Porsche Cayenne 2008: reliable?
Porsche Cayenne 2008: reliable?
Fidelma Bergin (Dublin)Jul 2013 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Fidelma,
Yes. Porsches are built like tanks and the brand is regularly right up with the Japanese brands in the JD Power customer satisfaction survey.
Just make sure that it has a full Porsche main dealer service history, or at least a history with an experienced independent Porsche specialist. It's a complex, high performance vehicle so if the maintenance and servicing hasn't been done on the button, every time, or if you get the faintest whiff that the car has been abused or run on the cheap, walk away.
What do you think of the 2008 Jaguar XF?
What do you think of the 2008 Jaguar XF? Is one with 79,000 miles on the clock a good buy or not?
Tim Gleeson (Dublin)Jul 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Tim,
In a 2007 Volkswagen Passat a good buy?
Is an 07 Volkswagon Passat 1.9 with 160,000 mileage a good buy?
Thanks
Barbra Brennan (Drogheda)Jul 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Barbra,
It could be. The mileage isn’t that high and, obviously, we can’t comment on the condition of an individual car that we haven’t seen, but Passats are generally well-made and if it comes with a full service history, then that’s a good start.
What's the Chrysler 300C like?
Any faults with Chrysler's 300C? I'm looking at a 2008 model with 30,000 miles on the clock. What should I look for? It's the SRT Design version.
Jack Boyle (Dublin)Jul 2013 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Jack,
Actually, the 300C is really well built. The European market cars were built under licence in Austria and under the skin it's essentially a 1996 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, so all the components are rock-solid, especially the 3.0-litre diesel engine. Where you need to be careful is in making sure it's been looked after. There are a lot of complicated electronic bits and you need to see a full service history with a car like this, as neglect will lead to problems very quickly. If there's no, or patchy, history, walk away. Also, a good few 300Cs saw service as taxis so beware of abused and damaged interiors or knackered suspension.
What's wrong with my Audi A6?
Wrench light on the dashboard of our Audi A6; what's wrong?
Flamor Mollapolci (Sverige Mellerud)Jul 2013 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Flamor,
We believe this means the car reckons it's time to have a service. You'll need to take it to an Audi dealer or a garage with proper diagnostic equipment to have this checked and reset.
Let us know how you get on.
Can we look at petrol vs. diesel in detail?
Though diesel cars are more expensive to buy, the trade-in value will also be greater, a point that does not seem to be taken into consideration in the diesel vs. petrol debate. The first question a dealer asks is "is it petrol or diesel?", which is generally followed by a turning up of the nose when the answer is petrol.
Practically all motoring correspondents highlight the benefits of diesel without referring to the fact that diesel engines are designed to be driven on long journeys where the engine reaches its optimum temperature, which does not happen on short runs, thereby increasing the potential for engine damage. Thumbs up to you for your very informative question and answer section. How about a full article on diesel-v-petrol taking into account servicing costs and highlighting the potential of engine damage to diesel engines when used only on short journeys?
Michael Corduff (Dublin)Jul 2013 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
Many thanks for the compliment. You’re right on the trade-in aspect, although that does seem to be shifting now in the wake of the diesel issue, especially in urban areas. As for the servicing aspect, it’s a tough one for us to look at in a comparison sense, as all garages are different, have different charges and servicing is not a constant. All cars will need to be serviced differently, according to how they are driven.
We have done some diesel versus petrol comparison work in the past though. Have a look here.
Is the 2007 Kia Carnival a reliable car?
Is the 2007 Kia Carnival a reliable car?
Ciaran Murphy (Dublin)Jul 2013 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Ciaran,
Yup, very, illustrated by the fact that in 2010 Kia stretched out the warranty to seven years. With any family-oriented cars of that age though, check the cabin carefully for signs of abuse by kids or pets and make sure that the engine has been properly serviced and had the timing belt done. The infotainment systems can give a bit of bother too apparently, so make sure he radio etc. is working properly, especially if it's got an upgraded stereo system.
Best of luck
Anything I can do about my Renault Laguna?
Doing a bit a research on Renault. I bought a new Renault Laguna III 1.5 dCi in January 2008 with beige half leather and auto hand brake and now have 210,000km on the clock. I forked out €32k in 2008 and five years later the engine is gone. Not happy, won’t buy another Renault. Seems to be a built-in switch that when it reaches 200,000km or five years the car is knackered. I have to get a replacement engine, which is impossible and not cheap. So much for commercial good will. Car was serviced and timing belt was changed. I would not recommend Renault to anyone, especially when the garage/dealer that I bought it from in 2008 is now in liquidation (not mentioning any names). Is it true that I potentially only have recourse through dealer of purchase? Are people out there aware of this situation?
Gareth Egan (Cadamstown)Jul 2013 Filed under: warranty
Expert answer
Hi Gareth,
Unfortunately, if the dealer from which you bought the car is now in liquidation, then your options are a bit limited. You can of course apply to have your case heard by the liquidator, or bring a case to the small claims court, but I would suggest that the first thing you do is talk to Renault head office directly.
A figure of 200,000km is not excessively high mileage for a car such as the Laguna III (it’s only just over 120,000 miles in old money) so there’s no reason for the engine to fail. If the dealer in question was a Renault franchised dealer, then there may well be some comeback on it. The only problem is that, at nine years old, the car is long, long out of warranty so you are, as you suggest, relying on Renault’s corporate goodwill.
How good is the Smart Roadster?
How good or bad are Smart Roadsters?
John Langan (Westmeath)Jul 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi John,
Totally brilliant, and reliable little things too. The gearbox is truly awful (s-l-o-w at changing gears), but the steering is surprisingly sharp and they weigh next to nothing, so performance always feels brisk. Just make sure you get one with a full service history, as that little turbo three-cylinder engine is a bit high-strung.
Should I change to Fiat from Fords?
I only ever drove Fords and I saw a Fiat Punto that I like. How reliable are Fiats and how different are they to Fords?
Carrie Conroy (Westmeath)Jul 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Carrie,
Puntos, especially the 2006-on Grande Punto, aren't bad at all when it comes to reliability. The engines are all well-proven Fiat units with few major issues and as long as you keep a wary eye on the electrics, and buy only with a full service history, you should be OK.
Compared to Fords you have driven, you'll probably find the Fiat has much lighter, more detached steering and a "looser" feeling chassis. But you'll probably also notice that the Punto is unusually spacious and has very eager engines. An underrated car.