Which cars are best for comfort?
Hi,
Can you tell me which SUVs offer a driver's/seating position most like a standard car's? My wife and I currently both use her Opel Zafira and I find the seating position very upright and uncomfortable as the seats will not move back far enough. Effectively it means I have to lift my feet completely to operate the pedals instead of just pivoting on my heels as with a more reclined position. I have recently had a hip replaced and the other one is painful if I drive any reasonable distance.
We test drove a secondhand C-Class Estate and I wanted to buy it but she finds the seating position very cramped (in particular did not like the large console between the seats). We sat in a Honda CR-V after and she much preferred the space and lack of clutter between the seats but I found the seating position uncomfortable. Essentially we are looking for something that has the high ceiling, big windscreen and lack of clutter of most SUVs/MPVs, but with a seating position that gives good enough leg room for somebody over six-foot like me to pivot my feet on my heels rather than having to lift them to operate the pedals. Maybe we need two cars, which is a waste given we are city dwellers and do very small annual mileage between us.
Thanks
Kevin
Kevin McCormack (Dublin 8)Apr 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Kevin,
That’s almost an impossible question for me to answer I’m afraid as, as you’ve pointed out, a car that many might consider comfortable and pleasant (the Honda CR-V) is uncomfortable for you. Mind you, you’re right about the C-Class Estate being small inside – it was never the biggest car around.
How can I compare all the electric cars?
Hi,
Is there anywhere one can see all currently available electric cars compared, not just under the usual headings of driving range, charging times, 0 to 100km/h time and overall drivability and practicality, but also the overall running costs (electricity charges, road tax etc.), which can vary when you include battery lease models like the Renault Zoe?
Donal M
Donal Murphy (Cork)Apr 2016 Filed under: electric cars
Expert answer
Hi Donal,
Short answer – no. That’s partially down to the fact that such in-depth comparisons have to take into account the type of mileage you do, the electricity tariff you’re on and more. The best I can suggest is that you have a good long look through our various electric car reviews and then use the cost calculators on both the ESB and SEAI websites to further refine your research:
Tell me about the 2012 Nissan Qashqai+2...
I am looking to buy a 2012 Nissan Qashqai+2 SVE petrol version; can you please let me know what are the spec differences between SV and SVE for the year 2012?
Does this model have timing chain or belt and what would be the replacement interval?
What would be the mpg on this particular model?
Thanks.
User Duluth (Dublin)Apr 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi there,
Right, I'll be honest - we had to get on to Nissan Ireland for help with this, but it came through in spades.
Over and above the SV model, the SVE added Xenon headlights, Intelligent Key, illuminated passenger sunvisor, seven-speaker BOSE audio system, 17-inch alloys and rear parking sensors.
The engine has a timing chain, not a belt, so it doesn't need replacement, but it does need to be inspected at regular intervals. Any Qashqai with a full service history should be fine on that score.
In terms of economy, the 1.6 petrol Qashqai got 44mpg overall while the 1.6 diesel got 55mpg, or 60mpg if it was fitted with the stop-start system.
Hope that all helps
My 2015 Qashqai has an unwanted vibration.
I have a 2015 Nissan Qashqai 1.5 diesel. Recently there is a severe vibration from the passenger side front of the car on standing idle. It disappears after a slight rev on the engine is applied. Would appear the car body is lightly built and the diesel engine vibrates the engine mountings. Is this a common fault and or have you had other queries similar to this on the Qashqai?
William Neale (Dublin)Mar 2016 Filed under: warranty
Expert answer
Hi William,
Clearly your car is still under warranty so if you think the vibration is "severe" then you should get it back to the dealer for a look. They'll soon sort it out if it is indeed a problem such as a fauly engine mounting.
We've not had any other queries of the same nature on the Qashqai and we've always found the 1.5 dCi engine relatively smooth.
Mad to buy a high-mileage Nissan Navara?
Hi there,
I'm hoping to bid at auction on a 2006 Nissan Navara with 300,000km on the clock. I have been to see the car. Starts on the first turn, engine sounds great and everything works as it should as far as I can tell (I'm not a mechanic). No warning lights on start up. I guess I'm asking if I'm mad to buy with such high mileage?
