Importing C6 from USA
Discussion
Hello Corvette forum. I am a TVR Chimaera owner who is suddenly desperate for a Corvette C6. My TVR is perfect in every sense but I think it is time for a change to something that represents more of a car car than a toy car.
I wonder if anyone can advise me as to the procedure for importing a corvette from USA. I'm looking to spend 20k and have seen some amazing looking C6's for about $43,000 which currently equates to only a little over my budget.
Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.
I wonder if anyone can advise me as to the procedure for importing a corvette from USA. I'm looking to spend 20k and have seen some amazing looking C6's for about $43,000 which currently equates to only a little over my budget.
Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.
For £20k, you're going to be looking at a C5, not a C6. Not that there's owt wrong with that 
www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/105036.htm
www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/105036.htm
888USA said:
You must be mad!! Stratstone Corvette are doing brand new C6 Vettes Uk spec with factory sat nav for 37k Brand new including 3 years warranty & AA Cover! Massive saving against new & has to be cheaper than a US Spec.
Much as it hurts me to say it, Rob could be right here. (Not the bit about you being mad)
$43k at 1.85 = £23,250 which is really cheap. But, add on 30% (£7,000) plus shipping/insurance plus SVA and you're around the £32k mark. More if you want to go over and see it and you won't have any sort of warranty.
There is one major drawback with Stratstones - they don't have any yellow ones.
By the way (shamelss plug) my C5 is still for sale (unless I accept the offer from Mr Ken in Spain who wants to send me a draft for twice its value and then let his agents have the car - he got a suitable response)
Ok thanks for all your comments. All duly noted. ]
It's a shame really. From what I've read I would prefer a C6 but it's clear that i can't afford it so that's that. £37k is out of the question right now. It's amazing how much it costs to import isn't it? Oh well. I would consider a C5 but only in blue or black with a tan interior. Yellow? No thanks. Anyone who buys a yellow car has a serious complex!
There is also the problem of selling the TVR for as much £ as possible now that the winter is setting in. I may have to wait until Spring. In the meantime I'll continue to enjoy fishtailing in the wet.
That is unless the owner of a blue/black perfect C5 for sale wants to try a Chimaeara for kicks? Long shot I know.
Thanks again all.
It's a shame really. From what I've read I would prefer a C6 but it's clear that i can't afford it so that's that. £37k is out of the question right now. It's amazing how much it costs to import isn't it? Oh well. I would consider a C5 but only in blue or black with a tan interior. Yellow? No thanks. Anyone who buys a yellow car has a serious complex!
There is also the problem of selling the TVR for as much £ as possible now that the winter is setting in. I may have to wait until Spring. In the meantime I'll continue to enjoy fishtailing in the wet.
That is unless the owner of a blue/black perfect C5 for sale wants to try a Chimaeara for kicks? Long shot I know.
Thanks again all.
Explain pleaseOops sorry Richard. Just a stupid opinon of mine. I'd rather have one with as little fuss as poss. Blue and Black helps this. Thanks but no to red too! I think I will wait a bit toll next year and in the meantime i'll enjoy reading your threads whilst building up my anticipation of owning one. If business flourishes then a C6 next year may not be outta the question.
The photo of the C5 reg C5PGT is ex mine, and is an excellent car, and is European spec.( I have retained the reg for the Z06 that I am importing)
This car is available for sale and was originally bought from Chris Graham Corvettes in Nantwich (he has a web site as also the current dealer/owner that I have found to be exemplary.)
Stratsones may be offering apparently advantageous prices (cf current list), but the devil is always in the detail, particularly if you have a px.
How much for a Stratsone unreg. 06 with sat nav, paddle shift 6 spd, Z51 pack, glass roof,polished wheels etc etc.?
This car is available for sale and was originally bought from Chris Graham Corvettes in Nantwich (he has a web site as also the current dealer/owner that I have found to be exemplary.)
Stratsones may be offering apparently advantageous prices (cf current list), but the devil is always in the detail, particularly if you have a px.
How much for a Stratsone unreg. 06 with sat nav, paddle shift 6 spd, Z51 pack, glass roof,polished wheels etc etc.?
For what it's worth you could buy a 2003 Z06 from the US for about $30,000 which equates to about £21,500 landed (i.e. after paying the shipping, duty and VAT)
The rough rule is convert the cost price from $ to £ i.e. at todays rate of 1.891
Therefore $18,910 = £10,000 + shipping about £1000 absolute tops from the an American east coast port to UK via a roll-on-roll-off ferry.
£11,000 + 10% duty = £12,100 + VAT = £14,217.50
Then once in the UK you would need the SVA work done plus the SVA test so allow for £1,500 to cover this.
I wrote a spreadsheet to do the rough calculations so if you want a copy please pm me.
The rough rule is convert the cost price from $ to £ i.e. at todays rate of 1.891
Therefore $18,910 = £10,000 + shipping about £1000 absolute tops from the an American east coast port to UK via a roll-on-roll-off ferry.
£11,000 + 10% duty = £12,100 + VAT = £14,217.50
Then once in the UK you would need the SVA work done plus the SVA test so allow for £1,500 to cover this.
I wrote a spreadsheet to do the rough calculations so if you want a copy please pm me.
A new 06 stratstone car with paddleshift, luxury pack, navigation, polished alloys and transparent roof is £42999 (we have one in Le Mans Blue with Cashmere). All UK cars have the Z51 pack as standard.
The cars are brand new, unregistered, and an advert is due to go on our website next week. Email me if you would like the list now.
The cars are brand new, unregistered, and an advert is due to go on our website next week. Email me if you would like the list now.
Edited by parklane on Friday 27th October 20:22
parklane said:
A new 06 stratstone car with paddleshift, luxury pack, navigation, polished alloys and transparent roof is £42999 (we have one in Le Mans Blue with Cashmere). All UK cars have the Z51 pack as standard.
That's not what your Stratstone website says - new is about 3k more before adding the nav etc.
Are you talking pre-registered?
Might be worth updating your cars available list on there?
I am importing a C5 Z06 from the states with 3k miles, and should be here late Nov.
Provided you are willing to carry out the required SVA mods yourself, the additional costs will be much less.
P.S.
I couldent find a single low mileage 02/03 Z06 for $30k, but its a matter of luck.
There are plenty of 06 C6(non Z06) cars for $40k +/-, but the US method of apportioning extras and their identification is peculiar, unless you have access to the sticker in the glove box and have the codes.(available on corvette forums).
I think that the Parklane prices are attractive even if the cars are pre-registered, but how much for px???, it can be swings and roundabouts.
Provided you are willing to carry out the required SVA mods yourself, the additional costs will be much less.
P.S.
I couldent find a single low mileage 02/03 Z06 for $30k, but its a matter of luck.
There are plenty of 06 C6(non Z06) cars for $40k +/-, but the US method of apportioning extras and their identification is peculiar, unless you have access to the sticker in the glove box and have the codes.(available on corvette forums).
I think that the Parklane prices are attractive even if the cars are pre-registered, but how much for px???, it can be swings and roundabouts.
owenemyr said:
I couldn't find a single low mileage 02/03 Z06 for $30k, but its a matter of luck.
I agree about the low mileage (one for sale at the moment for $38k with 800 miles on it!), but there are plenty for sale with about 20-30k on the clock for $30k.
So come on then tell us what you are buying, where is it being shipped from, colour etc.
Edited by vetteheadracer on Saturday 28th October 09:14
To vetteheadracer:
The Z06 that I am in the process of shipping is an electrone blue, "fully loaded" 02 model with 3k miles and some add-ons etc.
I had intended using your (and Wayne's) contact in Baltimore, but Wallenius no longer sail from Baltimore to Bristol, and it would have involved shipping direct to Zeebruge, disembarking, reloading and another sailing to Bristol.
Since the car is located in NC, the owner (a Col in the air division of US marines)will himself drive the car to Charlston for shipping.(unfortunately to Southampton.)
I am considering doing the SVA work myself at a considerable saving, its hardly rocket science, although I have considered also using the SVA services of Tesalyn Engineering in Bicester since they can keep the car original.Its a lot of money however to pay for the privelage of not having a rear fog lamp tucked inbetween the tail pipes, who did you use in the Glos. area?
My original yellow Z06 had its SVA done somwehere in Glos, but the front running lights were an abomination, I believe that this car has now been bought by a forum member
I should have my C6 on the road by Nov1, I know its a pure indulgance having two corvettes, but its my intention to grow old disgracefully!!!.
P.S.
Anyone interested in some low mileage BMW 840ci sports? ( really really low mileage)
I'll be interested to hear how you get on with the Charleston/Southampton route. It's the one I looked at before eventually buying a car in Europe.
Regarding SVA, you could always ask Ian Goss Services (GO55 USA) to collect the car and SVA it for you ready to drive away! They do a lot of SVA work and I think the pricing is quite reasonable, especially if it guarantees a first time pass.
Regarding SVA, you could always ask Ian Goss Services (GO55 USA) to collect the car and SVA it for you ready to drive away! They do a lot of SVA work and I think the pricing is quite reasonable, especially if it guarantees a first time pass.
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