2009 Review
A look back at the highs and the lows of Irish motoring in 2009.
MOTORING
This year must go down as the Irish Motoring Industry's annus horribly. Sales through the floor, thousands of motor industry jobs lost and a serious drop in VAT & VRT revenues for the government. At the time of writing (ATTOW) the budget is due with no hint of a scrappage scheme to help the industry. Already most car companies have dropped their prices sharply and the opportunity to bag a bargain is never better. I've said before that buying a car helps the economy in so many ways and if you would normally buy a car, and are holding off, don't.
The 2008 car of the year ATTOW has not been announced and my prediction is it will go to the Peugeot 3008. If ever a car redefined a genre this is it. It was a pleasure to drive, looks classy and for what you get - spectacular value. Peugeot claim this is the best car they ever built and I agree.
Further highlights for me were the incredible fuel return of another Peugeot, the 308 Ecomatique (which holds the world record no less) with my time in the VW Scirocco reminding me why I love cars so much, imbued as it is with looks, poke and handling - as was another VW, the Golf GTd. I predict the GTd will replace the GTi in our hearts. The VW Passat CC ably, aped the Mercedes CLS, another memorable test. My best drive was in the Ford Focus RS., a car that made me wish I was young again even though if I was I couldn't drive one - insurance cost! Ford also gave me my worst drive in the Ka, too noisy. Best small car was the Honda Jazz and best family car the Skoda Superb - limo style - family money. My favourite estate was the 2.2D Honda Accord Tourer a much underrated car. For smaller pockets there's not a lot to beat the Hyundai i30 Cross Wagon estate. Coolest car that most of us could afford was the Kia Soul and well worth checking out. Best 4x4 was the Audi Q5 which narrowly beat the Volvo XC60.
Subaru sell the best new car bargain on the Irish market today, the Impreza. a 150bhp, 2,000cc diesel engined, 4Wd, family car in Band C car tax (€302Pa) - all for, €21,495 new. I want one, and I also want an Alfa Romeo MiTo, as should you to cheer you up in these austere times.
Get your chequebooks ready for 2010 and banish the annus horribilis that was 2009.
