Why We Should Tax Old Cars

Posted by User Contributed

June 27, 2008

Recently on Classic Car Insurance Reviews an article was added talking about the need for a use tax against specialty and classic vehicles. The discussion was that these cars are unregulated gas guzzlers and contribute to the air pollution problem. A classic Ferrari for example gets 9 MPG and burns fuel without the aid of a catalytic converter and uses an air-breathing carburetor. Needless to say it’s obvious why these cars would come under fire from the environmentalists.

There is little to fear from this type of car. The percentage of collectible cars on the road is small. These cars are also typically owned as secondary cars and only see the road infrequently. They are driven by people who can afford to have a “hobby” car, which means usually mature adults. Most of these owners either maintain their cars themselves or regularly have them serviced to keep them in good condition.

Collector car insurance is typically cheaper than regular car insurance. In order to offer these reduced premiums the car insurance companies put restrictions on use of these vehicles. These restrictions go a long way to minimizing the impact of these cars on the environment. For example most of these cars are limited to a maximum of 3,000 miles a year in order to qualify for the lower priced premiums.

While I understand the panic that has come about because of the gas price crisis in the case of antique and classic cars it is unnecessary. There just is not enough of a presence on the radar for these vehicles. Their footprint is tiny compared to the gas guzzling SUVs and Minivans that we all drive on a daily basis.

One day America is going to have to face their addiction to oil head on. Conversion to alternative fuel sources and conservation are going to be the watchwords of the day. I think once we as a nation accept that our sense of panic will subside. And we can go back and drive our cars in peace.

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