Everybody! Everybody!

[Uncle B]

Hey, taking the plunge and buying soon. 95 GPX is what I'm thinking of.

I'm 21 with 3 years named driving experience and getting a quote of €1100 from quinn which im happy with. I'll probably import from the UK as they're cheaper, usually better looked after and lower mileage.

Any reasons why I shouldn't do it? Be honest!

[Bernard]

Welcome along Uncle.

I brought mine in from the UK, there's some good ones available.
If you're going down that route be sure and do it before the tax changes in July or you'll get stung with €2000 a year...

[Muad_dib77]

Welcome to the site Uncle B - did you have a look at the buying guide on the main site?

http://www.fto-ireland.com

[Wildhound]

you'll get stung with €2000 a year...

You sure about that Bernard? My understanding was the changes only applied to VRT for older cars, not road tax.

[Uncle B]

Hi all, thanks for the tips and the welcome.

I'm well clued in on the whole new system, I'll get hit with the highest VRT band (36% of ~€2339 instead of 30%) but tax won't be effected. I do hope to import before July anyway so its not an issue really! (If I can find a good one that is, spent ages looking for a nice MR2 Mk1 but gave up as they've all fallen victim to rust)

The guide looks very conclusive thanks for that.

Hope ill have some nice pics to post soon!

[optical illusion]

Welcome to the site! Best of luck with the hunt!

[Mickthepieman]

Welcome along and good luck with your car when you get it.

a black one of course

You must be the man from Uncle

[Uncle B]

Off to spend a while on autotrader now

Just to be sure, I should look out for these:

-Front and rear suspension droplinks replaced
-Cambelt replaced
-Brake pads replaced would be a bonus
-Would noisy tappets be a problem when they can be adjusted?

Thanks for the help!

[elaine]

Hello and Welcome

[Mickthepieman]

You could have a look on http://www.carzone.ie/

[Wildhound]

Or better yet, since you were considering importing.

[Uncle B]

I can get a lower mileage model for cheaper in the UK though, most of the ones on carzone seem to be semi-auto.

This tickles my fancy...Scratch that it's a GR, I hate false advertising

[miss-enzo]

HOWDY!!

Best of luck wit the hunt!!! the one thing about english cars is surface rust cause of the salted roads!!

its usually not too bad but its something to look out for!!!

[Uncle B]

Have got an engineer to have a look at one this week, they're very thorough but quite pricey. Worth it in the end as you know you have a quality specimen.

*Prays for favourable report*

[optical illusion]

Tappets can only be adjusted on the GPX/GPvR.

Otherwise pricey to replace.

[Bernard]

you'll get stung with €2000 a year...

You sure about that Bernard? My understanding was the changes only applied to VRT for older cars, not road tax.

The way I understand it is after you get hit with the higher VRT you're put on the 'new' tax system.
Since the FTO doesn't have a CO2 compliance cert. you'd be on the highest bracket~ €2000.

I'd love to be wrong though.

[Muad_dib77]

I wonder if it would make a difference if you were to convert it to Bioethanol before VRTing it.

[Uncle B]

I'd love to be wrong though.

I'm delighted to inform you that you're wrong!

There has been speculation about cars having no official compliance cert. would be charged the max rate, but as far as official documentation goes, any pre 08 import will be taxed on the old cc system.

VRT will be charged on CO2 from July on all cars.

I wonder if it would make a difference if you were to convert it to Bioethanol before VRTing it.

You may get a concession if you can somehow officially prove your CO2 values, but I doubt it would be worth it. VRT at 36% would be under €750 the minimum VRT you can pay is ~€375 (not exact figure but close enough) so its a €375 saving, but you have to pay for the conversion etc. Any idea how much Bioethanol is atm? I don't think we have any Maxols in Galway anyway...

EDIT: How do I quote properly?

EDIT by admin *** Fixed your quotes, you needed " around the usernames. ***

[optical illusion]

Highlight the text and then press the quote tab.

[d_dan]

just make suere you get reciepts when your buying over there.

one of the lads here bought one during hte week and when they got off hte ferry the timing slipped

[gabico]

welcome to the site..
Make sure you check the cars for sale here too..
I believe gt94 is selling his gpx at a very good price.

[Uncle B]

Ya, I saw that alright, hes looking for 4700 which is an amazing price for what it is. I'd still have to tax and insure it after though so Id be looking at €6k plus all in.

If I get one from the UK it'd be around €4.8k with lower mileage alas without the sexy mods etc.

I couldn't be bold enough to ask him to let it go for lower because its well worth the money, If I had a few more quid floating around I'd take it no bother. Still I may take out a loan, he's had a lot replaced in it so will save me in maintenance in the long run.

Im getting one inspected tomorrow, if it turns out to be a flop I'll have to seriously consider it. Exactly how bulletproof are these engines? 200k miles proof?

[Mickthepieman]

Everyone I talk to seems to think they are pretty much bulletproof as long as you change the oil and filters regularly.

Maintenance is the key thing, change it before it brakes

Plus Always have a Big Pie in the glove box

[Wildhound]

Mine suicided at about 100,000. But that was purely because the thermostat went and it overheated. In general, if they're well maintained they're pretty tough.

[Uncle B]

Hmm I wonder if a big pie is included in the price?