To help readers get the most out of this free service, we ask those that wish to submit a question to first register their details using the registration form.
Thank you
Previously answered questions
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Which small car will have the best resale value?
Hi,
We're looking at changing my wife's car for something smaller as our daughter is learning to drive. The car is a 2002 Volvo S60 (2.0T petrol, tax €600) and from talking to dealers will be hard to sell privately or get over €2k trade-in.
We were thinking of going for a Skoda Combi (1.2T petrol, €105 tax), but are concerned with resale value. Other smaller cars (e.g. Ford Fiesta, VW Polo) are more expensive, offer less kit and space, but might have better resale values in five years. Any thoughts of suggestions on what to do, or go for?
Pat Rowan (Dublin)
Aug 2010 Filed under: choosing new car
Should I buy new or second-hand with up to €30k?
I'm thinking of trading in my car for scrappage at the moment before some of the deals end and I am thinking of spending €25k - €30k.
I have been looking at the Renault Laguna and Opel Insignia for the scrappage instead of a second-hand car. I am looking for something with a decent boot and a bit of poke in it as I'm upgrading from a Corsa!
After thinking about it for a while I then thought about maybe going for a second-hand car for resale value and depreciation of a new car especially since it's coming close to the end of the year and it'll be a year old in a few months.
On the second-hand range I was considering maybe a BMW 5 Series, Audi A4 or A6 or something similiar in that range. Any suggestions or ideas on what to do or look for in a car to maximise the purchase and keep resale value? I am open to suggestions on other makes and models I may have skipped over. Thanks.
Alan Crookes (Portmarnock)
Aug 2010 Filed under: choosing used car
Top Categories
4,971 Irish motoring queries answered to date
On CompleteCar.ie there is no such thing as a silly question. No matter how small or complicated an issue seems, we'll do our best to help. Our experts will quickly answer your queries in a friendly and jargon-free manner.
Please remember that we offer advice, not gospel. We cannot be held responsible for recalls, a second hand car's history, 'acts of God', changes in car pricing or Government policy. We are here to help and offer independent, impartial and free advice. What you do with it is entirely up to you.
By submitting a question you are agreeing to this statement. Thank you.
CompleteCar.ie aims to be compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), implemented on 25 May, 2018. At no stage shall we contact you without your express permission (by entering your email address, you are consenting for us to send you emails relating directly to your question).
Your data will never be shared with a third party and it is kept in a secure database on our servers, with limited personnel access.
You have the right to have your data deleted at any time and also to get a copy of your data on file. For any related queries, please send us a message using the form on the Who we are page.