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Inishowen car prices
slashed by 20%
25.11.08
Driving a great bargain
MOTORISTS in Inishowen who want to change their car
can now pick up great bargains locally. Prices on
used cars have been slashed by up to 20%, according
to long-standing car dealers Joseph Doherty Ltd and
Inishowen Motors Ltd.
While they admit times are tough for the local car
trade there hasn't been a better time to buy.
"It's like the housing market. Every car dealer in
Inishowen has reduced their prices to try and move
stock going into the new year," said Michael Doherty
of Joseph Doherty Ltd.
"We've cut our used car prices by between 15% and
20% mainly for two reasons - one is to sell pre-2008
cars that don't qualify for the lower motor tax
based on emissions, and the other is to compete with
the Sterling differential,” he adds. Inishowen
Motors Ltd., director Sean McLaughlin, echoes these
comments.
"All the local dealers have brought their prices
down by up to 20% in the last three to four months,
so this idea that the North is so much cheaper to
get a car, doesn’t stand up anymore. Inishowen
dealers are very competitive these days," he said.
The Inishowen Motors' forecourt has, for example, a
2004 Ford Focus and a 2004 Renault Megane, diesel,
on sale at a reduced €8,000 - down from €10,000 in
both cases. Both had only one owner and have low
mileage, he says. Mr McLaughlin also says he is
experiencing no problems getting car finance for
people with good credit ratings. |
Meanwhile, Michael
Doherty, who employs four in Moville, says local
drivers should consider a number of things before
parting with their hard-earned cash.
"When you buy a car from a local dealer, it carries
a warranty and you are guaranteed that the mileage
is correct. If you buy a car from a private
individual in the North, you have no recourse. If
you buy a car locally, you're also helping to keep
someone in a job." But things are not all doom and
gloom and he's looking forward to better trading
conditions in 2009 and even better conditions in
2010. |
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This is when
2008-registered cars, which qualify for lower motor
tax rates based on reduced CO2 emissions, will come
onto the second hand market at competitive used car
prices. From next January too, anyone importing a
car from the North will be legally obliged to put it
through an NCT test. |
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