Does the Kia Stinger need lots of servicing?
I notice in the detailed UK specs for the Kia Stinger (which otherwise appears like a wonderful car), it says, both for the 2.0-litre and 3.0-litre petrol engines, that the service interval is a mere six months. This seems weird when many new cars with powerful engines have a two-year service interval, at least for the first service. What do you think?
Thanks Philip
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Feb 2018 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
I spoke to Kia Ireland about this and though it won't be offering the 2.0-litre petrol model for sale here, it did confirm that service intervals for the 3.0-litre model will be 15,000km or once a year. The 2.2-litre diesel is 30,000km or once a year.
Why is the 95hp Polo so much more?
I was thinking in buying a VW Polo. Since the 1.0 65hp and 75hp petrol models are fairly sluggish, it's the next one up I am interested in, the 1.0 95hp version. But the difference in price between the 75hp and 95hp model is a whopping €2,700 (€19,295 vs €21,995).
I checked the price in the UK and, sure enough, the differential between the same two models is under £900. What's going on here? How can Volkswagen justify the huge price difference in Ireland? I suspect it's to protect sales of the Golf, but then that argument should apply in the UK as well.
At any rate I won't be buying one now.
Kevin
KEVIN Deehan (Dublln)Jan 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Kevin,
I must admit, you had us wondering... However, we took a detailed look at the UK and Ireland price lists and discovered that the 1.0 TSI 95hp engine is only offered in conjunction with a DSG automatic transmission here, whereas it can be had with a (cheaper) manual gearbox in the UK. That pretty much explains the large price jump.
How much VRT on this 2008 Volvo V70?
Hi, James here from Dublin,
Can you tell me how much VRT I'd have to pay on importing a 2008 Volvo V70 3.0 T6 AWD Auto? Mileage 105,000 miles.
James Nolan (Dublin 24)Jan 2018 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi James,
A tricky one, because that precise model doesn’t appear on the Revenue’s quick-estimate list, and good luck finding one for sale in Ireland to get a representative OMSP valuation. As a rough guess, I would say somewhere between €1,000 and €1,200, but a lot will depend on condition, equipment and history.
How much to import and tax my Honda?
Hi,
I'd like to live in Ireland and have a Honda Insight Hybrid to import. What will be the cost of import and road tax? I have the car more one year.
Thank you, Jan
Jan Beerens (The Netherlands)Jan 2018 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Jan,
If you’ve owned the car for more than six months and have had it taxed and insured at your previous address during that time, then there’s no import duties (or Vehicle Registration Tax - VRT) to pay. Depending on where you’re moving from, there may be some VAT to pay, and you’ll have to pay for the inspection and valuation at the NCT centre, but other than that there should be no cost to bringing the car in.
The last generation of Honda Insight has a CO2 rating of 105g/km, so that means you’ll pay €190 a year in motor tax.
Read our guide to How Much VRT is Paid in Ireland for more information
You can find much more information on the importing process here: https://www.revenue.ie/en/importing-vehicles-duty-free-allowances/guide-to-vrt/vehicle-registration-tax/index.aspx
How much to tax a 2007 Volvo S60R?
Hello, can you please give me advice on how much is car tax on a 2007 Volvo S60R?
James Nolan (Dublin 24)Jan 2018 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi James,
The R version of the S60, the high-performance model, used a 2.5-litre turbo engine and, as it’s pre-2008, it’s on the old engine capacity tax system so that’s going to be €1,080 for a year's tax.
Read our Motor Tax Prices in Ireland Explained feature for more
Looking to buy a 2016 or 2017 SUV...
I'm looking to buy a 2016 or 2017 SUV, 1.6 to 1.7 diesel, Manual gearbox with cruise control. I'm not too bothered by my most other factors, other than a decent comfortable motorway drive with good fuel economy. Can you advise which are the most fuel efficient SUVs for motorway driving in Ireland within this range? Currently, I'm considering a Kia Sportage or Honda CR-V or Hyundai Tucson.
Thanks, Paul
Paul Keyes (Dublin)Jan 2018 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
The Hyundai or Kia will be more efficient than the 1.6 i-DTEC Honda, but only just and at the expense of a considerable amount of performance — the Honda feels much brisker and is more comfortable than the other two as well. In that size range, it’s also well worth considering the VW Tiguan, especially the current-shape model, which is very frugal in 2.0-litre 115hp form. Some reviews below to help you decide:
Differences between 2016/2017 Mazda CX-3?
What are the main difference between the Mazda CX-3 Executive petrol 2016 models and 2017 models?
EAMON HOEY (DUNDALK)Jan 2018 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Eamon,
Well, according to Mazda Ireland, very little. "From an Irish perspective at least, there won’t be any difference at that grade level. In late 2017, we did introduce the GT Lux edition, but this has yet to be launched across the full range in Ireland. So if comparing a 161 and 171 or 172, there’s no change,” was the official response.
Can I get leather on a new Toyota C-HR?
I have asked my Toyota dealer if I can order the leather seats for my 2018 C-HR 1.2 Luna Sports and he said it doesn't come with them, ut another garage said yes I can order them no problem, for €1,000. Can l or can't I?
Mark O Shea (Cork)Nov 2017 Filed under: seating
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
We asked Toyota Ireland about this and the explanation appears to be that the leather seats are not set up to be ordered from the factory, though they can be purchased as an aftersales accessory.
Any info on the TMC Costin?
Hi, have you any information on the TMC Costin?
Stephen Roche (Dublin)Nov 2017 Filed under: classic cars
Expert answer
Hi Stephen,
The TMC Costin was, kind of, Ireland’s Caterham. Built by the Thompson Motor Company, (hence TMC) in Wexford (established by brothers Sean and Anthony) it was a small, light, two-seat sports car very much in the mould of the Lotus, later Caterham, 7.
The body was designed for TMC by legendary aerodynamicist Frank Costin (hence the name) and it was usually powered by a 1.6 Ford Crossflow engine (or a Cosworth BDA if you were feeling brave). Celebrity owners included none other than Stephen Roche of Tour De France (and Calvita cheese!) fame (you're not related, are you?). Around 40 cars were built before the firm went bust in 1987 (although there had been claims of as many as 100 built) and the rights to the chassis design were later sold off to Don Panoz, who later developed the basic chassis into the Panoz roadster.
Tricky to import a petrol Dacia Duster?
I'm interested in a new Dacia Duster, but petrol not diesel. Dacia Ireland doesn't offer the petrol model, so I'm contemplating a new UK petrol Duster imported by me. I'm aware of the import process, but are there any likely problems? I'm especially thinking about insurance issues if it's a model not routinely sold in Ireland and also the VRT valuation process for a model not usually available here.
Any thoughts, please?
Paul Marsden (Mohill)Oct 2017 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
It depends. If it’s the basic 1.6-litre petrol model, then your VRT will be around €3,000 (ish, depending on spec) and that model already appears on Revenue’s system. If it’s the more expensive version with the 1.2-litre petrol turbo, then it’s trickier as, you’re quite right, Revenue doesn’t have that car on its systems.
I would think they’ll hit you up for around €4-5,000 in VRT for one of those. The process isn’t too difficult, as such, but if you don’t fancy it, the new, updated Dacia Duster will be launching next year, and that should finally come with a petrol engine option here.