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Considering buying a new car soon? Here’s the team at Bluestone Motor Finance on the benefits of choosing an electric vehicle – and a new finance option with a 0% deposit.
While the government has moved to reduce excise duty on petrol and diesel in the face of surging costs that led to record highs in recent weeks, many people are considering a change of car or van to reduce their outgoings.
The key areas people should consider when it comes to cutting their motoring costs are; something smaller, more economical, in a lower tax and insurance bracket and potentially something greener, like an electric or hybrid car. Add in reliability, and the choice could well be something newer, covering as many of the costs as mentioned earlier.
In January, the government announced that electric vehicles (EVs) were more than 70% cheaper to run than diesel or petrol cars. Since then, we all know that fuel and utility prices have risen. Nevertheless, significant running costs savings remain very valid. However, there is a twofold challenge in switching to an EV, the cost – they are significantly more expensive than a comparable petrol/diesel car and the long lead times. Added to this is the inevitable concern of range anxiety and the country’s EV charging infrastructure.
Prices rising across the board
Lead times are an issue for all new cars right now. Broadly a wait time of more than six months and even longer is common; it is a problem created by a worldwide shortage of essential microchips. It is something that is likely to worsen in light of the situation created by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The demand for used cars has risen over the last eighteen months, pushing prices ever higher, and so it seems many people are taking a ‘cashflow’ view of their next purchase, as Donal Murphy, Managing Director of award-winning Bluestone Motor Finance, one of Ireland’s leading motor finance specialists observes;
“The pandemic naturally made people cautious when it came to monthly budgets, reappraising many parts of their monthly expenditure. The rising cost of motoring, along with other cost of living increases, sees people assessing their outgoings once again. While buying an older, cheaper car is a possibility that some are taking, the other choice is to go newer.
“Availability of pure electric used vehicles is limited, but accessing hybrids, whose electric-only option will suffice for all or some of peoples’ commutes or local driving needs, is a viable choice. Naturally, looking at more economical petrol/diesel options is also an alternative.
“The appeal of lower running costs and enhanced reliability (so less chance of unwanted major repair bills) is something many people are achieving by spreading the cost using finance for an extended period. For example, on new to three-year-old cars, we can offer finance for up to 72 months with our Arrive & Drive finance offering launched at the start of the year. It makes having a newer, often more economical car more affordable for an increasing number of people.”
Arrive & Drive is available at dealers across Ireland and is available for people with an established credit record looking to purchase a vehicle up to three years old with under 100,000 KMs, including hybrid and electric vehicles. The benefits include:
Even if Arrive & Drive is not the most appropriate option for all potential buyers, Bluestone offers a hybrid, fintech and personal approach to motor finance which is helping more people across the credit spectrum get behind the wheel of their next car or van. Donal concludes;
“As we have proved over many years, we are exceptional at making customers’ car and van buying dreams come true. Even if an applicant has a complex or limited credit history, our combination of leading-edge technology and a human touch can make more approvals happen, including for self-employed people.”
Find the motor finance solution for you at Bluestone’s network of over 650 dealers and digital partners.
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Information is power and hogan has taken away the most basic human right! Access to information.
The first person commented how there was no sound (and has now removed their comment, there is sound!! ) imagine the frustration you felt when watching the video, that’s our lives every day. Frustrating. Tiring. Limiting.
Return our ‘sound’
Yet another botched decision. , the craziness continues .
The video tells the tale. This is a shameless government, dismantling the few decent services that give some degree of dignity to those in need of them.
ISL should be enshrined in the constitution with full protection of rights!
I know it’s racist but, why don’t we take a few grand out of the foreign aid budget?
Over half a billion, and much of it thrown into a black hole. it’s absolute lunacy. If anybody disagrees, can they tell me if Africa is getting better or worse?
Sometimes I really do hope there is a hell and I hope those like Hogan burn there for eternity. The man should not be allowed to be in charge of opening a door.
Unfortunately that is not the case. Nature is cruel.
Why was that comment “there is no sound” been removed, for all you know that person may be deaf, ok so we all say he made a joke, try understand what the people are saying without reading the text I can just about lipread can’t sign and I can’t hear. People who know me who comment on here will know I am deaf, and not taking the piss.
A very sensible comment Declan .
Why would you need sound? See the world the way deaf people do!
I could have used this service had I known about it,now that I have its closed,then I may not have got because the household income might be €2 over the limit.
€8m is all that’s needed here!
Was even borrowing it and putting it on the “slate” considered?
Typical of Ireland and it’s backward government,hitting the needy and taking from the people that need services most.it can sometimes be very difficult for deaf people to integrate into society and now they are being victimised by their own government by the closure if deaforward they must feel further away from the rest of society than ever.The government shouod be embarrassed and ashamed but one thing is for sure,they are not!
Why am I not surprised? Oh yes because I live in Ireland.
It is with great dismay I read about the cut in funding to this vital service for the deaf community. The video above clearly illustrates how this service is needed so as to ensure that members of the deaf community are able to interact with bodies such as hospitals, government agencies and utilities companies in a dignified manner and on the same basis as any member of the hearing community.
For the government to cut this funding is tantamount to denying members of the deaf community the ability to access such basic human rights as to health and education. It is discrimination at the most fundamental level where the effect (intended or otherwise) is to marginalise 5,000 citizens of this country. It cannot be justified by raising budgetary concerns where less vital expenditure could be cut in its place.
i want our ids back, i don’t want be isolated again, need break the barrier, where can i go ? and access to health care, education etc, i wont go to gp if there is no interpreter, they gave me wrong med or no information. i have enough suffer in my childhood so enough is enough.
Totally agree Michelle! This decision is BEYOND shocking and an insult to every deaf person in this country!
This decision by Minister Hogan confirms his level of ignorance in dealing with people who have special needs. It’s obvious he neither understands nor cares about people who are challenged everyday in their efforts to live a normal life. These special services are a real and measurable lifeline for thousands of ordinary Irish citizens. “It’s a long road that hasn’t got a bend” and this decision will come back to haunt you Mr. Hogan
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