| Everyone has an idea of the type of car they'd | | | | 30 years of age, you'll be classed in the high-risk |
| ideally like. You've probably plotted out exactly | | | | group for a performance car, and will pay more |
| which car, or cars, you'd buy if your numbers | | | | for your premiums than someone even 2 years |
| came up on the Lottery. Maybe you stand and | | | | older. Luckily there are companies who offer |
| gape in open-mouthed admiration and envy as | | | | cheap car insurance for performance cars; it's |
| someone drives past in your dream car. | | | | just a matter of shopping around. |
| But what would be the true cost of your dream | | | | As well as insurance and repairs, check the |
| car? Obviously if you're a Lottery winner, money | | | | emissions to find out the possible cost of your |
| would be no object, but if you've scrimped, saved | | | | road tax. For cars registered after 1st March |
| and sold your grandma to buy the luxury sports | | | | 2001, the cost of tax is calculated by the engine |
| car you've coveted, you may not have all that | | | | emissions, which can easily be found on the |
| much to spare on hidden costs. | | | | manufacturers website, or ask at the local |
| What hidden costs? I hear you cry. Well, aside | | | | dealership. To give you an idea, the new Subaru |
| from the obvious road tax and MOT costs, | | | | Impreza STi has emissions of 243 g/km, which |
| there's car insurance - a legal requirement - and | | | | means the road tax on one of these will work |
| repair bills which will be inevitable on some cars. | | | | out at £300 for the year, or £165 per |
| Add to that any 'performance' extras such as | | | | 6 months. Doesn't sound like a huge amount, but |
| filter kits, injection systems and even racing style | | | | when you have to pay it all in one go it can be |
| in-car accessories (if that's your thing), and the | | | | quite a hardship. |
| costs can easily mount up. There's a lot to take | | | | And then there's the thing that a lot of people |
| into account when planning a car purchase. | | | | seem to forget when purchasing a |
| Before you decide you definitely want that sports | | | | high-performance vehicle - the fuel consumption. |
| car, do some research into the insurance and | | | | Traditionally, the bigger the engine the more |
| other details. Try and find out what the most | | | | thirsty it is. And of course, the more powerful the |
| common faults on your chosen model are, and | | | | engine the more fuel needed to run it. Sticking |
| how much they typically cost to fix in your area. | | | | with the Subaru as an example, the urban fuel |
| Repair costs are one of the things an insurance | | | | consumption is a mere 20.5 mpg, compared to a |
| underwriter will take into account when deciding | | | | smaller model like the Peugeot 206 with an |
| what to charge you for cover. | | | | impressive 65.7 mpg. |
| It's almost a given that any high performance | | | | The point is, all these things should be taken into |
| vehicle will be in a high motor insurance group. The | | | | account before going ahead with a purchase. |
| Subaru Impreza, the Lancer, the Evo and most | | | | There's no point in spending a large amount for a |
| other popular sports cars are group 20, the | | | | car you can't afford to move off your driveway. |
| highest insurance group possible. If you are under | | | | Lawn ornaments are much cheaper. |