Can I privately run a Nissan Navara?
Hello,
I work as a care assistant, I do not have a company; can I buy a 2016 Nissan Navara 2.3 automatic and transfer insurance from private car to the Navara and pay tax to CO2 emission and pay €750?
David A (Youghal)Jul 2019 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi David,
If you are using the Navara strictly for business work, and not for social, domestic or pleasure use, then you can tax it as a commercial vehicle for €333 a year. If you are using it for any personal driving, then you have to transfer it back to the old by-engine-capacity tax system and, with a 2.3-litre engine, that’s going to work out at a hefty €994 a year, I’m afraid.
Amarok, Ranger or Navara pick-up?
Hi there, hoping you can guide me in the right direction as I am torn between the VW Amarok, Ranger and the Nissan NP 300. I wont be using it for construction just merely for leisurely use so efficiency will have a part to play in my decision.
Looking for your advice.
Regards,
Ronan
Ronan Scroope (Cork)Jun 2019 Filed under: pick-up
Expert answer
Hi Ronan,
Well, to be honest, if efficiency is your thing, then don’t buy a pick-up truck — they’re all pretty big and thirsty and around 30mpg is the best you’re going to get from any of them. Of the three you’ve mentioned, the VW Amarok is the best — the most space in the cab, the best comfort, the best on-road handling and ride. The Ranger comes in a decent second, the Nissan a little further behind in third.
Relevant reviews:
Can I tax a Nissan van privately?
Can I tax and insure a Nissan NV 300 1.6 van for my own personal, social, domestic and pleasure use, and how much would road tax cost?
Thanks
James
James Clark (Ballina)Jun 2019 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi James,
You can, and it’ll be taxed according to the old engine capacity system, to it’ll be €514 per year.
Read our feature on this subject: Buying a commercial vehicle for private use
Interested in buying a Kia Optima.
I am interested in buying a Kia Optima, a 1.7 CRDi 2 Luxe model, with 88,000 miles on the clock. It's a UK import registered in Ireland.
Can you tell me:
1. What price is an okay price for this car?
2. Since I am based in Ireland, can buying a UK import car be problem in any way?
3. Generally how is fuel economy for this model? Is it good/bad as compared to its competitors?
4. I am confused between Nissan Qashqai and Kia Optima. Can you advise pros/cons of one over other?
Thanks Anshul Malik
Anshul Malik (Cork)May 2019 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Anshul,
Ok, let’s take those one by one. As far as a fair price is concerned, you haven’t given us a year for the car, but I’m going to assume it’s a 2016 model. That would put a fair price, in Ireland, if about €15,000 give or take. There’s no issue buying a UK car that has already been registered in Ireland.
Fuel economy should be fine — you can expect to get around 45-50mpg from a 1.7 Optima.
How much to replace a Micra's head gasket?
How much to replace the head gasket on a 2008 Nissan March provided no further damage to engine?
Francis Caffrey (Dunleer)May 2019 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Francis,
The cost of the parts and the labour will vary considerably depending on where you get the work done and where the parts are bought from. We can tell you that the work, on the 1.2-litre petrol engine, should take about five hours in total.
Thoughts on semi-autonomous systems?
Hi,
I'm interested in one of these semi-autonomous driving systems, where, as long as you keep your hands on the steering wheel, the car will keep within the white lines and possibly include changing lanes. I'm thinking of it in the context of driving long distances on continental motorways. There seems to be any number of systems out there - some more in the line of adaptive cruise control (keeping a set distance from the car in front) - to something more autonomous along the lines above allowing lane changes. While they are at different price points I was wondering if you have had the opportunity to try the Pro Pilot on the Nissan Qashqai and the Drive Pilot by Volvo and if you are in a position to comment on their relative merits.
Thanks
Philip
Philip Donegan (Ballina)May 2019 Filed under: optional extras
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
Yes, we have tried them and in both cases they work fine, but please don’t go thinking of them as truly autonomous driving systems — they’ve very far from that, far even from semi-autonomous. In both cases (in fact in all current cases, no matter what some car makers would have you believe) these systems are just glorified cruise control, with a radar to keep you a safe distance from the car in front, and cameras and sensors to detect the lines on the road and keep you steering more or less straight. They’re not fully active, though, and you still need to drive the car, keep your eyes up and on the road and be in control at all times. They do reduce fatigue on long journeys right enough, but only be a small amount to be honest, and they’re not to be relied upon.
Should this Qashqai's belt be changed?
Hi all,
I am close to buying a 2012 Nissan Qashqai+2 Tekna model with 89,000 miles on the clock. When I asked the garage about the timing belt and water pump, they said it was too early, that it's usually done at 120,000 miles; is this true? I am worried because it's a lot of money to spend to be screwed over...
Timothy O'Sullivan (Killarney )Mar 2019 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Timothy,
The timing belt on the 1.5-litre dCi diesel engine (and hence the water pump) should be changed every 150,000 kilometres or six years - whichever comes first. If the belt on that car has never been changed, it really should be as soon as possible.
All other engines in that car use timing chains, incidentally.
Can I tax a Nissan Navara privately?
Hi,
Can a 2016 Nissan Navara be taxed privately? Or only commercial?
Marcin Posiewka (Dublin)Mar 2019 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Marcin,
It can be taxed privately. Oddly, as it's a commercial, to tax it privately, the rate is calculated on the old by-engine-capacity regime, regardless of the fact that it's a 2016 model.
Looking for a spacious family car...
Looking for recommendations for a family car for a two-year old and a newborn. Petrol, good legroom and boot size, affordable and doesn't feel 'huge' to drive or difficult to park. Already checked out Skoda Octavia and Nissan Qashqai so any advice on these? We weren't looking to buy a brand new car but they both seem to have good scrappage deals...
Orla Greaney (Dublin)Mar 2019 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Orla,
Get the Skoda. Trust me, as the father of two growing boys a Qashqai is just not big enough inside. The Octavia, on the other hand, has lots of rear legroom (crucial for people in rear-facing child seats or boosters) and a massive boot, especially if you go for the very practical Combi estate version. If you’re looking for other alternatives, stick within the mid-size estate market — they’re much more practical for families than a compact SUV, and usually cheaper too run too. Oh, and they’re not much bigger than the hatchbacks they’re based on, so parking etc. is still a doddle.
Good alternatives to the Skoda are the Ford Focus Estate, the Kia Ceed Sportswagon, the Hyundai i30 Tourer and the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports. Click on those links to read our reviews of each.
Which used crossover to go for?
Hi,
Out of Hyundai ix35, Tucson, Kia Sportage or Qashqai, all 2015, which to go for? Drove ix35 today with impressive kit, heated seats, windscreen, dual-zone climate etc. Will be going to UK to buy as will save at least €2,000. Which would you choose considering two small kids and about 20,000km per year?
Gerry Coen (Galway)Feb 2019 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Gerry,
At 20,000km a year, you’re just on the cusp of choosing between diesel and petrol, so I’d tread carefully, and make sure you do your sums before you decide. Of the four cars you’ve mentioned, the ix35 is the oldest in tech terms and, although it’s a decent car, it’s feeling pretty out of date by now. The Qashqai is the nicest to drive, but both the Tucson and the Sportage are more roomy, so with kids to cart around, I’d go for one of those. It sort of doesn’t matter which — mechanically, they’re identical, so it comes down to which one you prefer on a personal level, and which one you can get the better deal on. Also, do consider a SEAT Ateca. They start from 2016, and the 1.4-litre turbo petrol is a terrific combo of performance and economy. Here are links to the relevant reviews to help you decide further: