My mate just bought a Mazda 6 MPS. 2.3litre turbo 4wd:
For £4k I was really impressed by it I have to say. It's not german build quality, it's not the nicest to look at (comparatively) and although it's quick (6.6 to 60, 260hp, 280ftlb), it's not going to shame the real quick saloons but for the price it's a genuine option.
Then he told me it was £470 a year to tax
Well, I've never had a car that attracted the post 1st March 2001 vehicle excise duty that's based on emissions but I have long thought that the value of high emissions cars registered just prior to the switch over date should surely hold their value far better in comparison to those registered just after.
I've not checked prices out but the further we go into the future, the more keenly this will be felt by any popular high emissions cars that were registered around that time, that have been really well looked after and are therefore still great cars to buy/own. Supercharged Jag XJR anyone (if you could afford the petrol, lol)?
For example, it would make a lot more sense to buy a Y plate (or v early 51 plate) E46 BMW 330i, than a 52plate (or later) one of exactly the same spec, condition, and mileage.
I know this might seem obvious but to someone like me who doesn't have a lot of money and often buys older cars that have been looked after (say around the £2-3k mark), this could make a thousand pounds difference in tax if you kept the car for 3-4years, so that then becomes a key element when choosing which car to buy.
Given that taxing your car is so damn costly, for my next car (I currently have a 1997 E36 323ise), I will certainly be looking through the most modern (for their time) and best looked after cars made in the year 2000.
Either that or find those cars which are comparable on tax before/after the switch over but are still exciting to drive. Anyone know of any options in this regard?