Mercedes-Benz CLA or C-Class?
Would you go for 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA 1.5 diesel or C-Class 1.6 petrol 156hp? Average mileage per year.
Caroline Conroy (Limerick)Sep 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Caroline,
If you're not doing mega-miles, then I'd say go for the C-Class. Assuming all being equal, it's a much nicer car than the CLA, which, although gorgeous, is a bit on the cramped side and not all that brilliant to drive. The C-Class is really smooth and comfy though, and much, much roomier inside.
BMW 218i or 218d for low mileage coupé?
BMW 2 Series Coupé question: a friend is looking and there is a few thousand of a difference between the 218i petrol and 218d M Sport versions. Car would be a manual. Majority of driving would be city centre with a bit of a drive nothing more than 50km at the weekends and possibly once a month doing a round trip of 600km. Unable to get a test drive of the 218i as there doesn't seem to be any in the country. Have tried to get a test drive of the 118i but again none. I know the engine is the 1.5 turbo three-cylinder that's also used in the new versions of the MINI of which reviews were good.
Any help appreciated.
Simon MacMahon (Dublin)Sep 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Simon,
The only potential fly in the ointment here might be resale value, but we honestly don't think it'll be as big a factor on the 2 Series Coupé as it would on a 'normal' car, such as a 3 Series Saloon or a Ford Focus, for example. There is an element of risk on that, though not if the buyer is going for finance with a guaranteed future minimum value...
All that aside, we'd wholeheartedly recommend the 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. It's astoundingly good in the MINI, marrying ok economy and low runnings costs with cracking performance and bags of personality. Admittedly, we've not had a chance to drive the 218i for ourselves and though the rear-drive chassis should be a hoot with that engine, it's worth noting that the 218i M Sport is about 300kg heavier than a MINI Cooper. In an ideal world your friend would get to try it out first to make sure they're happy with the performance.
As an aside, with such low mileage, and most of it in the city, a petrol car would be best in the long run for your friend to prevent DPF clog-ups and the like.
Why are Dacia Duster values so strong?
Hi,
I am looking to buy a second hand Dacia Duster as a second car, but having looked at dealers' prices, they appear to have suffered very little depreciation considering many of them are two years old. How can this be, or what am I missing?
Thanks,
Shane Mc Guire, Westport
Shane Mc Guire (Westport)Sep 2015 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Shane,
Simple really; it's a car that's in demand in the second hand market, hence values are bouyant and dealers can keep their prices on the high side.
Incidentally, our review of the Dacia Duster continues to be one of our most popular pages.
Honda Accord, Passat or Mondeo?
Hi,
Two weeks ago I was down to three choices for looking at secondhand 2011-2013 saloon cars: Honda Accord i-DTEC 2.2-litre diesel (150hp), Volkswagen Passat TDI 2.0-litre diesel (140hp) and Ford Mondeo TDCi 2.0-litre diesel (163hp). But on Saturday I test drove a very nice 2012 Vauxhall Insignia 2.0-litre diesel (160hp), which was very nice to drive.
Just wondering how would this compare to the three above in terms of reliability, handling and resale value. Which would you choose between these four?
Best regards
Barry
Barry Gilbert (Dublin)Aug 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Barry,
The Insignia's really nice and I do have something of a soft spot for it. A car that feels more sophisticated and more engaging the more you drive it. The Passat and Mondeo are nice choices too, but to be honest, the one I'd go for out of all of them would be the Accord. Comfy, smooth, frugal, nice to drive and above all it will almost certainly never break down. There's nothing quite so nice as the feeling you get from driving an utterly indestructible car.
Which of these four saloons would you choose?
Hi,
Two weeks ago I was down to three choices for looking at a secondhand 2011-2013 saloon car: Honda Accord i-DTEC 2.2-litre diesel (150hp), Volkswagen Passat TDI 2.0-litre diesel (140hp) or Ford Mondeo TDCi 2.0-litre diesel (163hp). But on Saturday I test drove a very nice 2012 Vauxhall Insignia 2.0-litre diesel (160hp), which was very nice to drive.
Just wondering how would this compare to the three above in terms of reliability, handling and resale value. Which would you choose between these four?
Best regards
Barry
Barry Gilbert (Dublin)Aug 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Barry,
OK, all are good, solid choices and in terms of reliability, I'd rate them as Accord the best, the Volkswagen slightly behind and the Ford and Opel together, slightly behind the Volkswagen. The Ford would be the most fun to drive, the Volkswagen probably had the nicest interior but the Opel is arguably the most handsome and, as you point out, really very good to drive. If it were me, I'd go for the Accord - no question. It'll be the most reliable and that sells it for me.
Is there a 1.2-litre 16v Fiat 500?
Hello,
I want to buy a new Fiat 500. Does it exist in a 1.2 16 valve model, like the Dacia Sandero?
Thanks
Mary Jones (Waterford)Aug 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
Yup, a 1.2 16v Pop model starts at €13,400.
What is the most economical small car?
What is the most economical small car for driving at 120km/h?
Simon Hodgson (Limerick)Aug 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Simon,
Go for a Volkswagen up!, Skoda Citigo or SEAT Mii. They all seem to do 50mpg no matter how or where you drive them.
Relevant reviews:
How much will the new diesel Honda HR-V be?
Honda is bringing out a new HR-V model; what will the price for the diesel model be?
Patrick Coghlan (Carrick-on-Suir)Aug 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Patrick,
Full pricing for the new HR-V has yet to be confirmed but we have been told that the entry-level 1.6 i-DTEC diesel model will be €25,995.
What's the older Kia Sportage like?
Hi, I'm thinking about buying a 2009 Kia Sportage 2.0 petrol EX manual 4x4. I saw your review of the 1.7-litre front-wheel drive Sportage. How good is the older 4x4 2.0-litre version? It's done 100,000km and just had the timing belt replaced so it looks like a good buy?
Thanks,
Nick
Nick Price (Dublin)Aug 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Nick,
It is a good buy as long as you're not planning to do big miles in it - it's a good bit less economical than the diesel you see, so regular long journeys aren't a great idea. The old Sportage is a good thing though - simpler and more rugged than the current version, and very practical. With four-wheel drive it has decebt off-road ability too, if that's any use to you. No major reported problems or unreliability black spots - just make sure it has a full service history.
The car I just bought has no NCT...
I just bought a 2003 Peugeot 206 1.1, but its last NCT was in 2013. What does this mean, as it is to be tested every year. Can you help me?
John Dignam (DUBLIN IRELAND)Aug 2015 Filed under: NCT
Expert answer
Hi John,
You need to be very careful buying a car without an NCT. For all its flaw the test does go some way to ensure that cars on the road are at least basically roadworthy and a car without an NCT can be hiding all sorts of problems.
You also need an NCT to be able to tax (and in most cases insure) your car so you need to get it booked in as soon as possible. If you're buying it from a dealer or garage, they really should have the car NCT'd before selling it. If you bought it privately then the previous owner has missed at least one NCT test and either needs to produce an Off The Road certificate or you're into a legally murky area.
Anyway, the short answer for you is to get the car tested and sorted ASAP.