When does the Renault Captur arrive?
When is the Renault Captur expected to hit the showrooms in Ireland?
Patrick (Co. Clare)Apr 2013 Filed under: future cars
Expert answer
Hi Patrick,
Renault Ireland tells us that we should be able to test one in July, so that's likely to coincide with the cars arriving in dealers as well. We'll be at the international launch of the car this week.
In case you missed our earlier news item here it is: Stylish new Renault SUV on the way
Should I go for a Skoda to replace my Golf?
I currently drive a 2009 Volkswagen Golf and am looking for something a bit bigger. I'm six-foot five and my problem is that, with the driver's seat in the correct position for me, you cannot fit our rear facing baby seat, or the first forward facing seat behind me. The only option is to place them on the passenger side, which leaves my older daughter sitting behind me, with her knees in my back, resulting in pins and needles for her and and an uncomfortable drive for me. The other issue is that the frame of the buggy takes up all the boot space, leaving no space for the weekly shop, or for luggage etc. I know the Skoda Superb has miles of leg room, and boot space but are there any other cars I should be looking at? I have always driven diesel and would prefer to stick with it, so I think 2009 would be best in terms of tax and getting two years before the next NCT. A lot of the Skodas on Carzone.ie seem to have huge mileage; what would you consider excessive for a 2009 car?
John Maher (Ennis)Mar 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi John,
The Skoda Superb or Octavia would have been our first suggestions. The Octavia hasn't quite as much rear legroom as the Superb, but it's still better than the Golf's - and the boot is huge. High mileages on diesel Skodas are nothing to worry about so long as it has a proper service history and is in good order. Taxi drivers regularly do hundreds of thousands of kilometres. Avoid high mileage DSG automatic gearboxes, but otherwise they are really robust. So long as the history and price are good I'd not worry about buying one with over 150,000 kilometres on the clock.
One last thing to consider: if you do less than 20,000 kilometres a year a petrol car may suit you better. They're generally cheaper to buy and better suited to low mileage use. They're also quieter!
Hope that helps, but do come back to us if you need more assistance and have a budget in mind so we can narrow down the search for you.
What cheap old car will I get for commuting?
I'm looking for a car for heavy commuting as I have a new job and will be doing 750 miles a week for 9-10 months (two hours each way per day). I have a 2008 Focus but intend keeping this as a second car and I see no point putting massive mileage on it. Instead I hope to pick up an older car and get a year out of it. I am considering a 2001 Mercedes E 220, but I'm a bit concerned about fuel costs. What other car would fit the bill, capable of heavy mileage, comfortable and reasonably economical to run?
Kevin McCarthy (Limerick)Feb 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Kevin,
As is so often the case, the best answer here is ‘get a Golf.’ Or possibly a Passat. Or maybe a Volvo S80 1.6d. Any of those, if you can find them with a full service history, would fit the bill rather nicely. The Volvo is a great choice actually — comfy like an armchair, and can go 1,500km on a full tank of diesel. The Golf is probably the best value option — get one cheap, with the old 1.9 'Pump Duse' TDI diesel engine, and it’ll sit on the motorway doing 50mpg all day long, and it’ll be comfy too.
Can you find me an economical SUV for under €12,000?
Hi there, I have €10,000 to €12,000 to spend on a used car. I drive twice a week from Kerry to Dublin for work. I dont NEED an SUV but would really really like one. I need the normal two things in a car: reliability and economy. Is there any SUV out there that won't murder my pocket in diesel costs?
Many thanks
Moss
Maurice Fitzgerald (Dublin)Jan 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Moss,
We've scoured Carzone.ie with your budget and needs in mind. There are loads of diesel SUVs available at that price, though we've shortlisted the ones here we reckon would do the job for you:
- BMW X3 - economical, though you're looking at an older one at this price
- Honda CR-V - great option if you can find a good one
- Hyundai Tucson - plenty around, though not as 'nice' as premium models
- Mitsubishi Outlander - with Volkswagen's 2.0 TDI engine - good bet
- Nissan Qashqai - great all-rounder, though possibly not quite SUV-like for your tastes
- Peugeot 4008 - stylish, good diesel engine, should be able to afford post-2008 car
- Toyota RAV4 - safe bet, though will be pre-2008 on your budget
If you'd like us to help narrow down your search feel free to come back to us.
My Skoda Octavia's steering is gone heavy...
Hi,
I bought a 2006 Skoda Octavia TDI a few weeks ago. So tonight in the dash there's a red light on and suddenly the steering is very heavy. I don't know what's wrong with my car. I checked all the fuses.
Malik Waq (Watford)Dec 2012 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Malik,
It sounds as if either there's a problem with the power steering pump itself or with the belt that drives it. Best bet is to bring the car to a good mechanic to sort it out.
Buying a car with finance owed...
I have looked at a great second hand car being sold privately; however, car history reports show that there is outstanding finance on the car. The owner has told me that the finance was cleared this morning, but that it could take the bank two weeks to finalise and close the account. Is there any way that the current owner can get his bank to prove to me that the loan has been cleared and that it is ok for the car to be sold to me?
Neil O'Callaghan (Dublin)Dec 2012 Filed under: finance
Expert answer
Hi Neil,
The seller will have to request a letter from the bank confirming all of the above, but I don't know if they'll provide one any quicker. Still worth a try.
I certainly wouldn't advocate taking a risk on it and just believing the seller.
Do you think my car was serviced?
Hi, I bought a 2009 Opel Insignia four months ago. The place where I bought it from promised it had a full service done. A few weeks ago I noticed that every time I used the brakes there was a grinding sound. Also the code 'no 82' came up on the dashboard. Apparently this means that the engine oil needs to be changed.
Over the four months the car has not been used a lot. My question is if the place did a full service, would these problems still occur? The guy who I bought the car from was very dismissive and agreed to do the brakes. But he wouldn't even find out what the code 82 meant - I had to do that myself.
Thanks
Jackie Cullen (Dublin)Oct 2012 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Jackie,
We would expect a car's brakes to be thoroughly checked during a service for sure, though whether they warrant changing really is up to the mechanic doing the job. As that noise was not there when you bought the car it's fair to assume there was no issue with the brakes then - though clearly the pads didn't have much left on them. It's good that they're doing it now for you, even if the person you are dealing with is dismissive.
It's quite poor that the mechanic wouldn't find out what the code 82 was about, but there you go. The Insignia's engine management system monitors several parameters such as number of cold starts and engine speed and calculates when you need an oil change. If you use your car more frequent short journeys rather than longer ones then it may require changing earlier. Many people ignore this read out and just change their oil according to mileage or time, but the official word is to stick to what the engine management computer says. Just make sure the garage resets it again for you.
Last point: I wouldn't expect the garage to pay for this oil service. If they do, it's a bonus!
Hope that all helps put your mind at ease.
What should I look out for on a 2002 Audi A4?
Audi A4 2.5 quattro, 2002 model: anything I should look out for?
Very interested in buying one of these; it has 130,000 miles on the clock but is a local family car and well maintained in the local Volkswagen garage. I don't drink myself so I am willing to let the Audi do the drinking! And I know about tax and tyres etc but I love driving so I don't mind that, just wondering if there are any majorly costly pitfalls with these cars as the one I had nearly purchased last week blew its fan before I arrived to drive it and that's going to cost the guy €1,300 - so I had a lucky escape!
Cheers guys
Adrian Lynch (Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim)Sep 2012 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Adrian,
There's no doubt that premium cars of this age can come with costly repair bills. The older they get the more likely something will go wrong, no matter how reliable they are in general. The example you're looking at already has quite high mileage so we'd say budget for a grand or so of repairs a year just in case.
This generation of the A4 was reliable enough. Most problems seem to have stemmed from heating and cooling systems (in particular the air conditioning) and electrics so thoroughly inspect the car - preferably with a bit of professional help. Ensure that the gearbox (assuming it's manual) is smooth and noise-free and that there is no clonking from the front suspension.
Hope that helps
Which 2006-2008 hatch is most economical?
Im confused as to what's the best economical hatchback car. I want to buy a used car between the years 2006 and 2008. I'm currently spending €110 a week on petrol in a 1.4-litre For Focus.
Any advice?
Anon Anon (Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim)Expert answer
Hi there,
It depends on your driving style, and on where you do most of your driving. If you’re in town all the time, and stuck in stop-start traffic, then it could be worth tracking down a Toyota Prius or a Honda Insight hybrid, bot of which should sip fuel in such circumstances. If you’re up on main roads and motorways all day long, then diesel is still a good idea. A VW Golf 1.6 TDI BlueMotion would be a solid bet for maximum economy then, although if you fancy something a little more stylish, a MINI Cooper D (with the 1.6 diesel engine) will crack 60mpg on a long run.
What's the Toyota GT86 like on Irish roads?
Hello, will you be doing a review soon of the Toyota GT86 now that it is in Ireland? I'm aware that there is a review on the website already but that was done in Europe on smooth roads so I thought a review on bumpy Irish roads would be appropriate now.
Regards, Brian.
Brian Farrell (Dublin)Jul 2012 Filed under: new car ordering
Expert answer
Hi Brian,
Good timing! We have the GT86 on test this week. Here it is on the very twisty and very bumpy Dublin Mountain roads:
Review will be done in time, but I can confirm that it's even more impressive here than it was at the launch in Spain. Its small size and low weight are ideally suited to tight and twisty roads and though firm, the suspension deals with rough surfaces and bumps (even mid-corner) brilliantly. The none-too low profile tyres no doubt help with that.
On the open road it's hugely engaging and very fast. It feels weightless and while it goes where you point it there's a lot of movement underneath if you want it. Turn off traction control and it regularly slides too - though don't expect big drifts on the public road!
While it is lacking a little in low-down torque, it's only an issue for overtaking, as the car feels quick at all times, and is very quick if you use all the revs.
Away from driving for the fun of it, the GT86 is still brilliant. Some might not get it, and it's not quiet, but it even works well in town, where its small size, quick steering and relatively supple suspension mean it doesn't feel at all out of place.
Overall: a fabulous car. Really works on Irish roads. Really special.