Fighting in WoT is what's fun... If you're only doing it to "grind" for upgrades you're doing it wrong.
^Truth
And tier 8 is CHEAP if you take VERY careful aim.
I have in my garage:
T110E5, IS4, IS7, E100, batchat, T54, T30, JagdTiger, Obj 704, GW Tiger and other assortments of high tier vehicles. I make money on a standard account, but it's hard. It's MEANT to be that way or else it would just be "World of Tier Ten Tanks".
You don't NEED a premium account OR premium vehicles. Tier 5 makes a lot of money and is meant to be the "money tier" so you can play without pay. They even stated "Premium accounts are really here for adults who have to work and want to speed up their grind since they can't play as much as a teenager."
The PZIV is one of my favorite vehicles, and with the new MM it is a LOT of fun, not to mention the specials always give it double credits.

----
I stopped tanking in AH when they changed it and due to the fact I was either getting camped or bombed. Hell even spawn camping is boring. "Point. Shoot. Boom." repeat.
At least in WoT I don't drive half an hour to a fight only to get bombed by some bored lanc pile-it and yes, the maps are small in comparison, but I can still flank my target.
----
Fight the fight, forget you have a grind and it gets better. If you're playing WoT strictly to get to the end-tier vehicles, you're gonna have a bad time.
WOW..........Realistic lightning eh? 
Well I'm convinced

Better than a sun that shines through your damn clipboard. That's damn realistic right thur.
