Which 2024/2025 US Car to import back to the UK?

[exC5_Z06]

Back in 2002 I had to move to the US for over a year for work. After a bit of research I found that if I bought a car over there, owned it for a year and imported it I would a) avoid paying taxes on the process and b) be able to run something a bit special then resell it over here after a year and mostly recoup my money. At the time the choice was between a C5 Corvette Z06 and a Viper. Whilst I felt the Viper would make a better resale prospect in the UK, the car had to be a daily driver and be able to haul luggage so the Corvette won out. No regrets on that front. Amazing car! Importing was easy (though the container went missing for 3 days which was alarming), and conversion kits were readily available (tail lights, side repeaters and white running lights if memory serves). The only issue was that I kept it longer than I needed to as I couldn't bear to part with it. If memory serves, price new was $48,000 after haggling which was £34,000 and I resold it after running it for 5 years for £25,000

I may need to do the same thing soon (live in the US for a year or longer) and was wondering if anyone here had input as to which brands/models made for good import/resale prospects. Budget probably around $50-60k, so a new Z06 is out of the question!

I don't know what the market here for American classic cars is (or if they can be converted). There was a 69 Camaro SS I wanted to buy last time but I ran out of time and it was too expensive. I'd consider doing a Harley, Indian etc. motorbike so that could be a way to go.

Any thoughts welcome.

[UK_Scat_Pack]

The best car to bring back is a Dodge Challenger. Hold their money very well and big demand in the UK. With the end of production, they have went up in value in the US & UK. Scat Packs & Hellcats the pick of the bunch.

The others available:
Mustangs - There are too many over here plus the availability of RHD models.
Camaros - Great car but don't hold their money over here.
Chargers - Nobody wants them and VERY hard to sell on in the UK.
Corvette C8 - New owners don't seem to keep them very long so and end up on used car market pretty sharpish (Don't know if its because they aren't living up to expectations or what!)

[LuS1fer]

I also had the choice of a Viper or a C5 Z06, back in 2004 and I imported the Z06 after reading far better reviews and I didn't particularly like the white with blue stripes that the Viper wore.

Vipers have since appreciated at a massive rate and the Corvette hasn't.

Now? hard to say. I think the C7 got too big and the C8 has marmite styling. I think my choice would be a fast Camaro but my advice never made anyone rich...

[roscobbc]

LuS1fer said:

I also had the choice of a Viper or a C5 Z06, back in 2004 and I imported the Z06 after reading far better reviews and I didn't particularly like the white with blue stripes that the Viper wore.

Vipers have since appreciated at a massive rate and the Corvette hasn't.

Now? hard to say. I think the C7 got too big and the C8 has marmite styling. I think my choice would be a fast Camaro but my advice never made anyone rich...

I'd been looking for a C7.....prices being asked for 10 year old cars are simply too expensive. Too many 'dodgy' history cars on the market for months, and months.....probaby salvage. C8 only seems to appeal oddly to a fair number of non-Vette types and seem very claustrophobic to me. They have simply got too expensive. Last of the Camaro's are are good as the C6, almost on a level with C7, although interior is a bit naff. Driving position however is like driving from inside a post box - sit too low, minimal rear visibilty and restricted side visibilty.......better dribe though than the Mustang.

[unsprung]

C6 in any of the three most-popular flavours:

coupe

Grand Sport

Z06

Each has its merits, so there's no wrong choice really. On the buying side, here in the US, there are several advantages:

- reasonable prices currently average the equivalent of £28,000

- plentiful inventory with remarkably low mileage (say under 30,000 miles)

- most located around Sun Belt cities (no snow, no salt or sand) and garaged year-round

- total mass less than C7 and C8

- design arguably more well resolved than C5, C7, and C8

On the matter of selling onward in the UK, I defer to others here. I imagine you'd have some Continental interest as well, LHD Yank with IVA work done, bits of which they may be able to keep.

[LuS1fer]

unsprung said:

C6 in any of the three most-popular flavours:

coupe

Grand Sport

Z06

Each has its merits, so there's no wrong choice really. On the buying side, here in the US, there are several advantages:

- reasonable prices currently average the equivalent of £28,000

- plentiful inventory with remarkably low mileage (say under 30,000 miles)

- most located around Sun Belt cities (no snow, no salt or sand) and garaged year-round

- total mass less than C7 and C8

- design arguably more well resolved than C5, C7, and C8

The C6 has always been my least favourite. The attempt to emulate the C4 was a bad idea and the headlights are awful.

However, a C6 ZR1 might be an idea.