Please help disabled driver choose a car

vectra · 06-11-2009 11:46AM

Mental Mickey wrote: »

........guess what guys?? Volkswagen ain't doing the Golf in a 3door DSG version anymore!!!

Any other suggestions? It must be a 3 door car!

SEAT Leon

Mental Mickey · 06-11-2009 11:56AM

vectra wrote: »

SEAT Leon

Why the "wink"?

EPM · 06-11-2009 11:57AM

Mental Mickey wrote: »

Oh well. Won't be my problem once it's off my hands.

That could be a problem...

Whats your exact budget because I'm confused from reading the choices.

Could you try a dealer and see if they will order a 3 door DSG in for you?

vectra · 06-11-2009 12:03PM

Mental Mickey wrote: »

Why the "wink"?

Why not
dont be so sceptical

EPM · 06-11-2009 12:10PM

lol

Look very closely at this photo...notice anything...

///penny drops

Mental Mickey · 06-11-2009 12:23PM

EPM wrote: »

lol

Look very closely at this photo...notice anything...

///penny drops

Is that the reflection of a Golf in that car?

Mental Mickey · 06-11-2009 12:24PM

EPM wrote: »

That could be a problem...

Whats your exact budget because I'm confused from reading the choices.

Could you try a dealer and see if they will order a 3 door DSG in for you?

They won't be doing the DSG in a 3 door anymore.

colm_mcm · 06-11-2009 12:35PM

The 3 door thing is because MM needs a large door opening for his chai rather than a personal preference

Mental Mickey · 06-11-2009 12:41PM

colm_mcm wrote: »

The 3 door thing is because MM needs a large door opening for his chair rather than a personal preference

Thanks......and FIXXED.

Mental Mickey · 11-11-2009 02:52PM

Anyone got any thoughts/experiences on the VW Sirocco Diesel Auto?? What are they like for interior size etc?

This car has been suggested to me by the salesman at the dealership that I am talking to.

Cheers.

Mental Mickey · 12-11-2009 01:50PM

Anyone had any experiences of purchasing cars up the North? This has been suggested as an alternative option by a friend?

colm_mcm · 12-11-2009 01:54PM

The Scirocco is a good bit lower than a Golf, I wouldn't say they'd be the easiest to get in or out of. Best way to find out is trying. I don't think it'll work though.

You'd have to be fairly clued in with your figures to buy a disability car in the North. It's not impossible by any means but it will be more difficult, you'd need to make a few trips, i.e picking car, paying deposit, agreeing a price on the trade in, getting fitted for the hand controls and collection. This isn't an issue when the dealer is down the road, but you're talking a trip to NI each time.
A good few manufacturers have reduced their prices so there may not be a big gap in the price. No harm in trying though.
Another consideration is the waiting time from when you order the car to when it arrives, changes in the exchange rate between £ and € will constantly change the cost of the car to you.

Mental Mickey · 12-11-2009 02:00PM

colm_mcm wrote: »

The Scirocco is a good bit lower than a Golf, I wouldn't say they'd be the easiest to get in or out of. Best way to find out is trying. I don't think it'll work though.

You'd have to be fairly clued in with your figures to buy a disability car in the North. It's not impossible by any means but it will be more difficult, you'd need to make a few trips, i.e picking car, paying deposit, agreeing a price on the trade in, getting fitted for the hand controls and collection. This isn't an issue when the dealer is down the road, but you're talking a trip to NI each time.
A good few manufacturers have reduced their prices so there may not be a big gap in the price. No harm in trying though.

This is the thing, I don't really HAVE a clue. I've never haggled(much) with someone over the price of a car. As I previously said, I have only changed my car once(to the Fiesta), and took the deal I was offered. I went to the garage purely because (a) I liked the Fiesta, (b) my aunt has dealt with them for years, and (c) they were close by.

I think I'm tying myself in knots over this!

EPM · 12-11-2009 02:01PM

Mental Mickey wrote: »

This is the thing, I don't really HAVE a clue. I've never haggled(much) with someone over the price of a car. As I previously said, I have only changed my car once(to the Fiesta), and took the deal I was offered. I went to the garage purely because (a) I liked the Fiesta, (b) my aunt has dealt with them for years, and (c) they were close by.

I think I'm tying myself in knots over this!

Personally if I was in your position I would try to buy locally

Mental Mickey · 12-11-2009 02:02PM

EPM wrote: »

Personally if I was in your position I would try to buy locally

Even though cars are cheaper up North???

R.O.R · 12-11-2009 02:03PM

Mental Mickey wrote: »

Even though cars are cheaper up North???

Don't you get a sizeable VRT rebate as well as a VAT rebate?

If you do, then I think cars are now cheaper here ex. VAT ex. VRT than they are up North.

Mental Mickey · 12-11-2009 02:06PM

R.O.R wrote: »

Don't you get a sizeable VRT rebate as well as a VAT rebate?

If you do, then I think cars are now cheaper here ex. VAT ex. VRT than they are up North.

Thought they were more expensive down here? And, afaik, the max VAT rebate is €9525....?

R.O.R · 12-11-2009 02:17PM

Mental Mickey wrote: »

Thought they were more expensive down here? And, afaik, the max VAT rebate is €9525....?

Because we have VRT the ex. VAT, ex. VRT prices have generally been lower here than most of Europe. Overall price is higher because of the VRT.

I don't know the ins and outs of what you can get off the cars, but I seem to remember Vectra saying you can reclaim some or all of the VRT (think it was Vectra, could have been someone else).

I've just scanned my guide of new cars for sale. There aren't a lot of options for 3dr Auto's that wouldn't either be very low, or pretty damn expensive.

Here are some suggestions (prices are ex. works):

Audi A3 3dr 1.6Tdi Multitronic - €28,700
Merc A160 Cdi A/T 3dr - €27,190
Mitsubishi Colt 1.3Invite Auto 3dr - €14,555 (about same size as Micra though)
Opel Astra Sporthatch 1.6 Easytronic - €24,700 (may be a bit low / not easy to get your chair in)
Volvo C30 2.0D S Powershift - €31,130

Audi would be my recommendation if you want to upsize from the Micra.

Mental Mickey · 12-11-2009 02:18PM

R.O.R wrote: »

Because we have VRT the ex. VAT, ex. VRT prices have generally been lower here than most of Europe. Overall price is higher because of the VRT.

I don't know the ins and outs of what you can get off the cars, but I seem to remember Vectra saying you can reclaim some or all of the VRT (think it was Vectra, could have been someone else).

I've just scanned my guide of new cars for sale. There aren't a lot of options for 3dr Auto's that wouldn't either be very low, or pretty damn expensive.

Here are some suggestions (prices are ex. works):

Audi A3 3dr 1.6Tdi Multitronic - €25,900
Merc A160 Cdi A/T 3dr - €27,190
Mitsubishi Colt 1.3Invite Auto 3dr - €14,555 (about same size as Micra though)
Opel Astra Sporthatch 1.6 Easytronic - €24,700 (may be a bit low / not easy to get your chair in)
Volvo C30 2.0D S Powershift - €31,130

Audi would be my recommendation if you want to upsize from the Micra.

I upsized from the Micra to the Fiesta. Now I'm looking to change the Fiesta.

colm_mcm · 12-11-2009 02:37PM

Re: whether cars are cheaper up North, some are, that's why in some cases you can bring a car from NI, VRT and VAT it and still save money.
I don't think there is much difference now, the downturn in sales has encouraged lower prices from distributors, bonuses for dealers for sales and general lowering of some manufacturers (mainly Germans) pricelists.

MM, If I were you I'd buy locally. I don't want to generalise or seem patronising, but any disability cars I've sold were to people who value the backup and suport a local dealer offers with regards to drop off/collection of the car for servicing, maintanance of conversions, warranty work etc.
Have you considered the new model Fiesta at all?

Mental Mickey · 12-11-2009 02:40PM

colm_mcm wrote: »

Re: whether cars are cheaper up North, some are, that's why in some cases you can bring a car from NI, VRT and VAT it and still save money.
I don't think there is much difference now, the downturn in sales has encouraged lower prices from distributors, bonuses for dealers for sales and general lowering of some manufacturers (mainly Germans) pricelists.

MM, If I were you I'd buy locally. I don't want to generalise or seem patronising, but any disability cars I've sold were to people who value the backup and suport a local dealer offers with regards to drop off/collection of the car for servicing, maintanance of conversions, warranty work etc.
Have you considered the new model Fiesta at all?

I've seen it. Not mad about it tbh. You aren't being patronising - they're some very good points. This is why I went to a dealer on the Northside to get my last Fiesta. It was close by. Also, if I had needed it, their repair shop was on the southside - in Chapelizod.

EPM · 12-11-2009 02:45PM

Mental Mickey wrote: »

Even though cars are cheaper up North???

Yes, because pre-tax prices in this country are low and multiple trips will also ad to your costs. Plus any problems it will always be better to have local support

Mental Mickey · 12-11-2009 02:46PM

EPM wrote: »

Yes, because pre-tax prices in this country are low and multiple trips will also ad to your costs

True.

Are there any websites where I can view the 2010 prices & VRT/VAT for various ranges?/

R.O.R · 12-11-2009 02:51PM

Mental Mickey wrote: »

True.

Are there any websites where I can view the 2010 prices & VRT/VAT for various ranges?/

Simple answer is no. A lot of the 2010 prices are not listed on carzone or mtp.ie yet.

You'll need to work out the VAT and VRT elements yourself from the VRT band and the Retail price.

Mental Mickey · 12-11-2009 02:56PM

I'll hang on till Jan then

R.O.R · 12-11-2009 03:03PM

Mental Mickey wrote: »

I'll hang on till Jan then

The dealers will have the prices, or if there is anything that you are especially interested in, post here and someone will have the figures.

Mental Mickey · 12-11-2009 03:20PM

How about prices on the following:

1. VW Golf GTD DSG 170bhp 3 door diesel or petrol.

2. VW Golf GTI DSG 210bhp 3 door diesel or petrol.

I've gotten quotes from a dealer in Dublin for both of these cars:

1. €35,315

2. €37,290

Kinda pricey imo???

R.O.R · 12-11-2009 03:33PM

Mental Mickey wrote: »

How about prices on the following:

1. VW Golf GTD DSG 170bhp 3 door diesel and/or petrol.

2. VW Golf GTI DSG 210bhp 3 door diesel and/or petrol.

I've gotten quotes from a dealer in Dublin for both of these cars:

1. €35,315

2. €37,290

Kinda pricey imo???

ex. works pricing on these is:

Golf 2.0Tdi 170 GTD DSG 3dr - €34,615
Golf 2.0TFsi 210 GTI DSG 3dr - €36,590

€700 for delivery is pretty reasonable, but those prices are pre-discount. I'd be aiming for €33,500 for the GTD DSG, then any extra's on top.

VRT element of the GTD should come to around €5,308. VAT is around €6,300.

Mental Mickey · 12-11-2009 03:35PM

R.O.R wrote: »

ex. works pricing on these is:

Golf 2.0Tdi 170 GTD DSG 3dr - €34,615
Golf 2.0TFsi 210 GTI DSG 3dr - €36,590

€700 for delivery is pretty reasonable, but those prices are pre-discount. I'd be aiming for €33,500 for the GTD DSG, then any extra's on top.

VRT element of the GTD should come to around €5,308. VAT is around €6,300.

Discount??

Mental Mickey · 25-11-2009 09:25PM

Right lads & lassies.

I need some serious help with this issue. The VW Golf is out of the question. Too f**kin pricey.

Also, I need a car that is functional for me, rather than one that's sporty/flashy.

Any thoughts on the VW Polo? Does that car come in automatic transmission and 3 door hatchback? The Irish version doesn't seem to be very user friendly??? Also, do any of you have any thoughts/opinions on the Opel Astra Sports Hatch?? Does that car come in automatic transmission? The Opel website doesn't seem to be user friendly either!!??

Please help disabled driver choose a car

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