What are 2008 Hyundai Santa Fes like?
What are 2008 Hyundai Santa Fes like? We need a seven-seater as we have four young kids. Is the automatic ok?
Garry OSullivan (Skibbereen )May 2016 Filed under: family car
Expert answer
Hi Garry,
It’s a really good car – reliable, roomy and not at all bad to drive. You just need to watch a couple of things – the stereo system can go a bit haywire from time to time (not recognising radio stations, or spitting out CDs, that kind of thing), the third row seats are pretty tight and quite small and the automatic gearbox, although fine to drive, does significantly drive the CO2 emissions rating up, so check and make sure you can afford the annual motor tax first.
What'll I buy as my first car, for €10,000?
Hi folks,
I'll be buying my first car in a few weeks. Ideally I'd like to find something under €10,000. Just something reliable to get me to and from work, preferably in a low tax band and will keep insurance costs as low as possible (22-year old male). Any advice?
Also, if I'm paying in cash can I expect to get a discount on the asking price in a dealership? If so, roughly what percentage could I hope for?
Thanks in advance, Rob
Rob Henry (Dublin)May 2016 Filed under: learner
Expert answer
Hi Rob,
Well, as far as discounts go, most dealers operate on about an eight per cent margin, so if you're asking for more than a seven per cent discount you're asking for a below cost price. You should get a decent discount for cash right enough, but explore the credit options too - dealers often get bonuses for selling a credit plan so if you can get a good one (at zero per cent interest obviously) and pay it off from your lump sum, it may give the dealer a bit more wiggle room for a discount.
As for the model, with a starter car and the current cost of insurance you need to be looking at no more than a 1.0-litre engine. Happily your budget will easily get you into a Volkswagen up! 1.0, one of the best small cars around (or equally you could go for a mechanically identical SEAT Mii or Skoda Citigo). Can't go wrong really, although if you're looking for other options you could try an Opel Karl (plain but decent), a Renault Twingo (fun but not as well made as the up!) or the Fiat 500 TwinAir (fabulous car, but get an insurance quote first).
Here are reviews of all of those to help you decide:
What's the old Lexus IS like?
What's your opinion of the 2005 Lexus IS 200 automatic? I'm thinking of buying one.
Regards, Joe in Dublin
Joe Boyle (Dublin)Apr 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Joe,
It's a really, really lovely car with a peach of a 2.0-litre, six-cylinder engine and wonderful steering and handling. Just beware of a couple of things. A lot of so-called Lexus IS 200s are actually Japanese market Toyota Altezzas, which have been imported and rebadged, so make sure you’re getting an original Irish (or at least UK) market Lexus. Secondly, they tend to fall into the hands of the boy-racer brigade, so if it has out-size wheels or a dustbin-sized exhaust, avoid like the plague as it could have been thrashed and/or crashed.
Other than that, go for it – they’re mechanically long-lived (although with a car that age you’ll need to check literally everything carefully) and if it has a full service history and comes with a sheaf of past receipts and tax discs, you’re probably on to a winner.
Why do the Audi A3's and Golf's tax differ?
Why is the tax between an Audi and Golf such a difference for a 1.6 engine? Seems odd!
Colin Morrissey (Lucan)Apr 2016 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Colin,
It depends which models you mean. I presume you’re looking at an Audi A3 and a Volkswagen Golf, which share a 1.6-litre diesel engine. On the base model of both cars, the quoted CO2 figure is exactly the same – 99g/km. It could be that you’re looking at an A3 Saloon, which, with the optional 18-inch alloy wheels, has a CO2 figure of 109g/km, or possibly even the A3 Saloon quattro 1.6 TDI on 18s, which has a whopping (in comparison) figure of 130g/km. Extra equipment (or indeed a complete four-wheel drive system) and bigger wheels all have an effect on consumption and therefore emissions, you see...
How good is the 2008 Toyota Avensis diesel?
How good is the 2008 Toyota Avensis diesel?
Paul Moran (Nenagh)Apr 2016 Filed under: diesel
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
It’s fine, but you’ll probably find the CO2 emissions a touch high – it was generally from a time before car makers got really serious on CO2 so with 146g/km it’s a bit more expensive to tax than newer models.
