i'm in need of a reality check - early 911 import
Discussion
i am seriously considering spending a fair chunk of cash buying and importing a 40yr old car without seeing it first. whilst i'm naturally a glass half full kinda guy, i need advice as to whether this is really a good idea.
the car is question is here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Porsche-911-911-Cou...
it failed to sell for just under $20k last week and i'm now in contact with the seller regarding condition, history, more pics, sale price etc. it comes with the original engine which has been stripped and boxed. the fact it has the RS flares and 3.0 engine do not bother me. i'd be hoping to have it on the road here [including aircon installing - $1500 kit] for dhs110-120k all in, which again sits well with me cost-wise.
now, on one hand it's a car i've wanted for ages and ages, and being here in dubai i think i should get the car i've always wanted. i don't want a boring car and even the bargain cayman's and z4m's i see advertised aren't really 'me'. i reckon i'll only be doing 8k miles a year at most in these dry conditions with perfect roads, and the thought of bimbling about in the sun with this car is highly appealing. with the likes of al saluki, a2b etc. i reckon i can maintain the car for a reasonable outlay, the only chance i'd be taking would be mingling with taxi drivers in rush hour!
however, on the other hand i would never normally entertain spending any amount on a car i hadn't seen before unless the reputation of the dealer was whiter than white [or the seller was one of you chaps, obviously
] and unless i buy a snotter it will be my only car. my main worry is that, even with uprated cooling, how a car of this vintage would cope in this heat. how any car [especially the black ones] cope with 40-50deg heat is beyond me. any breakdown would mean waiting a couple of weeks for parts, but that doesn't neccesarily worry me and i'd build up a small stock of weak items and consumables as a precaution.
so, a reality check is most definitely required, particularly from the 2 guys who have these cars on the reader's drives thread. is there anyone local who might also be able to give me sage words of advice?
the car is question is here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Porsche-911-911-Cou...
it failed to sell for just under $20k last week and i'm now in contact with the seller regarding condition, history, more pics, sale price etc. it comes with the original engine which has been stripped and boxed. the fact it has the RS flares and 3.0 engine do not bother me. i'd be hoping to have it on the road here [including aircon installing - $1500 kit] for dhs110-120k all in, which again sits well with me cost-wise.
now, on one hand it's a car i've wanted for ages and ages, and being here in dubai i think i should get the car i've always wanted. i don't want a boring car and even the bargain cayman's and z4m's i see advertised aren't really 'me'. i reckon i'll only be doing 8k miles a year at most in these dry conditions with perfect roads, and the thought of bimbling about in the sun with this car is highly appealing. with the likes of al saluki, a2b etc. i reckon i can maintain the car for a reasonable outlay, the only chance i'd be taking would be mingling with taxi drivers in rush hour!
however, on the other hand i would never normally entertain spending any amount on a car i hadn't seen before unless the reputation of the dealer was whiter than white [or the seller was one of you chaps, obviously
] and unless i buy a snotter it will be my only car. my main worry is that, even with uprated cooling, how a car of this vintage would cope in this heat. how any car [especially the black ones] cope with 40-50deg heat is beyond me. any breakdown would mean waiting a couple of weeks for parts, but that doesn't neccesarily worry me and i'd build up a small stock of weak items and consumables as a precaution.so, a reality check is most definitely required, particularly from the 2 guys who have these cars on the reader's drives thread. is there anyone local who might also be able to give me sage words of advice?
shirt - I'm not the one to encourage you or dissuade you either way. There are others with more knowledge than me of older 911s, but I can tell you that when I had a small incident in my integrale, it has taken 4 months (and still counting) merely to source parts. And I'm talking simple stuff. Project managing a simple refurbishment job or even regular maintenance on specialist cars is not to be taken lightly. You will need a loud voice and a strong relationship with your courier company.
what is the issue regarding courier-ing [not sure how to spell that!] parts in? shipping my belongings here hasn't been a problem and for the size i found it remarkably cheap. we seem to dhl spares in for work in most of the time, in fact i just ordered some process valves from the uk to be flown out next week.
Dead straightforward. Minus the VAT plus the local customs duties. Can't remember if it's 5 or 10%.
If you have a local corporate account with an international courier firm, it often works out cheaper than asking the supplier at the other end to arrange shipping. Unless, that is, you use a US supplier who sends by US Post which is very cheap. In which case however, beware, as the goods will turn up this side at Karama Post Office and no-one will notify you that they've arrived.
If you have a local corporate account with an international courier firm, it often works out cheaper than asking the supplier at the other end to arrange shipping. Unless, that is, you use a US supplier who sends by US Post which is very cheap. In which case however, beware, as the goods will turn up this side at Karama Post Office and no-one will notify you that they've arrived.
