Curated list

12 turbo heroes about to turn vintage

The late 1990s were full of turbocharged cars that are now heroes: five-cylinder Volvos, twin-turbo Audis, Japanese rally specials. Those cars are now turning 30, the age at which Irish rules change in their favour.

At 30, a car can be taxed in the vintage class for €56 a year. A car more than 30 years old when it's first registered here pays a flat €200 VRT instead of a charge based on its value and emissions. For imports from the UK or Japan, that can save thousands. Here's when each of these cars gets there.

01 · First to arrive

Fiat Coupe 175 2.0 20v Turbo 1996–2000

Chris Bangle's slashed wheel arches, a Pininfarina interior and a 220 PS five-cylinder turbo. The 20v Turbo was one of the fastest front-drive cars of its day, and the first of them are turning 30 now.

Motor tax now: €56 vintage (cars built up to 1996)
Standard tax: €710 a year (engine size)
Engine: 1,998 cc, 220 bhp, 0–62 6.3 s
Guide price: €12,000–€25,000 (our estimate)

Watch for: Cambelt (engine-out risk), turbo and head gasket, rust at sills and arches, torque steer, modified cars.

Compare every Coupe in the filter → For sale on DoneDeal ↗

02 · The sleeper

Audi A4 B5 S4 2.7 Biturbo 1997–2001

From outside it looks like an A4. Underneath is a 2.7-litre twin-turbo V6 with 265 PS and quattro four-wheel drive. The B5 S4 is a favourite with tuners because the engine has so much in reserve, which is also why unmodified ones are getting hard to find.

Motor tax now: €1,345 a year (engine size)
Vintage tax from: 2027 (€56 a year)
€200 VRT import: cars over 30 at registration, from 2027
Engine: 2,671 cc, 265 bhp, 0–62 5.7 s
Guide price: €7,000–€18,000 (our estimate)

Watch for: Turbos, coil packs, timing belt (engine-out access), clutch, over-tuned examples.

Motor tax by year and full specs → For sale on DoneDeal ↗

03 · The fast estate

Volvo V70 Mk1 R AWD 1997–2000

Volvo's R models turned a family estate into something properly quick: a 2.3 turbo five-cylinder, four-wheel drive and a boot big enough for a dog and a weekly shop. The V70 R carried on what the 850 T-5R started.

Motor tax now: €1,034 a year (engine size)
Vintage tax from: 2027 (€56 a year)
€200 VRT import: cars over 30 at registration, from 2027
Engine: 2,319 cc, 250 bhp, 0–62 7.2 s
Guide price: €4,000–€10,000 (our estimate)

Watch for: Auto gearbox, ABS module, AWD viscous coupling, PCV system.

Compare every V70 in the filter → For sale on DoneDeal ↗

04 · A design classic

Audi TT 8N 1.8T 180 1998–2006

The first TT looked like nothing else when it arrived in 1998, and it still looks good. The 1.8 turbo is the same engine as the Golf GTI's. Early cars were recalled to add a rear spoiler and stability control after concerns about high-speed stability.

Motor tax now: €636 a year (engine size)
Vintage tax from: 2028 (€56 a year)
€200 VRT import: cars over 30 at registration, from 2028
Engine: 1,781 cc, 180 bhp, 0–62 7.4 s
Guide price: €3,000–€8,000 (our estimate)

Watch for: Coil packs, dash cluster pixel failure, coolant temp sensor, rear spoiler recall.

Compare every TT in the filter → For sale on DoneDeal ↗

05 · The everyday turbo

Volkswagen Golf Mk4 GTI 1.8T 20v 1998–2004

The Mk4 GTI was criticised as soft when new, but the 1.8 20-valve turbo is strong and easy to tune, and clean, unmodified examples are now rare. It's the cheapest way onto this list.

Motor tax now: €636 a year (engine size)
Vintage tax from: 2028 (€56 a year)
€200 VRT import: cars over 30 at registration, from 2028
Engine: 1,781 cc, 150 bhp, 0–62 8.5 s
Guide price: €2,000–€6,000 (our estimate)

Watch for: Coil packs, diverter valve, timing belt/tensioner, oil sludge on neglected cars.

Motor tax by year and full specs → For sale on DoneDeal ↗

06 · Italian twin-turbo V8

Maserati 3200 GT M338 3.2 V8 Biturbo 1998–2002

Designed by Giugiaro and famous for its boomerang-shaped LED tail lights, the 3200 GT has a 370 PS twin-turbo V8. It's dramatic, fast and expensive to keep, but the €56 vintage tax will make a big difference to its running costs.

Motor tax now: €1,809 a year (engine size)
Vintage tax from: 2028 (€56 a year)
€200 VRT import: cars over 30 at registration, from 2028
Engine: 3,217 cc, 370 bhp, 0–62 5.1 s
Guide price: €20,000–€40,000 (our estimate)

Watch for: Turbos, cambelts, electrics, tail lights, suspension, costly specialist servicing.

Compare every 3200 GT in the filter → For sale on DoneDeal ↗

07 · Import only

Nissan Skyline R34 GT-t 2.5 Turbo Import1998–2002

Never sold new in Ireland, the R34 Skyline GT-t is a rear-drive turbo saloon with the RB25 straight-six. Once a car is over 30 when it's registered here, the €200 flat VRT applies, which is why the R34s turning 30 from 2028 are worth watching.

