T350T in Aus?

Author
Discussion

VYT

Original Poster:

585 posts

270 months

Monday 4th October 2004
quotequote all
Anybody interested in getting a T350 in Australia? I will be emmigrating toward the end of the year. Might import it just for me but if I decide against that I will happily do a deal and import it for another.

Send me a mail if you are interested.

Cheers

Bob

stin hambo

627 posts

245 months

Monday 4th October 2004
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Where you thinking of going to?

VYT

Original Poster:

585 posts

270 months

Tuesday 5th October 2004
quotequote all
Probably the Melbourne area.

RobYob

1,402 posts

243 months

Tuesday 5th October 2004
quotequote all
Welcome to Melbourne if you come!

I'd like to say YES, but sadly funds wouldn't even stretch to a wheelnut.

There was an offical importer in Melbourne, I don't know whether they are still in business (Likewise anyone who can service them).

308gt4

710 posts

268 months

Wednesday 6th October 2004
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there are only so many masocists here without importing anymore trouble.

It may be a fine car but parts and service are non-existent.

The mechanics can't even spell TVR let alone sort out the problems that may arise from such a specialist jobbie.

If you're thinking of bringing a car here to make a killing on forget it! Been tried, didn't work, govt has closed all those loopholes adn you will just end up with an orphan nobody wants, eg, I bought a 7 series BMW top of the range back from London and when I FINALLY sold it I got less than a 1/4 what it was worth due to it being a personal import.

sell the car in the UK and then buy a Porker or Fezza with the proceeds in Oz.

Road_Terrorist

5,591 posts

250 months

Thursday 7th October 2004
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Theres some idiot who is trying to sell some old E32 730i's that are clearly UK imports (didn't even change the plates!) on ebay noone wants old 7 series local ones sell for a pittance as it is.

You'd probably be better off bring in something like a Sierra Cosworth, something people actually want to buy and still get reasonable money, they go for about $25K AUD here, not sure how that compares to the UK prices though.

Also parts like 2.0L pinto EFi gear from Sierras, can get prices also genuine RS style four spoke mags as on early RS Mk1/2 Escorts etc get good prices.

I know those are a couple of things that seemed to be worth peanuts in the UK yet a lot over here due to rarity.

Road_Terrorist

5,591 posts

250 months

Thursday 7th October 2004
quotequote all
Oh and I should have mentioned bring back an E28 M5 for me, we didnt get them, there are also bugger all E34 M5s as well, so theres another idea for you. Even an E28 M535i, the UK version was more powerful and they still command more money than they deserve here.

Any slightly weird Euro car loses money fast over here, ie Saab, Peugeot, Citroen, Renault etc, also the big luxury stuff, S class Mercs, Audis and 7er BMWs

Charade GTti is another car you could probably make money on.

Your main problem would be finding a decent UK car that was cheap enough and not rusted to hell or stuffed in some way.

VYT

Original Poster:

585 posts

270 months

Thursday 7th October 2004
quotequote all
Ok, thanks for the comments chaps. I guess I just have to decide if I want to keep my TVR. Sevicing doesn't worry me. Quite capable of that myself, parts not really an issue as I have a good relationship with my local dealer here. The only real problem would be serious engine trouble and on that front who knows. Wouldn't be looking to make money on a deal anyway, just happy to do the paperwork if anybody was interested. I must admit to a hankering after a blat around Philip Island race track in the T350 though.

jeffo

39 posts

245 months

Thursday 14th October 2004
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It's not that bad.

I know of a chap in Perth who managed to import a Tuscan for himself, and there are specialist UK car mechanics here who can source parts. As for expertise on TVR's own motors (as opposed to Rover-based mills), I couldn't say.

The market is restricted here on exotic cars. 7-series Beemers are a dime a dozen, so not a good comparison. Why would anyone pay the same for an import when there are so many locally-delivered cars with local service histries around?

TVR's are a bit different. They are very rare. If someone wants a particular model bad enough, they'll pay for it (like me). Trouble is locating such a person at the right time.

I pretty much paid what a dealer was asking for my TVR since it had all the features I wanted, and the importing process looked nearly impossible and certainly financially unwise. Plus, they had to guarantee the b*gg*r and get it compliance-plated, due to it having been sourced from another state.

Excuse the waffle, but I hope this is useful.

MSJ

jeffo

39 posts

245 months

Thursday 14th October 2004
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PS I understand TVR will be testing a couple of current models here in November. Here's hoping they'll establish a successful business of supplying the marque here!