Is my Nissan Micra's head gasket gone?
I have a 2003 Nissan Micra 1.2 and I am forever putting coolant in it. The person I bought it off said it was the radiator and replaced it but, I have since taken it to another person for them to tell me it's the head gasket and will cost me the price of a new engine if that is the case. I have no water oil mixing just the temp light coming on so I add coolant.
Any help appreciated
Laura Maher (Laois)Jun 2015 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Laura,
I'm afraid there doesn't have to be visible water/oil mixing for there to be a head gasket problem so that may well be the issue. Before going to get that work done you should park the car somewhere dry and clean underneath and let it run and keep an eye under the engine. Are there any visible water leaks? It could be as simple as that.
If not, bring the car to a garage to have the system pressure-tested etc. Don't delay though; if the head gasket is gone and you continue to drive it, you really could do a lot of damage.
Best of luck
What small to medium auto car would suit me?
I need a medium/small automatic car with high seats, with air conditioning, mirrors that turn in when parking. What do you recommend?
Pauline Roberts (Dun Laoghaire)Jun 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Pauline,
I think your best bet is to go for a Honda Civic 1.4 EX with the CVT automatic transmission. High seats, lots of space, comfortable, frugal, reliable and yes it has standard folding electric mirrors in that spec.
Which seven-seater is is safest?
Which seven-seater is safest?
Sinead Sinclair Sinclair (Dublin)Jun 2015 Filed under: safety
Expert answer
Hi Sinead,
Probably the Volvo XC90 - whatever about EuroNCAP scores, Volvo always makes its cars real-world safe, basing its design on data taken from actual, real accidents and not just lab testing.
If you mean something a bit more conventional and cheaper than an XC90, then according to EuroNCAP the best performing are the Volkswagen Sharan and SEAT Alhambra, both of which scored a maximum five stars, with the Sharan getting a 96 per cent mark for adult occupant protection, 80 per cent for kids, 46 per cent pedestrian protection and 71 per cent safety assist. The Alhambra's marks were identical.
Relevant reviews:
How would you rate the Opel Insignia?
Thinking of buying an Opel Insignia... How would you rate them? Anything I need to look out for?
Dermot Higgins (Dublin)Jun 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Dermot,
Really nice car the Insignia. Good looking, nice to drive and good quality. The 2.0 CDTi 163hp diesel engine is the one to go for, although if your pockets are deep enough you could try tracking down the vanishingly rare 2.0 SRi Turbo 265hp 4x4...
If you're buying used, check everything electrical for any problems and especially check the central locking and alarm system. Check the boot too for any sign of water getting in past the rubber seals. Other than that, as long as you get one with a full service history, you should be fine.
Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake or Nissan X-Trail?
Trying to decide between new Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake and new Nissan X-Trail diesel. What would you go for? Or are there any new cars coming next Jan that could compete? Budget max €38,000.
Caroline Conroy (Limerick)May 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Caroline,
Wow, you really couldn't get two more different cars. The CLA Shooting Brake is a really nice car, probably the best of the A-Class spin offs and very nice to drive. But it's not especially practical, so if that's what you're looking for then it's not the right car.
The current X-Trail is a very good car, with lots of space. It's well made and nice to drive, but if you're shopping in and around the €38k mark have a really good look at a Kia Sorento or Honda CR-V - those are the two joint best mid-size SUVs around at the moment for my money.
Worth looking at a spacious estate too. Mazda's just-updated 6 is utterly lovely and well-specced and the Mondeo Estate and Passat Estate are both well worth a look too.
Relevant reviews:
How would you rate the Dacia Duster?
How would you rate the Dacia Duster?
Gerard Lennon (Carlow)May 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Gerard,
Not bad, but you have to go in with your eyes open. They're cheap and they're cheap for a reason - comfort, quality and dynamics are all well behind the curve compared to the more expensive opposition. That said, it's not bad - spacious, OK to drive, good diesel engine and they have a good reputation for reliability. Worth remembering though that you only get safety gear like stability control if you upgrade to the top spec model.
What is best small SUV to buy?
What is best small SUV to buy?
Margaret Moore (Longford)May 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Margaret,
Well, you could do a lot worse than the Jeep Renegade. Looks cool, is actually capable off-road (if you go for the four-wheel drive version) and it's comfy and good to drive. Other good options are a Skoda Yeti or the new Mazda CX-3.
Relevant reviews:
How economical is the Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake
How economical is the Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake 1.6 petrol Urban model?
Caroline Conroy (Limerick)Expert answer
Hi Caroline,
The manual version of the CLA 180 Urban returns 51mpg (5.5 litres/100km) on the combined cycle. Our data seems to suggest that the DCT automatic model is the same.
In case you weren't aware, official 'combined cycle' figures are to be taken with a pinch of salt for most cars. This one would do well to top 40mpg by most drivers we reckon.
Further reading:
Who has oversight over the NCT?
Who is over the NCT? I'm having problems getting anywhere with them...
Patricia Bird (Laois)May 2015 Filed under: NCT
Expert answer
Hi Patricia,
Well, it depends what the problem is. If it's that you're having trouble booking a testing date, welcome to the club. Waiting times have gone up a lot lately, but if you can't get a slot within 28 days, you are actually entitled to a free test.
If the problem is one of a complaint or something like that, don't bother talking to the NCT people directly - the NCT is run by a Swiss-based company called Applus and you're unlikely to get very far, very fast talking to them. Instead go over their heads - the Road Safety Authority has oversight of the whole NCT process, so if you have a problem, contact them here http://rsa.ie/en/Utility/Contact-Us/Who-do-I-contact-about/
What Toyota should my dad upgrade to?
Hi all,
Firstly, thanks for your help back in 2011! We actually bought one of the two cars whose links you sent to me as suggestions! I think I'll be in touch shortly for my own car needs but for now I'm asking for advice for my dad. He is an avid Toyota or Nissan man and currently has a 2008 Corolla 1.4-litre (basic model I think) with 157,000km on the clock. He was initially planing to stick with the Corolla and move up two or three years and his main requirement is that he wants air conditioning in the next car. He spoke to a local second hand car dealer who told him that the equivalent Corolla won't have air conditioning, but that the Auris would, that it has the exact same interior space and only difference is that obviously it is hatchback. Does that point about the air conditioning etc seem right to you?
What would be a rough guide to trade in the 2008 and move to either an Auris or Corolla 2010, 2011 and 2012 models? From what I can see there was a new model Auris released in 2012 and if so would it be worth stretching to that? Any other suggestions of make/model welcome too if you don't mind. He does average to slightly-above-average mileage each year, mostly rural with probably one or two long drives every month so any advice on petrol vs. diesel would be great too.
Thanks again. Enda, Dublin
Enda Lowry (Dublin)May 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Enda,
Yeah, he's definitely better off with the petrol version, not least because Toyota's 1.4 diesel is not the best, but its 1.33 petrol is a cracker. You might need to do some digging to track one down though - they're thinner on the ground on a 2010 plate than the diesels.
Now then, Auris versus Corolla. Yup, they're the same size inside. The boot on the Auris is a little smaller but then it's also more versatile thanks to being a hatchback. The point about air conditioning is probably right - standard spec on Toyotas tends to be quite stingy and Corolla saloons are basically built for emerging markets (no, seriously, we're the only Western European nation that still sells them) so tend to be even more basic again.
I'd say you'll need to find about €3-4k to finance the upgrade from a 2008 Corolla to a 2010 or 2011 Auris.
Relevant reviews:
Toyota Auris review (2013)
Toyota Auris review (2010)
Toyota Corolla review (2013)
Toyota Corolla review (2010)