Advice on importing....

[m33ufo]

Hi guys

Have wanted to give a Viper a go for sometime and what with the very positive exchange rate at the moment I started thinking about the idea of importing one.

I'm hoping to benefit from the knowledge of the forum, is it a worthwhile exercise?

So far I've just had a browse through Ebay in the USA and on the surface at least the price of 2004-2006 cars looks reasonable. What else do I need to consider...import duty, container costs, SVA?

Different states charge different levels of taxation, but I'm assuming this won't apply to a used car? Can anyone recommend a good place to start looking?

Any help much appreciated. Please reply to thread or email me directly on [e-mail]

Cheers

[Viper]

buying from the US gives you more choice, though not sure it works out much cheaper the way the prices here have crashed here

adding 33% onto your initial US cost, will give you a close enough on the road UK price covering all associated charges

here's a nice one for you
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/153795.htm

[ViperScot]

I imported my car using a company called Specialised Shipping. They were very good and did everything that was required, including the necessary modifications to the car and the MOT. I'd recommend them.

[m33ufo]

ViperScot said:

I imported my car using a company called Specialised Shipping. They were very good and did everything that was required, including the necessary modifications to the car and the MOT. I'd recommend them.

Would it be possible to post some contact details or email me them?

[ViperScot]

The guy at Specialised Shipping is called Peter Jordan. Their number is 01483 489655.

[m33ufo]

Anyone have any US dealer recommendations??

[ViperScot]

I know that Nathan Rose (http://www.dodgeviperforsale.com) always has very nice, low mileage cars. Can be a wee bit of a $$ premium for the quality though but I'd say worth it in the long run. Can't recommend any east coast dealers though...

[m33ufo]

Thanks for that...I'll search for dealers a little later.

[jwr]

hi, dont wanna come across too much as a dealer here, but hope i can help a little , i would be very careful indeed with buying any high value car from e bay in another country , we all know the pros and cons of e aby but im not convinced its a suitable place to be spending (excuse the pun) big bucks when you are so far away and have no idea how honest the seller is being. No matter how cheap or good the deal looks we have never sourced a car this way and would steer clear, if you have the time to do it you are far better off searching for proper dealers where as mentioned above you may pay a premium but they will more likely have experience of dealing with European buyers and assist you a bit more in all the extra areas of consideration. It need not be a headache but often its all the little things adding up that put people off , shipping from dealer to port, shipping from port to UK , import duties typically 10% , VAT on all of the aforementioned cost , plus there are quite often additional UK port charges not often mentioned especially if you prefer for the container to only be opened in your presence to avoid the scary prospect of someone having fun round the docks in your new aquisition Of course in addition you then have to tax, MOT (if applicable), SVA prepare and pass the car and buy yourself a warranty if you feel its required. if you find the right US contact, the right UK contacts you can do all this for reasonable money and save on buying from the UK , however it does take quite some time from start to finish and there are deals to be had over here right now so dont discount the likes of what is listed above! in many cases you wont be a lot worse off, have all the work done for you and get to see what you are paying for in advance!
if you need need any help or advice on of the above aspects give me a call or drop me a mail

[V1PER]

Bought my 2002 RT/10 in from the States and bought via ebay from a dealer..BUT i still had the viper inspected by two VCA members and done a carfax...

Try Chuck Tator in NY very well known dodge dealer and very highly recomended...

http://www.tatorsdodge.com/

http://www.dodgevipersforsale.com/

http://www.bjmotors.biz/

[jwr]

Carfax is crucial , the guys via VCA is a clear way to get round the e bay situation , the dealer route still being the best option, if you go through a dealer and you establish they have bought the ar from auction , ask for the auction house report , these are a very good source of info, often more fastidious than you would think! We have learnt a lot about cars overall condition by paying decent attention to these

[Viper Wizard]

Hi Mark,

I don't have any Vipers at the moment but if you do find one get me the VIN# & miles and I'll run it on Chrysler data base to check warranty & recall history for you.

Also try looking in the classifieds on the USA Viper site: www.viperclub.org this site is also a very good source of info about Vipers. If I can help you in anyway, don't hesitate to contact me!

Good luck!
Cheers
Chuck

[m33ufo]

I very much appreciate all your input.

It's the first time I have considered importing a car and need to do proper research into all the associated costs and and paperwork I need to complete both in the USA and the UK.

My max budget is 40K UK pounds but I would be much happier spending 35K. So I guess i'm looking at an 04 car or there abouts?

Picked up an online quote for transporting the car from NYC to the UK just now at around 900 USD which seemed cheap.

[m33ufo]

Viper Wizard said:

Hi Mark,

I don't have any Vipers at the moment but if you do find one get me the VIN# & miles and I'll run it on Chrysler data base to check warranty & recall history for you.

Also try looking in the classifieds on the USA Viper site: www.viperclub.org this site is also a very good source of info about Vipers. If I can help you in anyway, don't hesitate to contact me!

Good luck!
Cheers
Chuck

Thanks, I'll be sure to run any potential cars by you.

[V1PER]

Try Kingstown shipping..
They bought mine in for me and they do all of Atlantic sports cars and USAutomotives cars...

http://www.kingstown-shipping.co.uk/

Speak to Mark

Click on haulage to see my viper

[XTR2Turbo]

If you are after a late model (05/06) I think 2nd hand UK prices are going to be hard to beat.

[m33ufo]

My budget is £35K - £40K (preferably closer to £35K!!) so I think I'll be looking at importing a slightly earlier car.

[jwr]

you may find the odd car in the UK in that region , be much closer to the £40k tho , there have been a number of £40-45k cars here on PH recently in the age group you mention , you might find you can do a deal much closer to home! Without the hassle!

[RT/10Dave]

Have a look here too... http://www.mobile.de/cgi-bin/index_cgi.pl?sprache=...

There is quite a few Vipers on there, pretty much worldwide, and many in Europe (which will save you on VAT at least)... Might be worth a look.

[m33ufo]

I guess it may be worth asking the question. These do seem to be on a bit of a downward spiral at the moment.

By way of warning, if you are advertising a car in the classified, don't take my offer personally