Two things:
1. that seems suspiciously cheap
2. you can get a company such a carchex (can check tomorrow when back home exactly who I used) to check it out
I boought a much later model (85, funnily enough) through a very helpful dealer, had the car inspected and it was in better condition than I expected on arrival.
PM me if you want any more details re dealer - my only connection is having bought from them but I would definitely recommend them
1. that seems suspiciously cheap
2. you can get a company such a carchex (can check tomorrow when back home exactly who I used) to check it out
I boought a much later model (85, funnily enough) through a very helpful dealer, had the car inspected and it was in better condition than I expected on arrival.
PM me if you want any more details re dealer - my only connection is having bought from them but I would definitely recommend them
Parts are a pain, but not too bad, you just have to double the time to do a job as you will be waiting for parts. Most of my parts come from the US and take one to two weeks by USPS. They have only lost one item due to the bad storms in the US(which turned up 2 months later) but the part supplier sent over a replacement part once I had told him the part had gone missing. The parts arrives at the post office and normally I get a note from the post office saying they have arrived, pop down and sometimes pay 5% import duty and jobs a winner.
With regard to buying in the US, I am also looking at importing a car but I will be going through a specialist who can find, inspect and service the car in the US before organising delivery out here. This will be more expensive but the stock I have been looking at so far has all been immaculate, low milages, full service histories, one owner etc etc. Maybe worth it for piece of mind.
With regard to buying in the US, I am also looking at importing a car but I will be going through a specialist who can find, inspect and service the car in the US before organising delivery out here. This will be more expensive but the stock I have been looking at so far has all been immaculate, low milages, full service histories, one owner etc etc. Maybe worth it for piece of mind.
Shirt - Been through what you are going through now. Buy a cheap ticket and go and see the car. Buying sight unseen is far to risky unless it is through a reputable dealer such as www.germansportscars.net or Francis Tuthill in the UK. I placed a deposit on the 993RS from pics but then flew in to check it out. Also lined up a couple of other cars as fall backs just in case it was pants. Luckily it wasn't.
Costs to get the cars in from the UK finished up at about 1000 english pounds and then the 5% duty on the receipt value of the car. If you need a hand with shippers and clearing agents just let me know. Done it three times with old german ladies so far..
Costs to get the cars in from the UK finished up at about 1000 english pounds and then the 5% duty on the receipt value of the car. If you need a hand with shippers and clearing agents just let me know. Done it three times with old german ladies so far..
I hear what you're saying guys.
On one hand, a bit of parts & shipping hassle isn't going to bother me, a week or so of lift shares/taxis is no hardship if mine is out of action.
On the other, I may have to cool my jets until I'm in a position to view in person. Not so easy, but eminently sensible.
Have had a response from the seller of the red car with a bit more detail and pics. Body looks solid, interior a bit ratty but limited to seats and carpets so an easy fix.
I will PM you guys when I've time later/tomorrow as your contacts would be most appreciated.
Cheers,
Phil.
On one hand, a bit of parts & shipping hassle isn't going to bother me, a week or so of lift shares/taxis is no hardship if mine is out of action.
On the other, I may have to cool my jets until I'm in a position to view in person. Not so easy, but eminently sensible.
Have had a response from the seller of the red car with a bit more detail and pics. Body looks solid, interior a bit ratty but limited to seats and carpets so an easy fix.
I will PM you guys when I've time later/tomorrow as your contacts would be most appreciated.
Cheers,
Phil.
shirt said:
uk is one thing, i could nip there and back over the weekend. california is quite another.
I've done 24hour trip to Vegas from Dubai before - anything is possible if you can put up with the jet lag. Though to be fair, the 27hour trip to Vegas did drag a little... especially the 3 hours wait in ChicagoI have a business relationship with Larry Eskildsen of www.luxeim.com who just left the UAE after a 10 day visit.
On top of sourcing cars for you in the US, he will also carry out an inspection on your behalf. Surely has to be a safer way of buying sight unseen?
On top of sourcing cars for you in the US, he will also carry out an inspection on your behalf. Surely has to be a safer way of buying sight unseen?
Not quite in the same league but a lovely compromise...
http://dubai.dubizzle.com/classified/autos4x4s/por...
I love a 964. If my job didn't take me all over the UAE I'd be after something like that to pootle around Dubai in.
http://dubai.dubizzle.com/classified/autos4x4s/por...
I love a 964. If my job didn't take me all over the UAE I'd be after something like that to pootle around Dubai in.
i hear you, but then i think for an extra 40-50k i can get what i want, and that voice is much louder.
someone who is prob reading this thread has just got a 964 which i hope to get a rid in before too long
i said i'd cool it, but still seem to be sending the seller emails and discussing the car on pelican...
someone who is prob reading this thread has just got a 964 which i hope to get a rid in before too long
i said i'd cool it, but still seem to be sending the seller emails and discussing the car on pelican...
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