Should I buy a new diesel or petrol Golf?
Looking out for a new car, in particular the Volkswagen Golf. I travel Cork to Dublin on a weekly basis - would you recommend the Golf Highline 150hp TSI DSG petrol or 150hp TDI DSG?
Aidan Mackey (Blarney)Mar 2016 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Aidan,
I think with a weekly Cork-Dublin run you should probably go for the diesel. Much better long-run economy.
I'm struggling with buying a petrol car...
Hi,
Trying to buy a replacement for my 1999 Avensis and the scarcity of petrols and abundance of diesels on the market baffles me. I don't think it wise to buy diesel for my standard drive of eight miles to work and home and same six days a week with road trip round 300 miles just six times a year.
This is supposedly "economical" and "green driving" even though in London it costs more for a permit going into city with diesel car and trends in London have historically impacted directly on us in three to five years. I would love to know of a diesel car 2008-2011 (for cheap tax) with no necessary DPF that I have to worry about, or will I stick to petrol believing that in five years time petrol is a more saleable/popular engine than diesel is? Then there might be a hybrid to suit. Volkswagen, Japanese or any good 1.4+ hatch or saloon suggestions?
Thanks,
Pauline.
Pauline Anne Connor (Galway)Feb 2016 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Pauline,
You're absolutely 100 per cent dead right - diesel is not for everyone and especially not for those with overall low mileages and short commutes. And as the recent emissions scandal has shown us, diesel exhaust can be staggeringly bad for your health.
As for finding a diesel without a DPF filter, I'm not sure you'll be able to. In order to meet the particulate emissions legislation under EuroV and EuroVI regulations you pretty much had to have one. Some people have, of course, removed the DPF to avoid maintenance issues, but then you're just spewing out a plume of highly carcinogenic soot particles as you drive...
So, I think your best bet is to go for a compact turbocharged petrol engine or, just maybe, a hybrid. The Toyota Prius would potentially be ideal for your daily drive, but could be a bit of an over-thirsty pain on that six-time-a-year longer journey. Try instead a car fitted with the Volkswagen Group's excellent 1.2-litre TSI turbo petrol engine (Golf or Skoda Octavia are the best ones), a Ford Focus with the 1.0 EcoBoost engine or maybe an Opel Astra 1.4 Turbo. Here are a few relevant reviews for you to consult:
Is the 1.0-litre engine enough for the Astra?
Hi,
I'm considering buying the new 1.0 litre petrol Opel Astra. I live in West Cork and most trips would be local most days between five miles and fifteen miles and a trip to Cork (50 miles) every couple of weeks. My present car is a 1.6 diesel Golf, but I want to move away from diesel. Do you think the small engine of the Astra would be enough for my needs?
Thanks.
Mark Kearney (Cork)Feb 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
Based on personal experience (and as someone who grew up in West Cork) I'd say yes - the Astra 1.0 is really sweet to drive and should easily crack 45mpg in daily driving. The only thing to watch for is the small fuel tank, which means you'll be filling up on those journeys back from Cork.
Is it worth repairing my old Honda Accord?
Worth repairing? Have an old 2000 Honda Accord four-door saloon - 1.8 petrol. It's beginning to give trouble and major oil leak under the engine this weekend. I've been quoted €500 to repair. Reasonably trouble free - 150,000 miles.
Tom Dick (Cork)Feb 2016 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Tom,
OK, you've got a couple of choices here. You could trade it in under one of the current 'scrappage' schemes and make potentially as much as €4,500 on it, depending on what car you're trading in against.
Or you could junk it or sell it for parts and grab another Bangernomics special.
My Opel Corsa is losing power...
My 2008 Opel Corsa is losing power while driving. I had everything checked two weeks ago and have NCT this Thursday and I need help.
Robert McMahon
Robert McMahon (Kingscourt)Feb 2016 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Robert,
I'm afraid it's impossible to assess such a thing from afar. You say you had everything checked, but did you actually hook the car up to a diagnostic tool to see if the engine control unit has any error codes to report? That would be the first port of call. After that, it boils down to fuel, air and, if it's petrol, spark, so you need to check all the sub-systems.
It'll only fail the NCT if the problem is having an effect on the pollutants coming out of the exhaust, by the way.
