Who can help me import a 944 from UK?

[PomBstard]

Local stock of transaxle Porches is currently pitiful and monster prices are being asked, so I'm now looking at importing a replacement for my recently-demised 928S4. Whilst I'd love another S4 or GT, globally the stock of RHD varieties seems to have disappeared. But, there are still quite a few 944s out there, so I'm looking at those.

Before anyone jumps in, yes I know there are problems with rust, and that things have moved on, and that for every wonderful ownership experience there are three that wouldn't touch one now with someone else's. I'm not after advice as to whether I should get one, because I've got enough of that. I'm after some help to look at ones that I might be serious about buying.

I'll be buying remotely, and using a specialist car import/export agent, set up specifically to deal with business between UK and Australia.

I'm also aware that some of those that might appeal to me are ones that the local UK market might find unpalatably pricey - the market in Australia is different, and if I get a good one I don't really intend to sell it. Also, any car needs to be at least 25 years old, and I want a colour - no black, grey or white! Here's a couple of examples that are on my list...

1990 Zyclam Red S2 at ACM Cars in Chessington...
www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109107216188

1991 Zyclam Red 944T at Peter Vardy Classic in Edinburgh...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111229...

Questions...
Who would be good to contact regarding inspections, either UK-wide, or locally to these two cars?
Does anyone already know anything about these cars?
Are ACM Cars and Peter Vardy Classic worth dealing with?

I've had a look on a couple of Porsche forums and haven't really come up with anything useful yet - but that might just be cos I'm not sure as to who I'm looking for.

Grateful for any advice, help or direction regarding this little project

[LemonTart]

I have used these guys just once but found them to be really on the ball.

https://www.porscheinspections.com/

The report allowed me to have a conversation about a few bits that the seller fully rectified so it probably paid for itself 5 times over.

Good luck

[Orangecurry]

My personal opinion would be to find a private sale, rather than the inflated trader/chancer prices, and spend the differential on any remedial work when it arrives?

That ACM one - I've had a cream interior Porsche (and older Audi) and IMO from the photos someone has done a colour wash on the front seats, which is why they look good (it may or may not stay on the seat) and if the exterior is such a nice colour, why did they take 400 photos in a shed rather than outside? Anyway I digress..

There must be a lively 944 forum somewhere, where the cars are known and someone would be persuaded to sell?

And there's one for sale privately near me - I'd be happy to see if it's a rust bucket before you send in the professionals?

I'll pm you.

Edited by Orangecurry on Monday 24th January 09:17

[PomBstard]

Thanks for the quick notes…

@Lemon - I’ll give those chaps a call for any within their area

@Orange - comments noted. And PM received, thanks

My preference for going through a dealer is more to do with ease of doing business - money transfers, arranging inspections, dealing with export agent.

Re: prices - at the moment a decent S2 will be advertised over here for around GBP25k equivalent. A Turbo will be GBP30k and upwards, and a manual S4/GT will be GBP40k and upwards. Those top end prices on AT, such as the Turbo I linked are about on par with local prices, even accounting for the cost of getting it here.

[PomBstard]

blade7 said:

Buy a newer RS Audi instead, I probably would. Or suck it up and accept good 944 turbo's are few and far between now, and aren't cheap cars anymore.

Not sure how a newer Audi RS comes into the discussion, but I’ve already accepted that good 944T are hard to find and no longer cheap. Which is why I’m trying to get one from the UK.

[randlemarcus]

blade7 said:

PomBstard said:

Not sure how a newer Audi RS comes into the discussion, but I’ve already accepted that good 944T are hard to find and no longer cheap. Which is why I’m trying to get one from the UK.

Think you're going to get a good turbo on the cheap from over here, good luck with that.

All things are relative - are UK prices cheap when compared to Australian ones? Almost certainly. Will the OP be better off even after import etc - probably. On the assumption that he has weighed up those import duties, plus the slight difficulty if the car isnt as described, seems like a reasonable plan, even if it reduces the UK stock of good 944s.

[PomBstard]

randlemarcus said:

blade7 said:

PomBstard said:

Not sure how a newer Audi RS comes into the discussion, but I’ve already accepted that good 944T are hard to find and no longer cheap. Which is why I’m trying to get one from the UK.

Think you're going to get a good turbo on the cheap from over here, good luck with that.

All things are relative - are UK prices cheap when compared to Australian ones? Almost certainly. Will the OP be better off even after import etc - probably. On the assumption that he has weighed up those import duties, plus the slight difficulty if the car isnt as described, seems like a reasonable plan, even if it reduces the UK stock of good 944s.

