Rip-off Britain?
Discussion
According to the Sunday Times today a new Corvette ( which Clarkson says is awesome) is £34,000 in the USA and £64,000 in the UK. What is all that about? When I thought about doing the same with a Chrysler Hemi a few years ago, the dealerships said that if they sold a car for export to the UK they would lose their franchise. So to the lawyers out there - can this be legal in international law?
10% duty on car plus shipping plus insurance. Then 20% duty on all that and the. The cost of the lights etc for the iva. Also bare in mind the official models are not anywhere near the base car and I doubt any of the 'grey' import companies would bother importing a base one either....
As for buying from a dealership., that's how it's always been. You either buy nearly new or get a US friend to act as middle man.
As for buying from a dealership., that's how it's always been. You either buy nearly new or get a US friend to act as middle man.
robemcdonald said:
That's not too far off 911 money really. Which will leave the corvette as a bit of quirky / enthusiast choice only (especially as it probably left hand drive only) I don't expect to see one on the road any time soon.
A comparable 911 S convertible to the car Clarkson tested lists at £92K then you need to tick quite a few options to spec it up to a similar spec. Say what you want about Porsche they know how to charge for options, I would expect a similar specced car to be circa £100K at least, probably a fair bit more.
So not too far off 911 money in reality is £35K i.e >50% more, a whole chunk of change in my world.
Clarkson absolutely loved it though, rated it above a V8 F type Jag.
As for seeing one on the road soon, I hope to see mine very soon its built and on it's way :-)
I'm a big fan of the new Jag in vert form and would put the V6 version as a Vettes nearest rival over here but in reality it won't have one, its left hand drive and has very little dealer support so hopefully they will remain a rare sight on our roads. Oh, and back to the Jag, as much as I like them, they're a bit slow compared to a Z06 - he started it.
robemcdonald said:
To put my earlier comment in context. I really like the new vette and think its a shame that we won't see many around. I think ford has probably got the right idea with its global approach for the new mustang. GM should take a similar approach for the corvette.
Have you seen the new Mustang? The Mustang owners I know hate it. I think Ford have got it wrong. They've built a Euro box as a world car and slapped a Mustang badge on it. Mustang owners want a Mustang, generally with a V8 up front. Not something that looks like a Kia with a small diesel up front. God forbid if GM do that. However, GM Europe are so stupid when it comes to seriously marketing the Vette in Europe , I doubt we will see any changes. Lets face it, how many times have they marketed it and mentioned its success in ALMS and Le Mans. Come to think of it, when did they last market it?
It will always be a niche product which is why I and so many like it. Hell, I still really like the AM Vantage and only mentioned to my wife yesterday about it again. Then while sitting in Shenfield high street for 20 minutes yesterday we see five! Didn't see any Vettes let alone a Z06 or ZR1
Gixer said:
robemcdonald said:
To put my earlier comment in context. I really like the new vette and think its a shame that we won't see many around. I think ford has probably got the right idea with its global approach for the new mustang. GM should take a similar approach for the corvette.
Have you seen the new Mustang? The Mustang owners I know hate it. I think Ford have got it wrong. They've built a Euro box as a world car and slapped a Mustang badge on it. Mustang owners want a Mustang, generally with a V8 up front. Not something that looks like a Kia with a small diesel up front. God forbid if GM do that. However, GM Europe are so stupid when it comes to seriously marketing the Vette in Europe , I doubt we will see any changes. Lets face it, how many times have they marketed it and mentioned its success in ALMS and Le Mans. Come to think of it, when did they last market it?
It will always be a niche product which is why I and so many like it. Hell, I still really like the AM Vantage and only mentioned to my wife yesterday about it again. Then while sitting in Shenfield high street for 20 minutes yesterday we see five! Didn't see any Vettes let alone a Z06 or ZR1
Jasper Gilder said:
According to the Sunday Times today a new Corvette ( which Clarkson says is awesome) is £34,000 in the USA and £64,000 in the UK. What is all that about? When I thought about doing the same with a Chrysler Hemi a few years ago, the dealerships said that if they sold a car for export to the UK they would lose their franchise. So to the lawyers out there - can this be legal in international law?
How about £34,000 in the USA and £64,000 in the UK, €129,000 in the Netherlands....I noticed Clarkson's usual standard of research and journalism applied - that Corvette just caught up with Europeans - for example - on Magneto-rheological shocks (from Ferrari, but actually GM/Delco invented them first and supply Ferrari), Heads Up display (In Vettes way before BMW's), and so it goes on...... even took a shot at leaf springs.
I know he does it for effect, trouble is people believe him.
I know he does it for effect, trouble is people believe him.
Gixer said:
robemcdonald said:
To put my earlier comment in context. I really like the new vette and think its a shame that we won't see many around. I think ford has probably got the right idea with its global approach for the new mustang. GM should take a similar approach for the corvette.
Have you seen the new Mustang? The Mustang owners I know hate it. I think Ford have got it wrong. They've built a Euro box as a world car and slapped a Mustang badge on it. Mustang owners want a Mustang, generally with a V8 up front. Not something that looks like a Kia with a small diesel up front. God forbid if GM do that. However, GM Europe are so stupid when it comes to seriously marketing the Vette in Europe , I doubt we will see any changes. Lets face it, how many times have they marketed it and mentioned its success in ALMS and Le Mans. Come to think of it, when did they last market it?
It will always be a niche product which is why I and so many like it. Hell, I still really like the AM Vantage and only mentioned to my wife yesterday about it again. Then while sitting in Shenfield high street for 20 minutes yesterday we see five! Didn't see any Vettes let alone a Z06 or ZR1
Gixer said:
robemcdonald said:
To put my earlier comment in context. I really like the new vette and think its a shame that we won't see many around. I think ford has probably got the right idea with its global approach for the new mustang. GM should take a similar approach for the corvette.
Have you seen the new Mustang? The Mustang owners I know hate it. I think Ford have got it wrong. They've built a Euro box as a world car and slapped a Mustang badge on it. Mustang owners want a Mustang, generally with a V8 up front. Not something that looks like a Kia with a small diesel up front. God forbid if GM do that. However, GM Europe are so stupid when it comes to seriously marketing the Vette in Europe , I doubt we will see any changes. Lets face it, how many times have they marketed it and mentioned its success in ALMS and Le Mans. Come to think of it, when did they last market it?
It will always be a niche product which is why I and so many like it. Hell, I still really like the AM Vantage and only mentioned to my wife yesterday about it again. Then while sitting in Shenfield high street for 20 minutes yesterday we see five! Didn't see any Vettes let alone a Z06 or ZR1
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