Should I keep or fix my Nissan Qashqai?
Hi,
I am driving a 2012 Nissan Qashqai dCi; I am the third owner and I bought it on 158,428km. I had to replace the battery, clutch master cylinder, front and back brake pads. I took it for a service at the required intervals, but this time around I have exceeded the mileage for the next service by over 5,000km due to financial constraints. I'm not having major problems except hearing some funny squeaky metallic sounds when I'm driving. I need to do the wheel alignment/balancing and I was also told at my last service that the sub-frame needs to be replaced because it is bent somehow. I am not in a position to buy a new car and I still owe money on this car; is it advisable to fix this car or just sell it?
Thank you
Bernadette Dyani (Cape Town)Nov 2018 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Bernadette,
Sounds to us like the Qashqai is not a good one and it is likely to keep costing you money. We'd advise you trade it in for another car.
Which small car for infrequent use?
Can you recommend the best car for infrequent use? I currently own a 2010 1.6 SEAT Leon, but as I now bus it to work I don't need a diesel engine and it's gathering dust in the driveway weekdays. I just need something for pottering around at the weekend and any holidays. I'm thinking Nissan Micra, Hyundai i10/i20, Ford Fiesta. Don't need a huge car as there's only two of us. Not looking for something massively pricey, but with trade-in perhaps a 151 or 161 model.
Stephen Ridgeway (Dublin)Oct 2018 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Stephen,
Used Qashqai, Sportage, ix35 or BMW X1?
I am looking for a 2012 Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage or Hyundai ix35 or a 2010 BMW X1. All of these have driven approx. 80,000 miles for a price range of €12-13,000. Which one would you go for? Most driving will be on motorways during weekends.
Thanks
Naved Iraqi (Dublin)Jun 2018 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Naved,
The X1 is, obviously, the most ‘premium’, but it’s also kind of ugly and has weirdly heavy steering, plus it’s quite small inside, so let’s leave that one off the list. The Sportage and the ix35 are basically the same car, but the Sportage is nicer to look at on the outside in my opinion, and slightly nicer to drive too. Reliability between the two should be about even. The Qashqai is very appealing, but as it’s the older model, it struggles against the Sportage and has some reliability issues too, so go for the Sportage.
Should we get a second EV for towing?
Hi, a question about a second car. What would be a good choice for a second car for travelling to work that does small mileage (10-20 miles) daily? Our main car is a Nissan Leaf, which we use for the majority of our driving. A car that can tow a small trailer would be ideal, something with low tax and running costs. Budget is about 6-7 thousand euro, with the intention of trading in the car in a few years time for a newer model. Have thought of buying another electric car, but not sure about having two electric cars in household until longer range cars are available or charging network improves.
Thank you for your help.
Barry
Barry Slye (Cork)Jun 2018 Filed under: electric cars
Expert answer
Hi Barry,
The problem with electric cars is that, generally, they’re not rated for towing (I think that the new Nissan Leaf is one of the first with a towing rating), so you’re probably going to have to switch back to petrol or diesel for this one. Probably your best bet is to go for something very conventional, such as VW Golf or Ford Focus, and maybe go for the estate version of one of those to give yourself a little extra versatility. A Toyota Auris Hybird would also work well, and would at least keep you going on half-electric power. Plenty of them around in your price range.
Looking at maybe a new petrol SUV.
Hi,
I'm looking to change my 151 Toyota Corolla 1.4 Luna diesel at the end of this year or early next year. It currently has 93,000km on the clock. About 70 per cent of our driving is on short journeys such as short runs to town of about 10km. Would I be better to stay with diesel or go to petrol? I'm thinking about getting a crossover/SUV, something like a Peugeot 3008, Nissan Qashqai or a Kia Sportage, or would I get better value getting a smaller SEAT Ateca, Suzuki Vitara or Opel Mokka? My children are all adults now and are only around at weekends so our mileage will be decreasing a bit. Any advice would be great.
