Anyone hoping to import a 2016 GT350 to the UK?
Discussion
I agree about the high prices. That said, I think he is 'safe' for now because the US dealerships are also charging very high prices. There are plenty of cars just sitting on the lots, priced well above sticker. Maybe that will change when the 2017s start coming out; maybe not, especially if '17 is the final year. Until grey imports start making it to the UK it's going to be a very rare car and I assume that Bill Shepherd think someone will pay for that scarcity.
US import cars are a tough sell here and most dealers won't take them as they are not a easy car to move quickly. I think it's rarity won't really make it desirable, the buyers for these cars usually import themselves as they know how it's done. It's unlikely anyone will just turn up and put down asking price just because. But then there's a fool for every village.
Funnily enough I got an email from Bill Shepherd Mustang this morning - the 350 is £84,500.
Regarding second hand ones, they are coming up but are still above MSRP
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-Mustang-/141943805182...
I am sure they will come down in price to some extent.
Regarding second hand ones, they are coming up but are still above MSRP
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-Mustang-/141943805182...
I am sure they will come down in price to some extent.
strat said:
Funnily enough I got an email from Bill Shepherd Mustang this morning - the 350 is £84,500.
Regarding second hand ones, they are coming up but are still above MSRP
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-Mustang-/141943805182...
I am sure they will come down in price to some extent.
That's still £25k cheaper after you add vat, duty, shipping and a iva.Regarding second hand ones, they are coming up but are still above MSRP
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-Mustang-/141943805182...
I am sure they will come down in price to some extent.
The US dealers almost all advertise the GT350s at list price. However, when you actually go to the dealership to take a look...
Eg http://garysmithfords.com/Fort-Walton-Beach-FL/For...
Actual price is over $80k.
Eg http://garysmithfords.com/Fort-Walton-Beach-FL/For...
Actual price is over $80k.
Resurrecting this yet again. I have asked Ford UK and they are unable to comment (although they have not said no). I am so tempted to just import one (through one of the many reputable specialists) but they vary wildly in prices from £70k to 90k. The new model year appears to have most options as standard as well.
I wouldn't actually mind so much about the import price but possibility of Ford UK announcing an official LHD GT350 run for the UK (or even less likely a RHD version) is holding me back. The resale value of an imported GT350 in those circumstances would surely drop like a stone?
I wouldn't actually mind so much about the import price but possibility of Ford UK announcing an official LHD GT350 run for the UK (or even less likely a RHD version) is holding me back. The resale value of an imported GT350 in those circumstances would surely drop like a stone?
In all honesty, what would you import at GT350 for..?
Daily driver, track day machine, show car, meet-ups, your own pleasure of driving in the UK or a purchase for resale value.
Out of those choices I would say that the GT350 would only drop its personal value to you or its financial worth, if you are looking to sell it on..
In my opinion a RHD GT 350 would only come about if the US market had no demand. As it is, it's healthy, with waiting lists and full order books.
Daily driver, track day machine, show car, meet-ups, your own pleasure of driving in the UK or a purchase for resale value.
Out of those choices I would say that the GT350 would only drop its personal value to you or its financial worth, if you are looking to sell it on..
In my opinion a RHD GT 350 would only come about if the US market had no demand. As it is, it's healthy, with waiting lists and full order books.
alex_123_fra said:
Resurrecting this yet again. I have asked Ford UK and they are unable to comment (although they have not said no). I am so tempted to just import one (through one of the many reputable specialists) but they vary wildly in prices from £70k to 90k.
You and me both! The prices of imported cars are a bit of a rip off (but granted, importers may be paying over list price in the US due to dealer premiums). By my rough calculations, with all things being equal, the price has gone up about £5k since Brexit by the way. If the business case was previously on a knife-edge this might be the final nail in the coffin for an official UK GT350 unfortunately - as far as I can see it would HAVE to come in at a fair chunk less than the price of an M4.I too have asked fairly senior Ford UK representatives who have neither confirmed or denied anything - an official car (even LHD) would be my preference due to potential warranty and service/back-up issues. I just wish Ford would say definitely one way or the other, then at least I could explore the personal import option with some peace of mind.
bridgdav said:
In all honesty, what would you import at GT350 for..?
....... 
.....https://youtu.be/qlWPW0SHwu0
sumpoil said:
bridgdav said:
In all honesty, what would you import at GT350 for..?
....... .....https://youtu.be/qlWPW0SHwu0
Sounds amazing!
Bridgdav, I wouldn't import it to try to move it on later at a profit. I would use it. At the same time, I would rather know that spending £70k+ on it won't result in the value halving in 6 months if Ford decide to bring it to us.
Sumpoil, I agree. If I could import at £70k and know for certain that Ford aren't bringing it over, I would import tomorrow. The GT350 and GT350R are in a different league to the M4 in terms of performance. The Shelbys also have bags of character whereas the M4 doesn't in my opinion. So I wouldn't mind paying more for the GT350. The M4 GTS is a different story but that is ludicrously priced and will be rare. I think we'll have to see how the next 6 months go.
Sumpoil, I agree. If I could import at £70k and know for certain that Ford aren't bringing it over, I would import tomorrow. The GT350 and GT350R are in a different league to the M4 in terms of performance. The Shelbys also have bags of character whereas the M4 doesn't in my opinion. So I wouldn't mind paying more for the GT350. The M4 GTS is a different story but that is ludicrously priced and will be rare. I think we'll have to see how the next 6 months go.
alex_123_fra said:
Bridgdav, I wouldn't import it to try to move it on later at a profit. I would use it. At the same time, I would rather know that spending £70k+ on it won't result in the value halving in 6 months if Ford decide to bring it to us.
Sumpoil, I agree. If I could import at £70k and know for certain that Ford aren't bringing it over, I would import tomorrow. The GT350 and GT350R are in a different league to the M4 in terms of performance. The Shelbys also have bags of character whereas the M4 doesn't in my opinion. So I wouldn't mind paying more for the GT350. The M4 GTS is a different story but that is ludicrously priced and will be rare. I think we'll have to see how the next 6 months go.
Brexit has surely dampened the powder of Ford bringing the GT350 to the UK a bit, with the value of the £ at about $1.32. If its a production run product then probably not, but if it's a limited edition then its surely going to make it a little more expensive? Sumpoil, I agree. If I could import at £70k and know for certain that Ford aren't bringing it over, I would import tomorrow. The GT350 and GT350R are in a different league to the M4 in terms of performance. The Shelbys also have bags of character whereas the M4 doesn't in my opinion. So I wouldn't mind paying more for the GT350. The M4 GTS is a different story but that is ludicrously priced and will be rare. I think we'll have to see how the next 6 months go.
There are a few GT350's in my local club here in North Carolina..
They do look and sound something a bit special, standing out from our normal GT's.
The owners here use them as daily drivers from what I have been told, with track time thrown in and some club based autucross days.
Strangely all 3 are white with the blue stripes.
With the vast Number of options here in the US with EB, V6, GT, it does take an enthusiast to spot the subtle differences.
Therefore only those in the know understand the car from its looks. For me personally it's about the feeling and experience when driving. On many of the Mustang forums, owners say that buying the base GT, then adding all the personalised performance options is the way to go. That of course is taking into consideration the number of after market suppliers for parts here.
The GT350 is the meanest standard car carrying the most value, all the options are already there. The R on the other hand is really designed for track useable racing IMO. I haven't seen one in the flesh yet, but will at the IMSA Weathertech race next month.
It was a bit tongue in cheek when I asked what you would want one for..!
They do look and sound something a bit special, standing out from our normal GT's.
The owners here use them as daily drivers from what I have been told, with track time thrown in and some club based autucross days.
Strangely all 3 are white with the blue stripes.
With the vast Number of options here in the US with EB, V6, GT, it does take an enthusiast to spot the subtle differences.
Therefore only those in the know understand the car from its looks. For me personally it's about the feeling and experience when driving. On many of the Mustang forums, owners say that buying the base GT, then adding all the personalised performance options is the way to go. That of course is taking into consideration the number of after market suppliers for parts here.
The GT350 is the meanest standard car carrying the most value, all the options are already there. The R on the other hand is really designed for track useable racing IMO. I haven't seen one in the flesh yet, but will at the IMSA Weathertech race next month.
It was a bit tongue in cheek when I asked what you would want one for..!
Yes agree. One of the main attractions for me is that FPC NA high output per litre V8. The engine is almost definitely a future classic. I appreciate the aftermarket upgrades to the standard Mustang GT (with superchargers etc) but that route is not for me. I'd go for the GT350R (over the GT350) but I do need the rear seats for my 2 children. Living in the USA would just be so much easier!
alex_123_fra said:
Yes agree. One of the main attractions for me is that FPC NA high output per litre V8. The engine is almost definitely a future classic. I appreciate the aftermarket upgrades to the standard Mustang GT (with superchargers etc) but that route is not for me. I'd go for the GT350R (over the GT350) but I do need the rear seats for my 2 children. Living in the USA would just be so much easier!
Fear not! You can get a rear seat kit for the R that pops in and out depending on whether you want to use it or not! 
I'm with you on that one - the engine is definitely the main attraction for me. What a noise! As you say, a future classic without doubt - along with the old BMW V10 and probably the last N/A Ferrari V8 in the 458 and the current (and probably last) N/A V12's from Ferrari/Lamborghini.
sumpoil said:
Fear not! You can get a rear seat kit for the R that pops in and out depending on whether you want to use it or not!
That is music to my ears. So does it come with pre-fitted rear seat belts? I had a similar issue with a 911 GT3 (991). They don't come with rear seat belts or seats and you can only achieve this by aftermarket fitting (which I wouldn't want to do). Gassing Station | Mustangs | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff