Can I buy a Citroen Ami here?
Hi there.
I have been reading about the Citroen AMI all electric vehicle and am very interested in purchasing one. Citroen Ireland tells me it has no plans to market the vehicle here. I am wondering how our department would treat this vehicle; as an electric car? Or quadricycle? Would Revenue want a cut for importing a vehicle? VAT and VRT? Purchase price is circa €6,000 in France and you can buy one online. I don't have the finances to buy a "Normal" electric vehicle where the cheapest seems to be in the €25K region. Would the Department of Transport want road tax, log book, registration fees etc?
Any pointers you might offer would be appreciated.
John Ryan. Dublin 12
John Ryan (Dublin 12)Feb 2021 Filed under: electric cars
Expert answer
Hi John,
Citroen is currently reviewing options on potentially introducing the Ami to Ireland in the future. Initially the car was only to be produced in left-hand drive, but this is now being reconsidered due to high levels of interest in the car from the UK market. If the car was to be officially sold here it would be liable for the applicable VAT and VRT rates and would require motor tax and insurance, in the same way that the Renault Twizy does. These would also apply if you were to privately import one.
What's up with my new Kadjar?
Hi,
I have a new Renault Kadjar 1.3 TCe 160 Iconic. Every time I turn on the speed alert, it promptly turns itself off again.
Please help
Graham Durgan (Irlam)Jan 2021 Filed under: electrics
Expert answer
Hi Graham,
If you're sure it is turning itself off (i.e. have you driven above the speed to test it is working?), then this sounds like a question for the Renault dealer you bought the car from. If it's very new than everything is under warranty and I'm sure they'll be helpful in getting to the bottom of the issue.
How much to tax a 2008 Renault Scenic?
How much to tax a 2008 Renault Scenic 1.9 diesel?
Eduatd Cazan (Portarligton)Jul 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Eduatd,
All 2008 cars should, by now, have been updated to the CO2-based tax system, but the good news is that the 1.9 dCi-engined version of the Scenic has a CO2 output of 159g/km, so costs €570 a year to tax, instead of the €673 you’d have spent on the old engine capacity system.
Is the Volkswagen Up suitable for me?
Hi there,
I'm looking to buy a newer car than my 2007 1.2 Renault Clio. I spend roughly half the week in a small city and the other half in a small country village, about 25 minutes from the nearest town. I do a short motorway trip about twice a week. I'd love something like a Volkswagen Up, but am worried this would be too small and lack enough power for my amount of driving, which is roughly 21,000km per year.
What would you advise?
Many thanks, Eimear.
Eimear Molloy (Kilkenny/Waterford)May 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Eimear,
I’m happy to report that you’re wrong — the Up (and the equivalent Skoda and SEAT versions) is one of those small car’s that’s oddly good on the motorway. OK, with 60hp you’re not going to be winning any Grands Prix, but it’s entirely adequate, keeps up with other traffic and is pretty decently economical too. Indeed, it’s probably a better bet than buying a basic Clio or similarly-sized car, which will be bigger and heavier but won’t necessarily be that much more powerful.
Looking for used automatic car...
Hi, I am looking for a used automatic hatchback petrol car for my wife. She's a learner and would prefer a small automatic hatchback. Would you mind helping me to find the best automatic car from year 2015 to 2017? We went through your reviews and made a list of cars thatsuits our needs. They are Hyundai i10, Skoda Citigo, Kia Picanto, Toyota Yaris, SEAT Ibiza, SEAT Mii, Opel Corsa, Peugeot 108 and Renault Clio etc. I was wondering if you could suggest me the best option?
Nithin Mathew (New Ross, Wexford)Apr 2020 Filed under: automatic
Expert answer
Hi Nithin,
You’re kind of shopping in two separate segments of the market, there — small city cars (such as the Up and the i10) and larger superminis (such as the Yaris and Clio). If it’s one of the small ones you want, then the decision is kind of made for you. The Up is one of our favourites, but there’s no automatic option, so the Hyundai it has to be. No bad thing — it’s an excellent car.
