Drive it, ship it, sell it
Discussion
I'm back off to the UK in a few weeks and a friend of mine i work with has come up with a 'cunning' plan that seems great and also potentially stupid. So, just raising it up for something to discuss, whats the view on this.
Given the cost of certain cars over here he suggested going halves on a purchase when i get to the UK. I run it, costs met by me for a year, then ship it to Oz whereby he'll sell it and we'll split the profits, with a weighted benefit to him for being out of cash for a year. Or he'll just buy it for himself and return back any potential profit i would have had.
The car that started this was a Merc C63 AMG - about 30k or $62k for a 08 with 32000kms in the UK, when it gets here in a year will have about 52000kms and be 3 years old. Probably therefore worth maybe $100k (i'm guessing).
So, any views on this in terms of:
1. viability.
2. potential profit.
3. suggestions of vehicles.
Obviously we were just casually chatting but is it seriously worth more thought?
Given the cost of certain cars over here he suggested going halves on a purchase when i get to the UK. I run it, costs met by me for a year, then ship it to Oz whereby he'll sell it and we'll split the profits, with a weighted benefit to him for being out of cash for a year. Or he'll just buy it for himself and return back any potential profit i would have had.
The car that started this was a Merc C63 AMG - about 30k or $62k for a 08 with 32000kms in the UK, when it gets here in a year will have about 52000kms and be 3 years old. Probably therefore worth maybe $100k (i'm guessing).
So, any views on this in terms of:
1. viability.
2. potential profit.
3. suggestions of vehicles.
Obviously we were just casually chatting but is it seriously worth more thought?
I reckon finding a buyer in Aus will be the hardest part of it. How much of a market is there for a C63 AMG? I bet there are probably 10 or 15 for sale in the entire country right now, but how long have they been there?
I would have a look around at other niche imports and see how well they are selling. TVR's dont seem to be going anywhere quickly and there has been a Clio V6 floating around for at least 18 months that was $70,000 last time I saw it...started at $100,000!
It might be worth looking at marque specific forums in Australia. There are lots of dreamers about but there are often a couple of people with the means to get themselves some tasty cars and there are going to be some models spoken about that everyone desires but were never sold here.
I remember from my Toyota days someone imported a very rare V12 powered pimp barge from Japan and sold it within a day.
In my Subaru days I watched some rare, special edition Impreza's go for some quite rediculous money. For some reason the 22B Impreza never seems to sell here yet when the odd 'S' or 'Spec C' cars make it in to the country they get sold almost instantly.
The other route you could take would be bulk shipping of pre-1989 stuff. I will set a dealership up here and we do thing like 911's, BMW Alpina's, Ford RS, Lancia Integrale...when you look back there are lots of desireable cars from that era that are not available here and they are silly cheap in the UK.
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/results.aspx?N...
V
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/list.asp?s=557&am...
I would have a look around at other niche imports and see how well they are selling. TVR's dont seem to be going anywhere quickly and there has been a Clio V6 floating around for at least 18 months that was $70,000 last time I saw it...started at $100,000!
It might be worth looking at marque specific forums in Australia. There are lots of dreamers about but there are often a couple of people with the means to get themselves some tasty cars and there are going to be some models spoken about that everyone desires but were never sold here.
I remember from my Toyota days someone imported a very rare V12 powered pimp barge from Japan and sold it within a day.
In my Subaru days I watched some rare, special edition Impreza's go for some quite rediculous money. For some reason the 22B Impreza never seems to sell here yet when the odd 'S' or 'Spec C' cars make it in to the country they get sold almost instantly.
The other route you could take would be bulk shipping of pre-1989 stuff. I will set a dealership up here and we do thing like 911's, BMW Alpina's, Ford RS, Lancia Integrale...when you look back there are lots of desireable cars from that era that are not available here and they are silly cheap in the UK.
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/results.aspx?N...
V
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/list.asp?s=557&am...
I was kind of thinking the same recently, and I think it's got wings, if you find the right car. James is spot on, you don't want it to be sat here for sale with all your money tied up in it waiting for a seller.
How many cars can one person bring in? Say you are back in the uk for 1 full year, can you send two cars? Also, if your in the uk for say 10 years, does this mean you could send over cars every year?
Obviously, assuming you have ownership of each for a min of 12 months.
You could have fantasic garage in the UK.
How many cars can one person bring in? Say you are back in the uk for 1 full year, can you send two cars? Also, if your in the uk for say 10 years, does this mean you could send over cars every year?
Obviously, assuming you have ownership of each for a min of 12 months.You could have fantasic garage in the UK.
all good points, worth digesting.
I suppose in relation to your comments Tim that it would be worth a trip back to er stay and deliver the vehicle.
I actually think my friend might buy it so that might negate the buyer needed aspect, however we were just thinking out loud.
If i could drive a C63 for a year, ship it and basically get my cash back plus 15% would be a right win.
How about a F355
On a serious note i am open to this idea, just need to work out the fine print. I'm off back in October so if someone has a car they want for a years time, i'm quite open on what i drive in the UK and then ship for them to Oz...
I suppose in relation to your comments Tim that it would be worth a trip back to er stay and deliver the vehicle.
I actually think my friend might buy it so that might negate the buyer needed aspect, however we were just thinking out loud.
If i could drive a C63 for a year, ship it and basically get my cash back plus 15% would be a right win.
How about a F355
On a serious note i am open to this idea, just need to work out the fine print. I'm off back in October so if someone has a car they want for a years time, i'm quite open on what i drive in the UK and then ship for them to Oz...
Edited by Pommygranite on Wednesday 18th August 09:25
Not many Exige for sale on here but they seem to start around £22,000.
There would be no money in doing an Exige and I think it would be hanging around for a while before selling:
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/results.aspx?N...
There wouldnt be much to be had from an Elise either
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/results.aspx?N...
It's also worth looking to see if anyone is already importing some cars. I know someone is doing Elise and Exige from the UK and the prices are pretty good. Around $25,000 on the road for a good series 1.
There would be no money in doing an Exige and I think it would be hanging around for a while before selling:
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/results.aspx?N...
There wouldnt be much to be had from an Elise either
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/results.aspx?N...
It's also worth looking to see if anyone is already importing some cars. I know someone is doing Elise and Exige from the UK and the prices are pretty good. Around $25,000 on the road for a good series 1.
Due to the family reasons definitely cant see myself returning within 5 years, more like 20!
Its getting interesting because i dont mind driving, insuring and running something a little bit different for a year before shipping out, so ideas welcome.
Something that doesnt return 8mpg average, break down too much and seat more than 2 would be nice!
Its getting interesting because i dont mind driving, insuring and running something a little bit different for a year before shipping out, so ideas welcome.
Something that doesnt return 8mpg average, break down too much and seat more than 2 would be nice!
I've seen loads of C63's in the last few months. I'm always surprised how many I see as they're sooo expensive here.
I think this is a good idea but admittedly i don't know how long it woould take to shift here but if you can stick it out for a few months I see no reason why not to do it.
I think this is a good idea but admittedly i don't know how long it woould take to shift here but if you can stick it out for a few months I see no reason why not to do it.
deviant said:
The other route you could take would be bulk shipping of pre-1989 stuff. I will set a dealership up here and we do thing like 911's, BMW Alpina's, Ford RS, Lancia Integrale...when you look back there are lots of desireable cars from that era that are not available here and they are silly cheap in the UK.
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/results.aspx?N...
V
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/list.asp?s=557&am...
Get off, that's my idea http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/results.aspx?N...
V
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/list.asp?s=557&am...
tim the pool man said:
I know I've sort of already asked, and don't want to spoil the fun, but are we sure you can do a personal import if you aren't actually immigrating?
I dont think its an issue Tim, or so i'm currently aware of. There is a poster on here (I forget the name) who has brought cars in a few times and i dont think has emigrated here fully.To buy a car for a year, run it then ship needs a lot of careful planning, probably a fairly good 'gentlemans' agreement in place from the start and an idea of what will sell.
I wonder if the depreciation of the C63/E92 M3 will start to kick in soon and so in 12-14 months when the uk car arrives it will not be nearly as sweet a deal, whereas something like an E46 M3 at say 15k gbp sterling might make a lot more sense. Not sure really.
TVP i'll drop you a PM soon when i'm able to concentrate on the issue and have resolved initial return stuff (like getting a job
)I'm serious on this matter if all things work out on my return with regards jobs and finances. I'd be happy to run a potential partners choice of vehicle and spec within reason, keep it tip top and maintained and then handle the transportation arrangements if it works out well for both sides.
On a side note heres some ideas:
Audi R8 (2008) - 65k GBP ($117k) in UK. $200k here and Aston V8 Vantage - 47k GBP ($85k) in UK. $180k here.
Just googled and found this...
http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/Personal-I...
looks like the rules changed (again) this year, and I read that you have to prove that you are returning to Oz permanently to bring a car with you.
http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/Personal-I...
looks like the rules changed (again) this year, and I read that you have to prove that you are returning to Oz permanently to bring a car with you.
tim the pool man said:
Just googled and found this...
http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/Personal-I...
looks like the rules changed (again) this year, and I read that you have to prove that you are returning to Oz permanently to bring a car with you.
bah. close the thread http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/Personal-I...
looks like the rules changed (again) this year, and I read that you have to prove that you are returning to Oz permanently to bring a car with you.
On a side note is there any reason why some companies can do lots of jap imports but i couldnt for example start importing cars from the UK? I think its been answered before but refresh my memory...
Edited by Pommygranite on Tuesday 24th August 07:21
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