Thanks
Rob
Roddy McMyler (Kilkenny)Jun 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Roddy,
Well, it sounds definitely as if petrol is the way to go, and as you’ve mentioned the Ateca, that’s a good one to look at. It’s cheaper, by a little, than most of the competition, has an excellent 1.0-litre 115hp turbo petrol engine (don’t be put off by the small engine — it copes just fine) and isn’t ‘smaller’ at all — it’s the same size as the VW Tiguan, thanks to using the same chassis. The same goes for Skoda’s Karoq. A Peugeot 3008 with the 1.2 PureTech petrol engine would also be a good choice, but the Sportage isn't currently offered as a decent small petrol version, so we’d give that a swerve. The Nissan Qashqai comes with a good 1.2 turbo petrol, but doesn’t feel as good to drive in that form as the diesel. The Opel Mokka X is just too old a design and feels well out of date, but actually if you can cope with the smaller size, the Suzuki Vitara’s a good shout — good to drive, good looking and hugely reliable.
Read or reviews for more:
Planning on buying a 2014 Nissan Qashqai.
Hi,
I am planning to buy a 2014 Nissan Qashqai with 109,000 miles on the clock. What's it worth and also is it a good bet after so many miles on?
Arun Rak (Dublin)Jun 2018 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Arun,
It depends. If it’s the current-shape model, then it should be worth around €14-15,000. If it’s the last of the old-shape models (which were on runout in 2014) then it should be more like €11-12,000. That mileage is a little on the high side, right enough, but it should be fine as long as the car has a full and complete service history.
Do I pay VRT importing a Nissan Leaf EV?
I am planning to import a 2017 Nissan Leaf from the UKl do I need to pay VRT?
Raj Shah (Fermoy)Jun 2018 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Raj,
Technically, yes, you have to pay VRT, but actually no, you don’t. How it works is this — any car with CO2 emissions from 0-80g/km is in Band A1 for VRT, which means you have to pay 14 per cent of the Irish open market selling price. However, all electric vehicles are given a €5,000 rebate on their VRT, so as long as the 14 per cent doesn’t work out at more than €5,000, you won’t actually have to pay anything.
Electrical problems with my Nissan Qashqai...
In my 2007 Nissan Qashqai, the ABS and handbrake lights come on when driving, the steering goes light and km/h pin stops working. What's going on?
Ollie Brennan (Galway)May 2018 Filed under: electrics
Expert answer
Hi Ollie,
Sounds like a major issue with the wiring loom or engine control unit (ECU). It's a known issue with older examples and you might need to get the ECU re-programmed. Best bet is to get the car into a good mechanic to have a look at it.
What hybrid SUV will I go for now?
Hey guys,
Currently driving a Qashqai and looking to change to a hybrid, but local Nissan dealer said they won’t have hybrid Qashqais until 2020. What alternatives can you suggest please?
Thanks
Dara
Dara Weston (Dublin)May 2018 Filed under: hybrid
Expert answer
Hi Dara,
The best alternatives right now, assuming you want to stick to a crossover-style body, would be the Toyota C-HR Hybrid or the Kia Niro. Both are a fraction smaller inside than the Qashqai, but the Toyota in particular is very well made and really good to drive. The Kia can also be had as a super-efficient plugin hybrid, which is well worth a look if most of your mileage is done in town.
Nissan X-Trail or Hyundai ix35?
What would your choice be between a 2014 Nissan x-Trail 1.6 dCi and 2014 Hyundai ix35?
Jacqui Samuels (Pretoria)Mar 2018 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Jacqui,
I think, assuming price to be more or less the same, I’d go for the X-Trail. It’s a bit bigger than the Hyundai, can be had as a seven-seater (not all were, though, so make sure you check) and the 1.6 dCi diesel engine is a sweeter unit than Hyundai’s 1.7. Plus, and I know this is hardly the most important point, I think the X-Trail is nicer looking.