If you fancy something a little larger and roomier, then I’d suggest going for the Toyota Yaris Hybrid — it gets you the automatic transmission you want, plus you’re future-proofing yourself a little with the hybrid powertrain.
How to stop my Captur from beeping?!
How to turn off overspeed alarm buzz in my 2015 Renault Captur? It starts beeping after 120km/h and the sound continues every 30 seconds, the car beeping for 10 seconds.
Haytham ALNAHHAL (Harrisburg)Mar 2020 Filed under: electrics
Expert answer
Hi Haytham,
Sounds to us that your car has the Overspeed Alert system, which tells the driver when they are breaking the local speed limit. If your car has a button near the middle screen that looks like a road with broken lines down the middle, you can directly access the Driving Assitance menu and alter or disable this system. Alternatively, look for the settings menu entitled Vehicle and then something like 'Speed alert settings.'
Ford Fiesta Active or new Puma?
I am looking at getting a new car, something easy to get into. I have aFord Fiesta automatic (disabled driver) so was looking at an Active model or saving up a bit and going for the Puma (which I like the look of). Both will have to be automatic. Am looking at Fords first before I look at options.
Emmet K (Westmeath)Mar 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Emmet,
To be honest, the difference in height between the Fiesta and the Fiesta Active is pretty minimal and so it’s probably not worth the trade-up. The Puma, though, is a different story entirely. Again, in terms of height, the difference isn’t huge, but the Puma’s interior and boot are much larger than that of the Fiesta, and added to which it’s even more entertaining to drive. In fact, it’s one of our favourite cars of the year thus far, so we’d say go for it. Well worth also considering the likes of the new Renault Captur, the Peugeot 2008 and the Skoda Kamiq too.
Which nearly-new crossover to get?
I am in the market for a compact SUV (small town SUV). My 17-year-old daughter wants to learn to drive in it also so I need a manual. I think a 1.0- or 1.2-litre petrol engine would be the sort of thing. I've driven a Captur, Juke, T-Cross, Kona, Crossland X, ix20 and a Toyota C-HR. The Toyota drove really well but it's pricier and longer. What would you recommend as a 2017/2018 vehicle based on drive and value for money and a learner driver?
Anne Marie O'Byrne (Wexford)Mar 2020 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Anne Marie.
Well, normally for a learner driver and for mostly in-town driving, we’d recommend a hatchback, rather than an SUV or crossover, but if your heart is set on one… Of the list you’ve given us below, the Toyota is the best, although arguably as a 1.2-litre petrol, you’re not getting the best C-HR (which is the hybrid, but then that’s an automatic). The Volkswagen T-Cross would be an excellent choice, has a brilliant little 1.0-litre engine and is a bit more upright and square than the others, so is a bit easier to see out of, which might be helpful for your daughter while she’s learning. The Kona would also be an excellent choice, but we’d also add the Suzuki Vitara to your list as its a solid and rugged choice - and hugely reliable.
Read our Renault Captur reviews
Read our Volkswagen T-Cross reviews
Weights of the Astra, Megane and Corolla?
Empty car weight for 2020 examples of the Opel Astra, Renault Megane and Toyota Corolla?
Wafaa H (Wexford)Feb 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Wafaa,
Well, obviously vehicle weight will vary according to engine and equipment, but let’s take the best-case scenario in all cases: petrol engine and a manual gearbox (except in the case of the Toyota, which is only available as a hybrid). The officially quoted kerb weights are: Opel Astra 1.2 Turbo - 1,205kg. Renault Megane 1.3 TCe - 1,231kg. Toyota Corolla 1.8 Hybrid CVT - 1,345kg
Will my Kangoo pass its NCT?
Will my 2005 Renault Kangoo 1.5 dCi pass the NCT with the glow plug warning light illuminated? It is not the engine management light as that has a separate light that is not illuminated, only the glow plug light is always illuminated while the car is running.
Thanks
Jacob Wilton (Sligo)Nov 2019 Filed under: NCT
Expert answer
Hi Jacob,
There is nothing specifically mentioning the glow plugs or the warning light for them in the NCT testing manual, but it's worth getting them done in any case.