Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Car Market in 2017

I was certainly around in 2001 when they introduced tax changes based on CO2 emissions. It was aimed at reducing global warming - hence the CO2 link . So what sort of tax savings might a diesel car buyer make? £20? Maybe £40? You dont make a car buying decision based on that sort of money .

Howard it wasn't just the reduction of tax for diesels it was the increase of tax on petrol engines as well. If you really think it was about global warming I guess you also believe there are fairies at the bottom of your garden

Well my XJR went up to £500 and my OH's Renault is £zero so rather more than £20 difference.

You're obviously out of touch with the behaviour of the great unwashed

The British public did indeed make car buying decisions on that basis and now they're doing it again - in reverse.

For the millions of company car owners the incentive was even greater and hence more effective. Try to find a petrol-engined rep until recently.

Diesel cars were always more efficient, but sales didn't take off until petrol cars were legislated against by the Labour government.

To be "fair" Tony Blair's bunch weren't the only ones. The EU implemented regulations tailored to suit diesel engine producers.

I'm sure that had nothing to do with lobbying the EU or the fact that the European motor industry lagged behind in other technologies.

Each successive Euro rating creates a marketing opportunity for the manufacturers to sell more vehicles and pillory the older models that we all bought from them only a few years previously.

Now where did I put those batteries ?

Your XJR must be post the 2006? newer rates. Prior that change and post March 1st 2001 the top rate of tax is presently £305.

As my car search continues I see a lot (of adverts) with vehicles in that tax (K) bracket...

Yes my XJR is a 2008 facelift model. Last of the "traditional" cars.

Who'd have thought it would become environmentally friendly ?

And still the best looking large "big cat" saloon. None of the new shape appealed to me.
I could almost be tempted by a pre-06 X350 or X308, but it would have to have LPG conversion already fitted.
Still fancy an XK8 though...

check the floor

And a good number of other things, too!
Yes, done the homework. Trouble is, if one was to be put off by all the negatives, one wouldn't buy any car...

Especially a Morgan

I see the current modern car market as being a triangle of Interest, Cost, and Reliability in which you can have any two but not all three

You want a car that's cheap and reliable? No worries, but it won't be Interesting
An interesting, reliable car? Yup, but it won't be cheap
An interesting, cheap car? Sure, but pay the price in reliability.