Smart City Coupe or similar - Cheap Car to Run Very Low Tax

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Fri 14 Dec 2012 11:34
Smart City Coupe or similar - Cheap Car to Run Very Low Tax - boristheblade

Hello

Would like any suggestions on a Cheap get me to work car

10 mile round trip per day 5 to 6 days a week

I have about £1000 plus a part ex of about 800 to 1000 so somewhere near £1800 to spend

Needs to be Low in tax as there is another car in the family .

The idea is to cut the amount of VED i am paying out every 6 to 12 months.

I have been looking at Smart cars preference to RHD .

2003 to 2004 plates at £2000 (garage prices)

anybody out there with some other suggestions ??

no mopeds or Bikes strictly 4 wheels please

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Fri 14 Dec 2012 13:08
Smart City Coupe or similar - Cheap Car to Run Very Low Tax - jamie745

I wouldn't worry about the tax, it's less than a couple of tyres. Ford Puma could be a fun little go-to-work car for the money though, should get a goodun for that with change to spare.

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Sat 15 Dec 2012 10:28
Smart City Coupe or similar - Cheap Car to Run Very Low Tax - boristheblade

I wouldn't worry about the tax, it's less than a couple of tyres. Ford Puma could be a fun little go-to-work car for the money though, should get a goodun for that with change to spare.

The Car I will be using as my Part Ex is a Puma 1.7

Both Cars in my household cost about £225 per 6 months so I want to cut the Tax off one car and run a little greener as my mileage is so low in the first place hence looking at the Smart Car and its credentials .

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Sat 15 Dec 2012 10:37
Smart City Coupe or similar - Cheap Car to Run Very Low Tax - unthrottled

I feel your pain regarding VED. For low mileage users, it can represent a non-trivial proportion of running costs.

At your budget, you might be better off using the old taxation system based on engine size (pre 2001). Road tax for an engine displacement is less than 1549cc is currently £135 for 12 months.

If you get a nice 2000ish Civic 1.5 for comfortably under a grand, you should have enough in your kitty for wear and tear maintainance, and a practical car to boot.

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Sat 15 Dec 2012 11:10
Smart City Coupe or similar - Cheap Car to Run Very Low Tax - daveyjp
Avoid a smart, far too complicated for your average mechanic and at that age could be a lemon needing expensive repairs, wiping out any VED savings,

Unfortunately small cars with low VED hold their values.

You may get an early C1 or 107, but you may need to trawl the private ads.
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Sat 15 Dec 2012 22:56
Smart City Coupe or similar - Cheap Car to Run Very Low Tax - Avant

If I were you I'd keep the Puma. Ford parts are comparatively cheap, and it could well soon become a modern classic with values holding up and gradually increasing.

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Sun 16 Dec 2012 12:54
Smart City Coupe or similar - Cheap Car to Run Very Low Tax - boristheblade

If I were you I'd keep the Puma. Ford parts are comparatively cheap, and it could well soon become a modern classic with values holding up and gradually increasing.

Going to keep the Puma until end of March 2013 then it will go unfortunatley .

Looking at a Yaris as a replacement or similar

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Wed 19 Dec 2012 13:01
Smart City Coupe or similar - Cheap Car to Run Very Low Tax - MikeTorque

It's worth looking into the likes of a Kia Picanto type of car and seeing what you can get for your money. From around the year 2008 emissions dropped to below 120 CO2 which means a drop in VED from £120 to £30. Once you've been able to establish emissions/CO2/fuel economy levels you will be better placed to make a judgement on your options.

There is useful data available in the Parkers guide which should help you narrow down your options.

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