Thanks
Robert Harris (Dublin )Feb 2016 Filed under: mileage
Expert answer
Hi Robert,
It's all down to the history, really, which at least is the one thing you can really investigate before buying a car at auction. Look through to see if it has a full service history and if those services were done on time. If there's a good thick sheaf of receipts, stamped service books, previous NCT or DOE results and more with the car, and if it looks clean and straight when you have a poke around underneath, then it should be a good buy.
One word of caution though - while Nissans tend to be rugged and reliable cars, pickups can be hard working and often abused company machines. Again, check the history to see if the previous owner was a private individual or a company.
Is Nissan's 'checkover' a service at 1,000km?
Hi,
I availed of the Nissan scrappage scheme and I'm told there's a free "checkover" at over 1,000km; is it a checkover or service I'm wondering?
Thanks very much
Marie
Marie Nannery (Navan)Feb 2016 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Marie,
It's just what it says - a check-over. There's no way a car would need an actual service at just 1,000km, but it's a good idea for a dealer to have a car back in at that point just to make sure all is well with both car and customer, and gives them a chance to quickly rectify any issues that may not have been caught at either the factory or in the pre-delivery inspection.
Is the Qashqai's 1.5-litre engine enough?
Is the Qashqai's 1.5-litre engine powerful enough or does the 1.6 make for a better alternative to the Hyundai Tucson or the Toyota RAV4? My driving is a mix of rural roads, motorways and urban.
P. J. Hynes (Dublin)Feb 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi PJ,
It's a slight oddity that the Qashqai has two different engines so close in capacity. The 1.6 is actually a replacement for the old 130hp 1.9-litre engine while the slightly older 1.5 has 110hp and is a direct competitor for most rivals' 1.6-litre engines. Confused? Don't worry - the basic answer is that the Qashqai's 1.5 is indeed competitive and should suit your driving just about perfectly. There's plenty of poke in it and it's still very economical.
What new petrol SUVs cost less than €40k?
I hope to change my Kia Sportage soon. I do less than 10,000 kilometres a year so I may go for petrol and an automatic. Give us some SUV options south of €40k.
Thanks
Eamonn
Eamonn McAndrew (Mayo)Feb 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Eamonn,
Auto petrol SUVs are hard to find in most manufacturers' ranges, but there are a few you can have a look at - Skoda Yeti 1.2 TSI DSG, Nissan Qashqai 1.2 DIG CVT or Volkswagen Tiguan 1.4 TSI DSG, for example. All frugal, good to drive and well under €40k even with options.
What are the most reliable cars in Ireland?
I would like to know the 50 most reliable and least reliable cars sold in Ireland since 2012.
Brendan Walsh (Oldcastle)Feb 2016 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Brendan,
There is no specific market data for Ireland in this respect. The old rule of thumb still holds true - if you want ultimate reliability, buy a Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Suzuki, Subaru or Mazda. You could probably pretty easily add Kia and Hyundai to that list too now.
The best I can do for you is to point you towards the results of the JD Power Vehicle Dependability Study for the UK market in 2015. An independent research agency, JD Power ranks the various brands surveyed by problems per 100 cars - although it's worth remembering that those problems can range from minor electrical niggles to total engine failure, so you can't read everything into the stats. The last set of figures, ranked from best-performing to worst, were:
Which is the smoothest automatic model?
Which is the smoothest automatic model under 1.5 litres?
Sally Mulford (Greystones)Feb 2016 Filed under: automatic
Expert answer
Hi Sally,
Generally speaking, automatics and small engines don't go well together, but there are a few good ones. Any Volkswagen Group cars using a combo of either 1.2 TSI or 1.4 TSI petrol with the DSG gearbox should be pretty smooth and there are some Toyota Auris 1.4 D-4D diesels around with self-shifters. The Auris, while not exciting, is certainly smooth and comfy.
Actually, your best option could be to go hybrid or electric. The Honda Insight has a 1.3-litre hybrid powertrain and is an automatic and is surprisingly good to drive. Or what about the Nissan Leaf? If the roughly 160km electric range suits your lifestyle, there's nothing smoother than an electric motor.