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Showing 131 - 140 results (out of a total of 375) found for "Irish" in Ask Us Anything

When does the Peugeot e-2008 arrive?

Hi,

Do you know when the Peugeot e-2008 is due to go on sale? Big fan of the website, keep up the good work!

Thanks, Andy

Andy O'Leary (Dublin)

Aug 2019 Filed under: future cars

Expert answer

Hi Andy,

It’ll be on sale next year, but probably not until quite late in the year for Irish buyers, as the conventional models will be launched first.


How much to tax these pick-ups?

How much is it to tax the Volkswagen Amarok 2.0 privately? I could only find your comparison with a 3.0-litre. Does it go on the CO2 or the engine size? Same with Ford Ranger 2.2 please.

Darragh Murphy (Gorey )

Aug 2019 Filed under: taxation

Expert answer

Hi Darragh,

If you’re taxing a commercial vehicle for private use then, yes, you do revert to the old engine capacity tax system. We don’t know why either — it’s a quirk of the Irish motor tax system. For a 2.0-litre Amarok, that tax is going to be €710 per year, while for the 2.2 Ranger it’ll be €951.


Can I import a UK car still on finance?

I have a car in the UK and have paid 18 months of the finance off. There is still 18 months left. I want to import it to Ireland and register it here as I now live here. I do not intend to sell it. Is this possible when there is still finance outstanding?

Sarah Watson (Dublin)

Aug 2019 Filed under: importing

Expert answer

Hi Sarah,

Yes, absolutely. The only issues you will face will be in either convincing your existing finance provider to continue accepting payments from Ireland (that shouldn’t be a problem but check with your provider first) or, alternatively, finding an Irish finance provider to take on the balance of the loan (that would probably be trickier given that you likely won’t have any credit history in Ireland yet). The only other issue would be if you want to sell the car on again before you’re finished paying off the finance, but that’s possibly an issue for the future. 


Do I need a van AND a car?!

Hi there,

I am looking to get a van. I wish to use it for commercial purposes as I am a fitness instructor and need to transport gear around. Also for personal use. It seems that I can ONLY use the van for commercial purposes and am denied insurance if it is for personal use as well. It seems unnecessary, and is an unfeasible cost, getting a car for personal use and the van for work. I cannot fit the work gear in a car, hence the need for a van. Any advice would be great!

Thanks a mill!

Aime Perkins (Dublin)

Aug 2019 Filed under: commercial vehicle

Expert answer

Hi Aime,

As ever, welcome to the wonderful world of Irish car insurance… You’re totally within your rights to be able to use a van as a private car, and actually you’re doing the right thing by registering it for private use, and informing your insurer. Many people just break the law by driving a commercial for private use without ever paying the extra tax or informing their insurer. If you’re struggling to find cover, I would track down a good local broker — they’re usually much more clued into the market than the call-centre staff of insurance firms, and can often find deals that we mere mortals can’t.


What's standard on the new Kia xCeed?

What comes standard on the new Kia xCeed in Ireland?

Sean Mc Gaughey Mc Gaughey (Co Louth)

Aug 2019 Filed under: future cars

Expert answer

Hi Sean,

The short answer is that we don’t know yet — the XCeed is only going to be first shown to the public at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month, and so that means we’re a long way from Irish prices and specs just yet. However, we can make an educated guess. Kia in Ireland tends to offer a single specification for its niche models, such as the Proceed sports estate and the e-Soul electric car, so it’s possible that the XCeed will follow suit. In fact, and I must emphasise that is is a guess, I’d expect that the XCeed and the Proceed will probably be closely aligned on price and spec, with the XCeed coming in just a little cheaper than the Proceed’s €28,946. The Proceed comes, as standard, with an eight-inch touchscreen with navigation, wireless smartphone charging, 17-inch alloy wheels, lane keeping assistance and auto-dip high-beam lights (among other items).

We do know that items such as connected services and a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster will be available as options, but we’ll just have to wait and see what Kia Ireland comes up with when the car is launched here.


Why German plates on some Irish cars?

Why do some cars have German car tax on their plates as well as having Irish car tax disks at the same time?

Brian Pope (Co Louth)

Jul 2019 Filed under: registration

Expert answer

Hi Brian,

Look closer and you’ll probably see that these are most likely Irish number plates that have been printed in the style of German plates. Some owners of German-built cars do this as an aesthetic thing. It’s totally illegal by the way. “Using vehicle in a public place that has been modified or altered such that authorisation plate is inaccurate” gets you three penalty points. 


Could I afford to insure a 1.9 diesel?

Hi,

I am looking to buy myself a new car soon enough. I am simply waiting to have a full year on my insurance. I got insured on a 1.6-litre petrol Audi A3 Sportback, as my first car, with Axa insurance. The quote was around €3,700. I am looking for a diesel this time and I am wondering what kind of quotes I could be expecting if I try to get insured on a 1.9 diesel this time? There aren't many 1.6 diesel cars around that I would like to get.

Thanks!

