How economical is the Nissan Almera?
What is the fuel economy of the 1.5-litre petrol Nissan Almera?
Paul Tobin (Wexford)Expert answer
Hi Paul,
I’m assuming you’re looking at about a 2005 model year? If so, the official combined fuel economy figure was 42.2mpg, or 6.7 litres per 100km, but the actual fuel consumption will depend significantly on both the condition of the vehicle and your own driving style.
Should I replace by Qashqai with a Tucson?
Hi guys,
I see the Hyundai Tucson everywhere. Would it be a good replacement for my Nissan Qashqai next year? Hoping to get finance and use the Nissan as a deposit.
Thanks
Daniel Corbett (Athlone)Nov 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Daniel,
Yes, it certainly would. The Tucson hasn’t become Ireland’s best selling new car this year for nothing. It’s handsome, roomy, well-made, well-equipped and well-priced. On the flip side, it’s not especially inspiring to drive and it’s worth considering an upgrade to the 2.0-litre diesel engine as the 1.7 CRDi unit is quite underpowered. Oh, and also consider a Kia Sportage as it’s basically the same as the Hyundai, mechanically, but comes with the longer seven-year warranty. Here are a few reviews to give you more information:
Hyundai Tucson 1.7 CRDi review
Do you know the price of new Skoda Kodiaq?
Do you know the price of new Skoda Kodiaq?
Dana Batt (Ballinrobe)Aug 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Dana,
No, not yet – it won’t be fully revealed to the public until 1st of September, and it will be some time after that before Irish prices and specs are worked out. However, we can infer from some of its rivals how expensive it might be. The primary cars that it will be going up against will be the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe, both of which have prices that start at €38-39k, and also the Nissan X-Trail, which, in seven-seat form, starts at €37k. So around the €37k mark might be a sensible bet.
That said, the new Volkswagen Tiguan, on which the Kodiaq is based, mechanically, starts at just under €30k, and there will be a seven-seat version of that soon too, so Skoda will have to carefully balance its prices to make sure that it’s a little, but not too much, cheaper than the seven-seat Tiguan. Complicated, isn’t it? I reckon somewhere between the €35,000 and €37,000 marks would be a reasonable guess as to the Kodiaq’s starting price.
Do my Qashqai's CV joints need replacing?
I have a 2012 Nissan Qashqai and I noticed that when I go around corners, left or right, there is a noise, not squeaky, more of a knocking noise as I turn the corner - could this be the CV joint?
Eoin McCormack (Dublin 7)Aug 2016 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Eoin,
A knocking noise is indeed how you'd usually describe a CV joint when it's worn, but it's usually only turning in one direction - unless both are gone, which would be unusual in such a young car in our experience. Either way, it's not easy to trouble shoot noises from afar so I suggest you drop into a local garage and get them to analyse it for you. They'll know in seconds if it is a CV joint.
Best of luck.
SEAT Toledo, Skoda Rapid or Renault Fluence?
Trading up from a 2006 Nissan Note to 131-132 Skoda Rapid, SEAT Toledo or Renault Fluence: open to suggestions on which is best choice.
Seamus Neville (Waterford)Jul 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Seamus,
The Skoda and SEAT are basically the same car with different badges. Neither are especially sophisticated, but they're roomy and pleasant to drive and very affordable. Personally I prefer the hatchback versions, but that's just me. Both are preferable to the Fluence, which has never been a very satisfying car and which is about to be replaced by a new saloon version of the Renault Megane.
Relevant reviews:
Is there Isofix in the back of Qashqai+2?
Hi, can you tell me how many Isofix points there are on the Nissan Qashqai+2? Nowhere on the internet can tell me if there are Isofix points in the very back two seats.
Thanks
Dave
David Cronin (Cork)Jul 2016 Filed under: child or baby seats
Expert answer
Hi Dave,
No, there aren't Isofix points for the folding third row seats. The Qashqai+2 only has Isofix for the outer two rear seats in the middle row.
What is the value of a 2011 Nissan Pixo?
What is the value of a 2011 Nissan Pixo with two owners, 86,000km with a few stone chip marks?
Mike O'Sullivan (Shanagolden )Jun 2016 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Mike,
As a trade in, probably around €4,000.
Corsa, Corolla, Micra or Polo for €2,000?
Hi, I am a first car buyer in Ireland. I would like to buy an automatic car.
The ones I am interested in are a 2002 Opel Corsa, 2004 Toyota Corolla 1.6, a Nissan Micra 1.0 from 2002 or a Volkswagen Polo 1.4 from 2000. All of them cost between €1,750 and €2,000. I am wondering if these prices are realistic for cars like these, and given the types, which one would be the best choice?
Thank you in advance,
K
Katalin Csesznek (Cork)Jun 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Katalin,
Worth buying the new long-range Nissan Leaf?
Is the new 2016 electric Nissan Leaf worth buying with range of 115 miles for €25,000? Is it worth waiting for the 2018 model that might have a range of 200 miles?
John Feely (Dublin)May 2016 Filed under: electric cars
Expert answer
Hi John,
Yes, I'd say it's worth getting the bigger battery. It perhaps doesn't make quite as much of a difference as you'd think but it keeps the range anxiety at bay for a while longer on main roads and around town you'd probably only have to charge up once or twice a week, thanks to excellent regenerative braking.
Petrol or diesel for a nearly new Nissan Pulsar?
I wish to trade in my 2010 Kia Rio, looking at a 151 Nissan Pulsar diesel priced at €15,000 with trade in, or 152 petrol at €12,800 with my trade in. Not sure is best to go petrol or diesel. Any other suggestion I should be looking at?
Laurie Healy (Dublin)Apr 2016 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Laurie,
Deciding to go petrol or diesel is a simple matter of how much mileage you do every year. Do you do lots of mileage and plenty of long motorway journeys? Get a diesel then. If you do lower mileage (less than 16,000km a year, say) and mostly around town? Then go for petrol.
