EU only or is US ok
Discussion
Hi, I used to own a stunning silver convertible corvette 12 years ago and am looking to buy a one again as its the only car I ever talk about.
There do not seem many for sale and one of the things I have noticed is that the ones I like seem to be imported US ones rather than the EU ones, some saying for example it has the US sat nav which would need to be changed and things like that.
So I wondered if anyone had any feedback on this as I would value experience so I avoid making a mistake I rue.
Thanks in Advance
Rich
There do not seem many for sale and one of the things I have noticed is that the ones I like seem to be imported US ones rather than the EU ones, some saying for example it has the US sat nav which would need to be changed and things like that.
So I wondered if anyone had any feedback on this as I would value experience so I avoid making a mistake I rue.
Thanks in Advance
Rich
yes the us car has satnav that needs eu conversion,its about £800 also, us cars have different mirrors with no side repeaters which is mot failure,you can get led ones fitted but only by a competent auto electrician,i have us mirrors on my uk IMSA replica c7 and have to put uk ones back on for mot
Hmmmm. Really, it's all very straightforward.
A US import will have had to pass IVA test to achieve registration in UK and once registered is no problem whatsoever. The only change made to US cars to pass IVA is the addition of side repeater indicators (very easy) and addition of a rear fog lamp (also very easy, not least because there's already a place for a Euro fog bulb in the US tail lights). Rear indicators are already amber.
US door mirrors are slightly smaller but it doesn't make the blindest bit of difference at MOT time. US cars don't have headlamp washers and that doesn't matter either.
If it hasn't already been done the Satnav can be converted (like mine) for about £800 or you can stick a £100 TomTom in the cubby behind the central screen, which has an electric sliding door.
There is absolutely no reason to be nervous of any modern Corvette. All parts are available for all cars. What's more, the official UK dealer does any safety recalls on US cars without charge. There may well be as many US imports in the UK as there are official Euro cars. The previous official outlet couldn't get cars, asked silly prices and then went bust, contributing enormously to the shortage.
A US import will have had to pass IVA test to achieve registration in UK and once registered is no problem whatsoever. The only change made to US cars to pass IVA is the addition of side repeater indicators (very easy) and addition of a rear fog lamp (also very easy, not least because there's already a place for a Euro fog bulb in the US tail lights). Rear indicators are already amber.
US door mirrors are slightly smaller but it doesn't make the blindest bit of difference at MOT time. US cars don't have headlamp washers and that doesn't matter either.
If it hasn't already been done the Satnav can be converted (like mine) for about £800 or you can stick a £100 TomTom in the cubby behind the central screen, which has an electric sliding door.
There is absolutely no reason to be nervous of any modern Corvette. All parts are available for all cars. What's more, the official UK dealer does any safety recalls on US cars without charge. There may well be as many US imports in the UK as there are official Euro cars. The previous official outlet couldn't get cars, asked silly prices and then went bust, contributing enormously to the shortage.
UPDATE & REQUEST FOR HELP
I have been looking daily for a suitable C7 purchase, really hoping to get a blue or yellow one or a dark grey / racing green type colour one, auto and have seen some stunning black ones but really don't want a black one. I have found one I like the look of and wondered if anyone would be willing to have a look at the advert and pass on any thoughts as its a lot of money for me and I don't really want to make a terrible mistake. Hopefully I will see you at a future meet and be able to reward you with a beer or coffee!
Please PM me if you would help and ill pop over the link...
I have been looking daily for a suitable C7 purchase, really hoping to get a blue or yellow one or a dark grey / racing green type colour one, auto and have seen some stunning black ones but really don't want a black one. I have found one I like the look of and wondered if anyone would be willing to have a look at the advert and pass on any thoughts as its a lot of money for me and I don't really want to make a terrible mistake. Hopefully I will see you at a future meet and be able to reward you with a beer or coffee!
Please PM me if you would help and ill pop over the link...
Feel free to email me too (30 year CCCUK member & Vette owner). Been looking for an early, preferably UK/ Euro spec C7 myself for several weeks, after selling my C6. Very frustrating so far. Really not sure why dealers think low miles UK spec/manual only 2014 C7s are worth high £40ks when they have had them for sale for months, if not over a year in one case. Ian Allan have just dropped the price of their black manual 2014 (19k miles) by £2k to £42k.
Are you considering the 2015/yellow/8k miles UK/Ian Allan supplied car for £46,950? That's being advertised by both Adrian Dromey and American Dreams at the same time. First time I have seen that happen. That car appeared first on Ebay on 11 April, advertised privately in Notts for £44k, including £3.5k of carbon flash front splitter and winglets not yet fitted to the car. Phoned the seller/no response. Within a couple of hours, the advert was withdrawn by seller allegedly because of an "error" in the listing. On 16 April, American Dreams is advertising it for £46,950. On the 27th, Adrian Dromey is advertising it also for £46,950.
There's also some US spec cars being advertised at similar prices, including one where the dealer has just added £3k to a private sale one on Pistonheads the week before. No thanks.
Are you considering the 2015/yellow/8k miles UK/Ian Allan supplied car for £46,950? That's being advertised by both Adrian Dromey and American Dreams at the same time. First time I have seen that happen. That car appeared first on Ebay on 11 April, advertised privately in Notts for £44k, including £3.5k of carbon flash front splitter and winglets not yet fitted to the car. Phoned the seller/no response. Within a couple of hours, the advert was withdrawn by seller allegedly because of an "error" in the listing. On 16 April, American Dreams is advertising it for £46,950. On the 27th, Adrian Dromey is advertising it also for £46,950.
