CARS AND ESTATE CARS-FUTURE ASSURED WITH SMALL DIESELS
Cars and Estate cars.
There is a huge choice of cars and estate cars on the Irish market. The cheapest is the Fiat Seicento, costing E8995 but it is very small. The dearest is the Mercedes S 600L.This mighty Merc has a list price of E200,200,strictly in lotto millionaire territory. Vets will be buying cars with a more modest price tag.
With carvans now creeping nearer to E20,000,(and more in some cases),some vets are checking the price list of cars and estates. And they are discovering that there is value to be had. The Skoda Octavia TDi is listed at E19,895.The new Peugeot 206 estate 1.4 HDi and Citroen Xsara 1.4 HDi can also be purchased for under E20,000.While these will cost more to run (for tax reasons) they do represent a reasonable compromise for the vet who needs a practice car and occasionally to transport passengers. Suitable for any type of practice, the estate is better than a hatch if one is taking in and out the drugs very often. In many instances estates are more aesthetic than their saloon parents, and a reasonable alternative to a 4X4 for the horsey set.
It is not possible to print all the car prices on this web site, so here are a sample what is on offer.

Sample Prices.

Audi A6 1.9 TDi 130 BHP E44,600
Citroen Berlingo Multispace 1.4 p E16,250
Ford Focus 1.4 p E18,315
Ford Focus 1.8 TDI 100bhp E23,010
Honda Jazz €16,665
Jaguar X Type 2 litreV6 E39,995
Land Rover Freelander 1.8 E30,445
Mazda6 1.8 p E24,640
Mercedes E220CDi E56,220
Nissan X-Trail E36,746
Opel Astra 1.7 DT Estate E22,890
Peugeot 406 1.8p E23,455
Porsche Cayenne Turbo E162,070
Renault Megane 1.5 dCI E21,450
Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon E35,400
Seat Leon 1.9Sdi E20,595
Skoda Superb 1.8T E29,500
Subaru Forester E30,995
Suzuki Grand Vitara 5 door TDi E32,110
Toyota RAV 4 p E26,235
VW Golf 5 door TDi 100bhp E24,865
VW Bora 1.4 p E20,720
Volvo XC90 D5 E62,000.

Typical costs:

VRT Between 22.5% and 30% depending on engine size, VAT is 21% (but not reclaimable), road tax depends on size, depreciation and fuel consumption will vary with make and model.

Pros: Comfort, visibility, style, image (by comparison with a van) ,some have reasonable depreciation.

Cons: Taxation, taxation, taxation. (by comparison with a commercial).
Boot space in the cars.

Verdict: The new generation of smaller diesel engines will attract more vets to cars and particularly estates. Provided the price is reasonable like the Skoda Octavia and Citroen Xsara.


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