Importing from USA

[wrightyrs]

Hiya everyone,
Looking through the various threads on here and you've all got some great cars.

I have a question.

Getting a car from USA,
would you
A)Do it yourself,find car and and arrange transportation and then the SVA test etc
B)Or go through a reputable UK importer or dose it all for you

Many thanks in advance.

[evolutionvalet]

It depends on whether you are looking for a new or used vehicle?

What are you after?

[zed sump]

did it myself to make the dosh stretch

[wrightyrs]

Thats what i was thinking about doing it myself.

I would probably go for a new car though at a guess.
Especially as i would be waiting for the new Camaro will see how this year goes.

[evolutionvalet]

For a new one, I would probably gather all the info and do it myself next time.

I worked out I could have saved nearly £5k on the Mustang if I had done it myself.

Then again, I have had warranty issues on the last two US cars I purchased which the UK dealer covered in their warranty.

If you import yourself, it would be worth costing into the budget the purchase of a good quality UK generic warranty. IIRC about £450-500.....

Kev

[wrightyrs]

Cheers for the input everyone.
Am going to start doing my homework now and then start looking to get one for early next year.
If i can get what i want that is.

[LuS1fer]

You're better off importing yourself and paying an agent in the US to sort it out that end.

The Camaro will be a great car but I can practically guarantee that you will have to pay a premium on the price initially because all American car dealers inflate the price while they're in demand. The rumours are rife on this car. GM seem to be pitching it against the Mustang but there are suggestions that it's going to have to cost more as it has more expensive stuff like IRS. Certainly, the Convertible looks to be a stunner:
http://www.s197.co.uk/s197/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic....
Spy shots also suggest the interior is fairly horrid.


The Mustang is due for a restyle and will make it's debut this autumn. You can get some clues about the styling here:
http://www.s197.co.uk/s197/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic....
and it may or may not be a good thing but what it does mean is some great deals on existing 2009 Mustangs (although they've capped production in expectation that sales will drop)so if you want a new muscle car on the cheap, the 2009 Mustangs (including Roush and Saleens one would anticipate) are the place to shop.

That said, the market is falling here with a glut of Mustangs on the market and there are some killer bargains out there like this blue 06 GT with under 3k on the clock for £17k (bottom of page):
http://www.mocgb.net/forums/showthread.php?t=15464

[mitch_]

It's worth mentioning that the new Camaro will be built in RHD and sold through GM in the U.K. which would have a big impact on the value of any LHD's brought in from the U.S.

[LuS1fer]

mitch_ said:

It's worth mentioning that the new Camaro will be built in RHD and sold through GM in the U.K. which would have a big impact on the value of any LHD's brought in from the U.S.

Allegedly.

I'll believe it when I see it with the increases in petrol (perceived mpg not actual and VEL. They already have RHD VXR8s to sell. Of course, if they do ever make it RHD, it's 400 smackers VEL for the privilege of RHD so I'd stick with LHD because that's what MAKES it an American car IMHO. Otherwise it's a rebodied VXR (and if Bumblebee is anything to go by, the SS seems to want to steal some of that ugly car's lower valances).

Worth mentioning that Stratstone are already trying to ditch the Corvette and Cadillac franchises, due to poor sales presumably, I can't see Daewoo dealers having the faintest idea how to deal with these proper Chevrolet cars and that leaves the lovely lovely Vauxhall dealers (er, no thanks).