Importing a ZO6
Discussion
Hello All
I drive a TVR T350 which I really love.
I do lots of miles though and am slightly concerned about its useability in the middle of the winter.
I'd quite like to have "girlie" options like ABS and airbags fitted when the bad weather arrives.
To that end I've been vaguely pondering a ZO6.
£65,000, although good value against similarly priced European cars, seems steep against the $69,000 they list at in the USA (I was in NY last week)
Has anyone tried importing one themselves?
If so, was it easy and how much did it all end up costing? (after shipping, VAT etc)
Many thanks
I drive a TVR T350 which I really love.
I do lots of miles though and am slightly concerned about its useability in the middle of the winter.
I'd quite like to have "girlie" options like ABS and airbags fitted when the bad weather arrives.
To that end I've been vaguely pondering a ZO6.
£65,000, although good value against similarly priced European cars, seems steep against the $69,000 they list at in the USA (I was in NY last week)
Has anyone tried importing one themselves?
If so, was it easy and how much did it all end up costing? (after shipping, VAT etc)
Many thanks
espresso said:
Hello All
I drive a TVR T350 which I really love.
I do lots of miles though and am slightly concerned about its useability in the middle of the winter.
I'd quite like to have "girlie" options like ABS and airbags fitted when the bad weather arrives.
To that end I've been vaguely pondering a ZO6.
£65,000, although good value against similarly priced European cars, seems steep against the $69,000 they list at in the USA (I was in NY last week)
Has anyone tried importing one themselves?
If so, was it easy and how much did it all end up costing? (after shipping, VAT etc)
Many thanks
I drive a TVR T350 which I really love.
I do lots of miles though and am slightly concerned about its useability in the middle of the winter.
I'd quite like to have "girlie" options like ABS and airbags fitted when the bad weather arrives.
To that end I've been vaguely pondering a ZO6.
£65,000, although good value against similarly priced European cars, seems steep against the $69,000 they list at in the USA (I was in NY last week)
Has anyone tried importing one themselves?
If so, was it easy and how much did it all end up costing? (after shipping, VAT etc)
Many thanks
I have seen Sagares (I'm sure that's the plural!) fitted with ABS, traction control etc. so I'm sure you could do that to a T350.
Don't forget the US price for a Z06 is pre-tax. I understand the best value place to buy them in Europe to be Switzerland.
It's still the cheapest place in Europe to buy a Z06.
I'd hate to think that the EU have managed to get people to believe that the EU and Europe are one and the same... which reminds me, I wonder what they'd have done (flag and anthem-wise) if there'd been a Russian or Swiss golfer in the Ryder Cup team?
I'd hate to think that the EU have managed to get people to believe that the EU and Europe are one and the same... which reminds me, I wonder what they'd have done (flag and anthem-wise) if there'd been a Russian or Swiss golfer in the Ryder Cup team?
Have a read of my report here: www.auto-journals.com/s2/content/corvettez062.html
I sourced a brand new black Z06 from Germany. Cost me £56k all in and there is no SVA to do, plus you're still covered by GM Europe's 3 year 100k km warranty.
You're right, a Stratstone car is nearly £65k by the time you factor in compulsory "options" like Sat Nav, polished wheels etc.
I sourced a brand new black Z06 from Germany. Cost me £56k all in and there is no SVA to do, plus you're still covered by GM Europe's 3 year 100k km warranty.
You're right, a Stratstone car is nearly £65k by the time you factor in compulsory "options" like Sat Nav, polished wheels etc.
godzilla said:
Have a read of my report here: www.auto-journals.com/s2/content/corvettez062.html
I sourced a brand new black Z06 from Germany. Cost me £56k all in and there is no SVA to do, plus you're still covered by GM Europe's 3 year 100k km warranty.
You're right, a Stratstone car is nearly £65k by the time you factor in compulsory "options" like Sat Nav, polished wheels etc.
I sourced a brand new black Z06 from Germany. Cost me £56k all in and there is no SVA to do, plus you're still covered by GM Europe's 3 year 100k km warranty.
You're right, a Stratstone car is nearly £65k by the time you factor in compulsory "options" like Sat Nav, polished wheels etc.
eeeurrggh! Who would want polished wheels?
Mine was £62k all-in from Stratstone.
cheeky said:
godzilla said:
Have a read of my report here: www.auto-journals.com/s2/content/corvettez062.html
I sourced a brand new black Z06 from Germany. Cost me £56k all in and there is no SVA to do, plus you're still covered by GM Europe's 3 year 100k km warranty.
You're right, a Stratstone car is nearly £65k by the time you factor in compulsory "options" like Sat Nav, polished wheels etc.
I sourced a brand new black Z06 from Germany. Cost me £56k all in and there is no SVA to do, plus you're still covered by GM Europe's 3 year 100k km warranty.
You're right, a Stratstone car is nearly £65k by the time you factor in compulsory "options" like Sat Nav, polished wheels etc.
eeeurrggh! Who would want polished wheels?
