slightly less slick styling inside and out. Make sure you go for the later, post-facelift model that uses Mazda's own 129- or 180hp 2.2 diesel engine.
Finally the original - made from 2002 - it's a landmark car. Reliable, fabulous to drive and quietly handsome. They're super-cheap now and a perfect low-budget purchase.
Diesel or petrol for a new Nissan Qashqai?
Which would you recommend, the 1.2 petrol or the 1.5 diesel in the new Nissan Qashqai? I do about 12,000km or less per year and mainly short trips and city driving.
Michael Corduff (Dublin)Feb 2014 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
If it's short trips and city driving then you're probably better off with the petrol model. It's significantly cheaper than the diesel version, which gives you plenty of budget to buy fuel and pay the slightly more expensive road tax. One word of warning though - from personal experience it can be almost impossible to move on a Mk1 petrol Qashqai when the market is so diesel-obsessed. Several people I know have had to take a bath on second hand value when it came to trading in a first gen 1.6 petrol Qashqai so you need to be aware of that. The new 1.2 petrol turbo version should by rights fare better because it's so efficient but with the market still being diesel mad, you need to be careful.
Mercedes M-Class or Mitsubishi Pajero in terms of fuel economy?
What would be the difference in fuel consumption between a Mercedes-Benz ML 280 CDI and a Mitsubishi Pajero, all things been equal?
Thanks
Noel Lingwood (Cork Ireland)Expert answer
Hi Noel,
All things being equal, it'll be the Merc that'll do better. I'm comparing the 2011 model years for both as I'm assuming you mean the previous generation of Mercedes-Benz ML-Class.
According to the official figures, the ML 280 CDI automatic gets 30.1mpg on the combined cycle, while the Mitsubishi Pajero 3.2 DID automatic returns 26.6mpg.
Hardly surprising really: the Mitsubishi has a five-speed gearbox compared to the Merc's six-speed unit, plus it's lugging around a heavier body and seven seats (the Merc's a strict five-seater).
Hope that helps.
I want a car with better than 60mpg economy!
Hi, I've read your piece about petrol vs diesel. Trouble is, I want a car that does better mpg. I have a petrol Polo 2009 1.2 (80,000km) that does about 45 to the gallon. I can trade this in with about €8-9K but it must have good mpg - 60+. We don't do that many miles a year but we'd head off to England and back and be forever filling up. What do you recommend looking at?
David
David Taylor (Ennis)Expert answer
Hi David,
OK, if you're determined to go diesel and you need a reliable 60mpg plus then the only safe option is to get yourself a Golf BlueMotion. Your Polo plus your budget should get you easily into one, but you have to remember that getting good fuel economy is actually all about your driving style. We recently managed to get better than 60mpg out of a 1.2 TSI petrol Skoda Rapid, and that was with four big blokes on board...
Would an automatic Hyundai Sante Fe suit my needs?
I'm thinking of buying a 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe (100,000 miles). Is this a good buy? I have two teens and a toddler so want the option of seven seats. Is four-wheel drive more expensive to run than two-wheel drive? Also, any advantage in getting an automatic?
Thanks, Andrea
Andrea McLean (Leopardstown, D18)Feb 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Andrea,
Yes, it's a cracking idea. While the old Santa Fe isn't as sophisticated as the current one (hardly surprisingly) it's still an excellent used buy, very reliable and nice to drive.
A figure of 100,000 miles on the clock shouldn't be a significant hurdle as long as the service history is all up to date. The basic rule of thumb is that four-wheel drive and automatic gearboxes always add to the fuel consumption. The auto box on that generation Santa Fe wasn't the greatest so I'd say stick with a manual and 4wd is down to where you live - if you regularly need rough road or slippery surface capability it's worthwhile, if you live in town then not much.
Let us know how you get on
Skoda Octavia RS vs. Golf GTI for economy?
How does fuel consumption of the 2006 Skoda Octavia RS petrol compare to that of a 2001 Volkswagen Golf GTI?
Bernard Foley (Leopardstown, D18)Expert answer
Hi Bernard,
Oddly, they're identical. According to the official figures both the 2001 1.8 turbo 150hp Golf GTI and the 2006 Octavia RS 1.8 turbo 180hp return 35.3mpg on the combined cycle.
How economical is the 1.4-litre Opel Astra?
What is the official fuel economy of the Opel Astra 1.4?
Michael Smyth (Fethard,Co.Tipperary)Expert answer
Hi Michael,
Depends which model you're talking about. The basic 87hp 1.4-litre petrol Astra returns an official 51.4mpg, while the 100hp version returns... Um, exactly the same. Meanwhile, the 140hp 1.4 Turbo Astra does 47.9mpg. If you mean the old-shape 1.4i Astra, that does an official 44.8mpg.
Is the 2007 MINI Clubman Cooper a good purchase?
Is the 2007 MINI Clubman Cooper a good purchase and what would I have to look out for?
Paul White (Cork City)Jan 2014 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
Yes! And I'm not just saying that because I own a 2009 one... MINIs are generally pretty well made and reliable, just watch the 1.6 diesel engine for problems with the turbo and the injectors, and check the cabin carefully for signs of abuse or wear and tear. Clubmans are prone to developing an annoying rattle in the little 'ClubDoor' behind the driver's door, but there doesn't seem to be an easy cure for it. If the car cuts out under hard acceleration, check the diesel filter; it can clog and cause fuel starvation.