What should I look for on the Honda FR-V?
Hi, I am looking at a second-hand Honda FR-V (2009/2010). Is there anything in particular to watch out for? Are you familiar with the particular hand-brake lever in this car? I found it difficult to engage on my test drive and was wondering if that was just me.
Thanks, Eddie
Eddie McNamaraJan 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Eddie,
There are certainly no reports out there of any persistent handbrake issues with the FR-V so it could just be a specific problem with that car - the handbrake may have been over-adjusted at the last service, perhaps. Try another one and see if you feel the same problem. Otherwise FR-Vs are, like all Hondas, staggeringly reliable and well made. There are just no repeated problems with them, so, as long as the one you're looking at has a full service history and is in good nick, you should be fine.
Just watch for two things; check the interior and especially the boot for signs of excess wear and tear - these are hard-working family machines and many have been treated with a fair amount of disdain. Then check the tyres for signs of uneven wear - that could mean that the suspension has been knocked askew, something that's easily done as the FR-V is a little wider than most cars.
Hope that helps
Should I be afraid of rear-wheel drive?
I need advice on front-wheel drive cars... like BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Do they have driving probs in snow, ice, frost and heavy rain? I am hearing lots of horror stories. Are the stories true? Can you account for big sales of these type of cars in Ireland and UK if such problems exist?
Help please!
Eileen Devine (Kildare)Jan 2014 Filed under: miscellaneous
Expert answer
Hi Eileen,
First up, we believe you mean rear-wheel drive cars. All BMWs (up to a new one launching later this year anyway) send their power to the rear or all wheels, and most Mercedes-Benz models do as well (though that's slowly changing). So, what's the 'problem' with rear-wheel drive? The stories you are referring to probably started off when we had those particularly long icy winters a few years ago. Many drivers of rear-drive cars found themselves stranded when others sailed past. This is down to lack of traction.
In a front-engined, rear-drive car there is very little weight over the driven wheels so in very slippery conditions it can struggle to put its power down. Most normal cars (i.e. not executive or sporty) are front-engined and front-wheel drive, where the weight of the engine over the wheels helps in low-grip conditions. Saying all that, sales of BMWs and Mercs etc. with rear-wheel drive are very high in countries that consistently have much worse weather than us, but the difference is that they habitually change over to winter tyres for a fixed portion of the year. These have a massive effect.
Back in Ireland, BMWs and Mercs are bought in relatively large numbers due to their status and image, yet they're not as expensive as they used to be. Most of the time here the lack of rear traction is not an issue, though some drivers don't like the feel of a rear-drive car in wet conditions. They're no less safe though, especially the latest models with all their driver aids.
Personally, I prefer rear-wheel drive, but I'd advise all buyers to try a range of cars to see what they like.
Hope that helps you understand those stories a little!
I want to replace my Yaris with a MINI.
I currently drive a 2008 Toyota Yaris Luna, 1.0, five-door, petrol. I've had the car since 2008 but didn't buy it new; I'm the second owner. It has never given me a minutes trouble, I've had it serviced most years at a main dealer, no major issues have ever come up - just new brake pads and other small things that you'd expect when you've been driving the car for years. I bought the car with a loan from the credit union, which I've paid back so there's nothing owed on it.
All that being said I'm really bored of it! I've wanted a MINI since I was in my teens and I would absolutely love one! I can probably only afford to spend an extra €1k max on top of trading in my Yaris. Do you have an idea roughly what the trade-in value for the Yaris would be? Seeing as I'd have to buy an older MINI would I be opening myself up to a bigger chance of expensive things going wrong with the car? All I've ever had to spend on the Yaris is service costs and new tyres so am wary of changing for that reason.
Stella Greene (Dublin)Jan 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Stella,
OK, the good news is that your Yaris is an in-demand model and values for cars from around that era are holding up well because of the scarcity of new car sales since the financial crash. I'd hope that you'd get around €8,000 for it, but let's play safe and assume you get €7,000 and you can add your €1k to that. That opens up an entire world of MINIs to you, and not just old models - you should be able to get into the second-generation post-2006 model, which is noticeably more refined and well made. I'd suggest trying to track down a nicely specced 1.6 Cooper and enjoy the heck out of it. As a MINI owner myself, I can tell you that they're great fun to drive and not quite as impractical as you might think.
Now, reliability. There's no two ways about it - Toyotas are staggeringly reliable and break very rarely. MINIs aren't bad, not bad at all, but they're just not quite as bank-vault solid as the Japanese car. Buy carefully, make sure you get one with a full and complete service history and you should be fine. Regular servicing isn't too pricey (about €190 for a normal service) and fuel economy should be pretty good too.
Hope that all helps
Should Volkswagen replace my Golf's sensor?
My 2007 Volkswagen Golf has its ESP light display on. My Volkswagen dealer told me that it was the pressure sensor on the ABS would need replacing and could not be fixed. He told me it would cost €1,500, which I think is outrageous! After some research I saw in the UK that Volkswagen is replacing these free or labour only as there is a known fault.
Any advice/help would be appreciated.
