Moving to Ireland (from California). Should I bring my car with me?

Question

I realize about the shipping costs, but if I get a job in Ireland paying in euros I'll make up for it. And, if I sell my car over there, do you think I'd make a small profit on it due to the exchange rate?

Answer 1

First of all, where are you thinking of moving to? If you are thinking of moving to a major city such as Dublin or a big city such as Cork or Limerick, then there is no need for a car. There is plenty of public transport available, especially in Dublin and traffic congestion is a known problem in built-up areas. If you are looking to move to a small village a few miles on the outskirts of a city, then a car will be needed. But rising prices in petrol, not to mention yearly tax depending on the size of your car, plus yearly insurance can make the cost of owning a car over here very high indeed. Also, you may need a driving lesson or two to get used to driving on Irish roads. Yes, we do drive on the left side of the road.

You will hear the odd few people complaining that they can barely afford to keep their car on the road...I do it all the time!

As for selling your car over here...I am not to sure whether to advise you to do it or not. Our economy is slowly declining, money is a small bit tight at the moment as well an inflation rising, hitting over 4% this month. People are opting to hold onto their money as opposed to buying. Especially as a car costs so much to keep on the road nowadays.

At the end of it all, it depends on where you are thinking of moving to in Ireland.

Answer 2

what...with gas at about 12 bucks a galloon over there!   they have a MUCH better public transportation system over ther than here ....so use that!

Answer 3

i dont think that you would make much profit on it because the models vary and irish people would be wary of buying an american car incase anything happened it, too akward for buying new parts and that!

I think it will cause more hassle than anything to change everything over so that it is worthy for irish roads ie. registration plates, taxes and insurance and all that...your probably better off selling your car over in california.  Come over here and see what the public transport is where your moving to(you dont mention what part of ireland) and if you NEED to buy a car, then do so!

Answer 4

I went to Ireland this past winter.  Don't bring your car - they all drive on the opposite side of the road than we do!  You won't be able to use it there, and nobody will want to buy it.  Sell it now while you still can.

Answer 5

No. Gas is expensive there and you will likely just take public transportation like most of the other Irish or you will need to buy a very fuel effienient car...probably not what you own now. Besides shipping on the car will be a fortune. The answer is NO.

Answer 6

We drive on the other side of the road, mostly used manual gears, and drive much smaller cars. EG, my car is a 1.6 litre engine.  Also, our speed limits are in Kilometres, which I'm guessing your current car does not display.  Petrol is approx €1.33 a litre at present, so those big American cars will have you skint in no time, and depending on where you live the roads might not be suitable for it.  Car tax is also based on the size of your engine, the bigger the engine, the more expensive the tax.

So sell it over there, and buy a smaller car here. And just a note, you'll be paid in Euro...not Euros. (never add an S on to it, its like saying sheeps)