Should I consider exporting my 2005 Porsche?
What's the value of a 2005 Porsche 911 Convertible 3.8 S manual - 55,000 miles? Should I consider export with VRT rebate or is this a difficult process?
Mark Kelly (Wicklow)Apr 2016 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
With a car like that what really drives the value is the history and condition, so if it’s perfect and if all the stamps in the service history book have a Porsche crest on them then it should be worth around €35-37,000.
The VRT export rebate process isn’t especially difficult but there are a lot of forms to fill out and you’ll need a lot of proof of where the car is going and to whom it’s been sold. You can find all the necessary details here: http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/vrt/export-repayment-scheme/faqs.html
How can I compare all the electric cars?
Hi,
Is there anywhere one can see all currently available electric cars compared, not just under the usual headings of driving range, charging times, 0 to 100km/h time and overall drivability and practicality, but also the overall running costs (electricity charges, road tax etc.), which can vary when you include battery lease models like the Renault Zoe?
Donal M
Donal Murphy (Cork)Apr 2016 Filed under: electric cars
Expert answer
Hi Donal,
Short answer – no. That’s partially down to the fact that such in-depth comparisons have to take into account the type of mileage you do, the electricity tariff you’re on and more. The best I can suggest is that you have a good long look through our various electric car reviews and then use the cost calculators on both the ESB and SEAI websites to further refine your research:
Can I trade my damaged Santa Fe in?
Hi,
My 2004 Hyundai Sante Fe was just written off by the insurance company. Car is still driving, with only some medium bumper damage. It has a bull bar up front and a tow bar out back. Another car rear-ended me. My car was up to date with tax, insurance and NCT all good. Will I qualify for a scrappage scheme? I'm thinking of getting a new Berlingo or Peugeot van.
Thank you
Stephen Larkin (Galway)Apr 2016 Filed under: scrappage
Expert answer
Hi Stephen,
You should do - Peugeot has a 'scrappage' scheme (actually just a trade-in booster really) in place against its commercial vehicle range, but you may have to get the Hyundai patched up enough to drive it there. Most schemes have a requirement that the vehicle be taxed and insured when you trade it in.
Any way around paying VRT on import?
Hi,
Could you please tell if there is a way of getting a car into Ireland from the UK without paying VRT? I am interested in bringing in a Peugeot 308 that seem to sell a lot cheaper and have smaller mileage in the UK. Say if I bought the car in Scotland and left it in my brother's house for six months or so (taxed and insured in my name), could I bring the car back to Ireland without paying the dreaded VRT?
Who is to say I wasn't using the car in the UK?
Thank you
Ruairi Mc Carthy (Mullagh Co Cavan)Apr 2016 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Ruairi,
Nice idea, but it won't work. Do you really think the good folk at Revenue haven't thought of that particular plan before? The official documents state that not only must the car be insured and taxed, you have to have physically been resident overseas too, in "the place where you usually lived, for at least 185 days in the year ending on the date of transfer, because of occupational and personal ties."
There are a bunch of other restrictions on the transfer of address waiver and you can find them here: http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/vrt/leaflets/tax-relief-transfer-residence.html
I'd like to bring my car to the UK with me...
Hi,
I am a student studying in a UK university and looking to bring my Irish car from home over here. I'm going to be studying on my course for another two years after this year and then hope to return back to Ireland post-graduation. How do I go about bringing my car over? As far as I know, the AA (my insurance company) will cover me in the UK just like they cover me in Ireland at no extra cost. The car is also already taxed for the year. I'd preferably like to keep the Irish plates on to avoid the hassle of changing plates now and then back again in the future.
Thank you.
John Joe (Mullagh Co Cavan)Mar 2016 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi John,
Sorry, but you'll have to change the plates - if you're bringing a car into the UK you only have to inform HMRC of the car's arrival within 14 days and then begin the re-registering process. The maximum time you could use the car on Irish plates for would be six months. The good news is that the process is relatively painless - you will have to get an MOT test done as the NCT won't be recognised, but other than that it's just some forms to fill out. If it's an older car you won't be liable for any VAT or duty so it'll only cost a little. You can find more details here - https://www.gov.uk/importing-vehicles-into-the-uk/overview