Family car

Tootle

I know this has been done to death but I am looking for up-dated info esp since the new motor tax and VRT since budget.
So we need a family car (big boot and two kiddies seats and small dog). Budjet is €10,000.
We've been looking at diesel engines between 1.8L and 2.1L the ones we like or would like are;
Volkswagen Passat
Volvo V50
Toyota Avensis (preferably the estate)
Ford Mondeo
Questions are;

• Do we go for a 2008 model all of which seem to be high milage (over 100,000 miles) or get a 2007 lower milage a bit cheaper and use the savings to pay difference in motor tax?
• Do we go to the UK where you could get an 2008 model in better condition and with lower milage for much the same price (inc VRT) as the 2008s here?
• How much VRT are we looking at with UK imports (roughly)?
• Are the best cars on-line or are we better going direct to garages and looking around?
• Any other tips/suggestion?

colm_mcm

Well you can calculate vrt here anyway.

https://www.ros.ie/evrt-enquiry/vrtenquiry.html?execution=e1s1

The rest you'll have to sit down and calculate.

08 isn't that new anymore, so I'd be inclined to say go post 08

Tootle

colm_mcm wrote: »

Well you can calculate vrt here anyway.

https://www.ros.ie/evrt-enquiry/vrtenquiry.html?execution=e1s1

The rest you'll have to sit down and calculate.

08 isn't that new anymore, so I'd be inclined to say go post 08

Thanks for the VRT calculator link that's what I was looking for with that.

I was hoping for a few opinions. Obviously a 2008 is 5 years old but that is all our budget will stretch to with a car that size. So what I'm looking for is help with best value for money options. I've done so much research on it at this stage that I'm now totally at a loss for what to do hence why I'm looking for other people's opinions.

Atlantic Dawn

Before you commit to diesel make sure your driving suits it, if your just doing short local trips a petrol engine is more suited.

lway

Posting as I'm pretty much in the same situation, same budget same family size but I'm definitely going diesel as I do 20k+ miles per year.

Currently looking at Honda Accord, Mazda 6 and possibly Lexus IS220d, you might have a look at these models too, i'm open to any advice on what to look for/avoid . The 10k price means looking at a 2007 or maybe a few 2008 models depending on spec (I need my Cruise Control and comforts for Motorway Miles I do).

Just throwing out a few other options for you to look at.

Tootle

Thanks. Definitely going for Diesel as we travel quite a bit at weekends. Iway I hadn't thought of the other models, so thanks, tho now I'm even more confused .
I'd be interested to hear if people think its worth going to UK to get a better standard of car.

colm_mcm

I reckon the mondeo will be the easiest.

lway

Tootle wrote: »

I'd be interested to hear if people think its worth going to UK to get a better standard of car.

Generally I think it is. My current car was imported by the previous owner and is a spec you couldn't get in this country. I know of someone who imported their car, sounded like a lot of work to me between ringing the garage in the UK and organising a local mechanic to check out the car and organising the trip over and currency conversion, but if you get everything in order you will be fine.

The 2007/2008 age cars you are looking at would be during the boom so i'd say there are high spec cars knocking around.

I had a look at a 2007 Honda Accord today and the yearly car tax is 925 :eek:.