European impressions; I must vent my frustration

[Jim Haseltine]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jenny Curtis" <jenny at physics.umn.edu>

>As to your European impressions Ed, I agree it's a bummer that "classic"
Audis aren't >appreciated in their homeland.  I think part of it is that
it's rare to see older cars on the >road in Europe, period.  I don't know
why.

Mostly its because we've got damn silly laws. Each vehicle that I want to
use on the road has to pass inspection every year and then costs me another
GBP160 in excise charge. Any vehicle that has been used on the road since
some time in 1999 (I think) that I want to store off-road has to be declared
as such every 12 months.
To cap it all, the latest idea put forward by our public 'servants' is that
ALL vehicles no matter what condition, on-road, off-road, stored, broken
down, stripped for repair or restoration should be subject to the same
GBP160 charge every year.

After 2007, the manufacturers will be responsible for the cost of destroying
vehicles that have reached the end of their lives, until then, the cost is a
hit on the last owner, so people try to avoid that. I'm willing to bet that
come 2007, certain parties work along the lines that they are only
responsible for cars made AFTER that date.....


Regards,

Jim Haseltine