Patrick Martin (Dublin)Jan 2014 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Patrick,
We haven’t been able to find any evidence of a Volkswagen-instigated sensor replacement programme, but it seems that there are two possible issues here. First, some of the problems may just be brake and tyre dust covering the sensor and a proper clean might do the trick. Secondly, it could be that the wheel-hub is failing, and that is what is triggering the sensor issue so we’d advise getting the car inspected properly to see if that’s the case.
Any recalls or problems with the Saab 9-5?
Any recalls or problems with the Saab 9-5?
George Breaden (Longford)Jan 2014 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi George,
Oh dear, where to begin? Warranty Direct describes the 9-5 as one of the most troublesome cars it's ever surveyed. Electrics are the most common problems, so make sure all the buttons work, then check the suspension for signs of wear, tear or incoming failure. Uneven tyre wear is an early sign of problems there.
Approach with caution basically.
Passat or Skoda Superb to replace my Corolla?
Hi, I need a replacement car for my ageing Toyota Corolla. I'm six-foot-four and need room front and back for passengers. I travel three hours a day to work and need comfort and reliability. I like the 2011/12 Volkswagen Passat or Skoda Superb, but which is best? Has the Superb electrical issues?
Thanks
Ian Purcell (Birr)Jan 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Ian,
If it's space you're looking for, go for the Superb, as it's massive inside. No reported electrical problems, but watch for high front tyre wear, paint peeling away from bumpers and flimsy fuel filler caps. There are some reports knocking around of clutches and flywheels failing, but these seem to be very isolated and not a recurrent problem. The Superb's a great car though - smooth and comfy, very spacious and one of the best cars on the market. Go for the Combi estate for even more boot space and nicer exterior styling (in our opinions!).
Any known problems with the Suzuki Swift?
2008 Suzuki Swift: any known problems or issues?
Thanks
Tom Nelson (Maynooth)Dec 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Tom,
Surprisingly, given Suzuki's reputation, there are a few issues, although they're more in the category of annoyances than actually stopped-by-the-side-of-the-road stuff.
Watch for a heavy or obstructive gearshift, as this indicates that the gearbox is on the way out, and listen for graunches or other horrible noises from the brakes.
Front tyre wear can be high, so make sure the front wheels are properly balanced and aligned and that the tyres are at the correct pressure.
Paint can be an issue too so watch for stone chips or other damage or for just a generally poor paint finish.
Interior rattles are common, with a particularly annoying and hard-to-reach one deep behind the dash a common culprit. Finally, look for poor crash damage repairs. The Swift uses expensive wraparound bumpers and low speed impacts can lead to high bills, so many owners have resorted to quick or bodged repairs.
Hope that all helps. We actually quite like the car despite all that!
Toyota Land Cruiser or Audi Q7?
Hi, I am buying an SUV and I am in between a 2007/2008 Audi Q7 and a 2009/2010 Toyota Land Cruiser. Which in your opinion would be the best buy? Are you aware of any problems with either?
Morgan O' Connell (Tralee)Nov 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Morgan,
There's no doubt that the Land Cruiser will be the more reliable of the two. Toyota's quality has dipped in some areas of late, but the Land Cruiser is still something of a halo model for the whole range. There is a good reason why Land Cruisers are the vehicle of choice in sub-Saharan Africa and other harsh environments and that's because they're built tough. The current model lacks a little in terms of its cabin appointments (certainly, the Audi feels far plusher) and it does roll a lot through the corners (again, the Audi is much better to drive), but it's superbly comfy, very spacious and you'll be giving it to your grandkids in your will.
Mind you, the Audi is no shabby player when it comes to reliability, and only really excessive front tyre wear (it's been known to get through a set in as little as 8,000km) and some electrical niggles (watch for powered tailgate problems) seem to count against it.
Our instinct would still be to go for the Toyota though. The Q7 has an unfortunate whiff of the trendy, socialite, school-run SUV about it whereas the Land Cruiser is more appealingly rugged.
Hope that helps
How would you rate the Peugeot 3008?
How would you rate the Peugeot 3008? Say out of 10. Looking at a 2012 model with 35,000km on the clock.
James O Reilly (Cork)Nov 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi James,
A solid 8 out of 10 I'd say. A really good family car, with lots of space, that's also good to drive. They're pretty solid on the reliability front too. Just watch for uneven front tyre wear, clogging diesel particulate filters and issues with the standard-fit electronic parking brake - it's usually just a faulty sender switch in the clutch mechanism though. Listen for clonking noises coming from the steering, watch for faulty seatbelt adjusters and beware of drooping rear electric windows.
Hope that helps
What should I be looking out for when buying a Ford Puma?
Hello, I am thinking of buying a Ford Puma 1.4. Is there anything to check for in this model?
Niall Mc Bride (Arklow)Oct 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Niall,
Mechanically, there's not much to worry about here. Pumas were made before the explosion in complicated electronics so there is simply less to go wrong, and the 1.4- and 1.7-litre (later replaced by a 1.6-litre) engines were all designed by Yamaha, so they're very robust indeed. Likewise gearboxes. Just make sure there's a service book full of stamps and that the oil has been regularly changed and you should be fine. The Puma's weak point is its suspension, which is prone to being knocked out of true. Look for signs of uneven tyre wear and listen carefully for knocking or clonking noises. Make sure the brakes are in good nick too as they can wear out rather easily.