When is the Volkswagen up! GT arriving?
When in 2013 will Volkswagen release the up! GT and how much will it be?
Nyron GrantJul 2012 Filed under: future cars
Expert answer
Hi Nyron,
I assume you've seen our drive of the prototype? We don't know anything new I'm afraid. That means there's still a possibility that Volkswagen Ireland won't offer it for sale.
Sorry to not be of more assistance!
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.
Is the two-wheel drive Nissan Qashqai 1.6 dCi coming here?
You said in your review last year that the two-wheel drive version of the new 1.6 diesel Nissan Qashqai would be arriving "in the middle of the year". Any update on this, as Nissan Ireland has no mention of it on its web site, still just listing the older 1.5 dCi version?
Alan Kelly (Dublin)Jul 2012 Filed under: future engines
Expert answer
Hi Alan,
We spoke to Nissan Ireland today and it was confirmed that the 1.6 dCi engine is currently only available with four-wheel drive. It does plan to sell the front-wheel drive only model, but could not give us pricing or even a launch date. We'll be told more at the end of this year.
Keep an eye on our site for news on that.
When does the new Mazda6 arrive in Ireland?
When will the next generation Mazda6 be launched in Ireland?
Eamonn McDermott (Dublin)Jul 2012 Filed under: future cars
Expert answer
Hi Eamonn,
The launch date has yet to be announced, though it will be 2013. Mazda has confirmed that the new 6 will be unveiled in production-ready format at the Paris Motor Show this September.
Let's hope it looks half as good as the Takeri concept car!
Reckon it's a good bet to import a new Nissan Note?
I am considering buying a new Nissan Note. I have priced from a main dealer and also from a SIMI dealer who imports from the UK. The import has a higher spec and is about €2,000 cheaper with all the standard warranties etc. Is there anything I should be aware of when buying an import?
Thanks
Chaz Devlin (Clonard Village, Wexford)Jul 2012 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Chaz,
We put this question to vehicle records experts Cartell.ie and here's what they came back with:
"Upon importing a new vehicle into Ireland you must pay destination VAT, which means you pay the VAT in the country that it will be first registered. The vehicle is classed as new if it is less than six months old or has travelled less than 6,000 kilometres. If you buy a new car from the UK, you will pay the 20% VAT there. Then once you import the vehicle pay your 23% Irish VAT; you then reclaim the original VAT paid back from the UK.
Then you must pay the VRT, which varies from 14- to 36% depending on the CO2 emissions. If the vehicle is being bought through a registered SIMI dealer then they should take care of all this and the customer should just get the car for the price agreed. I would recommend that the customer gets a copy of the VRT and VAT receipts to prove that both have been paid. I would also recommend that the customer checks with SIMI to make sure that the garage is still a registered member.
You would also want to make sure that the warranty is covered throughout Europe. The dealer you bought it from will cover the warranty but another Nissan dealer may not. Also some warranties are extended by a year or two in certain countries. For example BMW has a standard two-year warranty, but BMW UK extends that to three years - but only in the UK. This may or may not be the case but worth looking at."
Hope that helps. Come back to us if you need more assistance.
Is there a car-sharing scheme in Ireland?
Hello. I am a member of the car sharing cooperative Stattauto in Luebeck Germany. I wonder if you are involved in some sort international car sharing body and I could use the facility while on holiday in Ireland. Best wishes from the sunny Baltic.
Joachim Hacker (Luebeck)Jul 2012 Filed under: miscellaneous
Expert answer
Hi Jo,
I'm afraid not. There are loads of car-pooling schemes, but these usually involve filling a car with people as opposed to letting someone like yourself borrow other people's cars. Contact www.swiftcommute.ie and www.carsharing.ie for more information. There's also www.gocar.ie for hourly rental in main cities, but I suspect that's not what you're looking for.
Hope that helps.
Do you have prices for the new Peugeot 208 yet?
How much will the new Peugeot 208 cost in Ireland?
John Coleman (Athlone)Jun 2012 Filed under: pricing
Expert answer
Hi John,
At the time of writing, Peugeot Ireland has not released any pricing information. The Irish launch is on July 9, so it's likely we'll have to wait until then to hear.
We'll do a news piece as soon as the details arrive.
Can I get orthopaedic seats for my Yaris in Ireland?
I want to get orthopaedic seats for my 2005 Yaris, like Recaro. Is this possible in Ireland?
Brian Taft (Dublin)Jun 2012 Filed under: seating
Expert answer
Hi Brian,
You have two options for orthopaedic seats in your Yaris. The first is to try and track down a Japanese import 'Vitz RS', which was a turbocharged sports version of the Yaris. This may be difficult due to their rarity in Ireland.
The other (much more troublesome option) is to fit off-the shelf orthopaedic seats from the likes of Recaro or Sparco. We say more troublesome as these seats are rarely car specific and will require you to fit separate rails in addition to the seats.
We hope this helps.
What sponsorship deals have Land Rover and Lexus?
Who do Land Rover sponsor in Ireland? Who are the Lexus brand ambassadors in Ireland?
Rebecca McCann (Dublin)Jun 2012 Filed under: miscellaneous
Expert answer
Hi Rebecca,
Brian O'Driscoll is brand ambassador for Lexus Ireland.
Land Rover's brand ambassadors are Amy Huberman and Jamie Heasiip, while it is also involved with the following this year:
1) The Goffs Land Rover Bumper at Punchestown
2) The Goffs Land Rover Sale
3) The Land Rover Puissance at the Horse Show
4) The National Ploughing Championships (as exhibitors)
5) The Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park (through Young Motors in Kilkenny)
6) Tattersalls International Horse Trials (through Newgate Land Rover in Navan)
7) The Ballendenisk Horse Trials (through Johnson & Perrott in Cork)
Hope that helps
Is there an issue with the Kia Sorento's suspension?
Hi, I recently bought the current model Kia Sorento (1,000km on the clock). It's a very nice looking vehicle. I have a similar issue as Ciaran has reported. There is a large bang travelling through the doors when going over road humps.
The clearance between the suspension plate and the rubber dampers is approximately 25- to 30mm. I feel that there is not much room for the suspension to move before touching the dampers hence large bang when hitting road humps. I have reported the matter to Kia Motors and await their reply. In the meantime if anything comes through your way please do inform me. Thanks
Vishwa Reddy (Suva Fiji)Jun 2012 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Vishwa,
We've not come across this issue for ourselves. Kia Ireland said the same thing and that you really should talk direct to its customer service department about this. The contact is Stuart Kirwan. We'll send you his contact details via email.
Hope you get a satisfactory reply.