Tax Exempt, is it worth it?

[Uncle Fester]

As per title, my point being, to save the anual tax, be it £235 or £400, is it worth buying a pre '72 car and all the hassles that go along with it to save a few quid, and screw the government toboot??

 

[mirras]

That should never be a reason to buy a 40 year old car.... may be the difference in buying one a couple of years younger instead but all the other baggage that goes with an old car will swallow that £200-400 saving.

 

[Uncle Fester]

I guess it'll depend on your annual milage, and whether you can maintain it yourself, against the depreciation of a newer car?

 

[Palfrem]

If it's a daily drive, forget modern reliability for the time being and think of all the stuff on current cars we now take for granted.

Airbags
ABS & decent brakes
Good lights
Heaters that actually work in the winter
Good mpg
Air-con
Crumple zones
etc.

 

[Uncle Fester]

If it's a daily drive, forget modern reliability for the time being and think of all the stuff on current cars we now take for granted.

Airbags
ABS & decent brakes
Good lights
Heaters that actually work in the winter
Good mpg
Air-con
Crumple zones
etc.

Good points, yes, I guess I'd forgotton all the luxuries I now take for granted, including power steering!

 

[219]

If it's a daily drive, forget modern reliability for the time being and think of all the stuff on current cars we now take for granted.

Airbags
ABS & decent brakes
Good lights
Heaters that actually work in the winter
Good mpg
Air-con
Crumple zones
etc.

A pre-73 Mercedes still has -

reliability (actually better than most modern cars due to less complexity)
decent brakes
Good lights
Heaters that actually work in the winter
Good mpg
Air-con (sometimes)
Crumple zones
Zero (or negative) depreciation
style and character in abundance

What's not to like ?

 

[Uncle Fester]

A pre-73 Mercedes still has -

reliability (actually better than most modern cars due to less complexity)
decent brakes
Good lights
Heaters that actually work in the winter
Good mpg
Air-con (sometimes)
Crumple zones
Zero (or negative) depreciation
style and character in abundance

What's not to like ?

Power steering??

 

[Palfrem]

...and all the traction control acronyms you can muster

 

[janner]

I've always wanted to take an old pagoda SL and transplant modern runnimg gear.
One day....

 

[Dieselman]

I've always wanted to take an old pagoda SL and transplant modern runnimg gear.
One day....

You should have done that using that pristine E36 you chopped up.

 

[Ade B]

A pre-73 Mercedes still has -

Good mpg

You've been driving SEL's too long

Scraping double figures is not good mpg

 

[Charles Morgan]

My little 2002 averaged about 30mpg on a long run, including some fast driving. Set up properly, it didn't need traction control, and apart from the NOISE, it was fine.

Only if you want an old car would this be sensible, but for one or more years older, it is a big saving.

 

[219]

Power steering??

Many of them do , from the early 1960's it was a popular option .

 

[219]

You've been driving SEL's too long

Scraping double figures is not good mpg

My 220/8 generally returned about 30 mpg .

 

[Scott_F]

Even as a daily driver it may be a practical option, but not for longer distances. However, depending on the car, it may well be unable to cope with unleaded fuel unless the valves, guides and seats are replaced or additives are used.

Any car over 40 years old will not be as well rust-proofed as a modern car and will have seen 40+ winters. Even a well-preserved one will deteriorate rapidly within 3-4 years of daily use and it can be a constant battle to keep the rust at bay which can negate the benefits of minimal depreciation and free road tax.

But what the hell, everyone will look at your classic, smile and let you out at busy junctions so they can get a better look !

 

[verytalldave]

Depends on the car you have in mind.
If you want a sports car, like an MGB for example, then yes, its a consideration.
But bear in mind that an MGB, evn a very good one will struggle to top 100mph and have a 0-60 time of well over ten seconds. Slow today even when compared to a Fiesta.
If you want a classic like an older Mercedes, then its going to be expensive and saving the road tax is not a consideration.
The only time buying a car is viable with the sole intention of saving paying the VED is if you are thinking of something like an old mini or escort. But even prices on those arent bargain basement any more.

 

[Dieselman]

Mini's and Escorts command huge prices, way more than an old Mercedes.

For trundling round an old W123 could be an option.

I could name other cars as well, which are much more interesting but command a higher price.
Other that as a Sunday car for special occasions car I wouldn't chose an MGB or similar, they are just junk.

If you do decide to run a classic car, make sure it's exactly what you want. That way, when it plays up, gives trouble or costs money, you will still love it. No point having heartache with a car you don't actually like.

All old cars need upkeep to bring them up to scratch, some need general fettling, others need rebuilding.

You pays your money...

 

[corned]

For trundling round an old W123 could be an option.

A (tax exempt) pre-1972 example would be a struggle though.

 

[verytalldave]

Mini's and Escorts command huge prices, way more than an old Mercedes.................

I grant you some old minis and escorts can and do command very silly money, but you can buy some old mini clubmans and escort populars cheaply.
I wasnt really thinking of woody countrymans / Cooper S or Twin Cams / Mexicos.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mini-Clubman-...9606171?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item43a61b271b

 

[prprandall51]

Land Rovers are very popular pre-1972 purchases - mainly because the spec of a pre-72 LR is hardly any more basic than that of a current one. The only way to tell you are in the older car is that the interior odour of dog/damp/earth has a more mature quality to it. In terms of rust, both will be happily fizzing away in the same places.

(Actually, I understand the new Defender is a very good car but I think the above holds true up to about 2008).