Why is there a year on a number plate?

TimeToShine · 14-03-2017 05:10PM

Wildcard7 wrote: »

I kind of like the system, as it's easy to remember. Well I remember the year and the county of my car number plate, the third part with the actual number is what I keep forgetting.

Why someone would care what county is on their number plate when they buy a used car is completely beyond me, but then again I don't understand half the thinking about cars in this country. I drive an 06 Toyota that was paid for in cash 3 years ago, and around me I see people who earn half as much as me with crippling credit card and debts that go and buy new cars for 30k and more. My question isn't "how?", but rather "why?".

jca wrote: »

Exactly, I'm happy with my 09 Octavia I bought in 14 which was paid for in 15 courtesy of a small credit union loan. I almost fell for the easy lure of the dreaded PCP deal but saw sense and held on to what I had.

I would presume that those who frequent a motor forum would have a penchant for the ould vehiculars and as a result are more inclined to spend money on them. If your thing is to get a Toyota which gets you from A to B and spend the rest of your money on pints/holidays/travel then great, doesn't mean that buying a slick car is stupid!

SBPhoto · 14-03-2017 05:26PM

Wildcard7 wrote: »

I kind of like the system, as it's easy to remember. Well I remember the year and the county of my car number plate, the third part with the actual number is what I keep forgetting.

Why someone would care what county is on their number plate when they buy a used car is completely beyond me, but then again I don't understand half the thinking about cars in this country. I drive an 06 Toyota that was paid for in cash 3 years ago, and around me I see people who earn half as much as me with crippling credit card and debts that go and buy new cars for 30k and more. My question isn't "how?", but rather "why?".

"Why" maybe because they like a new Car and treat themselves to one, how do you know they have crippling Credit Cards and debts. you are only guessing, sounds like jealousy or envy to me. I buy a year old car nearly every two years for less than my mate drinks and smoke per week. everyone to their own.

Guy:Incognito · 14-03-2017 07:35PM

RobAMerc wrote: »

motoring policy in Ireland is delegated to the SIMI by the government.
The year on plate was devised by them to sell cars because paddy measures his neighbours wealth by the number on their car.

Again, how does that tally with other countries that have no year yet similar levels of new car ownership? Maybe people just prefer new cars to old ones? I know if I'd a choice of a brand new version of any of the car sive bought 2nd hand I'd prefer it if I could afford it.

Wildcard7 · 14-03-2017 09:39PM

SBPhoto wrote: »

"Why" maybe because they like a new Car and treat themselves to one, how do you know they have crippling Credit Cards and debts. you are only guessing, sounds like jealousy or envy to me. I buy a year old car nearly every two years for less than my mate drinks and smoke per week. everyone to their own.

It's a bit ironic that you insinuate that I'm guessing, and then you go on all sorts of assumptions about me.

I don't envy anyone for what they have. I do shake my head though when someone goes and buys a brand new mid range car days AFTER TELLING ME ABOUT THEIR CREDIT CARD DEPTS AND HOW THAT'S KEEPING THEM FROM EVER GETTING A MORTGAGE FOR A HOUSE. And no, that person is not a petrolhead.

I have sank quite a bit of money in cars and motorbikes during my life. Not all of them were terribly smart decisions financially wise. My first car was an american car that cost me more in repairs in my year of ownership than it cost me to buy it. I've had an italian sports bike, I don't have to tell anyone what kind of love/hate relationship that was.

I have however never bought anything that I couldn't afford, and I will never pick up that bad habit either.

OldMrBrennan83 · 14-03-2017 09:53PM

This post has been deleted.

_Kaiser_ · 14-03-2017 11:39PM

We had a perfectly simple, logical, easy to read system...

.. then the idiots bowed to superstitious nonsense and lobbying interests and changed it to xx1/xx2

:rolleyes:

Mearings · 15-03-2017 12:02AM

The original system was fun, particularly using 3 letters. I remember a Morris Minor in Galway AIM 1, a Moto Guzzi in Athlone ALI 1 (tho' I don't think the owner was an Arab), EIE10 in Clare and IIRC the popemobile in '79 was VIP 1. DID 1 in Cavan?

Why is there a year on a number plate?

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