Newbie question

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Unemployed

Original Poster:

335 posts

145 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
Hello all. Can you tell me if you buy a new American car in LHD if you have trouble selling them down the line, say 3 years later, because of a limited audience for LHD cars?

Camaro

1,421 posts

180 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
You'll find there is actually quite a large market for 2nd hand LHD yank cars in this country. A lot of it comes down to waiting for the right buyer. Also pitching it at a reasonable price.

Things that help sell them are a notable brand, model and year. A V8. Coming across as mad as them to buy it!

Unemployed

Original Poster:

335 posts

145 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
Camaro said:
You'll find there is actually quite a large market for 2nd hand LHD yank cars in this country. A lot of it comes down to waiting for the right buyer. Also pitching it at a reasonable price.

Things that help sell them are a notable brand, model and year. A V8. Coming across as mad as them to buy it!
Haha! I think I qualify on the last part!

On the basis that pricing is key, do they depreciate quickly? Am I better off with a 2nd hand one?

I fancy a Mustang or a Camaro with the new 400bhp V8 engines.

uk89camaro

1,399 posts

238 months

Tuesday 23rd October 2012
quotequote all
Older V6's (4th gen camaro's and pre '05 'stangs for example) are notoriously difficult to shift, not surprising given the pathetic 200 ponies out of 4 litre engines.

LHD clearly is a limiting factor, but folks buying in that market have generally got over that issue before browsing, IMHO.

LuS1fer

41,512 posts

250 months

Wednesday 24th October 2012
quotequote all
LHD is not an issue as people who want these cars are looking for these cars.

American cars tend to depreciate sharply, initially, but then level off markedly for a very long time so even an 05 car now is still worth £12-15k depending on mileage as many are exceptionally well looked after (like mine, still with only 13k on the clock).

The best buys now are already in the UK because many cars were brought in when the exchange rate was good. Now you're looking at a lower exchange rate, 10% import duty and 20% VAT on top plus the conversion costs for the IVA due to modern electronics.

Have a look at www.mocgb.net and www.S197.co.uk as they can guide you on what is good and bad in Mustang land such as a Mustang on ebay at present which seems to habve lost a few hundred k off the clock. Mustangs are better served with UK forums than Camaros and Challengers.

As for the 400hp requirement, there are quite a few supercharged cars round with nearer 500. You will generally pay a premium for a GT500 despite the fact it weighs a small house more than the GT, simply because it looks better.

The 2010 car is the chepest one having the older 4.6 engine with 315hp with the "new" styling before the 5.0 came in in 2011.

BEWARE when buying from US airmen as there are many tax implications to take into account and also title and finance issues can arise.

Low mileage toy, try classic insurance like Classic Line
Dailies try the usuals like Flux, A-Plan etc
Mustangs of 7 years old or more are easier and cheaper to insure.