Pre-1989 - what to bring?

[ariddell]

Hey,
We're back in the UK over Xmas and NY and have organised a 40ft container heading back early January with the plan being to buy a couple of cars to go in it when we're back.

I want an 87-88 Bentley Turbo R for myself, and then using the other space for a 2nd car to sell. Current thinking is either a Porsche 928 or 911 from 87-88 as likely going to be the easiest to sell on at a reasonable profit out here.

Intention will be for them to go on the Vic club permit system where only an rwc is needed rather than doing full compliance so a more limited market & need to make sure it's something popular.

Any other ideas for a profitable low grief car to sell on from that period that is going to be in reasonably plentiful supply in the UK? Time is going to be limited around family commitments so not going to have a huge amount of time for hunting.

Should also have some spare container space for parts, so open to discussion if anyone needs big stuff shipped back at a reasonable cost give me a shout.

Cheers,

Al

[Google [bot]]

I'd be very surprised if it made sense to go club rego and uncomplied.

911 and 928 are good calls. Ferrari Mondial possibly more painful/profitable.

[ariddell]

Yeah, may make sense to comply the one to sell to give a wider potential market.

With the one I'm keeping it likely wouldn't as 90 days unrestricted use per year on the club permit is tons and I can always do the compliance when I come to sell it in the future.

Mondial would be good, problem may be I'd be tempted to keep it, but then that would also be an issue if I went for a 928..

[Colonial]

Audi Quattro.

[Google [bot]]

Cossie? M5?

Edited by Google [bot] on Thursday 18th October 08:01

[JackCarter]

Bear in mind that a private import will nearly always be worth less than an Oz car. I would be tempted to bring back something that was never officially imported. Audi Quattro or Sierra Cosworth perhaps? Another issue to consider is that most pre 89 UK cars won't have air conditioning. Depending on what part of Oz the buyer lives in they may feel it's essential.

Just my 2c but I'd love a mint Mk II Granada Ghia X with a/c...

[motomk]

JackCarter said:

Just my 2c but I'd love a mint Mk II Granada Ghia X with a/c...

Yeah....this one would do!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgWRCDtiTQ0

[Google [bot]]

I actually had MkII Ghia X at uni. It would kickdown if the fan was turned on, never mind the AC. Nice variation on the Falcon thang though.

[ariddell]

I'd love a Mk II Granada, would def need to be a Ghia X estate with leather for me, not too bothered about the aircon. I suspect the resale opportunities would be limited however.

Quattro/Cossie ideas worth looking at further I think, although I suspect good ones are going to be commanding decent cash even in the UK. What's a decent UR Quattro likely worth out here? Only 1 of them on Carsales and it's asking $30k so not sure how realistic that is.

[Colonial]

ariddell said:

I'd love a Mk II Granada, would def need to be a Ghia X estate with leather for me, not too bothered about the aircon. I suspect the resale opportunities would be limited however.

Quattro/Cossie ideas worth looking at further I think, although I suspect good ones are going to be commanding decent cash even in the UK. What's a decent UR Quattro likely worth out here? Only 1 of them on Carsales and it's asking $30k so not sure how realistic that is.

There was another quattro at an auction in Melbourne. Haven't heard firm figures, but over 30k is the indication.

[JackCarter]

There is an ex-UK Quattro at the Motorclassica auction in Melbourne next Sunday. Guide is $30-35K.

http://www.manheim.com.au/passenger-vehicles/35560...

[james280779]

jenson interceptor or maybe an old TVR?

I have just done a 911 myself and it was a pain to get through the engineering certificate. Maybe the 928 might be easier as its a more modern design

[SGOxon]

james280779 said:

jenson interceptor or maybe an old TVR?

I have just done a 911 myself and it was a pain to get through the engineering certificate. Maybe the 928 might be easier as its a more modern design

james280779 I am thinking of bringing in my '89 3.2 Carrera when we come over (expected to be Easter '13). I would be interested to hear what you went through - how long, what the problems were etc - maybe pm me if poss as this is now off topic.

[james280779]

SGOxon said:

james280779 I am thinking of bringing in my '89 3.2 Carrera when we come over (expected to be Easter '13). I would be interested to hear what you went through - how long, what the problems were etc - maybe pm me if poss as this is now off topic.

if its as aa personal import its a different ball game - easy!

if owned less than a year I would advise to think twice about shipping. its probably going to have to come in under SEVS scheme which can cost alot.

[ariddell]

What he said ^, unless it happens to be first registered in 1989 but you can prove it was built in 1988, in which case the pre-1989 scheme is the way to go.

One of the Bentleys I have been looking at was registered April 1989 but built Nov 1988 so is eligible.

[custardtart]

What about a Renault Alpine GTA? These always got great reviews when new and Renault's are, for some unfathomable reason, seen as a little bit prestigous here.

[ariddell]

I bought this for myself:



Renault a nice idea but I suspect too niche to sell quickly, a bit like TVRs, great so long as the 1 person who knows what they are and really wants to buy one isn't away on holiday at the time you're trying to sell.

I've seen quite a few cheap Merc 560SECs that I'm liking the look of currently, can pick a good one up in the UK for about 2000quid by the looks of it.

[Google [bot]]

ariddell said:

I bought this for myself:



Renault a nice idea but I suspect too niche to sell quickly, a bit like TVRs, great so long as the 1 person who knows what they are and really wants to buy one isn't away on holiday at the time you're trying to sell.

I've seen quite a few cheap Merc 560SECs that I'm liking the look of currently, can pick a good one up in the UK for about 2000quid by the looks of it.

That is fantastic. I'd love a Turbo R and the rate I feel like I'm aging I'll probably end up with one sooner rather than later

I wouldn't bother with an SEC, they're not worth that much here and likely most UK models would e considerably more corroded than anything here. And if they're not, the suspicion would be that they are.

O/T but just finished a few hundred km northern holiday in the 928 and the most fantastic companion; poise, grace, stability, power, sound... And at its best deep into 3 figures which it rarely gets the opportunity for in Sydney village.

[Bob the Planner]

ariddell said:

... a bit like TVRs, great so long as the 1 person who knows what they are and really wants to buy one isn't away on holiday at the time you're trying to sell....

Sorry Alistair - things have gone a bit Pete over the last couple of weeks. If you want the Tuscan please give me a bell.

Edited by Bob the Planner on Sunday 18th November 10:46

[muhnkee2]

For me it has to be something old, odd and cool, like an Alpine GTA:
Compariative performance to a late 80's Porsche, but soooo much cooler:




only £9,000

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1986-Renault-GTA-TURBO-2...