How much to tax a petrol Mazda5?
How much is the annual road tax for a Mazda5 2.0 petrol?
Ola Popoola (Dublin)Jan 2016 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Ola,
That depends on what year it was registered. If it’s an original Irish car registered before Jan 1st 2008, then it’s on the old engine capacity tax system and will cost €710. If it was registered after 2008, or is a UK import brought into the country since then, it’ll be on the CO2-based tax system and, with CO2 emissions of 198g/km, it’ll cost a whopping €1,200.
Is a PCP right for me in retirement?
I'm approaching 66 and recently had to retire. My state pension will be around €230 when it comes in March plus a small work pension of €57 a week. My car, an Audi A2, is a 2001 reg. It's showing signs of age and as it's an obsolete model services are expensive. I would have 3,000 maybe 3,500 Euros to put towards an upgrade. Can you advise me as to whether I should opt for a new car and a repayment plan or get a second-hand one?
Angela O'Sullivan
Angela O'Sullivan (Waterville)Jan 2016 Filed under: finance
Expert answer
Hi Angela,
I think a PCP plan would be entirely wrong for you, because they really only work if you're intending to come back in three years' time to trade in again. I'm guessing you don't want to do that.
Your Audi is worth about €2,000 so put that together with your €3,000 and we're looking at a budget of around €5,000. That's great because that will get you into a 2007 Honda Jazz - one of the best small cars around. It's spacious, comfortable, frugal and above all reliable. You simply can't go wrong with one.
How much is a 2009 Mercedes E-Class worth?
How much is my 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class auto Elegance with 73,000km worth? One owner, everything included, like first day, immaculate, Irish car.
Michael Ryan (Kilmallock)Jan 2016 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
I'd say in and around the €15-16,000 mark.
Which new crossover/SUV to go for?
Hi,
Can you advise on crossovers/mini-SUVs available on the Irish market please?
(A) most economical?
(B) Standard spec vs high spec (including leather seats, parking sensors, cruise control etc)?
(C) Warranty period vs reliability (current driving Kia pro_cee'd nearing end of problem-free seven-year/150k km warranty)
Many thanks,
Adrienne Redmond
Adrienne Redmond (New Ross)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Adrienne,
OK, let me take that section by section...
(A) Most small crossovers use 1.5- or 1.6-litre diesel engines so you're going to average between 40- and 50mpg in any of them. Ignore the official consumption figures - they're not representative of real-world driving.
(B) Standard spec on most will include at least air conditioning and probably Bluetooth, but the items you've listed will push prices up into the €25-30k region.
(C) Kia, Hyundai and Mitsubishi have the best warranties on the market at the moment - seven, five and eight years respectively. Ford, Renault and Peugeot all offer five-year warranties too, while Fiat offers a four-year one. Most others have three-year cover. In terms of reliability, Japanese and Korean brands will almost always beat their European and American competitors.
Of the cars you're looking at, I'd say the strongest contenders are Honda's new HR-V, the Jeep Renegade, the Peugeot 2008 and the Kia Soul. All well worth a look.
Relevant reviews:
I can't insure my 1999 Honda Civic. Help!
Hi,
I am a 34-year-old with a 1999 Honda Civic four-door. NCT passed every year and I have been declined insurance this year. I have a full clean driver licenve for over seven years and no penalty points, no convictions. FBD, Aviva, Axa and AA quoted €1,300; Liberty €1,020; and RSA Via Campion €791.88. I cannot get a personal loan or finance as I am either not earning enough or I can not afford the repayments. What's a girl to do?
Martha Clancy (Longford )Jan 2016 Filed under: insurance
Expert answer
Hi Martha,
It's a sad, but increasingly common story - Irish insurers are currently crushing owners of cars that are 10 years or older simply because, actuarially, they're more likely to be involved in an accident. I'm afraid that, unless more operators come into the Irish market to offer some competition, or unless the Government intervenes (which seems hugely unlikely) then there's very little that can be done.
Who will insure my 2003 Honda S2000?
What insurance companies will cover my 2003 Honda S2000? Currently with Aviva and it's up for renewal next month.
Thanks,
Barry
Barry Jones (Dublin)Jan 2016 Filed under: insurance
Expert answer
Hi Barry,
We contacted a few Irish insurers and, while the premiums will still probably be high, both Axa and Zurich expressed an interest in your custom. We've put them in touch with you directly.
Kia Sorento vs. Hyundai Santa Fe please!
Do the new Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe drive exactly the same when driven on Irish twisty back roads, or has one better handling? I live in Killarney.
Tim O'Mahoney (Killarney)Nov 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Tim,
Nope, they don't. The Kia is noticeably softer and has a nicer ride quality. It's not a lot less precise than the Hyundai though, which is a little stiffer and sportier, so given the rough roads in and around Killarney, I'd recommend the Kia.
Relevant reviews:
When do we see the new DS 4 in Ireland?
When is the new DS 4 expected to hit showrooms here and will CompleteCar.ie be doing a review?
Patrick
Patrick Megan (Dun Laoghaire)Nov 2015 Filed under: future cars
Expert answer
Hi Patrick,
The new DS 4 will be in Irish showrooms in time for the price announcement on December 10. We will be driving it on January 14, 2016, so keep an eye on our Car Reviews page for the first Irish drive.
Will Infiniti come to Ireland?
Hi, just wondering if Infiniti has any plans to sell cars here in Ireland?
Cheers, Kevin.
Kevin Caulfield (Kildysart)Nov 2015 Filed under: future cars
Expert answer
Hi Kevin,
We asked the current Nissan importer and got a pretty stock answer:
"This is under continuous review - it is likely that Infiniti will be launched when the decision is taken that the demand, conditions and the model line-up are right for the Irish market."
From our point of view, the new Q30 and forthcoming Infiniti QX30 are steps towards that happening, but we believe that Irish new car sales would have to top 150,000 units a year consistently before it would be considered. Competition is already tough here and Infiniti hasn't done all that well over in the UK.
What age of tyres can fail the NCT?
What age of tyres can fail the Irish NCT?
Gearoidin Ni Chonduin (Thurles)Nov 2015 Filed under: tyres
Expert answer
Hi Gearoidin,
The NCT checks for condition and tread depth mostly and will fail on those items and if the tyre is not the right specification for the car. There is a note in the NCT manual, however, for the tester to advise the owner if the tyres are more than six years old. Most tyre makers recommend that, even with very light use, you should not use a tyre that's more than ten years old as the internal structure starts to break down.