Fun supermini car required

[Balsamic Raygun]

I have a holiday home that I use for a few weeks over the spring and summer over in Corfu. Ive mostly rented cars when I've visited, but this year drove over in my own to see how that would work out. I had thought of leaving one of our cars there, but it turns out that's not possible due to EU rules on foreign owned cars. The journey over and back was largely uneventful, but quite an expensive way to use and have a car there without renting.

It's got my mind to buying there. I've been told I need to be a resident, which should be easy enough to do, and I am aware of higher taxes, and something called a circulation tax that they have there. But in the longer term, it has to be better than renting, and it would also mean I could lend the car to others when they use our place.

Most of the cars you see here are small rentals, lacking a bit in power for some of the hills. I did see a few of the Fiat 4x4 Panda's that look functional for the hills and bad roads there, but they seem to also be underpowered.

Does anyone have any suggestions. Not too worried about economical running, but anything will low profile tyres will be a no-no due to the roads. I need something low cost though, due to the tax situation, but with enough grunt to overtake when needed.

[ZX10R NIN]

Can you buy in the UK then register it as a resident? Yes you'll pay an import duty but it may workout cheaper.

Not sure what your budget is but here are some suggestions:

Being in Corfu a Seat might be a good shout.

Seat Ibiza FR

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

206 Quicksilver

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMNifBdm_o4

Fiat Punto Sporting

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Balsamic Raygun]

ZX10R NIN said:

Can you buy in the UK then register it as a resident? Yes you'll pay an import duty but it may workout cheaper.

Not sure what your budget is but here are some suggestions:

Being in Corfu a Seat might be a good shout.

Seat Ibiza FR

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

206 Quicksilver

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMNifBdm_o4

Fiat Punto Sporting

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Ah, different versions of resident. I can easily become a Corfu resident by getting a card from the local police station (have to show bank account info and EU health card only), which will allow me to purchase a car locally there. I can't become a permanent Greek resident as I have to spend more than half the year there, which I don't. That would also make me a tax resident there too, which would cause issues with UK derived income, I'm told.

If I was to switch to become a permanent resident in the future, I can transfer a car asset from the UK if I've owned it for six months - otherwise, the limit of using a UK car there for six months max pa still applies, and I'd have to drive it there and back every year - something I'd rather avoid.

Prices in Greece for second hand cars seem to be quite different to home (car.gr website for example), so I think it will be better to buy new there. Budget would be €25-€30K. Wouldn't really want to spend more there as I am not there long enough each summer (or other visitors) to justify it sitting there unused for 7-8 months a year.