Board Users Survey

[dorsetflyer]

I gather the reason why this government won't re-start the rolling 25yr programme is they have signed up to the European Commission's legislation on carbon emissions.

So I say vote NO to the European Constitution when we get a chance to vote, and put them in total disarray.

[richard eglinton]

I think the discussion has shifted from the original subject but some interesting points have been raised.
I do not have much time for the European Bureaucrats but I have not yet heard a convincing argument to support why, just because a car has reached a certain age, it should be exempt from Road tax.The are no ecological grounds.Old cars are not particularly kind to the road surface.
As a grateful beneficiary of the concession,I am not arguing for its removal but why was it given in the first place? Have I missed the point somewhere?
As a general rule,most classic car owners are better placed financially than a family man on a low income trying to run his 15 year old Fiesta on a shoestring budget.
Will someone please argue the case for the defence?
Richard Eglinton

[Smallfry]

I AM a family man on a low income trying to run my fleet on a shoestring budget etc etc.
I worked out that if I gave up smoking, it would easily pay my classic motoring costs, so I did.

As for Europe, we have NEVER been part of Europe, and the majority of Europeans dont see us as such either. We should blow up the tunnel, and wheel out the Lancasters !

[Deleted]

Actually pre the 25 year exemption 1947 cars paid half rate.

Keeping old cars running is surely greener than all the energy and resources spent building new ones every 10 years or so.

Classic car users have been re-cyclers for years - only now is legislation in place for manufacturers to responsible for the disposal of their rubbish the cost of which will be borne by the new car buyer.

Cars these days are regarded more of a status symbol/"I've made it" statement than a practical means of transportation as properly planned and run public transport would render them obsolete. Apart from pure ego trips anything more than the overpriced SmartCar is unnecessary.

Like tobacco however the tax/jobs benefits surmount the health disadvantage personal in the case of tobacco and environmental in the case of continually replacing deemed obsolete/worn out cars for the masses.

[dorsetflyer]

Richard where on earth do you get the impression that old cars are not very kind to road surfaces?

The worst offenders are the great juggernauts pounding up and our roads continually.

Have you ever seen the large tracks in the road made by the classic car?

[richard eglinton]

Hello John
I think you may have slightly misread my comments.
I didn't mean that classic cars are unfriendly towards the surface only that certain vehicles used to be exempt because they were regarded as helpful to the surface;eg.Steam Rollers.
No,old cars do no more damage than any other similar vehicle.Anyway,my crossplies only bearly touch the surface and have no contact at all in the wet
My point,which no one has really answered,is why we expect our old vehicles to be exempt just because they have reached 25 years.
As I have already said, I was pleased when the legislation was introduced but I don't remember reading about the supporting reasons.
Richard

[Deleted]

OK i'm 38 have had my P5b coupe since I was 24 always though it was cool and love zooming about with the box locked in second because it makes a great noise, especially through the Rotherhithe tunnel.

does cost a lot in petrol though! having said that I had an ignition key break back in September and a new baby kept me from fixing it until last w/e when I took it out for a sunday drive (the car not the baby no rear s/belts yet) across sunny London felt fantastic

WHAT A GREAT CAR WE ALL HAVE!!

ps yes I'm annoyed everytime I have to buy tax 'cos mine was made in may '73!