MARK KAVANAGH: Journalist, DJ, record producer and co-owner of Baby Doll Records
What was your first car? A Peuguot 206. I'd had buying a car on the long finger and never got around to it until last year. When someone I knew couldn't keep up the repayments on their 00-reg 206 I stepped in to help. So, at long last, I'm now driving.
How old were you when you got it? Too old - 34! When I was in my early, and even late, twenties, nobody I knew had a car. The cost of running even a second-hand car was totally outrageous. Even though the insurance quotes are much worse now, the Celtic Tiger has obviously changed things because now almost everyone I now know in their early twenties - a lot given the nature of my work - has a car. I couldn't afford one until a few years ago. Like I take forever doing everything, I'm told.
How much did it cost? Near enough the full price - about €13,000. On HP, of course.
Did you know much about cars? About as much as I do now, which is very little. But I'm learning. It amazes me how little most car owners know, to be honest. Nearly as much as the low standard of driving in Dublin amazes a new boy like me.
What difference did it make to your life - and your pocket? Huge - I lead a very busy lifestyle being self-employed. I'm always running late so I had tended to get taxis everywhere. Some weeks last year I was spending up to £200 on taxis! Even with the cost of the car, insurance and petrol - €30 covers a few hundred miles a week in the 206 - I'm still much better off now.
Any run-ins with the law? I've not been stopped yet and, as I don't really drink anymore, the only thing I have to worry about is speed on longer trips. I'm not too bad though, and neither are we as a nation. There are far too many deaths and accidents on Irish roads caused by speeding, but it's safer here than countries like Spain, Italy and Portugal.
Your best memory? The first time I drove on my own . . . it's still fresh enough in the memory and was a pretty ace experience.
. . . and your worst memory? My first crash. It was only a dent in the front bumper, after some dodgy parking, which is still my weak point.
How much did insurance cost you? Insurance costs here are simply scandalous. It amazes me how we put up with the insanely high prices that are thrust upon us. A friend in London pays just £350 insurance on a top-of-the-range BMW, but the cheapest quote I got for a one litre 206 was €3,300. I got quotes from only two out of over 40 brokers and companies - the other quote was nearly €6,000 and the rest wouldn't quote me because I was over 30 and hadn't got a no-claims bonus. How are you supposed to have one when you're being insured for the first time?
How long will you keep it? I'm hoping to change to a Peugeot 306 later in the year. The 206 is a great car but it was obviously built for women - the pedals are very close together and the hazard lights button is very prominent. Women tend to use them quite frequently for shopping and stopping wherever they like. The 306 is very similar but has much more room.