Conference terri::cars_uk

    	The insurance cost will vary quite a bit depending on such factors
    as the area you'll be living, whether the car'll be garaged when not
    in use and the levels of compulsory & voluntary excess on the premium.

    Thanks for the info so far.  I wonder if they'll accept insurance
    history from another country?
    
    It looks as though insurance is about the same as here (America) but
    the price of cars is lot higher in GB!  I have a Mercury, which is an
    upmarket Ford, 4-door saloon, with electric windows, automatic 
    transmission, automatic seat belts, air conditioning, etc. cost me 
    around 7,000 pounds.
    
    I have to find something the first week I arrive which I why I'm trying
    to get as much information as possible ahead of time.
    
    Thanks again
    Sandy 

    Not many private buyers buy new in the UK. The majority of new cars
    are bought as company cars. It's usually a better deal to buy a fairly
    low mileage one or two year old car instead. 
    
    The price of cars new is about 60-100% higher in the UK than in the US
    for comparable models. The cost of car loans (APR) is also higher.
    
    If you are interested in buying a car new, take a look at one of the
    companies advertising in the Manchester Guardian Weekly. Some offer
    returning expats up to 30% off list price for cars (I got price lists
    for VWs and Peugeots, but ended up buying secondhand). 
    
    John

    It looks as if I'll be getting a second-hand car.  I appreciate your
    help, I feel as if I'll have to buy one the first weekend because I'll
    be hiring a car when I get off the plane and that is a bit expensive to
    do for too long.  So my research time will be fairly short.
    
    I'll take a look at the insurance note and browse through the rest of
    the file to see if I can find a few models that I might like to look
    at.   At least that will give me a starting point!
    
    It's a bit nerve-wracking to be returning home after all this time. 
    When you have trouble counting the money but you have a British
    accent the shop assistants look at you in a very strange way!!
    
    Sandy

If buying from a garage/dealer 

1.	Dont let on that you need the car urgently.
2.	You dont have a car to trade in therefore expect a discount on a new or
	secondhand car .
3.	Be prepared to walk away out of the showroom.
4.      Dont settle for their first offer ask for more or extras such as Road
	Tax , free servicing for x miles , warranty or extended warranty.

5.      They are desperate to sell second hand cars .

6. 	It maybe a good idea to have an independent survey carried out on the 
	car by say the RAC or some similar body.

7.      Have a long test drive in the car .

8.      Check over car thouroughly for dents, scratches, rust, upholstery
	operation of all accesories radio , cassette CD or whatever
	check for water leeks etc these are hard to repair . 
      
9.	WATCH OUT THERE ARE A LOT OF SHARKS ABOUT


		Good Luck

		Stuart

    Thanks again.   I'll be looking somewhere between Oxford and Bracknell,
    any suggestions for decent dealers?  I should probably check to see if
    there's a note for that!   Do dealerships open on Sundays?
    
    Sandy

 Sandy,

       Citroen in the U.K. have quite a good deal for the next couple
 of months on their ZX range of cars .

       The ZX is about the size/shape of a VW Golf/Rabbit and is
 well rated by motoring press for good mix of safety , comfort
 driving enjoyment etc .,

       The deal from memory is an on the road price of about 10,000
 pounds including 6 months road tax , insurance for one year is
 provided free of charge to any driver age 21-70 , the manufacturer
 pays 500 pounds cash back to the purchaser and there is 0% interest
 repayment scheme to purchase the car .

       Exact details will vary according to the model and the engine
 size etc., 

       I will try and find the original advertisment and post it next
 week.

        Paul

    Thanks for the info on Citroen, if you can find more details I'd
    appreciate it.  
    
    Do banks etc. finance second hand cars as well as new?  What is the
    average interest rate for a loan?
    
    Also, can you pay insurance monthly?
    
    I am not looking forward to putting a lot of my money into car hire,
    I'm afraid that by the time I've found a car to buy I'll have spent
    more than the deposit in hire!    I have someone who works in a garage
    looking out for a car for me, but it's difficult as I really have no
    idea what I want.

    Yes banks do finance used vehicles (within reason of course). And yes,
    most insurance companies allow you to pay your car insurance on a
    monthly basis, or at the very worst allow you to pay by credit card.
    
    Reargards,
    
    Stephen

    Okay, here's what I'm looking for.  A four-door, not a hatch back. 
    Something not too small, I hired an Orion once and that seemed to be a
    good size for me, it's the only make I can remember.  Last year I hired
    a Rover which was also a good size and nice to drive, but I expect it
    would be out of my price range.  Does that help you give me some ideas?  
    
    As for price range, unfortunately I don't really have a good idea, I've
    been a way too long.
    
    Any phone numbers for where you hired those cars for 7.50 a day??
    
    This is really helping me a lot.  Thanks
    
    Sandy 

    
    Could someone offer some advice as to the tax implications of the
    current 'free' phone offer that Vauxhall are running please?
    
    The deal is, I'm told, a phone with each car, with airtime provided by
    Martin Dawes Telecoms - 25, 20 and 15 quid per month dependant upon
    which tariff you want.
    
    The question is - How is this phone offer taxed?  Is it a benefit in
    kind; is it an extra cost which can be calculated and added to the
    taxable amount of the car; or are there other taxes involved even if
    it's only for personal (non-business) use?
    
    Thanks in advance for any ideas...
    Chris.

    Do they give them to fleet purchases, or private sale only?
    
    Clive

    
    Both.  But 'cos Digital apparently has special airtime rates arranged
    with another airtime/service provide they have to be for personal use
    only.
    
    C.

    If it is not used for business then I would expect no tax effect. 
    
    Ask Vauxhall?
    
    Does this mean that many of us will be driving round with two phones?
    One for Digital and one from Vauxhall?
    
    Andrew

    How do you work out the new tax amounts for company cars, is there a
    magic formula somewhere?
    
    cheers,
    
    Greg

35% of list price
	2/3 of this cost if you do 2500 - 18000 miles
	1/3 of this cost if you do 18000 + miles

This gives the tax liability. You then pay tax at 20% or 25% or 40% on this 
cost.

Cheers, Chris

P.S. The list price is typically what you pay for the car + 25%   :-)

    <<< Note 2345.26 by BAHTAT::HILTON "Beer...now there's a temporary
    solution" >>>
                               -< How too work out tax? >-
    
      How do you work out the new tax amounts for company cars, is there a
      magic formula somewhere?
      ^^^^^^^^^^^^^
      
    
    
    	I think that the magic formula is to come out of the Cocar scheme
    
    				;^)
    
    				Malcolm.