What's the tax on Nissan's X-Trail?
What car tax do you pay for a Nissan X-Trail automatic?
Paul Sheehan (Waterford)Mar 2015 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
If you mean the current model X-Trail, then you're looking at Band B1 (€270 per annum) or Band B2 (€280 per annum) depending on the spec of the car.
Have you read our review of the Nissan X-Trail?
Have you driven the Dacia Logan MCV?
Have you driven the Dacia Logan MCV?
Terence Hughes (Dublin)Mar 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Nissan Qashqai, Hyundai ix35 or Kia Sportage?
I had a test drive in the 1.5 diesel Nissan Qashqai, the 1.7 diesel Hyundai ix35 and the 1.7 Kia Sportage, all new; I want to get one but which is the best value for money and also the best resale?
Cheers
Mar 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Jerry,
All three will have excellent resale values, but I'd say the Hyundai has a nose in front in that regard, as it's a big-selling model and the five-year warranty makes it a desirable second hand purchase.
Of the three, the Nissan is probably the best all-rounder when it comes to driving, the Hyundai is bigger and more spacious and the Kia is better looking (matter of opinion, I realise). It's worth noting though that both the Korean cars are up for replacement shortly wheras the Nissan is brand new and has more cutting edge technology.
Further reading:
Peugeot 2008 or Skoda Yeti?
Peugeot 2008 or Skoda Yeti?
Mick O'Flynn (Kilkenny)Feb 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mick,
Yeti. 2008 is nice, really nice in fact, but the Yeti remains one of the most impressive all-round cars we've ever driven.
Further reading:
I'd like a high up mid-size car that's reliable.
Hi, still trying to decide what type of midsize car to buy, one that is reliable, economical and good to drive and not too expensive, am looking at the 2010/11/12 range, average mileage. I like the height in a car, like the Kia Venga, but don't like it to drive. What do you think of the Dacia Sandero Stepway? Or any other suggestions would be appreciated.
Eva Brady (Westport Co. Mayo)Feb 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Eva,
The Stepway just isn't worth the extra money over the standard Sandero so avoid that. If you want something compact, with a bit of height that won't break the bank, track down a Suzuki SX4 hatchback. Good to drive, high-ish riding and ruggedly reliable too. We found a 2010 1.6 diesel for just over €10k.
Further reading:
Will a 'test drive' Ford B-Max be ok?
I want to buy a new Ford B-Max Titanium but the one they have is being used as a test drive car; should I order a new one?
Feb 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Jerry,
Nope, unless you're really fussy about yours being the first and only name in the logbook, I'd march right in there and snap it up. It's unlikely to have been abused, it will have tiny miles on the clock and you'll be able to get a significant discount from the new price. Get yourself a bargain.
Further reading:
How reliable is a new Renault (or Dacia), Fiat or even Citroen?
How reliable is a new Renault (or Dacia), Fiat or even Citroen?
Ok, not going to be many problems in first year or two, but I typically like to keep my cars for most of their life cycle, I feel I get most value for my investment that way. I know eight years ago (when I bought my last car) I was told stay away, as once a few years old all the electrical gremilins come out to play. I'm not brand loyal, in fact the more options I have the more likely I am to get a deal that suits me. But I do like trouble free motoring and currently drive a 2007 Toyota Avensis and it has never put a foot wrong.
Should I stick to the old reliables (i.e. Mazda, Toyota etc.) or are the new generation of Renault, Citroen and even Fix It Again Tony (Fiat) likely to be properly reliable over seven or more years? Also contemplating Kia (seven-year warranty sounds good to me).
Thanks for your time.
John Walsh (Waterford)Feb 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi John,
OK, there's good news and bad news here. The good news is that the four marques of which you've spoken have all really lifted their quality and reliability games. Renault especially has come on a long way since the dark, unreliable days of the early 2000s. While electrical gremlins are pretty much guaranteed further down the line, that's something you could equally say of any Mercedes-Benz, BMW or Audi.
Dacia tend also to make very reliable cars, in no small part because they're so simple and lacking in the sort of high-end electronics that festoon other models. The brand regularly features very high up in the European JD Power customer satisfaction rankings.
Fiat tends to do less well in those rankings, but much of that is down to a dealer network that's still trying to get its head around modern customer service requirements. The fact is that Fiats these days are no more or less well made or reliable than any other brand (mostly - more on that in a tic). Certainly, we know of many Fiat customers who've had trouble-free motoring for many, many years.
Citroen too has really lifted its game and the latest generations, such as the C4 Picasso and C4 Cactus are really well put together. Long term reliability is still an unknown of course for these new models, but in general, longevity seems to be on the up.
However, just as these Franco-Italian brands have improved, so too have the Japanese and Koreans. There is still a distinct gap in overall solidity between the Japanese brands (Honda especially) and everyone else. It's still the case that if you want genuinely trouble-free motoring, the Japanese are still kings, with the Koreans and Skoda hot on their heels.
That said, I reckon if you bought any Fiat, looked after it properly and made sure it was fully serviced to schedule, you wouldn't have any major problems.
New Peugeot 3008 or 141 Ford Kuga?
(a) New Peugeot 3008 or (b) 141 Ford Kuga - cost of (b) is €2,000 more?
Feb 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi John,
The current Kuga is a really nice car, and quite an underrated one I reckon. Still though, €2k is a heck of a lot of money and the 3008 is nice so why not go for that and spend the change on a cracking holiday or a new kitchen?
Further reading:
Have you reviewed the Peugeot 2008?
Have you done a review on the Peugeot 2008 1.4 HDi Active?
Mick O'Flynn (Kilkenny)Feb 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mick,
We've tested the Allure model, not the Active but here you go - the only difference is some bits and bobs of equipment: http://www.completecar.ie/testdrives/article/Peugeot/null/2008/600/2540
Toyota Auris or Hyundai i30?
Hi, could you tell me how much I should expect to get on a trade in on a 20007 Toyota Corolla? I want to go for a diesel; what do you think of a Toyota Auris or Hyundai i30?
Feb 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Eilish,
You should make around €6,500 to €7,000 on a trade in, assuming it's in top condition and has a full service history. If you're used to a Corolla, then the Auris will feel pretty familiar and it's not a bad car at all - comfy, spacious and very economical. The i30 feels a touch more sophisticated though, and is a little sweeter to drive.
Further reading: