Where can I find a Laguna Coupe Monaco GP?
I own a 2008 Renault Laguna Privilege and am thinking of changing for a Laguna Coupé Monaco GP Edition. They are very hard to source and not sure if were ever even available here in the Republic. Would you know how to source them?
David Ansboro (Roscommon)Nov 2016 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi David,
The Renault Laguna Coupe was indeed a very small-selling car in Ireland. Being launched into the teeth of a recession didn’t help, and nor did being a big, expensive French car to be honest. We can only find four on sale in Ireland at the moment, and none of those are the Monaco GP Edition. I think a trip to the UK might be your best bet…
Is my Volkswagen Polo TDI the most efficient?
What's the most economical car for long distance commuting (100km) to work daily? Is my 141 Volkswagen Polo 1.2 TDI the most fuel efficient car there is on the market?
Anne, Cork
Anne O'Sullivan (Roscommon)Expert answer
Hi Anne,
Actually, it’s not far off. I’d say, with a bit of practice, you should be able to beat 60-65mpg on a regular basis with that Polo, and to be honest you’re not going to get much better than that from any car. There are plenty of cars with official economy figures up in the 70s and 80s mpg, but those are laboratory figures and damned near impossible to reach in real world driving. If economy is your priority, then I’d stick with that Polo.
Which high-up SUV to go for?
Guys,
I am interested in buying a second hand SUV with a similar elevation to the Land Rover Freelander, but I am finding most SUVs are closer to saloon car height. Do you have any recommendations for SUVs similar to the Freelander?
Does it make more sense at this stage to wait until January when there will be a more plentiful supply and if so where is best place to get a short term rental for a couple of months?
Thanks
Conor Dowd (Enniskerry)Nov 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Conor,
The two best SUVs of similar elevation to the Freelander would be the Honda CR-V and the Nissan X-Trail. Both are excellent choices (and the X-Trail can be had with seven seats), but the Honda’s more spirited driving experience nudges it for us. Also worth looking at a Land Rover Discovery Sport (effectively the third-generation Freelander), although they’re pricier than the Honda or Nissan.
As for choosing a buying time, yes, if you wait until the end of January, depending on how new car sales go, there should be a few more trade-ins and the like cluttering up dealer lots so you might get a sharper deal. Any of the big car rental companies will set you up with a good deal on a long-term rent, and Enterprise is probably the best place to start.
Here are a few of our reviews to help you choose:
What €20,000 MPVs would you recommend?
Hello, we have an 18-month old and have twins due next year. We need a car to fit all the baby seats plus all their buggies and paraphenalia. Will be used for local trips plus for weekend trips back to Cork (from Dublin). Our budget is €20k. What models would you recommend? Imported my current car (Peugeot 407 SW), so not a problem if I need to do that again.
Dan O'Connell (Dublin)Nov 2016 Filed under: family car
Expert answer
Hi Dan,
I think you’ll probably need to upgrade to an MPV with all those kids and all the kit you’ll need to carry around with you. If you don’t fancy a seven-seater then there’s always five-seat versions such as the Volkswagen Golf SV or Citroen C4 Picasso. Have a look at the likes of a Volkswagen Touran, Kia Carens or Toyota Verso too.
Our reviews to help you decide:
Which comfortable new SUV should I go for?
Hi.
I'm looking at getting an SUV for medical reasons. I drive country roads 90 per cent of the time so I need something comfortable and reliable. I'm looking at the Range Rover Evoque and Audi Q5. Which one would you recommend? I also need to take running costs and servicing costs into account. As well as road tax etc. Or is there another one I should consider? I did test drive the Volvo XC60 but found it very heavy.
Thanks.
Marie G (Galway)Nov 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Marie,
If it's running costs that concern you, you should probably consider coming down in price and, a little, in size a bit. Both the Evoque and the Q5 are premium-badge SUVs and while neither is excessively thirsty, both will be expensive to run and service.
I'd suggest, instead, checking out a Honda CR-V - tonnes of space, hugely reliable, comfortable and with the 1.6 I-DTEC diesel engine and four-wheel drive, both frugal and ideal for country roads. Good to drive too.
Other good options are the Mazda CX-5, the Kia Sportage, Hyundai Santa Fe, Volkswagen Tiguan or Toyota RAV4. Here are our reviews to help you decide:
Can I reclaim UK VAT on exporting a new car?
Hi,
I'm thinking of importing a new car from the UK. I am aware that I will need to pay VRT and VAT in Ireland. My question is whether I will be able to reclaim the UK VAT if I export the car immediately on purchase.
Jim Byrne (Dalkey)Nov 2016 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Jim,
You don’t reclaim the UK VAT if you’re exporting a brand new car to Ireland, you simply don’t pay it in the first place. According to HMRC, you won’t be liable for UK VAT on your purchase if you take it out of the UK within two months of buying and don’t drive the vehicle in the UK unless you register and tax it. You’ll also have to fill out a VAT 411 form.
Hyundai Tucson or SEAT Ateca?
Hyundai Tucson or SEAT Ateca? I can't decide! Which would you choose and why? I need a diesel, we have two kids and I commute about 150km a day in total.
Thanks
John Murray (Drogheda)Nov 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi John,
Tough call actually, as there’s very little to separate them. The SEAT is a little nicer inside, in terms of layout and quality, but the Hyundai is a little more spacious. Both the 1.6 TDI engine in the SEAT and the 1.7 CRDiin the Hyundai are a touch underpowered but they’re both solidly good from a point of view of emissions and fuel consumption. It really is too close to call, so perhaps it comes down to styling (arguably the SEAT is a bit more handsome) or warranty (the Hyundai’s five-year unlimited mileage one is hard to beat). Best bet is go drive them both and form your own opinion, but to help, here are our reviews:
Hyundai Tucson 1.7 CRDi review
Should I wait for the updated Skoda Octavia?
I was planning on buying a new Octavia in Feb and I've just seen the new one. Can get a deal on the old one now or is the new one worth waiting for?
Jim Reagan (Mullingar)Nov 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Jim,
The new one will be worth waiting for from the point of view of an improved interior and some new options and equipment, but you’re quite right – the outgoing model will be seeing some sharp deals as dealers look to clear stock, so, as there are very few major mechanical changes, it’d be a good idea to shop around for a really good price on the current model. Some links to inform you further:
How to pay for importing a car from the UK?
Hey guys, I am thinking of importing a car from the UK. I was just wondering if you have any advice as to the cheapest way of paying for it, i.e. where to get the best conversion rate?
Aden Mc (Laois)Nov 2016 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Aden,
You could be better off asking your accountant or your bank manager about that one. It's true that the recent fall in the value of Sterling has made buying an import far more enticing, but it's still easy to get caught by hidden bank charges and commission rates when converting currencies. We have had very good experience with transferring money through TransferWise, an online company set up by the people who created Skype, but you'll need a pre-existing Sterling account for that.
Will Ireland move to paperless motor tax?
Hi,
Are you aware of any plans for Ireland to move to a paperless tax, NCT and insurance system like they use in the UK? To see all that paper hanging in the windscreens of modern cars is very last century and is simply clutter that does nothing to complement the great design of many modern cars.
Martin Smith (Dublin)Nov 2016 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
There are certainly no concrete plans that we’ve heard of. There was some discussion of the subject, back in 2014 when the UK did away with paper tax discs, that Ireland might move to a similar system, and the abolition of being able to carry over unused vehicle tax from one owner to another is kind of the first step on that road. Dublin City Council this year suggested that we should start moving towards paperless tax but plans haven’t gone any farther than that for now.