Petrol or diesel for a new Volkswagen Golf?
I am hoping to buy a new Volkswagen Golf, but I am not sure which of the three engines below to select:
1 - petrol 1.2 (110hp)
2 - petrol 1.4 (150hp)
3 - diesel 1.6 (110hp)
I am originally from Kerry, but living in Dublin. I cycle to work every day, so I would only use the car to go to the shops, the gym or meet friends during the week or the weekends. I go home to Kerry at least once or twice a month and I also go to Cork every now and then as I have family down there. So pretty much every second or third weekend I am on the motorway. Dublin - Kerry - Dublin is around 600km, and Dublin - Cork - Dublin is around 530km.
Would love your advice.
Bryan Walsh (Tralee)Feb 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Bryan,
Go for the petrol 1.2 TSI. If most of your mileage is short hops then, even with a regular motorway run, you're not going to get the benefit from diesel. And a 1.2, driven with reasonable care, should get close to 50mpg on the motorway anyway. Plus, you'll save a good chunk of money at purchase time, which will easily outweigh any potential diesel fuel savings.
Is a PCP right for me in retirement?
I'm approaching 66 and recently had to retire. My state pension will be around €230 when it comes in March plus a small work pension of €57 a week. My car, an Audi A2, is a 2001 reg. It's showing signs of age and as it's an obsolete model services are expensive. I would have 3,000 maybe 3,500 Euros to put towards an upgrade. Can you advise me as to whether I should opt for a new car and a repayment plan or get a second-hand one?
Angela O'Sullivan
Angela O'Sullivan (Waterville)Jan 2016 Filed under: finance
Expert answer
Hi Angela,
I think a PCP plan would be entirely wrong for you, because they really only work if you're intending to come back in three years' time to trade in again. I'm guessing you don't want to do that.
Your Audi is worth about €2,000 so put that together with your €3,000 and we're looking at a budget of around €5,000. That's great because that will get you into a 2007 Honda Jazz - one of the best small cars around. It's spacious, comfortable, frugal and above all reliable. You simply can't go wrong with one.
With €10,000 I need room for my bike, please!
Upgrading from a 2001 Nissan Almera 1.5-litre petrol. I cycle to work so only drive at weekends so thinking I should probably stick to petrol. I'd like to come up to a 2010 model with a maximum budget of €10,000. Maybe a hatchback to fit my bike; what do you recommend?
Claire
Claire Towey (Dublin)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Claire,
Well, with a bike, why not go for a compact estate instead of a hatch? Same driving experience and same running costs, but a bigger boot by far. Best of the breed is a Kia cee'd SW, which is hugely reliable and has a massive boot. With you just driving at the weekends, I'd say it's worth trying to track down a petrol model, rather than the more popular diesel.
Is the Toyota RAV4 worth the price?
Hi,
I want to trade in my 2008 Ford Focus diesel for a new or nearly new car. I really like the SUV style. I drive at least 1,000km per week to and from work so I need something that's reliable, will hold its value and able for big mileage. I really like the Toyota RAV4, but is it worth the price?
What car would you suggest?
Joanne Stafford (Wexford)Dec 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Joanne,
The RAV4 is most definitely worth the price, and it's one of the best cars Toyota currently makes - spacious, reliable and not at all bad to drive. Worth looking at the Nissan Qashqai and Renault Kadjar too, as well as the Skoda Yeti and Mazda CX-5. You won't go wrong with any of those choices, but given your high mileage take a very close look at the Renault and the Nissan - they'll be the most economical overall.
Relevant reviews:
I need a small, reliable commuting car.
Hello, looking for a small, economical, reliable car for commuting. I currently have a 1.0-litre Nissan Micra. I do 110km a day, 5-6 days a week.
What would you recommend?
Elaine Henry (Sligo)Nov 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Elaine,
You're kind of on the cusp of being better off with a diesel with that kind of mileage. There are a few cars that are worth looking at. Sticking with petrol? Try a Honda Jazz - small but very spacious, and the 1.2-litre engine is pretty frugal. Want to go for a small diesel? Try a Volkswagen Polo. Want something a little more fun, but still very frugal (albeit not very roomy in the back)? Try a MINI Cooper D.