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Previously answered questions

When are new Fords coming to Ireland?

Do you know anything about new Ford Fiesta, Focus and Mondeo coming to Ireland? When and do you know the prices?

Fergal Reidy (Celbridge)

Aug 2010 Filed under: future cars

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Recommend a car for €5,000 for a 21-year old starting off.

My daughter is 21 and is looking for her first car. She has about €5,000 to spend. What car would you recommend?

Richard Burke (Drogheda)

Aug 2010 Filed under: choosing used car

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What are the costs of importing a used car from the UK?

Hi there,

Can you tell me if VRT is the only additional cost to buying a car in the UK or is there also VAT to be paid?

Also, how accurate is the Revenue's online VRT calculator?

Regards

Ray

Ray Owens (Enfield)

Aug 2010 Filed under: importing

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What's happening with the new Hyundai Santa Fe?

Are there any pictures of the new Hyundai Santa Fe coming out this October? The new Hyundai ix35 looks good, but it has very little spec inside for the Irish market compared to other countries.

In Ireland it is very diffucult to compare one car company with another because Ireland gets the worst specs. Here in the US I would buy a Hyundai before any Merc because the specs are much better as are the warranties, but that is not the way it is in Ireland. 

RAYMOND FINUCANE (USA)

Aug 2010 Filed under: miscellaneous

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Is a diesel car suited to low annual mileages?

Looking at buying a Ford Galaxy and wondering if it's inappropriate to get a diesel engine, as we only generally drive short distances in the city and annual mileage would only be about 3,000 miles. Would only using the car for short journeys damage the engine and potentially cause it to breakdown more often?

Thanks

Patricia McGuire (Dublin)

Aug 2010 Filed under: diesel

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Should I buy from SIMI?

I am thinking of purchasing a '06 or '07 Toyota Corolla Hatchback with all the extras. I have spotted one at an independent dealer that suits my requirements however the dealer is not a member of the SIMI.

Would i be better of purchashing from an SIMI dealer even if this car at the independent dealer checks out ok.? They have told me that the mileage/km will be warranted & that there able to offer the same level of service as any SIMI member. Should i trust this dealer or just avoid altogether ?

James Slyver (Cork)

Aug 2010 Filed under: choosing used car

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Is 80,000 miles a lot on a 2007 Ford Galaxy?

We are looking for a used Ford Galaxy and wondering if 80,000 miles is a lot on a 2007 1.8 diesel model? We do very low mileage so won't add much to whatever we buy but we want to keep it for a long time. Don't want to buy something that will soon cause trouble! Thanks

Patricia McGuire (Dublin)

Aug 2010 Filed under: choosing used car

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How much should it cost to replace a head gasket?

How much would it cost to have a head gasket replaced in a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe diesel?

Regards, John

John Dunne (Dublin)

Aug 2010 Filed under: servicing

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When are the new Santa Fe and Outlander arriving?

When are the new Hyundai Santa Fe and Mitsubishi Outlander due to go on sale?

Damien Dunne (Dublin)

Aug 2010 Filed under: choosing new car

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Why are cars a rip-off in Ireland?

My question is: why are cars in Ireland a rip-off compared to the rest of the world? I live in the USA and just bought a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe top-of-the-line model with leather, navigation, Onstar system and many more items for just $21,000.

Hyundai changes a few things on each of its models every year. The Santa Fe in Ireland has been the same since the model was realesed in 2007. Why are the specs so bad in Irish cars? And why are the people putting up with it? Who makes the decision to sell cars like that in Ireland?

The cars in the UK are much better spec wise. If you look at people carriers, the options in Ireland are so small and silly. Take a look at the new 2011 Toyota Sienna. It is a very nice car. Why can Irish people not get these kinds of cars?

Thanks, Raymond

RAYMOND FINUCANE (USA)

Aug 2010 Filed under: taxation

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4,944 Irish motoring queries answered to date

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