When you see the prices at the pump, you are almost tempted to top up your tank of gasoline with some diesel. Unfortunately, the diesel fuel nozzle often does not fit into the opening of a petrol tank. Too bad, otherwise this would have been a brilliant idea. Want to benefit from the low price per liter of diesel without paying a lot of road tax? Then you can look at one of these tax-free diesels.
In the Netherlands we still have the classic car scheme for the time being: cars celebrating their 40th anniversary are exempt from road tax. Diesels that are four or more decades old may not be the pinnacle of refinement, but many of these can get you from A to B cheaply. At least, as long as A or B aren't in one environmental zone is. And while it lasts, because the last time everyone started driving old diesels en masse, the oldtimer age in the Netherlands was quickly increased to the current 40 years. It was recently proposed that cars up to and including 1987 would become tax-free at the age of 40, but newer cars would not. Anyway, we haven't gotten there yet: check the list of tax-free diesels below.
Volkswagen Jetta (3,000 euros)
Of course, we can easily put a Golf 1 here, and that remains a great option. But because we also like to propose something different: buy an old Jetta. If you look carefully you will find them from the first generation, but the second generation is also old enough.
The Jetta above is for sale at Classic Cars in Heerde. The diesel engine is no older than 30,000 kilometers and should have just a little more power. The car in the photo should sell for 7,000 euros, but if you look in Germany, you can easily get a nice first-generation Jetta for half that.
Volvo 240 or 245 (6,000 euros)
If you want a nice diesel brick from Sweden, it is best to look across the border. There are quite a few in Germany, but it is even more fun to get one from Spain or Italy. Then you not only have less chance of rust, but also a nice road trip home. They don't call diesels 'mileage guzzlers' for nothing and the import costs will not be too bad for such an old car. Be sure to look for the six-cylinder.
Jeep Cherokee (4,000 euros)
A Jeep Trackhawk? No, a Jeep with a tow bar. And unfortunately no big V8 for this American SUV, but a diesel with about 85 hp. You can also get it with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, if you look carefully. Old Jeep Cherokees are also becoming valuable, so perhaps this is a nice last chance – and this diesel is therefore tax-free. This is also located in Heerde.
Mercedes 190D (5,500 euros)
This is still the prototype tax-free diesel. Before the age for vintage cars rose to 40 years, you saw the Mercedes 190 D on the road regularly. They are now exempt from road tax again, but people may now think they are a bit too old. If it is a little older, you can also get a classic Mercedes of the W123 generation for 10,000 euros.
Mercedes G-class of the army (7,000 euros)
Defense occasionally sells a few of these old G-classes, but armed forces of other countries are also replacing their old diesels. Restored examples are worth serious money, but an unloved 290 GD or 300 GD doesn't have to be expensive. And then you drive a real Mercedes G-class.
Volkswagen Transporter T3 (3,000 euros)
The prices of the T3 are going in all directions. You can get a tired copy for 2,000 euros, but you can also easily spend 40,000 euros on a Syncro that has already started a second life as a camper. There are still a few in Germany for a reasonable price. If your need for space is a bit greater, you can also look at a Volkswagen LT.
#Cheap #diesel #drive #cool #diesel #cars #taxfree