What car should I import?

[Colonial]

I have the chance to work in the UK for 2 years starting early/mid next year

Seems to be the perfect opportunity to go and get me a nice car as a personal import.

Given a 10-12000 pound budget what are peoples thoughts on what I should look at?

Currently have
e46 M3
Renault Clio V6
Lotus Elise S2
some description of TVR

So yeah, any other ideas. Want something that is either unaffordable or I can't get in Oz.

[smack]

Colonial said:

I can't get in Oz.

I would say that is your answer.

Buyers have always been wary of personal import European cars, and will generally avoid them, as that is what RACV & NRMA etc have told them to do for years (Jap cars have been different, as they are cheaper). Insurance companies used to be picky too (well 10 years ago they were). Unless you find an nice old desirable car which doesn't have rust, or something that was imported in low numbers and there always will be demand (say 911RSCS, 968CS, GT3's, AM's, M3CSL, M5's etc), then go for something unique.

[ariddell]

If you're feeling brave about maintaining the S6 engine I'd go for a TVR Tuscan - I think these have just about started to drop down to about 12k for the cheapest of them in the UK going by the classifieds.

If you want something to potentially make a profit on I'd be going for a Jaguar XJR - the first of the current X350 shape are coming down to that sort of money now - yet go for stupid cash out here so even with a sizable reduction for it being an import it'd likely still be profitable. Loads of original shape XKRs around at that sort of cash too.

Edited by ariddell on Thursday 20th November 00:49

[tim the pool man]

Guess it depends on whether you're looking for something to keep for yourself that would otherwise be anobtainable, or something to cash in for profit?
(I'm guessing it's the former)

[Colonial]

Something for me to cherish for a while to come. So either something I want but is unaffordable here (M3, Elise) or not available (V6 clio, tvr)

I'm really leaning towards the Elise at the moment. I'd like a TVR or a clio, but the lack of any infrastructure in Australia makes me a bit worried. Can't imagine going to the local renault dealership for a service in a mid engined v6 clio

[deviant]

I would go completely bonkers and get something like a Westfield XTR4...



You cant even get them road legal if you buy one here (so check up on doing it as an import) and they cost around the $100K mark to build one through Westfield aus. I would chose the XTR4 as it has the audi turbo lump which has support and service parts in aus and will probably be easier to keep quiet and emissions test friendly. Any other parts you need could be got through Westfield.

Either that or you could look out for an Ariel Atom, Lotous 340R...Completely unique and worth a considerable amount of money here.

I guess it depends if you want day to day climate controlled comfort or a trackday special that would otherwise have no hope of being road legal here?

[kbear]

Just an additional point, if you plan to sell it on for money you need to own if for an additional year in Oz before you can sell it on. Well this is the case in SA. So your sell time will be at least 3.5 years away, the money making opportunity may have gone by then.

I agree 100% with smack, get a car you can't get in Oz.

A TVR with a Rover V8 will be easy to maintain in Oz and they are dirt cheap at the moment.

[Colonial]

TVR Cerbera? Chimera?

Bit hazy on which engine goes in which tvr to be honest.

And it's not something I would want to sell on, I want to get a car I would just enjoy driving on a sunny sunday

[deviant]

I fancy the latest model M5 I could afford for a daily and a trackday special for the weekends....Ultima?!?!

One thing I have noticed with euro cars is that often the aus delivered models came in auto only or some desireable options were not available so it might be worth revisiting cars you once discounted and seeing if a proper version was available in europe.

[ariddell]

You'd get a very nice Chim for 12k and yeah, maintenance on mine has not been much of an issue since i've had it over here.

Chim/Grif are the Rover v8, Cerbera is the AJP v8 so could be tricky for parts etc. Anything newer is the S6 Tuscan/Tamora/Sagaris/T350 etc.

[ajg31]

12k pounds is not really buying you alot of exclusivity. Chim is an option as it at least has a bullet proof engine. Wouldn't trust a speed six engine here (cerb,tuscan,350c) without deep pockets.
Maybe a chance of a Maserati 3200, or a nice BM (M5 or 330 convertable must be close to budget). I think a cheaper M5 will be also asking for trouble if daily driver.
My fave is yours, get a nice elise. Even look at series 1 with series two upgrades and keep the change for trackdays! You should make a profit even including shipping etc.