Interesting cars with cheap tax for £5k

[Crumpet]

As per the title, really. I could do with something as a bit of a runaround that’s cheap(ish) to tax, ideally automatic so my wife will drive it if needed, four seats so it can do the school run and ‘interesting’. Running costs are somewhat irrelevant, as is mpg.

There’s a lot of stuff in the price bracket that’s interesting but everything I seem to look at is £700+ for tax - far more than I can justify for a runaround.

I don’t like four cylinder engines but would make an exception for something hot-hatchy. I guess I was thinking Volvo V70 T5/R or something like that, although ‘interesting’ could be luxury, sporty, characterful engine, oddball - whatever, as long as tax is <£300. Any suggestions?

[Scootersp]

sub £300 tax is a odd one most interesting cars in your budget are now up to around 415?

eg £6000 sub £300 tax, petrol engined and over 2.2L gives only 26 results and some of these are jap import that I don't think will have sub £300 tax the autotrader site is just confused because of their registered date.

Engine size at 2L and you get 800 odd results, so just browse through them as 'interesting' can mean many things.

At the £415 but not £700+ tax region you can get pre 2005 interestign cars like, Porsche Cayenne Turbo's or the cooking 3.2 V6, or GS450H's, BMW 760 V12 etc

If you search with 2005 as you top year then you can use other filters to see whats out there, bare in mind I'm viewing engine capacity etc to give 'my' version of interesting!

[ZX10R NIN]

CLK 55 AMG but the tax is the £415:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405019...

S Type R:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411286...

Focus ST:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412036...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405219...


Z4 Coupe:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410245...

[LayZ]

I think you can get a private early BMW i3 for 5k. Probably not what you are thinking of but they are great fun to drive, and definitely interesting.

[PoorCarCollector]

LayZ said:

I think you can get a private early BMW i3 for 5k. Probably not what you are thinking of but they are great fun to drive, and definitely interesting.

Proof that everyone is different! i3s are a good car, but I've never thought anyone would consider them 'Interesting'

[Jag_NE]

why are running costs irrelevant but tax isnt?

[Crumpet]

Thanks all, I’ve only just found you can search Autotrader by tax - should’ve probably checked beforehand! Some good suggestions and the S-Type R is exactly what I’m talking about. Great suggestion, that. Shame Monaros are so pricey now.

Jag_NE said:

why are running costs irrelevant but tax isnt?

I think it’s because tax seems like money for nothing - more money taken by the government - whereas parts, maintenance and fuel (I know there’s tax there!) feel like I’m getting something for my money. It’s the principle of it.

That being said, I picked the £300 at random as it felt like a sensible limit but if £415 opens up some more interesting stuff then that’s almost tolerable.

[Crumpet]

LayZ said:

I think you can get a private early BMW i3 for 5k. Probably not what you are thinking of but they are great fun to drive, and definitely interesting.

I’ve actually heard good things about these and, to be fair, I find them quite interesting. Might take a look! Cheers.

[paradigital]

PoorCarCollector said:

Proof that everyone is different! i3s are a good car, but I've never thought anyone would consider them 'Interesting'

They are the absolute definition of “interesting”. They are interestingly styled, a carbon chassis is about as “interesting” as you can get from an “interest in car design” perspective, and if it were petrol then no-one would be challenging 185bhp and RWD as anything other than interesting (not too dissimilar to a GT86 for example, i3s has slightly less power but also weighs less).

Of course with it being EV, load of people will immediately dismiss it for some completely irrelevant reason.

[ZX10R NIN]

Crumpet said:

I’ve actually heard good things about these and, to be fair, I find them quite interesting. Might take a look! Cheers.

That 55 AMG I linked to has had a price drop that makes it a nigh on favourite out of the suggestions so far.

[jaydeeuk1]

PoorCarCollector said:

Proof that everyone is different! i3s are a good car, but I've never thought anyone would consider them 'Interesting'

That and the i8 are the most interesting cars BMW have made in the last decade or so.

A £130k m5 certainly isn't.

[jaydeeuk1]

paradigital said:

Of course with it being EV, load of people will immediately dismiss it for some completely irrelevant reason.

They don't make no pops and bangs innit bro

[DKL]

ZX10R NIN said:

Crumpet said:

I’ve actually heard good things about these and, to be fair, I find them quite interesting. Might take a look! Cheers.

That 55 AMG I linked to has had a price drop that makes it a nigh on favourite out of the suggestions so far.

That's silly cheap even if it needs a bit spending. They are usually £8-9k plus

[Mr Tidy]

If you prefer more than 4 cylinders and can live with £415 a year Road Tax there are quite a few 6 cylinder BMW options - I'm currently on my 5th!

Older E46s like 325i and 330i so long as you can find one that isn't rusty.
E9* 325i/330i, E8* 125i and 130i and 3 litre Z4.

Earlier versions of cars like 350Zs, Mazda RX8s and Honda S2000s would fit the bill, but like so many interesting cars the 2006 Band L and M RFL rates look prohibitive now.

[Davie]

The only car you suggested (OP) was a V70 T-5/R… is that telling you something? Maybe that’s your answer.

[jeremyc]

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/17488522

230E No tax, four seats, automatic. What a beauty.

[Huzzah]

Crumpet said:

I think it’s because tax seems like money for nothing - more money taken by the government - whereas parts, maintenance and fuel (I know there’s tax there!) feel like I’m getting something for my money. It’s the principle of it.

I used to have this attitude. But came to the conclusion I'd rather buy something I wanted to drive, that didn't need a packet spending on it. Plus the extra tax is going to a good cause anyway.

[Crumpet]

jeremyc said:

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/17488522

230E No tax, four seats, automatic. What a beauty.

I totally agree! But that’s going to take more bravery (time) than I have! Lovely car, though.

[Crumpet]

Davie said:

The only car you suggested (OP) was a V70 T-5/R… is that telling you something? Maybe that’s your answer.

Well I used to love the 850 T5/R, it was in there with a Cerbera for my dream garage when I was 18! But I’ve a feeling it would be one of those that would be utterly disappointing and best left as a boyhood fantasy. I’ve also had an S60 and detested the seats so the V70 is ruled on those grounds also.

That AMG55 is a good shout. Fits the bill nicely, although Mercs of that era have always seemed a bit on the rusty side when I’ve seen them.

I’ve got a few days off coming up so may have to get out and look.

[Juan B]

An XJ from the late 90's