Sporty Classic for driving to the UK and Europe.

kluivert

I was considering buying a second car (MR2, MX-5, Celcia etc) for driving in the summer etc. Now that Biffo & co have messed up the VRT system again, it would be very costly to pay 1000e a year in road tax for a car that is going to cover about 5k miles a year at most.

I was wondering if anyone would be able to recommend a nice sporty looking classic car that would be suited to this type of driving.

Obviously a Ford Mustand 1966 is out of the question - big bucks, but something along those lines would be nice, doesnt have to be unique just have kerb appeal, but dont know what to look for.

Any ideas?

Lyre61

whats the budget?

Anan1

Tax won't be anything like €1,000 on an MX5 registered before July 08.

kluivert

Anan1 wrote: »

Tax won't be anything like €1,000 on an MX5 registered before July 08.

Registering after July 08 nothin going to happen before that unless I win the lotto Sat night.

Budget would be up to 10k.

I am very noivce mechanic, I just service my car thats it really, but I wouldnt mind doing a bit of work on a car as I would be interested in mechanics.

galwaytt

it only applies to 2008 cars, not cars registered in 2008.........so, any pre-08 MX-5, is taxed under the cc rules (1600 or 1800, whichever you're looking at........)

green-blood

yeah get a 2 year old MX5/MR2 from a delaer, save a considerable amount on depreciation, get a dealer warranty and pay 400-600 road tax

or get a stag/MGB

alpina

.

Arthur Daley

I'll go to the font of knowledge here and ask: Is there much difference in VRT between importing a modern (80s or 90s) smaller engined (i.e. 1.6 litre or under) car pre July and post July?

Or is it just that the changes in July are looking to hammer larger engines (2.0plus), and older motors that are inefficient on fuel?

unkel

Arthur Daley wrote: »

Is there much difference in VRT between importing a modern (80s or 90s) smaller engined (i.e. 1.6 litre or under) car pre July and post July?

No. VRT under the new regime is still based on the value of the car (OMSP), abeit now with a percentage based on CO2 emissions instead of engine size. But on most cars that old the OMSP is so low that there is barely any difference between the two, or that both are less than the minimum VRT amount chargeable anyway (€315)

Esel

unkel wrote: »

But on most cars that old the OMSP is so low that there is barely any difference between the two, or that both are less than the minimum VRT amount chargeable anyway (€315)

Think you're wrong there. Importing a car without proof of CO2 emissions will mean it will be classed in the highest VRT band. The minimum amount payable in this band will be €720.

galwaytt

I think Esel is right on that one - car tax stays the same, VRT goes bananas from July 1 - it's why I'm trying to get into a 996 before J-Day.......

btw, if you're doing much travelling in Europe.........a Stag ? seriously ??

Eric318

For €10K, you should be able to get a nice Jag XJS. Now that's a real cruiser and you get a lot of car for your Euros!!

see this

or an endless supply here.

Have it checked by a specialist before you buy... and choose the engine size depending on your gasoline budget... But, contrary to what one would think, a 5.3l V12 driven properly on a motorway will return more mpg than a 3.6l 6 cyl. Never buy a V12 without a full and absolutely ironclad service history (MOTs are of no use): they are wonderful and eternal engines until... they overheat, then they turn into bottomless money pits (mainly because repairs are usually botched).

unkel

esel wrote: »

Think you're wrong there. Importing a car without proof of CO2 emissions will mean it will be classed in the highest VRT band.

Indeed. It will go from 22.5% to 36% for a 1.6l. My point was that either of them applied to an OMSP of a couple of grand won't make much difference. E.g. OMSP = €2k than the VRT is €450 old and €720 new

esel wrote: »

The minimum amount payable in this band will be €720.

That's new to me! I presumed the minimum would stay the standard €315

Edit: can't find the new minimum on www.vrt.ie. Anybody got any link?

Esel

Bottom of this page: http://www.revenue.ie/leaflets/vrt-new-tax-regime.htm

unkel

Thanks, esel!

unkel

Updated the new regime sticky on the main motors forum with the new minimum VRT amounts

kluivert

I always liked the look of that Jag.

There seems to be loads on ebay for sale.

Most 1980's so not just quiet Classic status yet.

RobAMerc

I think touring europe in a XJS 5.3 might cause another hole in the ozone :rolleyes: - but seriously - you'll not get to Rosslare before you'll regret what its gonna cost you, and thats Irish prices for fuel!

alpina

Not hijacking the thread but would seriously love to take my 6 on a long european spin, went from Clare to Dublin return yesterday & enjoyed every second, still have that first day cheesy grin:o