Yep, all been weighed up. Consider the top-of-the-hill 944T I linked earlier - if I paid the asking price, and added shipping plus all the other costs to get it here and on the road, it would probably cost about the same as a top notch 944T that’s already here. The S2 I linked would see me comfortably quids in.

The problem is one of supply and variation - there are v few for sale here and if it’s not in the same State as me then I still need to cough up for getting it here and re-registered.

Yes, it might be a bit of a gamble, that’s why I’m trying to find out more as to who can help with PPI and whether the cars/dealers involved are known by anyone. I might not find what I’m looking for, but without having a go, Ill never know.

If I could live with LHD then the US and Japan would be hunting grounds. But I don’t want LHD, so my markets are limited.

[sgrimshaw]

PomBstard said:

If I could live with LHD then the US and Japan would be hunting grounds. But I don’t want LHD, so my markets are limited.

Were RHD cars not supplied directly to / imported into Japan, given the country is natively RHD then ?

[PomBstard]

sgrimshaw said:

PomBstard said:

If I could live with LHD then the US and Japan would be hunting grounds. But I don’t want LHD, so my markets are limited.

Were RHD cars not supplied directly to / imported into Japan, given the country is natively RHD then ?

The Japanese market is a bit odd in that, whilst it is RHD, it’s a sign of wealth to afford an imported car, and LHD is how you demonstrate that it’s imported. There are RHD transaxles to be found in Japan but there are a lot of LHD to look through first.

The Japanese do spec some great colour combos though - one of my fave local 928s is a RHD GTS in Amazon Green with full magenta leather interior - it looks ace! Can’t imagine that ever being specced in a UK or Aus showroom.

[diver944]

I think I know the Zyclam red S2 from the previous owner 15 years ago. Just sent him a message to confirm the Reg number and I'll pm you if it's the same one (it was a very good one back then)

[PomBstard]

diver944 said:

I think I know the Zyclam red S2 from the previous owner 15 years ago. Just sent him a message to confirm the Reg number and I'll pm you if it's the same one (it was a very good one back then)

Thanks!

[james.a.c.911]

I used Bob Spratley at Porsche Inspections to buy a 944 Turbo maybe 10 years ago or so.
He produced an excellent report, which paid back for itself by allowing me to negotiate price (no one wanted to buy these cars at the time though).
He knows his 944s and i would use again for sure.

I sold the car to an Irish chap who paid cash. Had done a ton of work (Koni suspension, all the better engine parts and ProMax upgrades, etc.) and it was truly a fantastic car.

Have you seen this one:

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1383326

[PomBstard]

james.a.c.911 said:

I used Bob Spratley at Porsche Inspections to buy a 944 Turbo maybe 10 years ago or so.
He produced an excellent report, which paid back for itself by allowing me to negotiate price (no one wanted to buy these cars at the time though).
He knows his 944s and i would use again for sure.

Thanks, will look him up

james.a.c.911 said:

Have you seen this one:

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1383326

Yep, and always get annoyed at these type of clickbait ads - here’s a lovely car at a good price - but it’s been sold so we’re leaving the ad up cos we want to find another one. It’s not a ‘for sale’ ad, it’s a ‘wanted’ ad.

[james.a.c.911]

PomBstard said:

Yep, and always get annoyed at these type of clickbait ads - here’s a lovely car at a good price - but it’s been sold so we’re leaving the ad up cos we want to find another one. It’s not a ‘for sale’ ad, it’s a ‘wanted’ ad.

This maybe wasn't clear but Bob is one of the guys at the place which was mentioned with a link in the first reply.

I hadn't realized this car wasn't for sale, sorry!

[james.a.c.911]

blade7 said:

Because the advert was written by someone, that doesn't know what they are talking about?

Ha! you are such a big deal man

[PomBstard]

james.a.c.911 said:

This maybe wasn't clear but Bob is one of the guys at the place which was mentioned with a link in the first reply.

Ah, got it - thanks

[diver944]

diver944 said:

I think I know the Zyclam red S2 from the previous owner 15 years ago. Just sent him a message to confirm the Reg number

I've just heard back and it wasn't the same one - sorry

[PomBstard]

diver944 said:

diver944 said:

I think I know the Zyclam red S2 from the previous owner 15 years ago. Just sent him a message to confirm the Reg number

I've just heard back and it wasn't the same one - sorry

No probs - thanks for checking.

[Melvynr]

No worries dealing with Peter Vardy, they are great to deal with and have their fingers in lots of fires.Bought my GT3 with them who own Porsche Perth .

[InitialDave]

As well as the sourcing/inspection of the car, how are you set up for the importation on the Australian side of things? I understand they can be quite aggressive on things like having the car thoroughly cleaned/decontaminated, and guaranteeing there's no asbestos in any components etc.