Kris M (Dublin)

Jul 2019 Filed under: insurance

Expert answer

Hi Kris,

The problem is that Irish insurers are a bit blunt-force when it comes to deciding their rates, and generally speaking (and completely erroneously) they simply tend to go by engine size. So even though there are plenty of older 1.9-2.0-litre diesel engines with similar power outputs to a more modern 1.6, they’ll probably quote you more just because it’s a bigger engine. Stupid, but then that pretty much sums up the insurance industry in Ireland. All I can suggest is either biting the bullet and getting a 1.6 that maybe you’re not as keen on, or finding a really good local broker who can help you track down quotes that us mere mortals can’t find. 


Audi A3 Saloon or Mercedes CLA?

Hi,

I am looking for a little advice on changing my car. I have a 2010 Audi A3 Sportback 1.6 TDI and am trying to make my mind up between the Audi A3 Saloon and the Mercedes CLA. Petrol I'm thinking? And most likely new or one year old. Any advice would be really appreciated.

Thanks

Claire

Claire Murphy (Dublin)

Jul 2019 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Claire,

Both are really good cars, and I think it would be the Audi that we’d — just — come down on the side of. It’s not as cool to look at as the CLA, obviously, but the ride quality is better and that makes a big difference on Irish roads. It’s also a fraction more practical than the Mercedes and, if you can find one with the excellent 1.0-litre TSI turbo petrol engine, then you’re onto a winner. Basically, it’s the Audi if you want practicality, or the Mercedes if you’re more interested in style.

Read our Audi A3 reviews here

Read our Mercedes-Benz CLA reviews here


Should I buy a new Tesla Model 3?

Hi,

I’ve been doing a lot of research into buying a car lately, specifically would love a Tesla Model 3 - Standard range plus. I’ve been looking at price from GB compared to Ireland and it’s around €5k cheaper (around £38k v €48k). I also understand I would be in receipt of €5,000 SEAI grant, but I cannot seem to calculate the VRT.

1. Can I buy in the UK and ultimately would I save money doing so vs Ireland?

2. I live in Dublin and I get the DART to work everyday (roughy €100 per month). I also currently drive home roughy three nights per week to Monaghan (roughly costs me €325 in petrol and tolls). I have a free parking space in work. (Quicker to drive than DART to work) Would I be naive in thinking that I would almost eradicate all of that €425 with an EV? Aside from electricity costs, also what would you estimate those to be?

The alternative for me was to buy an 15/16 Audi A5 or BMW 4 Series in around the €20k mark, but still be subject to aforementioned €425 monthly costs on top.

Am I trying to convince myself that a Model 3 is my best option or is it my best option? NB: I want something that I actually want, i.e. I don’t want a Nissan Leaf; if I’m going EV it would be Tesla or equivalent.

Brendan Traynor (Dublin)

Jul 2019 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Brendan,

We do love a bit of car-related man-maths around the CompleteCar.ie office. Yes, in theory, you could save that €425 per week travelling cost with a Tesla Model 3, once we make a couple of assumptions, and bearing in mind that a Model 3 is not free — a basic Standard Range Plus model is quoted at €625 per month in repayments on Tesla’s Irish website. With a claimed one-charge range of 409km, your theoretical Model 3 should be able to get from Dublin to Monaghan and back in one charge, with a little left over for safety (assuming it’s around 135km door-to-door). If you can charge at home and charge in Monaghan, then each full charge will cost you around €8-10, depending on your electricity tariff and how low the battery gets before you plug it in. That should put a significant dent in your travelling costs. It would also be helpful if you could charge up at work, but that’s more for ensuring you have a full charge in case you need it — the shorter intra-Dublin commute wouldn’t put much strain on your battery.

So, that’s all good. Buying in the UK, though? Not worth it. We ran the maths on this a while back and working off the base model prices — £38,500 in the UK and €48,900 here, a quick conversion at today’s rates shows that the equivalent Euro price of a new Tesla Model 3 would be €45,069. A saving? No — although the VRT would cost you nothing at the point of import (thanks to the €5,000 rebate), you would have to pay VAT on entry, as it’s a new car, and so the price would go up by €10,350. You’re better off buying local in this instance.

The only other caveat is of reliability. Now, a Tesla Model 3 SHOULD  be more reliable overall than a conventional petrol or diesel car, and require less maintenance, simply because it’s so simple. After all, an electric motor is really just one, large, moving part. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that Tesla has a currently poor-to-middling reputation for build quality and reliability, so bear in mind that you might need to cope with some glitches or the rear bumper flying off if you drive too quickly through standing water (this is seriously a reported issue with the Model 3).
As for the ’trying to convince yourself’ bit? Well, to be honest we’re all rather keen on the Model 3 around here too, so we wouldn’t take much convincing. 


Do I have to keep my imported car for a year?

I got a letter of exemption to change my British registered car to an Irish registered one, but now I have a problem with as I want to trade it in against another, but there's a restriction by Revenue. How do I get over this?

Stella Evbakhavbokun (DUBLIN)

Jul 2019 Filed under: importing

Expert answer

Hi Stella,

There isn’t really a way around it, I’m afraid. According to Revenue, the rules say that once you have imported a car with a change of address, and been exempt from paying Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT), then you have to keep and use the car for at least 12 months after, or the full amount of the VRT will have to be paid. If you have exceptional circumstances, you could try contacting Revenue and pleading your case, but in general where VRT is concerned, rules are rules and that’s that.


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