There's also some US spec cars being advertised at similar prices, including one where the dealer has just added £3k to a private sale one on Pistonheads the week before. No thanks.
Edited by Silver C6 on Tuesday 30th April 22:02
Edited by Silver C6 on Tuesday 30th April 22:08
Or, despite the still poor exchange rate, look to the States for better value and choice? Like the CCCUK member just bought a used 2017 C7 Gran Sport (300 miles) for $30k below original list price.
http://www.corvetteclub.org.uk/threads/c7.524/
http://www.corvetteclub.org.uk/threads/c7.524/
Edited by Silver C6 on Wednesday 1st May 14:05
Edited by Silver C6 on Wednesday 1st May 14:12
ref yellow c7 being advertised by two sellers,i had this when i drove up to evesham in may 2017 to view a yellow us spec one,it was being touted by 2 dealers and the owner,passed on it and bought yellow one from castle motors in liskeard, C7 values are set to rise as no more euro spec cars allowed into europe due to emmissions ban and the C8 reportedly starting at well over £100k not out in europe for another 18 months
Would love a C6/7 but UK prices are Well OTT IMO do any sell at these prices??????
How easy is USA import/registration process in reality?
I'd happily pay US prices for the right car - in UK same car +£20-25K and would go to USA to find the right car and drive it for a Month or so whilst on Hol's there it really appeals to me - anyone done this??
How easy is USA import/registration process in reality?
I'd happily pay US prices for the right car - in UK same car +£20-25K and would go to USA to find the right car and drive it for a Month or so whilst on Hol's there it really appeals to me - anyone done this??
A nice/well priced Vette will sell, and sell fast. Yep, there are some "daft/chancer" prices for C6s on Autotrader, Pistonheads and Ebay. Often at dealers you have never heard of before, and probably have never had/sold a Vette before. That includes 2005 model cars being advertised as 2006, as that's when first registered. If you want a C6, put a wanted ad on the Corvette (CCCUK) Club website. If you pay for a Parkers guide mileage adjusted valuation (UK/Euro spec car) I think they are pretty fair/accurate about what you should be paying for a C6 at a dealer or as a private sale. Unfortunately, their valuations for C7s are close to what dealers are asking for those unsold UK spec cars.
Buying from the States? ShipMyCar in Milton Keynes will do everything for you. Car on the road, IVA'd, number plates and RFT. Look at there online quotation system.
Buying from the States? ShipMyCar in Milton Keynes will do everything for you. Car on the road, IVA'd, number plates and RFT. Look at there online quotation system.
Edited by Silver C6 on Thursday 2nd May 13:16
chris lake said:
ref yellow c7 being advertised by two sellers,i had this when i drove up to evesham in may 2017 to view a yellow us spec one,it was being touted by 2 dealers and the owner,passed on it and bought yellow one from castle motors in liskeard, C7 values are set to rise as no more euro spec cars allowed into europe due to emmissions ban and the C8 reportedly starting at well over £100k not out in europe for another 18 months
Spookily/Coincidentally!! - A couple of weeks ago, I put the details of a late UK spec C7 into WeBuyAnyCar, just to see how low a price they would quote. Today, have received an email from them saying that the price has gone "up" by a grand. Or is that just the "normal" WBAC modus operandi/way of doing business? I'd disagree regarding the prices - simply compare UK + US prices.
Last year whilst at a classic show I looked at a C6 [2005] - which was Poverty spec - base engine, 4 speed auto - highish miles and IMO the Crappiest color for a Vette [silver] I spoke to seller about the car he was Full of himself, when I mentioned the spec, miles, poor trans etc etc he still wouldn't budge - Now almost a year later He still has it - it's these folks that spoil it for everyone else, For his car I'd have maybe paid 10K he wanted 22K
Since it's still for sale Its reasonable to assume everyone agree on the price being OTT
Last year whilst at a classic show I looked at a C6 [2005] - which was Poverty spec - base engine, 4 speed auto - highish miles and IMO the Crappiest color for a Vette [silver] I spoke to seller about the car he was Full of himself, when I mentioned the spec, miles, poor trans etc etc he still wouldn't budge - Now almost a year later He still has it - it's these folks that spoil it for everyone else, For his car I'd have maybe paid 10K he wanted 22K
Since it's still for sale Its reasonable to assume everyone agree on the price being OTTrene7 said:
Would love a C6/7 but UK prices are Well OTT IMO do any sell at these prices??????
How easy is USA import/registration process in reality?
I'd happily pay US prices for the right car - in UK same car +£20-25K and would go to USA to find the right car and drive it for a Month or so whilst on Hol's there it really appeals to me - anyone done this??
Not sure if you read the really useful link in the post by Peter (Silver C6) above.How easy is USA import/registration process in reality?
I'd happily pay US prices for the right car - in UK same car +£20-25K and would go to USA to find the right car and drive it for a Month or so whilst on Hol's there it really appeals to me - anyone done this??
The reality is that once shipping, tax and IVA are taken into account, the UK price is the same figure as US price then add 5%. eg US price = $40k, so UK price would be around £40k + 5% = £42k.
There are probably bargains to be had - as the owner of the imported low mileage C7 GS as mentioned above will testify, but the exchange rate is no longer in our favour.
If you do import, then make sure you get a Carfax report. It's like our HPI check.
Good luck with your search.
Edited by JONSCZ on Thursday 2nd May 16:32
Gassing Station | Corvettes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff