To ship it or not to ship it, that is the DB9 question

[ConorNZ]

I've got a DB9 volante, a rather nice (if I do say so myself) black one with cream leather. And I'm wondering if I can beat the crap exchange rate by bringing it back to NZ and turning it for a profit.

Only trouble is, Independent Prestige (NZ dealer) have been kind enough to share their view, which is that it's worth NZ$40,000 less than an NZ car as it can't have an AM warranty (which it does here in the UK) and it's an undesirable (for old NZ men) manual car.

So whadaya reckon'? Is it really worth a third less than an equivalent NZ car? At that rate I'm better to sell it here... And maybe get a Fezza or something. Hell I'll just stay here in London until the rate gets better!

[Esprit]

Reckon that's blocks. Sure the manual might make it harder to sell but it'll still appeal to some buyers. Also don't see why AM factory warranty won't apply here, you'll probably just have to go through Aston Martin UK who will then send you to their agent here. Obviously the NZ agent has a vested interest in discouraging you to bring one over, hoping you'll buy one here instead and that you'll not devalued their stock by bringing one over that'll undercut their premium prices.

[Steve*B]

Actually there is some truth in what the dealer is telling you. I believe that only cars registered pre 2010 continue with global warranty whereas after that time the warranty only applies to the country in which it was registered.

In other words, if you bought a brand new car today from a UK dealer then the minute it's shipped to NZ the warranty is cancelled. This definitely applies to Aston Martin and, I believe, BMW as well. I can't comment on other manufactures. I've no idea who instigated this policy but it's a great way to protect themselves from cheap imports which is a b*gger for anyone trying to go down that route.

ETA have just seen the year (2005) so I am assuming that you have extended warranty? In which case the subject warranty is irrelevant because a) extended warranties are pretty rubbish anyway and cover everything that doesn't generally go wrong b) Does anyone buying a 7 year old car expect a warranty? and c) I wouldn't have thought that you'd be selling it to Independent Prestige so I'd take the minus $40k with a pinch of salt.

Another thought; if the car is hard to shift, are there any independent companies in NZ that offer warranties an any make and model that you can buy?

The comment regarding the manual box isn't, imho, valid either. Whilst I have the TT2 I know that many prefer manual albeit that the 'many' are based in the UK.

Edited by Steve*B on Saturday 24th March 05:54

[ConorNZ]

Thanks for the thoughts guys. Yes, it's a 2005 car and has the extended warranty, but it's Aston Martin's own premium warranty - it's as good as a brand new factory warranty and seems to cover absolutely everything. The previous owner even had a new clutch and brakes under the warranty! You can only have these warranties however if AM decides that your car qualifies and as long as it has been covered without gap from new (as mine has). It's also only done 17,500 miles from new, so is barely run in!

The warranty expires next month and I have to decide whether to renew, which I would do if it was transferrable to NZ, but otherwise it's a bit pointless. I'll read the fine print this evening...

Maybe I should just sell it anyway and get something else. Exotic cars here are so cheap compared to NZ, I should try as many as possible! But then I lose the ability to avoid import GST of course. Decisions, decisions!

[Esprit]

Bear in mind if you import the Aston and sell it within a certain period, they'll Chase you for the GST since they'll deem you imported it for sale and not personal use.

[ConorNZ]

Thanks Esprit, got that. I believe they pro-rata it if you sell anytime in the first 2 years.

[ConorNZ]

So has anyone successfully taken their car with them to NZ and then sold it on, and if so, did you get close to the price of an equivalent car in NZ?

[Zadkiel]

I haven't done it, but I would just guess that for standard models, say an E90 3 series, then you could do ok out of it. The price difference is considerable and the buyers are not particularly discerning. That would be your problem for exotics though. The buyer is probably quite discerning, they also know their not buying the most reliable car on the road, so they'd be quite wary I imagine.

It could potentially work out, but as with everything reward often comes from risk, and do you want to take it? If it's for keeping, then bring it! You'll never find an exotic as cheap over here as they are there. If you want to make money out of it then let me know how it goes, because I've often considered it! (I'd have to contend with GST though).

[Esprit]

Best profit margin here to be made is in Porsche 911 Carreras. Buy a reasonably newish 997 Carrera S and bring it with you. Sales volumes are high here and you'll make a huge profit.

[NNK]

Be careful what you bring over at present, lots of dealers here are buying prestige cars in the UK at present. Turners Auctions had a large sale recently of BMW, Mercedes, etc that (I understand) they had imported themselves.
Corporate Cars (Auckland I think) are doing a wonderful job of showing NZ dealers what they should be charging.

[NZArnageT]

If you can sell it here for $90k I think you'd easily get that. The fact is if you want one now with a proper gear box you can't buy one. They are all auto. So you may even get more. Always good to have the only one on the market. Buy an aftermarket warrantee if you want. If I was buying any 05 car I would expect to be on my own if let go anyway NZ new or not.

Yes CCS are very good! Well done to them.