Hardtop to CSW

[DiscoveRay]

If a hardtop has side windows installed, who (if anyone) has to be informed?

Insurance obviously, but what about DVLA?

As it's changing from a 'van' to a 'car' is there dosh to be paid to those nice chaps at the Revenue? Or is that all history?

Ray

[Bush Tucker Man]

I would think that the Revenue Men only need informing if it's used as a working vehicle & a tax is paid on its usage/fuel, etc.....

For private use, the insurers (before it's done, in case they object)

As for the DVLA, it's a change of body-style. Will you be adding seats in the back?

[DiscoveRay]

Thanks for that.

You asked:

Will you be adding seats in the back?

Probably a single either side + two boxes (to stop the dog devouring the groceries).

CSWs sell for silly money. I'm considering a TD5 as it's cheaper to buy an early TD5 from a main dealer than a late 300TDi from a 'specialist'!

Problem I anticipate is finding one without  the dreaded VAT, so may have to find one being sold privately.

Ray

[Bob696]

Problem I anticipate is finding one without the dreaded VAT, so may have to find one being sold privately.

If the dealer knows his business and is honest he wont charge you vat on a soft top. Say you are spending £5k thats a saving of around £900. I think you could get a hard top fitted for that (with windows)  :-)

Also I THINK the rule is that if a dealer has taken the car in p/x and is selling it or below what they 'paid' for it then they do not charge vat.

[Topple]

You will have fun trying to find a hard top with windows and all the internal trim to go with it. Theres a guy on ebay selling the genuine seatbelt mountings.

Are you putting in seats the genuine ones are best but cost a fortune even second hand.

I changed mine over last year told the insurance didn't make a diddly squat bit of difference to the premium.

I bought a hard top, headlining, all the trim, carpets, 4 seats cost me £700. It took me about 2 hours to take of the existing hard top off and put the new one on. (All second hand).

Simmonites sell all the bits to convert a hardtop to county, without the seats you are look at around £1200

I havn't told dvla, the V5 just says 4x4 utility, don't know what it should say for a csw ?

[Topple]

These are on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=31348&item=4522714390&rd=1

[DiscoveRay]

Thanks for all the helpful comments.

We started looking last year, but couldn't find anything decent for the price we had in mind. So SWMBO has been saving hard and we hope to find her dream 90 in the next couple of months.

The 90 will be dual purpose:

(i) Posh alloys and road tyres for Jackie's everyday car.

(ii) Set of steel wheels and mud tyres for us to play off-road.

Don't mind using the Disco for (scratch free) laning, bit it's a bit too new to tackle anything potentially damaging.

Current plan is to buy the best, affordable TD5 hardtop we can find, fit windows first, then other bits as cash becomes available.

Ray

[Topple]

That sounded like the plan I had, I didn't fancy keep changing wheels so went for grey modulars, with MT's not the best on the road but quiet enough.  The wife still uses here other car at present, which we are due to sell, but she is reluctant to use the 90 as it can be a challange to start, i've not traced the electrical fault yet, despite numerous attempts - so need to fix it first.

I spent a bit of time and money making it into a CSW the week after we bought it as a hardtop, still needs a bit of work. The problem is where do you draw the line between a toy and an every day car, she doen't like the idea of a winch, checker plate, etc on her every day car. I still think I'll win in the end.  :D

I went for the 200tdi as theres less electronics to go wrong and easier to fix yourself and cheaper.

I'm still considering a TD5 for myself as an every day car, but it would need chipping, bigger intercooler & the works  :D and be a tomb raider one. (i don't want much do i)

[Bush Tucker Man]

After bumping into an accountant friend who I see 'Once In A Blue Moon' & who used to deal with company cars financially. I'm told that if the VAT has been reclaimed on the initial (or subsequent) purchase price it has to be paid, at the applicable rate.

If it hasn't been reclaimed, any dealer advertising '£00.000 + VAT' is breaking the law (as it's quite possible that he's pocketing the VAT money)
C&E like to know about this type of this so I've read somewhere.

[DiscoveRay]

Not sure about that Richard, I remember a few years ago when I sold my company car (VAT had been reclaimed at point of purchase 3 x years earlier) I (the Company) had to hand over 17.5% of the sale price to C & E.

Having opted for early retirement a couple of years ago, I'm a bit out of touch with current legislation - worth investigating tho'.

Ray

[DiscoveRay]

Apologies Richard - just re-read your post, yes, see what you mean. I got it a**e about face :oops:

Trouble is, most 90 Hardtops will have been purchased for commercial use and the VAT reclaimed

Ray

[Topple]

Having changed my car to a csw back in October, I've finally got round to phoning DVLA today.

They don't need to know if you have changed from hard top to side windows, just asked to be notified of the new number of seats.

P

[Ben]

These are on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=31348&item=4522714390&rd=1

Hmm - latest Paddocks advert in LRO has got them for that new!

Cheers

Ben

[Ben]

Having changed my car to a csw back in October, I've finally got round to phoning DVLA today.

They don't need to know if you have changed from hard top to side windows, just asked to be notified of the new number of seats.

P

Excellent - I'm "mid swap" at the moment - got most of the bits, just waiting for the not so good weather after the slightly better than now weather (that'll be the autumn then) to get the most out of my soft top  :D. I only told the insurance company about the swap from truck cab to soft top, and intended doing the same for the Station Wagon conversion. I'll tell DVLA as well to save any  :oops:

Cheers

Ben