Mine was £62k all-in from Stratstone.
Well Eric for one! But the point is, there was no choice for the cars arriving early next year. They have all been pre-specced with the polished option, giving you no, er, option. Add that to your price and you're nearly at £65k.
If you source a C6 or Z06 directly from the USA, there is indeed a substantial saving to be made, but there are some significant differences that will need addressing for the SUV test but all are limited to the lights and you may have to forgoe the xenon's at the front since US cars come without lens wash.
Other changes cf european spec cars are in reality minor annoyances, your fm radio leaps in blocks of 200mhz rather than the UK standard 50mhz jumps.This results in poor reception of certain stations since you can never be totally "on station".
I imagine that it might be possible to either change or re-program the tuning synthesiser chip for UK tuning.
The major major problem of course is lack of GM warranty, although you could get an RAC based warranty (and others)but they will not cover all items.
Since many recalls are safety issues, GM has the legal responsibility to both inform and exchange foc irrespective of place of purchase, and fequently these safety issue recalls are handled via DVLA computer.
The potential savings on a new car import are significant, but since the US does not appear to have the "company car/fleet" induced depreciation as suffered here, importing a youngish 2nd hand car is not so attractive (unless its a C5 Z06)
Regards.
Other changes cf european spec cars are in reality minor annoyances, your fm radio leaps in blocks of 200mhz rather than the UK standard 50mhz jumps.This results in poor reception of certain stations since you can never be totally "on station".
I imagine that it might be possible to either change or re-program the tuning synthesiser chip for UK tuning.
The major major problem of course is lack of GM warranty, although you could get an RAC based warranty (and others)but they will not cover all items.
Since many recalls are safety issues, GM has the legal responsibility to both inform and exchange foc irrespective of place of purchase, and fequently these safety issue recalls are handled via DVLA computer.
The potential savings on a new car import are significant, but since the US does not appear to have the "company car/fleet" induced depreciation as suffered here, importing a youngish 2nd hand car is not so attractive (unless its a C5 Z06)
Regards.
godzilla said:
cheeky said:
godzilla said:
Have a read of my report here: www.auto-journals.com/s2/content/corvettez062.html
I sourced a brand new black Z06 from Germany. Cost me £56k all in and there is no SVA to do, plus you're still covered by GM Europe's 3 year 100k km warranty.
You're right, a Stratstone car is nearly £65k by the time you factor in compulsory "options" like Sat Nav, polished wheels etc.
I sourced a brand new black Z06 from Germany. Cost me £56k all in and there is no SVA to do, plus you're still covered by GM Europe's 3 year 100k km warranty.
You're right, a Stratstone car is nearly £65k by the time you factor in compulsory "options" like Sat Nav, polished wheels etc.
eeeurrggh! Who would want polished wheels?
Mine was £62k all-in from Stratstone.
Well Eric for one! But the point is, there was no choice for the cars arriving early next year. They have all been pre-specced with the polished option, giving you no, er, option. Add that to your price and you're nearly at £65k.
Now that I've seen them IRL, they're quite nice. But I do prefer unpolished and wouldn't spend 2k to upgrade. That's a shame if next year's cars are pre-specced with polished. Conceivably a push at being perceived as a premium car?
Unfortunately I cannot do anything about our Z06 pricing, but if anyone is thinking about buying an automatic C6, new or used, I have some overage cars in stock (05 and 06 model year) that I can sell at less than most of the importers prices. I must be mad....
These cars are all brand new, UK Stratstone cars with a full 3 year manufacturer warranty. Drop me an email if you're interested.
These cars are all brand new, UK Stratstone cars with a full 3 year manufacturer warranty. Drop me an email if you're interested.
Weird isn't it. We remarked the other day down at Goodwood that the surge of interest in Z06 has tended to draw attention away from the excellent standard C6. Goodwood Breakfast attracted three Z06s yet only one C6 (IIRC). Plus of course the usual 342 C5s and one or two older Vettes!
godzilla said:
Well the other thing is I've read on some of the US forums that GM are having problems with the polished option and are now replacing it with - chromed wheels! They are really disgusting and will not last a month in the UK over winter...
My Z28 chromed wheels lasted 6 years. They did peel but on the inside rims and then reached a point where the peeling got worse and worse. The answer is a big wheel, thin spokes and a good wash of the inner rims.
ParkLane said:
If anyone is thinking about buying an automatic C6, new or used, I have some overage cars in stock (05 and 06 model year) that I can sell at less than most of the importers prices. I must be mad.... These cars are all brand new, UK Stratstone cars with a full 3 year manufacturer warranty.
I've been in touch with ParkLane about these cars and they are astounding value for money. If you've even half a thought of buying a C6 then I suggest you contact Parklane without delay. At these prices they're not going to hang around! And the 6-speed paddle-shift auto is a fantastic transmission, well worth its price premium.
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