Importing a C6
Discussion
Ok.... I love my C5 but i'm thinking about the C6 and whilst I still need to see one in the flesh (going to Miami in August and may see if there's any for show) I like the sound of it and can't help but start working out the cost of importing one. Am I doing my sums right here?
Cost of vehicle: C6 Coupe - ~$53000 with the bits I want (Z51 etc). Equates to around £29,000 using current exchange rates.
Cost of import + registering + taxes: People on here quote around a third of the purchase price for this so we're talking £10k?
Therefore my rudimentary analysis works out to be about £40k for a brand new 400bhp C6 in the UK.
I reckon the American importers such as BM will charge nearer 50k for the equivalent car so if I run it for a couple of years it might still be worth 30ish when I come to sell?
What do you reckon? Am I living in a dream world or can I really get a brand new incredibly rare, well engineered super-car for 40k next summer?
Chris
ps - on the other hand, what kind of Viper could I get for 40k?
Cost of vehicle: C6 Coupe - ~$53000 with the bits I want (Z51 etc). Equates to around £29,000 using current exchange rates.
Cost of import + registering + taxes: People on here quote around a third of the purchase price for this so we're talking £10k?
Therefore my rudimentary analysis works out to be about £40k for a brand new 400bhp C6 in the UK.
I reckon the American importers such as BM will charge nearer 50k for the equivalent car so if I run it for a couple of years it might still be worth 30ish when I come to sell?
What do you reckon? Am I living in a dream world or can I really get a brand new incredibly rare, well engineered super-car for 40k next summer?
Chris
ps - on the other hand, what kind of Viper could I get for 40k?
Firstly. The C6 is ugly so get your eyes tested. LOL.
Quick analysis for you:
$53000 plus $820 shipping by ro-ro or say $1000 by container so let's say $54000 as the dollar may strengthen. That's £30850 in round figures. Plus any fees to get it to the Dock and through Customs (you may have to pay an agent around $600 extra)
Add 10% import duty - call it £34000
Add 17.5% VAT (5950)and it's now just about £40000
OK, it's here in the UK and you've insured it on the VIN. SVA test costs £150.
You hit a problem straight away as the C5 has a European rear light/indicator kit you just plug in which costs about £165. There isn't one for the C6 yet so you'll be paying through the nose for some sort of conversion using the European rear light units if you can get them. If you're lucky, it will have the same loom as the C5 and MAY be an easy job. Equally, it may not. The front side/running lights have to be modified but from bitter experience, I can tell you that it's a lot easier to have a European car so you can use the Euro white sidelights. You also need to fit side repeaters and a rear fog light. You can of course pay someone to do this but you could end up with a C6 with all manner of naff lights stuck on that will have a lower resale value because the European version will be done properly. It would be different in a few years when all the Euro parts are readily available.
So whilst you can theoretically save quite a few thousand pounds, it will be a lot easier to buy a European spec car from Europe which can be easily imported and nodded through the SVA on a Minister's Certificate I think it's called - basically saying it's up to Euro spec.
Another idea for you is that they are discounting the C5 very heavily. You can get a brand new Z06 for $42000 and maybe even less - some say $39000! Basically that's a very cheap 405bhp car compared to the £50k some of the importers want. If you want a targa then the discounts are still available but you have to have the 350bhp LS1.
The lower the price, the less import and VAT you pay of course and my website has a guide to SVA'ing the car.
What sort of a Viper could you buy? Well, I was almost tempted by a white with blue stripes 1996 Viper RT10 on ebay which was going for $32000. In the end, all the American tests preferred the Z06 due to the Viper's bump steer and slower track (as opposed to quarter mile where it is invincible)times plus Viper parts are far far more expensive.
>> Edited by LuS1fer on Wednesday 21st July 22:22
Quick analysis for you:
$53000 plus $820 shipping by ro-ro or say $1000 by container so let's say $54000 as the dollar may strengthen. That's £30850 in round figures. Plus any fees to get it to the Dock and through Customs (you may have to pay an agent around $600 extra)
Add 10% import duty - call it £34000
Add 17.5% VAT (5950)and it's now just about £40000
OK, it's here in the UK and you've insured it on the VIN. SVA test costs £150.
You hit a problem straight away as the C5 has a European rear light/indicator kit you just plug in which costs about £165. There isn't one for the C6 yet so you'll be paying through the nose for some sort of conversion using the European rear light units if you can get them. If you're lucky, it will have the same loom as the C5 and MAY be an easy job. Equally, it may not. The front side/running lights have to be modified but from bitter experience, I can tell you that it's a lot easier to have a European car so you can use the Euro white sidelights. You also need to fit side repeaters and a rear fog light. You can of course pay someone to do this but you could end up with a C6 with all manner of naff lights stuck on that will have a lower resale value because the European version will be done properly. It would be different in a few years when all the Euro parts are readily available.
So whilst you can theoretically save quite a few thousand pounds, it will be a lot easier to buy a European spec car from Europe which can be easily imported and nodded through the SVA on a Minister's Certificate I think it's called - basically saying it's up to Euro spec.
Another idea for you is that they are discounting the C5 very heavily. You can get a brand new Z06 for $42000 and maybe even less - some say $39000! Basically that's a very cheap 405bhp car compared to the £50k some of the importers want. If you want a targa then the discounts are still available but you have to have the 350bhp LS1.
The lower the price, the less import and VAT you pay of course and my website has a guide to SVA'ing the car.
What sort of a Viper could you buy? Well, I was almost tempted by a white with blue stripes 1996 Viper RT10 on ebay which was going for $32000. In the end, all the American tests preferred the Z06 due to the Viper's bump steer and slower track (as opposed to quarter mile where it is invincible)times plus Viper parts are far far more expensive.
>> Edited by LuS1fer on Wednesday 21st July 22:22
4 Vipers here in the UK about £35,000 each. All have rollcages, fire extinguisher systems etc. only downside is all mileage has been track use!
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=113140&f=76&h=0
If I had £35,000 I would be seriously tempted.
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=113140&f=76&h=0
If I had £35,000 I would be seriously tempted.
Thanks for the replies! Even if it has dampened my enthusiasm for a C6 a little 
First gen car with no warranty - v. worrying. I (naively) assummed someone would honour it in this country I guess....
All the Euro conversion stuff - depends on when they are thinking of bringing it to Europe... anybody care to hazard a guess? Again I assumed I'd be able to get a euro conversion kit next year.
As for the Z06 - well if I could buy my C5 again i'd go down this route and import one of these bargains but whilst i've got my C5 now (black, 6 speed, stereo install, blackwing, performance clutch and fly, SLP loudmouth) I'd be reluctant to get another one, albeit better in some ways and obviously a lot newer.
Maybe if I change I should get a Viper for a year or so until the C6 Euro version is sorted? Those 35k Silverstone cars look great but there's no way I could feel comfortable with a car that's done 36k track miles in the hands of a million and one hot-hatch driving wannabes.
There look to be some clean snakes over in the US - maybe import one of them...although some of those guys seem to have them as show cars rather than anything else.
Really love the Vette thing though and might find a viper harder to live with (being my one and only car)....
First gen car with no warranty - v. worrying. I (naively) assummed someone would honour it in this country I guess....
All the Euro conversion stuff - depends on when they are thinking of bringing it to Europe... anybody care to hazard a guess? Again I assumed I'd be able to get a euro conversion kit next year.
As for the Z06 - well if I could buy my C5 again i'd go down this route and import one of these bargains but whilst i've got my C5 now (black, 6 speed, stereo install, blackwing, performance clutch and fly, SLP loudmouth) I'd be reluctant to get another one, albeit better in some ways and obviously a lot newer.
Maybe if I change I should get a Viper for a year or so until the C6 Euro version is sorted? Those 35k Silverstone cars look great but there's no way I could feel comfortable with a car that's done 36k track miles in the hands of a million and one hot-hatch driving wannabes.
There look to be some clean snakes over in the US - maybe import one of them...although some of those guys seem to have them as show cars rather than anything else.
Really love the Vette thing though and might find a viper harder to live with (being my one and only car)....
The GTS is Ok but the fixed window RT's are a pain. But there's no doubting that when you roll up in a Viper, people damn well look.
AFAIK, the C6 will be launched in Europe at the same time as the US ie around October. If you want one, it should be easy to get hold of one. American Dreams in Gloucester were advertising them on Auto Trader. I read an article prior to the C6 release that Bob Lutz wasn't happy with the way the C6 looked but it had already been signed off. Obviously not a dicky bird since but if they did an early facelift, you could end up with "1984 Vette" syndrome. But there's so much rumour and speculation, it's hard to say. if you like it, go for it.
Have a look at www.corvetteforum.com as they have some driving impressions on their front page.
AFAIK, the C6 will be launched in Europe at the same time as the US ie around October. If you want one, it should be easy to get hold of one. American Dreams in Gloucester were advertising them on Auto Trader. I read an article prior to the C6 release that Bob Lutz wasn't happy with the way the C6 looked but it had already been signed off. Obviously not a dicky bird since but if they did an early facelift, you could end up with "1984 Vette" syndrome. But there's so much rumour and speculation, it's hard to say. if you like it, go for it.
Have a look at www.corvetteforum.com as they have some driving impressions on their front page.
Lu51fer that link to corvetteforum was an interesting read though it remains a 5.5 in my mind unless and until proven to drive significantly differently from the similar C5 chassis. We'll be at Bowling Green next week so I'll report back in due course if there's anything interesting.
1984 syndrome? Remind my err.... lack of complete history of Corvette knowledge what happened then... 
I must admit when I first saw the C6 I was a bit unsure but it's grown on me. I need to see one in the flesh to see if it looks, well, cool enough! A fecelift would be incredibvle to see so early on in its lifecycle.
Viper - what do you mean by running costs? I heard they were quite reliable?
I must admit when I first saw the C6 I was a bit unsure but it's grown on me. I need to see one in the flesh to see if it looks, well, cool enough! A fecelift would be incredibvle to see so early on in its lifecycle.
Viper - what do you mean by running costs? I heard they were quite reliable?
:vette78 said:
Viper - what do you mean by running costs? I heard they were quite reliable?
1. Fuel consumption would be a killer.
2. Then there are tyres and other service items.
:vette78 said:
1984 syndrome? Remind my err.... lack of complete history of Corvette knowledge what happened then...
First year of the C4 = 1984 = Complete Dog of a Corvette. Probably the cheapest Corvette you can buy would be a 1984, but also worst to own.
>> Edited by vetteheadracer on Thursday 22 July 15:34
Running costs are very cheap for a car with such performance, servicing at a Chrysler dealership is cheaper than a Mondeo a Ford garage.
Parts, once you get away from the usual oil filter, plugs etc things shoot up quite a bit, £1K per headlight, £2K for a wheel, £13K for a hood !!! I ain't joking either so never a crash a viper it will be written off. These are UK prices of course things are a lot cheaper in the USA.
Saying that I had vipers for 8 years now and luckily haven't ever paid out on any failed parts (not many other marque owners could say that) the viper is a very strong car
Fuel and tyres, for everyday use would eat into cash,
£1K for a set of tyres, I once got 3 thousand to a set of rears and wouldnt say I was pushing it to hard
well fuel depends how made you drive but in general expect 18mph if you drive nice and gentle...
with mods and pushing it (on road, not track) I know a certain viper person getting 100 miles to a tank
Depreciation after the first 2 years in nominal, dont expect to loose to much on older cars.
>> Edited by Viper on Thursday 22 July 15:44
Parts, once you get away from the usual oil filter, plugs etc things shoot up quite a bit, £1K per headlight, £2K for a wheel, £13K for a hood !!! I ain't joking either so never a crash a viper it will be written off. These are UK prices of course things are a lot cheaper in the USA.
Saying that I had vipers for 8 years now and luckily haven't ever paid out on any failed parts (not many other marque owners could say that) the viper is a very strong car
Fuel and tyres, for everyday use would eat into cash,
£1K for a set of tyres, I once got 3 thousand to a set of rears and wouldnt say I was pushing it to hard
well fuel depends how made you drive but in general expect 18mph if you drive nice and gentle... with mods and pushing it (on road, not track) I know a certain viper person getting 100 miles to a tank
Depreciation after the first 2 years in nominal, dont expect to loose to much on older cars.
>> Edited by Viper on Thursday 22 July 15:44
"First year of the C4 = 1984 = Complete Dog of a Corvette. Probably the cheapest Corvette you can buy would be a 1984, but also worst to own. "
Was it? I know they had the cross fire injection engine - but I didn't think they were particularly unreliable? Probably not the best place to start if you want the fastest or modify it - other than for those who want the firmest suspension.
There does seem to be a number of well looked after '84's around.
Sorry - I'm off the original subject, I'll be quiet now...
Was it? I know they had the cross fire injection engine - but I didn't think they were particularly unreliable? Probably not the best place to start if you want the fastest or modify it - other than for those who want the firmest suspension.
There does seem to be a number of well looked after '84's around.
Sorry - I'm off the original subject, I'll be quiet now...
The 1984 had the 205bhp Crossfire injection which was notoriously bad, having two injectors to feed 8 cylinders I think. The 1985 TPi used the Bosch 8 injector system developed on the 928 and was light years better. The suspension on the '84 was also rock hard.
Running costs on the Vette are very cheap. Servicing is cheap, parts are relatively cheap and the car is bulletproof and totally reliable. Tyres will be an expense at around £1000 a set but fuel consumption has always been very good (another myth)at 18-20 round town and in traffic and up to 30 or even more on a quiet run. However, like ANY performance car, including Subarus and the like, caning it will make it drink it. Driving it as fast as you would a normal hatch and the fuel consumption is very reasonable but parking it....well, you wouldn't want to leave it anywhere.
Running costs on the Vette are very cheap. Servicing is cheap, parts are relatively cheap and the car is bulletproof and totally reliable. Tyres will be an expense at around £1000 a set but fuel consumption has always been very good (another myth)at 18-20 round town and in traffic and up to 30 or even more on a quiet run. However, like ANY performance car, including Subarus and the like, caning it will make it drink it. Driving it as fast as you would a normal hatch and the fuel consumption is very reasonable but parking it....well, you wouldn't want to leave it anywhere.
I'd go for it Chris , if you do your home work you could get a good deal on a Euro spec vette . The German version has just been realsed :
www.corvetteforum.de/thread.php?threadid=11359&sid=
It looks the dogs to me !
I'm sure the American dealers will probably be able to get their hands on Euro spec vette fairly easily , post a question on C6 general discussion ask if any dealer has euro spec options, i bet the big dealers can get one no problem !
The $ is starting to strengthen a little now buts its still weak, i can get you either institutional money market rates for conversion or near as damm it, the spreads the banks charge or criminal.
If the car does have teething problems i'd imagine they'd be sorted out VERY quickly by GM. This car has had sooo much hype around it !
If you import your self , ok it might be a hassle but you could get the car for 40k run it for a year and probably still sell it for near the 40k mark if BM or doing them at stupid'o' prices.
Its like when the Boxster came out they held their value for ages.
I'd go for it .... I’ll help you , providing you let me drive it ;-)
www.corvetteforum.de/thread.php?threadid=11359&sid=
It looks the dogs to me !
I'm sure the American dealers will probably be able to get their hands on Euro spec vette fairly easily , post a question on C6 general discussion ask if any dealer has euro spec options, i bet the big dealers can get one no problem !
The $ is starting to strengthen a little now buts its still weak, i can get you either institutional money market rates for conversion or near as damm it, the spreads the banks charge or criminal.
If the car does have teething problems i'd imagine they'd be sorted out VERY quickly by GM. This car has had sooo much hype around it !
If you import your self , ok it might be a hassle but you could get the car for 40k run it for a year and probably still sell it for near the 40k mark if BM or doing them at stupid'o' prices.
Its like when the Boxster came out they held their value for ages.
I'd go for it .... I’ll help you , providing you let me drive it ;-)
hmmm... don't know what I think about those Euro lights... one thing I really like about the US version is the twin "afterburner" lights....
Definitely try and see one in the flesh and make my mind up then. Nothing's going to be happening until next spring-time anyway so I've got time to make my mind up..
Neil - course you can have a go if I get one. On one condition... you have to get yours back on the road first! And I don't mean slung over a 2 wheel trailer either LOL!
Cheers,
Chris
ps - 1984. 5.7 litre. 205bhp.
And I know they had less powerful ones too. They must have been bad times for the Vette owners. Got a car that looks like it's going a million miles and hour....but doesn't.
Definitely try and see one in the flesh and make my mind up then. Nothing's going to be happening until next spring-time anyway so I've got time to make my mind up..
Neil - course you can have a go if I get one. On one condition... you have to get yours back on the road first! And I don't mean slung over a 2 wheel trailer either LOL!
Cheers,
Chris
ps - 1984. 5.7 litre. 205bhp.
And I know they had less powerful ones too. They must have been bad times for the Vette owners. Got a car that looks like it's going a million miles and hour....but doesn't. neilcharlton said:
I'm sure the American dealers will probably be able to get their hands on Euro spec vette fairly easily , post a question on C6 general discussion ask if any dealer has euro spec options, i bet the big dealers can get one no problem !
Be very careful - if it is the same as the C5 you WILL NOT get a warranty unless it is supplied by a European dealer on a pan european warranty basis. I'm beginning to sound like a "warranty queen" but to me this is important as I have had to make warranty claims and there is so much that could go wrong, although I accept that the cars are generally very reliable. If you want any bargain, there is usually a downside as in this case.
1984 - all 205 horses I think. It was earlier (i.e. last C3's) where there were slower ones for California, down to 170bhp I think, some were even fitted with 5.0 engines.
As for '84's, 6.6 to 60 and 140mph top, still enough for some people to have fun.
Injection was not Bosch by the way, it's a GM system (although granted, the injectors themselves may be Bosch). Only Bosch system on the early C4's was the ABS set up on '86 on.
As for '84's, 6.6 to 60 and 140mph top, still enough for some people to have fun.
Injection was not Bosch by the way, it's a GM system (although granted, the injectors themselves may be Bosch). Only Bosch system on the early C4's was the ABS set up on '86 on.
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