Advice for NI purchase needed

wildGoose2017

Hello,
I've been looking for a cheap sub-5000 euro car that is cheap to tax, insure and operate. I probably drive about 25,000 km per year, visiting family, work, camping etc. I spent the first month looking in my county (Westmeath) both online and visiting local dealers but the prices just seemed inflated to me.

I have since started looking north of the border hoping to find a better deal. I've read the UK import threads and they are great as I'm pretty much sure I could expedite it seamlessly (TransferMate etc) however, before I push the button, I was hoping you guys could scatter your pearls of wisdom so to speak.

I've chosen two cars:

Peugeot 107 Access 1.0 3dr (2013) 4,000 pounds, VRT 753 euros

Honda Civic 1.3 IMA Hybrid ES Saloon 4dr (2007) 4,695 pounds, VRT 582 euros

What do you think, am I looking in the right place or not?
Any advice would be much appreciated.

colm_mcm

You're doing a fair bit of mileage. The 107 is a city car and should be ruled out. There's a lot of middle ground between that and a civic hybrid.

wildGoose2017

Good to know, thanks buddy

corks finest

As i drive a Honda hybrid,I'm biased,but my honda insight hybrid,CVT gearbox,is very eco, dependable,so I'd personally go for the hybrid,i do ferocious miles,never once has the Honda faulted,look up the Honda civic reviews,on honest John car review,or any other reviewer,get some good advice,also lots of car forums online,good UK one,HONDA KARMA

wildGoose2017

Ahh.
Now this may be confirmation bias but I've been leaning towards the hybrid, the Peugeot is lovely and cheap, but I suspect the hybrid may be the way to go.

Thanks for the heads up about Honday Karma buddy, I'll head straight over

Dazack

Just out of interest where are you looking up north? I recently discovered http://www.usedcarsni.com/ and all it's glory, is there another?

In an identical boat to OP, however being inefficient and looking at bigger engines.

colm_mcm

Auto trader is good too. Has a filter for NI cars

Cee-Jay-Cee

I'd say you'll find a similar age civic hybrid within your budget down south. It'll most likely also have 2 yrs test and maybe even tax which you have t factor into your NI car. They're pretty common in Ireland so should be plenty within your price range.

Dazack

Perhaps a wife's tale but do cars not tend to be better from NI or UK, due to better roads, normally higher spec too? Though at the end of the day it's down to the car in question.

damon5

Dazack wrote: »

Perhaps a wife's tale but do cars not tend to be better from NI or UK, due to better roads, normally higher spec too? Though at the end of the day it's down to the car in question.

Might have better roads but on the negative side you have the extra corrosion from the grit and high salt deployed in the winter.

boardsuser1

damon5 wrote: »

Might have better roads but on the negative side you have the extra corrosion from the grit and high salt deployed in the winter.

This is what salt on English imports does.

The only negative though.

All else is positive.

wildGoose2017

I've been using autotrader.co.uk and usedcarsNi.com, cross referencing the prices down south using Donedeal and adverts.ie (and xe.com for exchange rates).

I've been trying to stay focused on sub 1.0 engines for tax and insurance, but calculating the numbers can slow you way down.

Thanks for all the heads up fellas, lots to digest.

Incidentally, the yearly road tax for a 1.3 honda civic hybrid is 358 euros, higher than expected.

colm_mcm

Civic hybrid should be €385 on the cc based system as it's 1339cc
08 and newer should be €190 on the Co2 system though.

Life's too short to be driving a 1.0 misery box.

wildGoose2017

LOL "1.0 misery box"

Unfortunately the hybrid I was looking at is gone, so back to the drawing board...

Dazack

A friend was saying recently that VRT can come in alot cheaper if you do it over the phone....that however does involve calling revenue which is tiresome in itself.

I've realised recently going up the years and engine size makes little difference to insurance costs. Atm I'm driving an 04 1litre however an 08 2L is less than €200 insurance differnece, €100 more road tax, 150% the fuel efficiency and nicer, more powerful etc etc

bazz26

Dazack wrote: »

A friend was saying recently that VRT can come in alot cheaper if you do it over the phone....that however does involve calling revenue which is tiresome in itself.

I've realised recently going up the years and engine size makes little difference to insurance costs. Atm I'm driving an 04 1litre however an 08 2L is less than €200 insurance differnece, €100 more road tax, 150% the fuel efficiency and nicer, more powerful etc etc

Cannot see how that would work when you have to present the car for VRT inspection at the NCT centre before you get a definitive figure from them.

colm_mcm

Vrt is based on predetermined OMSPs and depreciation formulas.