Should we bring the cars to Brisbane ?

[Red rose]

I’ve just accepted a job in Brisbane and we’re preparing to move from across from the UK in the next couple of months.

Trying to figure out if it’s cost effective to ship the cars (we've owned them all for 12 months) or if we’d be better off saving the hassle of shipping & registration and start again with new toys once the dust settles !

Can anyone give me a clue to their values in QLD ? I’m struggling to find any ads.

1995 Porsche 911 C2 (993), manual – 135K miles, well used (about as far away from a garage queen as is possible ...)

2001 Lotus Elise 111S – 55K miles (S1)

2009 Mini Cooper Diesel

2007 BMW 330d touring manual

No aircon in the Elise – is this really viable in Brisbane ?
Mini & BMW are black – again, is this a significant pain in the summer ?

I’m sure we won’t have too may problems to find local specialists to support any of the cars we do ship – but is this significantly more expensive than UK in real terms ? If we bring the Porsche I wonder if I should get some stuff (suspension refresh, aircon fixed, stone chips resprayed etc) sorted in the UK ?

Other advice / suggestions welcome !

Cheers
Ian

[Burnedout]

Aircon IS advisable in your first Brisbane summer.
Temps can go to 35-40C and the humidity may hover around 80%. You will feel that!

Possibly not worth bringing them over - expensive.

[Hasbeen]

To give you an idea of how important air con is in Brisbane, I have lived on the southern outskirts of Brisbane for 20 years. I have a TR7 which I restored 10 years ago, which I found I was using less as time went by. I was using it only in winter, it was just not any pleasure in summer.

I purchased an original air con system from the US, & I have just spent over A$3,500 overhauling it, & having it fitted.

After a few drives in our warming summer I think it was the best 4500 I ever spent.

Have a look at Carsales.com.au, & get an idea of the cost to buy your cars here. I think you will be shocked.

Then make the decision about bringing them with you. I think it will probably be cost effective.

[Pommygranite]

I'd say yes to all myself apart fom maybe the BMW but only because it's a manual.

[Google [bot]]

You can only bring one vehicle over in a 5 year period under the personal import scheme.

[JackCarter]

If your 993 is in good condition and rust free, that is the one I'd bring with me. It would probably be worth around AUD 50000-55000 as a private sale. Definately sort out any problems with the car in the UK as it will be much cheaper. Make sure the a/c is in good shape as you will be needing it! Bear in mind that air-cooled Porsches don't have the world's best a/c though. I would sell your other cars before you come here. Just my 2cents...

Edited by JackCarter on Monday 19th December 04:12

[Red rose]

Thanks for your feedback and advice. It's much appreciated, although I'm still not sure what to do ! Brain is still fizzing with thoughts and ideas ! No doubt more questions to follow!

Cheers
Ian

[djt77]

Bring the Porsche as you shouldn't have any trouble moving it on, I would say the Lotus would also be easy to move even without A/C if you price it right, as someone mentioned before check out www.carslaes.com.au to gauge an idea of what you might get for the cars

[deviant]

Pommygranite said:

I'd say yes to all myself apart fom maybe the BMW but only because it's a manual.

I would say it is the perfect daily! Big torquey engine, manual box, practical body shape, RWD and ultra rare in Aus.....booring as all hell compared to the sports cars though

[DC]

Moving out to Sydney myself late Jan for a few years. Was going to sell the cars (Golf 5 R32 and VX220 Turbo) but checking the prices out in Oz, buying a similar R32 would be nearly twice the price! Can anyone give me a rough idea on the cost of exporting?

[Bob the Planner]

I found this thread useful. You may have to adjust to current prices but it covers most of the bases.

useful PH link

Deviant may even make it a sticky [hint] !