Discussion
Hello fellow Swiss forum'rs. We are looking into getting a weekend car - although realistically it may not be until next year. But there is nothing like making short lists etc.... Half the fun.
Ideally we would like to get an Elise. But it hurts me to see how expensive they are used in CH compared to UK. Does anyone know why they are so expensive compared to UK - looks like new price is also somewhat higher? Is it down to Lotus export policy or Swiss import taxes? Might have a look at German prices - maybe the import route is viable. I guess the upside is that they keep value come selling time...
The alternative is of course the Opel Speedster - I used to have a VX220 and loved it. But I am struggling getting the Opel badge past the wife...
Ideally we would like to get an Elise. But it hurts me to see how expensive they are used in CH compared to UK. Does anyone know why they are so expensive compared to UK - looks like new price is also somewhat higher? Is it down to Lotus export policy or Swiss import taxes? Might have a look at German prices - maybe the import route is viable. I guess the upside is that they keep value come selling time...
The alternative is of course the Opel Speedster - I used to have a VX220 and loved it. But I am struggling getting the Opel badge past the wife...
I am waiting - hopefully later this month - for the delivery of a Elise SC from the UK, but built to LHD specification. I don't think there's anything in the price difference other than the recent shift in the exchange rate. The conversion that would show both equally priced seems to work out at about 2.1 CHF to the GBP, which is about the same as Porsche and from memory what the OECD suggest purchasing power parity at.
If you want to go this route there are (at least) two options - one of which I knew about at the time. The first is to order a LHD car in the UK. This is what I did. I can let you know how the import into switzerland goes. I decided to use a broker who hopefully can get it through smoothly. The second seems to be to buy a RHD car in the UK second hand (given there are lots on the market prices can be good) and convert it to LHD. I've read that this is relatively straightforward as the chassis is symetrical. Again from memory the conversion should be around GBP 2000. Try the Lotus section, I'm sure someone knows.
Of course, for all these methods you're exposed to exchange rate moves. The rate was 1.62 when I ordered in March and 1.77 now.
PM me if you want more details such as UK dealer etc.
If you want to go this route there are (at least) two options - one of which I knew about at the time. The first is to order a LHD car in the UK. This is what I did. I can let you know how the import into switzerland goes. I decided to use a broker who hopefully can get it through smoothly. The second seems to be to buy a RHD car in the UK second hand (given there are lots on the market prices can be good) and convert it to LHD. I've read that this is relatively straightforward as the chassis is symetrical. Again from memory the conversion should be around GBP 2000. Try the Lotus section, I'm sure someone knows.
Of course, for all these methods you're exposed to exchange rate moves. The rate was 1.62 when I ordered in March and 1.77 now.
PM me if you want more details such as UK dealer etc.
Well, it eventually came as you might have seen last week. In the end I have to say that Autociel did a great job sorting everything out. Yes you could do it all yourself but it would be a big hassle. So big recommendation to Autociel.
In the last few days Lotus have cut their prices for the Elise / Exige in Switzerland. I'm still better off than I would have been, but given the choice today I'd walk into a dealership in Switzerland and buy one here. By the time you factor in the hassle, the time it has taken, the exchange rate risk and the other charges that I paid like transport I don't think you'll see much saving.
In the last few days Lotus have cut their prices for the Elise / Exige in Switzerland. I'm still better off than I would have been, but given the choice today I'd walk into a dealership in Switzerland and buy one here. By the time you factor in the hassle, the time it has taken, the exchange rate risk and the other charges that I paid like transport I don't think you'll see much saving.
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