There are many advantages for importing a used car to Ireland.
 1. Cost – Used cars (e.g. UK, N. Ireland) cost a lot less even after paying the import duties, taxes, shipping, etc.
2. Extras – Beside the price, most cars imported seems to have a higher specification, due to VRT cost for the extra add-ons (e.g. trim, leather, air conditioning, etc.)

Importing a used car in Ireland is not that difficult, but you do need to do your homework and pay attention,, as mistakes can be made and could be irreversible. For example if you are going to import from UK or N. Ireland, best is to travel and check the car out yourself or have a mechanic with you. If you are going to import from Japan, traveling is not really an option, due to cost involved and language barrier, but if you have friends that imported from Japan before, ask them where they found it and how did they proceed.

When you bring the car from another country to Ireland, you must have at hand proof of ownership (vehicle registration documents, receipt for payment made, Certificate of Permanent Export, etc).

On arrival in Ireland, you need to pay the import duties and taxes as listed below:
1. Import Duty – 10% of the price you have paid for the car (if imported from non EU country).
2. VAT  – The VAT rate is 21%  and applies to the value of the car + Import Duty (if imported from non EU country).
3. VRT – Vehicle Registration Tax which must be paid by the end of the next day, following its arrival in Ireland. This can be done by filling out a VRT4 form which can be downloaded here: VRT4 download. To get a VRT estimate, you can go here: VRT calculator available from the revenue website.

Once you have all the taxes paid, with the documents given to you by the VRT office, you can go to any motor-factors to get a set of number plates printed with the registration number provided on the papers which has to be displayed within 3 days, and tax the car for the first time in Ireland using the RF100 form giving to you by the VRT office as well. Once your car is taxed, the new Irish registration certificate will be posted to your home address in a matter of days.

If you import a used car into Ireland that is over 4 years old, you need to go through the NCT (National Car Testing) process, which is due from the date is has been first registered in the country of origin. The NCT test can be booked on-line at www.nct.ie

That’s all there is to it and it might seem complicated but is not, so good luck with your car hunting.

Change the way you and your passengers experience a car journey, with our newest GPS and entertainment system, the AVIC-X3.

Due for European release in September, the X3 lets you find pinpoint-accurate directions, avoid the traffic jams, find a local hotel or parking space; even whilst your passengers are enjoying a DVD in the rear. The AVIC-X3 is your comprehensive journey partner.

Pinpoint-accurate guidance, fast route calculation
You’ll get precision route planning and guidance; the X3 is a multi-sensor navigator. It combines GPS signals, with information from a 3-D gyroscope and your car speedpulse information.

This means that the system always knows where you are. Even in tunnels or in high-rise cities, where there’s a limited GPS signal. The system is quick on start-up, too; there’s almost no waiting time before it begins guiding you to your destination.
The X3 knows what’s around too. It has over 1.5 million points of interest so you just need to touch the display to locate the nearest hotel, restaurant or filling station.
The X3 will warn you about any traffic jams ahead (it has a built-in Traffic Messaging Channel Receiver), and give you alternative route suggestions to make your journey easier and safer.
Full, dual-zone entertainment and communications system
The X3 will play your entire CD and DVD collection; including compressed tunes (MP3, WMA, AAC) or video (DivX) stored on CD-R or DVD-R. So you and your passengers will never be short of entertainment. You also have full control of the DVD playback by simply touching the screen.

The X3 is dual-zone, which means that your passengers can watch a movie or play a video game on optional rear-seat screens at the same time that you are using the navigation system and listening to the radio up-front.

You can easily hook up your iPod too (audio and video versions), using an optional cable.
Another optional auxiliary connection enables you to link other portable music players, or other video devices such as camcorders games consoles.
You can also go wireless, using an optional Bluetooth adapter, which gives you hands-free phone control, as well as enables music to be streamed wirelessly from compatible players and mobile phones.
You also have the option of adding a reversing camera; useful in helping when reversing.
Easy operation for safer driving
It has a large, bright anti-glare 7-inch touch-screen, which slides out of the dashboard. This makes all your entertainment and navigation content easy to control and view, so that you can keep focused on a safe, entertaining journey.

Seamless integration
And finally, the X3 fits seamlessly into your car; it’s the size of a standard car stereo slot. You can even customise the button and on-screen menu colours, to tailor the system look to your taste.

Ibher Design just released the new Body Kit for Hyundai Coupe 2002> models the OUTLAW and OUTLAW WIDE.

Available as non-wide and wide version, this kit is just something that any Hyundai owner will want.

NON-WIDE VERSION

WIDE VERSION

The New Seat Leon II KONDOR WIDE body kit just arrived from Ibher Design and is available from our website for just 1599.95 EURO

An excellent  kit, designed by Ibher Design from Portugal and comes with 
10.2111 front bumper KONDOR
20.2111 rear bumper KONDOR
50.2111 pair side skirts KONDOR
60.2111 pair front wheel arch extensions KONDOR WIDE
70.2111 pair rear wheel arch extensions (4pcs) KONDOR WIDE

Massive reduction in price for Ibher Design Body kits. 
All prices has been reduced by least 100.00 euro per complete kit (front bumper, rear bumper, pair side skirts).

New KONDOR Seat Leon II body kit now available from FunkyMotors.ie for just 979.95 EURO

Hyundai used the 2007 Geneva Motor Show to reveal a new c-segment hatchback called the i30 and a new naming scheme with model lines bearing the “i” prefix. Hyundai says “i” stands for inspiration, intelligence and integrity. Eventually, Hyundai’s entire lineup will include: i10, i20, i30, i40, and i50.

Hyundai will offer a variety of diesel and gasoline engines with the i30, ranging from 90 to 140 horsepower. 
A choice of either an automatic transmission to a five-speed all-synchro gearbox will be offered.

The i30 features dual front, side, and curtain airbags, active headrests, seatbelt pretensioning and seatbelt reminders. 
The hatchback measures 4,245 mm long, 1,765 mm wide and 1,480 mm high. 
A wheelbase of 2,650 mm offers significant interior space for a vehicle of this size. Total luggage space is 340 liters with the rear seats upright.

Ireland’s First Jap-Fest Mondelo Park – Sept 9th 2007 – 10am-5pm