what is the future plans etc for taxing cars etc with big engines.

basically im considering a 4.2 but im unsure on any coming changes on tax ie bigger engines getting hammered by proposed changes

anyone have any ideas?

Hmmm, think it's going to be more on co2 output. For example the 1.8T is higher than a V6 diesel..... But yeah with 4 more cyclinders the S4 will be more expensive..

But it's all hersay at the mo. Nobody knows what this government is going to do, put it this way, it'll never be what the voters want.

I woul dexpect it to be based on Co2 emissions rather than cubic capacity. Otherwise we should all buy an RX-8 (1.3L) before they become to expensive

As Goochie says it's likely to be "emissions based", ignoring the fact that we already have a vehicle emissions tax that's easy to collect, and almost impossible to avoid or evade; it's called "fuel duty".

To be honest the tax is irrelevant - it's the petrol that will get ya

To be honest the tax is irrelevant - it's the petrol that will get ya

true (swmbo has 4l Grand Cherokee :( )

How ever, this is now cheaper to tax than my Octy vRS. Apparently they only started recording the emmisions in 2001 (i think), so the Jeep only cost

even if it is the CO2 it will be high on the V8. petrol isnt that big an issue as i dont do heavy miles and our 2nd car is a diesel. but if they bring in something daft to tax all the high CO2 producing cars is what im thinking of

I'd be a little bit wary. It was this question that stopped me buying a Vectra GSi. The questions are: Will any new tax be applied retrospectively? And, if so, will you then be able to get rid of the car if it becomes too expensive to run, and get rid at a decent price?

As above, though it's probably going to be emissions based, but hey, politicians might just whack CC on with it. Most dumb a$$es in the UK think CC=level of pollution so they'd get away with it.

Generally they dont apply new tax rates historically (apart from maybe an inflationary rise which you might expect anyway).

i just would want to by a 4.2 litre and then get hit with a new rediculous law charging me miles more than what they are currently

Generally they dont apply new tax rates historically (apart from maybe an inflationary rise which you might expect anyway).

They already have. They retrospectively rebanded cars last year as an incentive for lower emission vehicles (the wife's 2001 Polo TDi 1.4 dropped to £50). Who knows what they'd change charges to - up and down according to emissions, wouldn't trust a politician as far as I could throw them, and most are big fat frickers so it wouldn't be far. Worth remembering what Richmond council are doing also regarding parking permit charges based on emissions, you can just see the greedy minds in councils across the country buzzing away.