Mini

cantdecide

My sister is determined to get a new mini.

Any strong opinions or anything to know about them. They seem hideously overpriced to me, especially over here. Are htey spacious?? My sister is 6' tall.

unkel

cantdecide wrote: »

My sister is determined to get a new mini.

Any strong opinions or anything to know about them. They seem hideously overpriced to me, especially over here. Are htey spacious?? My sister is 6' tall.

MINIs are great cars. They seem very good value new to me (as long as the buyer doesn't tick all those cool but very expensive option boxes), but depreciation is very low, which suggests bad value second hand

Both my sisters are well over 6' and they fit well into a MINI

tinkerbell

I love MINIs! They are absolutely fab, and sooo roomy inside. I'm 5'10" and whenever I've sat in one I have loads of space. They are not a small person's car! Maybe the old Mini was tight for tall people but the new MINI is very spacious inside.

They are priced at the price they are because they are just so amazing and of course made by BMW so you are getting the best. Plus they hold their value really really well. I'm getting one in July, roll on!

S.I.R

there a great car that got re-vamped by bmw , which means there less likly to break but when they do there quite expencive but even still... you'll love it so much it dont really matter , im over 6' and and have inch of head and leg room

cantdecide

unkel wrote: »

MINIs are great cars. They seem very good value new to me (as long as the buyer doesn't tick all those cool but very expensive option boxes), but depreciation is very low, which suggests bad value second hand

Both my sisters are well over 6' and they fit well into a MINI

New, yes, not too bad, pricewise (I couldn't resist the box ticking if it were me, though).

She would be looking for a '02-'04. It seems like you can have a crap one for in or around the same money as a Cooper S. Budget is undetermined as yet but I've told her since depreciation is not much of a factor on these, she's probably better off spending an extra few quid for a top spec older example than spending a few extra coming up the years.

I've told her to go for a Cooper S (are these supercharged??) but is there any extras worth holding out for or anything silly that's ommited? I'll probably shoot over to the UK for her because they seem to depreciate more realistically over there.

smash

Mini's hold their value really well, thay're also great little cars (except for the new clubman - it's hideous)

as for height issues we'll need photos of her to make our minds up

cantdecide

steve06 wrote: »

Mini's hold their value really well, thay're also great little cars (except for the new clubman - it's hideous)

as for height issues we'll need photos of her to make our minds up

Cheeky little b*stard:D Clubman is beautiful.

blackbox

tinkerbell wrote: »

I love MINIs! They are absolutely fab, and sooo roomy inside. I'm 5'10" and whenever I've sat in one I have loads of space. They are not a small person's car! Maybe the old Mini was tight for tall people but the new MINI is very spacious inside.

How much room is there for passengers in the back?

MarkN

blackbox wrote: »

How much room is there for passengers in the back?

With two tall people in the front you would struggle to fit anything but a 4 year old in the back due to legroom.

There is a surprisingly large amount of head room in the Mini though.

Their residual values are very strong which although you lose out from if buying used, you'll make it up when you come to sell it on at the other end IMO.

As much as I like my girlfriend's one and find it fun to drive, it's a perfect girls car - cause that's what it is!

tinkerbell

blackbox wrote: »

How much room is there for passengers in the back?

Dunno yet, I'm heading to a dealer on Saturday to decide on my option-ticking (no I can't resist not getting extras!). I have never sat in the back of one but my friend has said it is quite roomy. It can only fit two in the back though - it's not like a normal smallish car where you fit two comfortably plus one in the middle. The backseats in the MINI are actually shaped for two people, rather than being a flat seat.

DubLegs

I've always wondered about the new mini fitting taller people. For a person who it tall but mainly long legs, does it cause problems?
I wanted a Clio for ages but found when i sat in it, there was no room for long legs.

helpme07

I have owned 4 new mini's and i've had 4 six footers in the car at the same time on many an ocassion.It might not be the most comfotable for people in the back but it's bearable. The back seats are deep and are like bucket seats and can therfore accomodate the passengers. Don't agree that mini's are just for girls but for a bloke it has to be a Cooper S. Here's mine which is for sale at the mo...:Dhttp://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Mini/Cooper/S-Leather/680941/

Eoin

steve06 wrote: »

Mini's hold their value really well, thay're also great little cars (except for the new clubman - it's hideous)

I was quite surprised when I saw it in person - wasn't half as bad as I was thinking.

Incidentally, the old mini wasn't as bad for tall people as you may expect. The boot and bonnet were tiny, and the back seat not great (though quite comparable with other cars in its class), but not as much compromise for the driver as you may expect.

MAKE MY DAY

Truthfully backseats not great if you are long legged. Boot is small. Only problem I had really is I couldn't stop ticking the option boxes anyway tho I love mine and I think it would be something special to make me change. Since I have it I can't stop smiling, I love driving it and I dont think thats a bad complaint

endplate

The MINI is a great car very nippy and very reliable. If you purchase new get the TLC pack this will cover all your servicing for 5 years or 80,000KM's. Plenty of room in the front seats for driver and passenger but not a lot in the back but it works ok. Also the economy of the car is brilliant. The 1.6l petrol does about 46mpg

unkel

eoin_s wrote: »

Incidentally, the old mini wasn't as bad for tall people as you may expect. The boot and bonnet were tiny, and the back seat not great (though quite comparable with other cars in its class), but not as much compromise for the driver as you may expect.

Indeed. It fitted 5 200 pound 6 foot army sergeants the last time I was in one

Not comfortably though surprise, surprise

agent_smith

I was also surprised when i saw them. I originaly thought they were stunning little cars... very distinctive look to them. They are classless, in that you could park one next to a top of the line merc and still would not look out of place.
I was also surprised at the leg room. I'm 6'3 and had plenty of leg and head room to spare. Jeremy clarkson commented on the space in his review, and he raved about it being a real drivers car. Low center of gravity, very very light, wheels planted right in the four corners, lots of power (particularly in the cooper s) and built great.
I had a spin of a cooper s clubman in joe duffys recently. That thing goes like a hot snot. I've had a go of a gti and a few other hot hatches before , but for fun behind the wheel, speed, pick up and road holding, not even the golf gti could hold a candle. Amazing little car that felt more like a go kart!
Interior of them is sweet too, build quality of plastics and switchgear is typical bmw. I do agree though, they are rediculously over priced for the size of the car... and keep in mind they might be great craic to drive, but boot space is non existant.

massivemagumbos

grand girl's car, if she's young, get her the mini one, if she's closing in on 25-30, get her the mini cooper (engine management in the original 1.6 engines gave the cooper 25 more bhp but less fuel economy), then if you are a gay guy the one to have is the cooper S. I know so many girl's with the cooper S not knowing that they own a car that does 0-60 in 7 seconds, they only bought it because it was the most expensive one. A second hand 04 Cooper S shud set u back 18-20k, sunroof and all, good price i think. Only put people you hate in the back of it. Cuz its not a nice place to be. Even the front feels a bit claustro! Its a BMW, it will break. But this is worth it. Cuz if u buy a mini or a BMW, u'll enjoy telling people you own a Mini/BMW. Get me? haha, its a car bought with the heart, and not the head, or the wallet.

kona

the original mini blows the crap out of the new mini, ive driven both and the original mini (with a tuned engine) is faster ,(excluding the S).

take both on a back road and you will pick the original mini. only downside to the original is the fact you have to maintain it...haynes manual + socket set does this grand:D

as for resale, i wouldnt touch one at the moment, car sales are stagnent and the MINI market is flooded. supply is more than demand.

the bmw trim is ****e too, falls apart.

agent_smith

Jeremy clarkson did not appear to agree. Neither did the guys from fifth gear. All thought the newly redesigned mini is a far superior drive to the older one...
Anyway performance like beauty is often in the eye of the beholder
As for being a gay car..... im a straight guy and i would have no probs driving one as would many of my straight petrol head friends. Lets not take the piss out of it... it does 0 -60 in very respectable 7 seconds. Can easily be tuned for more, handles like a go kart and is immensely fun. A real petrol head car IMHO.
would i buy one... probably not thinking about it now in hindsight. My reason is simple.... i need bootspace. But yeh its a great car.

pontovic

If you are going to get a mini, my advice is to get it in England and import it into Ireland. Better cheaper cars there.

kona

agent_smith wrote: »

Jeremy clarkson did not appear to agree. Neither did the guys from fifth gear. All thought the newly redesigned mini is a far superior drive to the older one...
Anyway performance like beauty is often in the eye of the beholder
As for being a gay car..... im a straight guy and i would have no probs driving one as would many of my straight petrol head friends. Lets not take the piss out of it... it does 0 -60 in very respectable 7 seconds. Can easily be tuned for more, handles like a go kart and is immensely fun. A real petrol head car IMHO.
would i buy one... probably not thinking about it now in hindsight. My reason is simple.... i need bootspace. But yeh its a great car.

ive driven both and own the better one of the two, what do you base your argument on?? jeremy clarkson??sunday indo?? bull****?

as for ride quality of course the ride quality will be better, i mean i hope suspension technology has moved along in the previous 50 years:D

no ****ing way is the handling, rawness and sheer thrill of driving the old one with a tuned engine, near the refined bore of the bmw version. lets see how many new minis are around in 50 years, doubt they will have a production run of 43 years either.

sure jeremy clarkson is bible:rolleyes:, but incidentally ive video where he says different, it aint on youtube so i cant link it, but its in his top 100 DVD where the mini comes 8th , the bmw version didnt feature at all , apart from being made a fool of by the real mini:D:cool:

that ending is well staged, the classic obviously beat the crap outa the new one. and thats a stripped out works mini that was thrashed.

agent_smith

ive driven both and own the better one of the two, what do you base your argument on?? jeremy clarkson??sunday indo?? bull****?

So its bull**** because it does not concur with your opinion? Ive driven the older (pre bmw mini), had a go of the 2004 cooper s, and the 2007 cooper s. Without doubt the latest cooper s is the nicest place to be and car to drive IMHO.
As for jeremy clarksons opinion, sunday indo, etc.. while these are opinions and we are all entitled to our own and all that lark... they come from credible sources. Guys who have driven anything and everything and are paid to get their 'expert' opinion. I do place some faith in reviews i read from credible sources. More often than not the guys performing the review are better qualified than i am.

as for ride quality of course the ride quality will be better, i mean i hope suspension technology has moved along in the previous 50 years

why does this bother you ?

no ****ing way is the handling, rawness and sheer thrill of driving the old one with a tuned engine, near the refined bore of the bmw version. lets see how many new minis are around in 50 years, doubt they will have a production run of 43 years either.

Again IMHO the new car is a nicer car to drive and place to be for me. Aint that progress for ya. Never said the original was in any way rubbish.


sure jeremy clarkson is bible, but incidentally ive video where he says different, it aint on youtube so i cant link it, but its in his top 100 DVD where the mini comes 8th , the bmw version didnt feature at all , apart from being made a fool of by the real mini
[/QUOTE]
I doubt that .... still im open to being told different Il go rent the dvd.
Incidentally did you see the you tube video where tiff needel puts the old mini against the new old one (pre 2007 model mini). Quite funny, the new mini was quicker off the mark and then as the old mini was catching up the engine went on fire!

Eoin

I would hope that a car that is nearly 50 years newer and not a budget car is more refined than the original.

kona

agent_smith wrote: »

So its bull**** because it does not concur with your opinion? Ive driven the older (pre bmw mini), had a go of the 2004 cooper s, and the 2007 cooper s. Without doubt the latest cooper s is the nicest place to be and car to drive IMHO.
As for jeremy clarksons opinion, sunday indo, etc.. while these are opinions and we are all entitled to our own and all that lark... they come from credible sources. Guys who have driven anything and everything and are paid to get their 'expert' opinion. I do place some faith in reviews i read from credible sources. More often than not the guys performing the review are better qualified than i am.

sorry, but your original post, you never said you drove either, it came across like you were talking out your arse.:)
if you have indeed driven both then your entitled to your opinion as its based on fact, not because i dont agree.
but ive a strong feeling the old one you drove was a 850 or a 998, a tuned 1275 or a 1380 is where the fun is:D

agent_smith wrote: »

why does this bother you ?.

what bother me?? the fact that i hope suspension has moved on in 50 years??
it would really bother me if it hadnt, especially if the car was overpriced like the BINI.

agent_smith wrote: »

Again IMHO the new car is a nicer car to drive and place to be for me. Aint that progress for ya. Never said the original was in any way rubbish. .

id ****ing hope so,power this and seats that massage your hole?? my mini doesnt have this and doesnt need it, thats the fun of it, its RAW. the BINI id drive a-b, the old mini id go A-B, then cdefghij, because its fun and makes me smile.

agent_smith wrote: »

I doubt that .... still im open to being told different Il go rent the dvd.

do its the one with his top 100 and worst 10, quite a old one tower records have it for a tenner

agent_smith wrote: »

Incidentally did you see the you tube video where tiff needel puts the old mini against the new old one (pre 2007 model mini). Quite funny, the new mini was quicker off the mark and then as the old mini was catching up the engine went on fire!

eh no i didnt see a fire, all i saw was a new modern works car getting embarrased by a 50 year old cooper S.
then i was TOLD the classic mini dropped a valve, plausible, but on a race car unlikely.
The end was bollix, a 1380 mini can lap mondello 1 sec slower that a race spec scooby:D

agent_smith

eh no i didnt see a fire, all i saw was a new modern works car getting embarrased by a 50 year old cooper S.
then i was TOLD the classic mini dropped a valve, plausible, but on a race car unlikely.

where there is smoke there is ....

like i said earlier. I think the mini is a cracking car. handles amazing and goes to show that lighter cars can be more fun to drive than big heavy ones.

kona

agent_smith wrote: »

where there is smoke there is ....

like i said earlier. I think the mini is a cracking car. handles amazing and goes to show that lighter cars can be more fun to drive than big heavy ones.

i doubt very much that was real smoke, as i dont think gathering around the minis engine bay in that situation is smart, also that mini is race spec so has battery cut off, fuel cut off, and a fire extiguisher plumbed into the engine bay;)

and yes big cars are ****:D

TheDriver

Was thinking of a new Cooper Diesel hopefully next Jan with just bigger alloys, met paint and those gorgeous stripes on the bonnet. And can't forget the spare wheel for 70 quid more!
How much is servicing, say compared to 100 euro for a focus etc and has anyone had any real problems with them?
Must say, the second hand values seem scandalous altogether! Wonder how people will feel in July when price comes down 3k and their second value will be wayyyyyyyyy overpriced

bazz26

TheDriver wrote: »

Was thinking of a new Cooper Diesel hopefully next Jan with just bigger alloys, met paint and those gorgeous stripes on the bonnet. And can't forget the spare wheel for 70 quid more!
How much is servicing, say compared to 100 euro for a focus etc and has anyone had any real problems with them?
Must say, the second hand values seem scandalous altogether! Wonder how people will feel in July when price comes down 3k and their second value will be wayyyyyyyyy overpriced

BMW offer a TLC service pack on the MINI too, I think it is for 3 or 5 years at a fixed price, something like €500 afaik which isn't bad.

BTW anyone else think the new MINI Clubman is hideous looking?

MAKE MY DAY

TLC pack is five years at €250

Mr. Presentable

blackbox wrote: »

How much room is there for passengers in the back?

Sod all

TheDriver

I'm getting more and more hooked and thinking of one but question, why is no onebuying the cooper D? It seems mad powerful, very economical, you get ASC+T as standard? Am I missing something?

fletch

TheDriver wrote: »

It seems mad powerful,

110bhp??

With CO2 emissions of just 104g/km, I'd say it's about to become a lot more popular

kona

TheDriver wrote: »

I'm getting more and more hooked and thinking of one but question, why is no onebuying the cooper D? It seems mad powerful, very economical, you get ASC+T as standard? Am I missing something?

because its a diesel and sounds ****E!:D:D

TheDriver

I read reviews that you would be hard pushed to notice its a diesel and the reviewers are surprised more people aren't buying them? And the torque seems very high compared with power hence my comment on powerful. Also noticed that even though its 1200 dearer, once you add extras the price evens out due to less vrt on extras compared to petrol equivalent. Just thought it was somethng that people possibly overlook. I do higher than average mileage (about 30000 km a year) hence wanted something that would do great mpg and wouldn't suffer with higher miles i.e. diesel

kona

TheDriver wrote: »

I read reviews that you would be hard pushed to notice its a diesel and the reviewers are surprised more people aren't buying them? And the torque seems very high compared with power hence my comment on powerful. Also noticed that even though its 1200 dearer, once you add extras the price evens out due to less vrt on extras compared to petrol equivalent. Just thought it was somethng that people possibly overlook. I do higher than average mileage (about 30000 km a year) hence wanted something that would do great mpg and wouldn't suffer with higher miles i.e. diesel

there was one behind me today and i knew it was a diesel from the noise, of course they are going to say its as good as a petrol, the thing sounds like a fecking transit:D:D

Bendihorse

TheDriver wrote: »

Must say, the second hand values seem scandalous altogether! Wonder how people will feel in July when price comes down 3k and their second value will be wayyyyyyyyy overpriced

This may be true in the case of the Diesel mini, but the VRT on the petrol mini cooper is not changing in July.

People need to wake up and smell the coffee, the importing from the UK lark is over, the country is full of cars now that cant be sold. People think they are getting a great deal by goin over there to buy but realise this, when you go to sell your car and the market is shot to **** due to oversupply your not saving, your losing out big time when it comes to resale value! Shooting yourself in the foot is the term i believe. A little bit of foresight and forward thinking is required here, something irish people in general are distinctly lacking in!

Cars in england are not as good of value anymore either, i imported last year before every single person in the country with two legs under them was jumping on the bandwagon.

Fact: The same spec car i bought over there last year, is currently selling for the same price i paid in April 2007.

Eoin

Bendihorse wrote:

People think they are getting a great deal by goin over there to buy but realise this, when you go to sell your car and the market is shot to **** due to oversupply your not saving, your losing out big time when it comes to resale value! Shooting yourself in the foot is the term i believe. A little bit of foresight and forward thinking is required here, something irish people in general are distinctly lacking in!

I don't follow you. Do you agree that you are likely to save cash by going to the UK, and that car will most likely be better equipped? If so, then when it does come to selling, you can afford to undercut more expensive and probably less equipped Irish models.

Bendihorse

You may well undercut the irish models Eoin, but with the way things are going, there will also be a huge selection of ex uk cars of the same spec you speak of competing for a small corner of the market, therefore, prices will go to the floor on those too.

Ireland is a very small country with a very small market, it doesn't take long for it to get flooded and therefore distroyed for ALL of the users.

I think the government need to step in to stop or stem this practice. The change in VRT in june are only going to serve to make the situation worse. The only REAL way to fix this is issue is to abolish VRT altogether to stop the 'faraway fields' sentiment, or else find a country willing to accept exports of irish cars so as to prevent the market from getting flooded due to oversupply (not likely as too costly and notoriously bad roads).

In an oversupplied market, no car english or irish, will be worth dam all.

Sorry, this debate may be for another thread...

OT: I have a mini, theres loads of space in it, haven't had any issues with it apart from run of the mill wear and tear like break pads and bearings. Theres plenty of space in them too unless your going transporting the family! It should really only be treated as a two seater, with the capability of carrying extras should the need arise. Rear space is tight, but workable.

E92

The entire MINI range is decreasing in price in July, bar the Cooper and Cooper S cabrios(which are of course the old version anyway).

The One and the Cooper hatch are going to be in 16% VRT, so don't go counting chickens before they've hatched, cause the petrol engines will continue to be very popular as a rsult of them being only €50 dearer on road tax and 2% derar on VRT, which is only a few hunderd euro more, meaning that the petrol models will continue to be considerably cheaper than the Cooper D;)!

Eoin

Bendihorse wrote: »

You may well undercut the irish models Eoin, but with the way things are going, there will also be a huge selection of ex uk cars of the same spec you speak of competing for a small corner of the market, therefore, prices will go to the floor on those too.

But your alternative is to pay more for an Irish car, and be undercut by others with a cheaper and better car than yours?

Bendihorse

E92 wrote: »

The entire MINI range is decreasing in price in July, bar the Cooper and Cooper S cabrios(which are of course the old version anyway).

The One and the Cooper hatch are going to be in 16% VRT, so don't go counting chickens before they've hatched, cause the petrol engines will continue to be very popular as a rsult of them being only €50 dearer on road tax and 2% derar on VRT, which is only a few hunderd euro more, meaning that the petrol models will continue to be considerably cheaper than the Cooper D;)!

By the whole range you mean new cars bought in 08 though, right?

The older type cooper s (pre new type model in 2007) will be increasing, the cooper and one (pre new type model in 2007) will not be changing tax band as far as i know. (im saying this as he has mentioned importing a 04 from the UK, so the new figures and rates wont apply to his import) In essence, he will pay the same VRT rate for a 04 cooper now, as he will after July.

biggus

The latest Mini Diesel is a revelation compared to the old (up to 07) test drive one of the new ones. The old Diesel was an afterthought whereas the current was part of redesign from outset.

Bendihorse

eoin_s wrote: »

But your alternative is to pay more for an Irish car, and be undercut by others with a cheaper and better car than yours?

My point is that there wont be a market soon.

Anyway, anyone selling an irish car currently has, or will have to drop to the same or lower rates than are available in UK. I dont think anyone thats selling at the moment is going to shift a car thats priced at a higher level as an equivalent version available for import from the UK.

Eoin

Bendihorse wrote: »

My point is that there wont be a market soon.

Anyway, anyone selling an irish car currently has, or will have to drop to the same or lower rates than are available in UK. I dont think anyone thats selling at the moment is going to shift a car thats priced at a higher level as an equivalent version available for import from the UK.

I've been doing a lot of research into importing a 2000 or later 5 series sport.

I have seen very few decent examples for under 11.5K. I could fly over tomorrow and easily get a nice one on Irish plates for 10K.

I don't get what circumstances would make getting the Irish version a better deal?

Bendihorse

eoin_s wrote: »

I don't get what circumstances would make getting the Irish version a better deal?

Its not going to be a better deal in the short term, i did say it would take some forward thinking to grasp the concept.

If 50 more joes follow you over to england tomorrow and buy the same car as you are getting, then the resale value of your car will be shot to **** by the time you get it home as there will be loads of them available for sale in this country. Its simple supply and demand economics.
As per usual its the government who are winning here. They collect their vrt eitherway and its the irish punter that paid over the odds in the first place due to high vrt that gets shafted.

If you presented yourself with cash in hand to an irish person selling the same car as you can have home from UK for 10grand, then i think they would be hard pressed or foolish not to accept your offer of the same, given the facts presented.

Im selling my car at the moment, but im asking the current market value of the car in the UK + VRT at the moment, rather than basing my asking price on what other people are looking for similar versions of the same here. They are talking crazy money.
I agree they have their heads in the clouds, but the simple fact is they will have to face reality and take less for their car when they fail to sell it.

The market is flooded as it is, its neigh on impossible to sell a car at the moment and mine IS an import selling at lower than current market asking price, which means im going to have to drop even more to get it shifted (luckily im not in a panic to move it)

It only becomes a 'better deal' when your selling your car. Look at it this way, you buy the uk one and bring it home, now your competing with the 'Irish' one you decided not to buy (at the same price) when you go to sell it.
Multyply that by the amount of 5 series sports that are being imported by others at the moment, and also by the amount already in the country = Resale value fall out of bed. Supply and demand.

Your creating a stick to beat your own back with.

Eoin

Bendihorse wrote: »

If you presented yourself with cash in hand to an irish person selling the same car as you can have home from UK for 10grand, then i think they would be hard pressed or foolish not to accept your offer of the same, given the facts presented.

OK, so best case scenario and I might get that Irish car for the same price as one from the UK. How does that make any difference to me?

Bendihorse

eoin_s wrote: »

OK, so best case scenario and I might get that Irish car for the same price as one from the UK. How does that make any difference to me?

I dont mean to get personal as im not saying you are alone in this but yours is exactly the sort of small, single minded attitude that has this country facing possible recession. The old 'as long as im ok in the short term, **** everyone else'.

It will effect you in 3 years time when you go to sell it, due to a large no of people having the same collective attitude to living as you. Mark my words and please spare me a thought when your trying to give it away in 3 years time.

Perhaps its not fair to pull on an individual like yourself, that is buying a car for yourself that you intend to drive for the forseeable future, the people to blame are the ones that import numerous cars with the intention of selling them on and making a quick buck on them. Of course, the real culprits are the government who allow a system like this to exist AND be abused by some.

Eoin

Bendihorse wrote: »

I dont mean to get personal as im not saying you are alone in this but yours is exactly the sort of small, single minded attitude that has this country facing possible recession. The old 'as long as im ok in the short term, **** everyone else'.

It will effect you in 3 years time when you go to sell it, due to a large no of people having the same collective attitude to living as you. Mark my words and please spare me a thought when your trying to give it away in 3 years time.

I would have exactly the same problem with the Irish car.

Consumers in Ireland are being ripped off left, right and centre - mainly because not enough people shop around.

As it happens, I am buying an Irish car because I am trading in. If I was buying from the UK, rest assured that I would not feel one jot of guilt. Nor do I feel guilty for sourcing cheaper goods on ebay, amazon, play.com etc. That may be a "small, single minded attitude" to you, but to me it's common sense.

Bendihorse wrote: »

Perhaps its not fair to pull on an individual like yourself, that is buying a car for yourself that you intend to drive for the forseeable future, the people to blame are the ones that import numerous cars with the intention of selling them on and making a quick buck on them. Of course, the real culprits are the government who allow a system like this to exist AND be abused by some.

The government are somewhat to blame because of the VAT on cars that makes manufacturers remove features from cars to be somewhat competitive. Even if they didn't, UK cars would probably still be cheaper by nature of the sheer volume available.

killesterman

I bought a car in the uk because their is a better chance the car is genuine it has a main dealer history it was driven on better roads and the culture is to have more respect for your car unlike here.
Have done the hpi check which also checks insurance,police,user and mileage history
the choice of car in a bigger market allowed me to choose a model with colour and spec not available in Ireland
we can argue on price but this was not a major factor I am a car enthusiast so I know my cars
As for price there are some good deals sorry for those stuck in finance deals that tie them to the irish ripoff motor industry
we need to get real with asking prices people are not going to inquire because of the unrealistic advertised prices on car adds garages included

peasant

holy thread resurrection, batman