Buying a car v hiring

[Pabbers]

We retired earlier this year and the plan is to come out to our holiday home for 3 x 6 week periods. Car hire in March was £260, in June we needed to bring some stuff over so came by ferry in our own car. We've just hired for 6 weeks September/Oct and they are charging £600. We are now wondering whether it might be better to buy a banger in Portugal (there is secure parking) rather than paying out such high hire charges. Can anyone help us out on the cost of road tax, insurance, MOT etc - we are both over 60 (groan)?
Thanks in advance.

[steve]

MoT is €30. Car tax (IUC) for older vehicles is based on engine size and fuel type.There was a surcharge this year and the cost for my 1.4 petrol and 2.5 diesel was €65 each. A friend's 900 cc petrol car was only €16! Later cars are based on different calculation which includes emissions and a 2 litre diesel would typically cost €227. Annual insurance for an older vehicle would probably be in the €250 to €300 range. I pay about €270 for comprehensive cover on my 1999 1.4 petrol vehicle. Insurance here covers any driver and includes accident recovery. It may also include breakdown recovery but I would need to check my policy on that.

[Pabbers]

Thanks very much - that's really helpful.

[mardi]

One thing to bear in mind is the cost of Transport from the airport to your home. We worked out that by the time you pay for a taxi to Carvoeiro you might as well hire a car for two weeks. Of course the longer you stay in Portugal the more viable your own car becomes.

[LICY]

Think Macassa is a good candidate to advise. poor man seems to keep paying out big time on the up keep of the vehicle. You do not need to get a taxi, you could go on a minibus transfer, which probably costs about €40 return for 2. on the other hand it sounds to me that your car hire price could be reduced. I think on our short holidays we pay about €15 a day, but I am sure for such a long rental you could get it cheaper. The most expensive period we pay is September, being €250 for 2 weeks. try Travelrent and see what sort of price. When ever I see second hand cars for sale they seem very expensive. I think you should continue as you are.

[Farol]

Another option to explore given you have indicated 3 x 6 week trips would be to buy a cheap car in the UK then drive it down on one trip and back on another leaving it in Portugal in between. This way you could probably drive it ligitimately on UK tax mot and insurance and not need to formally import it to Portugal as you would keep taking it back to UK.

[laserblazer]

It's illegal to leave a foreign registered vehicle in Portugal whilst you leave the country. Not a big deal if you keep it off of the road I guess. A lot of people do it.

[LICY]

It's illegal to leave a foreign registered vehicle in Portugal whilst you leave the country. Not a big deal if you keep it off of the road I guess. A lot of people do it.

I think after 6 months you must register a UK plate in Portugal.

[Pabbers]

Thanks, all, really informative and some food for thought. Our neighbours in Portugal use the "hopper" to and from the airport to Carvoeiro. They pick up and drop off as near as poss to where you want to be apparently and it's very cheap. Can't remember how much but nothing like 40 euros.
I had already suggested buying a car in the UK to the other half but he'd rather we had a LHD car out there.

[laserblazer]

Buy a LHD in the UK, they tend to be cheaper. Here's an example http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fiat-Punto-Le ... 3ce596f93f

[e-richard]

It's illegal to leave a foreign registered vehicle in Portugal.

Its actually illegal to keep it here longer than 6 months and, of course, a UK registered car needs a UK MOT each year.

Buy a LHD in the UK, they tend to be cheaper.

And a lot of additional hassle, see advice above.

[LICY]

[quote="Pabbers"]
Our neighbours in Portugal use the "hopper" to and from the airport to Carvoeiro. They pick up and drop off as near as poss to where you want to be apparently and it's very cheap. Can't remember how much but nothing like 40 euros.

Are you sure nothing like €10 per person each way. Sure it depends a little on time of year, but i would say £35 (pounds) for September for 2 passengers to and from the airport. That would be with resort hoppa. You do have other transfer companies, such as yellow fish. Would love to know if your friends are charged a lot less as our guests request that sort of information from time to time.