Motor tax now: €1,080 a year (engine size)
Vintage tax from: 2028 (€56 a year)
€200 VRT import: cars over 30 at registration, from 2028
Engine: 2,498 cc, 276 bhp, 0–62 5.9 s
Guide price: €25,000–€50,000 (our estimate)

Watch for: Drift abuse, modifications.

Compare every Skyline in the filter → For sale on DoneDeal ↗

08 · Mäkinen's era

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI GSR Import1999–2000

The Evo VI comes from Tommi Mäkinen's run of World Rally titles, with a 2.0 turbo and a clever four-wheel-drive system. Most Irish Evos came in through the UK or Japan, so the €200 VRT rule matters a lot here.

Motor tax now: €710 a year (engine size)
Vintage tax from: 2029 (€56 a year)
€200 VRT import: cars over 30 at registration, from 2029
Engine: 1,997 cc, 276 bhp
Guide price: €35,000–€60,000 (our estimate)

Watch for: AYC faults, rust, abuse, gearbox.

Compare every Lancer Evolution in the filter → For sale on DoneDeal ↗

09 · Named after a fighter jet

Saab 9-3 Mk1 Viggen 1999–2002

The Viggen took its name from a Saab fighter jet and had a 230 PS 2.3 turbo that pulled hard enough to tug at the steering wheel. Lightning Blue is the colour people look for. It's quirky, very Saab, and increasingly sought after.

Motor tax now: €994 a year (engine size)
Vintage tax from: 2029 (€56 a year)
€200 VRT import: cars over 30 at registration, from 2029
Engine: 2,290 cc, 230 bhp, 0–62 6.8 s
Guide price: €8,000–€18,000 (our estimate)

Watch for: Torque-steer-damaged driveshafts and clutches, gearbox, check for correct Viggen parts.

Compare every 9-3 in the filter → For sale on DoneDeal ↗

10 · The family supercar

Audi A4 B5 RS4 Avant 2000–2001

The first RS4 was an estate only, with a 380 PS twin-turbo V6 developed with Cosworth. Audi didn't build many, and the RS4 is one of the most wanted cars of its era. Its 30th birthday arrives in 2030.

Motor tax now: €1,345 a year (engine size)
Vintage tax from: 2030 (€56 a year)
€200 VRT import: cars over 30 at registration, from 2030
Engine: 2,671 cc, 380 bhp, 0–62 4.9 s
Guide price: €25,000–€50,000 (our estimate)

Watch for: Turbos, Cosworth-specific parts and brakes, suspension, provenance.

Motor tax by year and full specs → For sale on DoneDeal ↗

11 · The 911 bargain

Porsche 911 996 Turbo 2000–2005

The 996 is the unloved 911 because of its 'fried egg' headlights, but the Turbo uses the race-derived Mezger engine, not the standard 996 unit, with 420 PS and four-wheel drive. Prices have already risen, and vintage tax from 2030 will help.

Motor tax now: €1,809 a year (engine size)
Vintage tax from: 2030 (€56 a year)
€200 VRT import: cars over 30 at registration, from 2030
Engine: 3,600 cc, 420 bhp, 0–62 4.2 s
Guide price: €60,000–€90,000 (our estimate)

Watch for: Coolant pipe glue failure, clutch, radiators, suspension.

Compare every 911 in the filter → For sale on DoneDeal ↗

12 · The rally icon

Subaru Impreza GD/GG WRX STi 2001–2005

The 'bug-eye' Impreza WRX STI of 2001 started a new generation with a 2.0 boxer turbo, four-wheel drive with an adjustable centre differential, and World Rally Blue paint with gold wheels. The first ones turn 30 in 2031.

Motor tax now: €710 a year (engine size)
Vintage tax from: 2031 (€56 a year)
€200 VRT import: cars over 30 at registration, from 2031
Engine: 1,994 cc, 261 bhp, 0–62 5.2 s
Guide price: €12,000–€25,000 (our estimate)

Watch for: Engine ringland and bearing failure, gearbox, rust at rear arches, heavy modification.

Compare every Impreza in the filter → For sale on DoneDeal ↗

Vintage motor tax: what changes at 30

A car 30 or more years old can be taxed in the vintage class for €56 a year (12 months only). It isn't automatic: you apply to your Motor Tax Office with form RF111 and the registration certificate. Age counts from the date of manufacture, so a car built late in the year qualifies late in the year.

The €200 VRT rule for imports

Revenue charges a flat €200 VRT on a car that is more than 30 years old when it's registered in Ireland, instead of VRT based on its value, CO2 and NOx. For a turbo car from the UK or Japan that would otherwise face the full calculation, waiting until it turns 30 can save thousands. Customs duty and import VAT may still apply to cars from outside the EU, including Great Britain. Cars 30+ years old in original condition may qualify for the reduced historic rate.

NCT

From 30 years, cars not used commercially need an NCT only every two years. From 40, they're exempt.

Guide prices and 'watch for' notes are our own estimates and haven't been independently checked. Motor tax figures are worked out from Department of Transport rates; check the exact figure for a specific car at motortax.ie.

More lists

Motor tax rates: Department of Transport schedule (unchanged in Budgets 2025 and 2026), checked 2026-09. CO2: official UK type-approval figures from the Vehicle Certification Agency; Irish-market versions can differ slightly. Your car's exact CO2 and band are on its registration certificate, and motortax.ie shows the rate for a given registration. Pre-July 2008 cars are taxed on engine size; July 2008–2020 on NEDC CO2; 2021 on, on WLTP CO2.