Challenger SRT or Camaro SS
Discussion
I've always been a VAG man, and after recently selling m S8 V10, I am a bit bored with them, and fancy a change. Been looking at M3/5, AMG's etc, but always fancied some American muscle, but never thought I'd be able to get one, until I saw the prices on American eBay.
For £15-18k, plus import duty, VAT, shipping, I am in 911 997 territory or C6 RS6 money, but I keep looking at the Challenger SRT and the Camaro, just such awesome looking beasts, and something completely wow.
Is a personal import worth doing on these? I have looked at the cost on shipmycar, and it quickly adds up. There's certainly not many Challengers around in the UK, and only 2 or 3 Camaros.
Which is the better car out of the 2? Both very similar looks wise, but the Challenger a little more expensive, and I prefer them if I'm honest.
Are there any UK forums recommended that I can look at for info?
For £15-18k, plus import duty, VAT, shipping, I am in 911 997 territory or C6 RS6 money, but I keep looking at the Challenger SRT and the Camaro, just such awesome looking beasts, and something completely wow.
Is a personal import worth doing on these? I have looked at the cost on shipmycar, and it quickly adds up. There's certainly not many Challengers around in the UK, and only 2 or 3 Camaros.
Which is the better car out of the 2? Both very similar looks wise, but the Challenger a little more expensive, and I prefer them if I'm honest.
Are there any UK forums recommended that I can look at for info?
Hi there and welcome to the Dark Side lol, I have a 2009 challenger SRT8 and have used it as a daily for the last 3 years clocking up 48k miles in the 3 years and personally I love it, I went for the Challenger over the Camaro mainly as it has 5 seats and I have 3 young kids so sold my mustang and went for the challenger, I personally didn't like the interior on the Camaro and preferred the challenger, and build quality in my mind is superior to the mustang I had, don't get me wrong I loved the mustang and drove it as a daily for 5 years and lost £1500 when I sold it, that's the beauty of the late yank stuff, buy one that has done its depreciation and you can own it for close to nothing and still have a good residual value when its time to move on, personal import generally works out cost in dollars swapped into pounds by the time you've shipped paid duty ect ect, current exchange rate isn't great, there are a few for sale over here and goes through fits and fads, parts for the challengers are readily available as basically underneath they are a 300c and share suspension component's so ball joints bushes ect are easy to obtain, and the do go through them a bit to be honest, best thing is to go look and take a test drive.
The Challenger is far more old school muscle and, in terms of handling, the Camaro will be the far superior car but is often criticised for a "turret" outlook.
If you can live with 2 seats, the Corvette should be your first port of call.
As for costs, figure on paying the following:
Cost of the car and a USD "Carfax" to check it isn't dodgy (like HPI)
Shipping costs and marine insurance in case the boat goes down - roll-on, roll-off (ro-ro) is cheaper and I have imported cars without issue this way.
Costs accrue "this end"
10% import duty based on purchase cost.
20% VAT on "cost plus duty plus shipping" and any handling fees this end including transporting the car to your home
IVA conversion (white sidelights, side repeaters, rear fog and orange rear indicators where not fitted - if sequential, these are not permitted under UK law)
IVA test
Registration and first year tax (about £230)
It is not as attractive now as when I imported mine in 2004 at 2.2 dollars to the £.
There is no worldwide warranty on these imports, you're on your own. That said, after a succession of Corvettes and Camaros and currently a blown Mustang GT, I've never had an issue...at all, they tend to be quite bulletproof.
These days, you may not be much better off than buying one here in the UK that has already been imported, converted and registered.
All that said, I bought my first yank in 94 and would not entertain anything else. Cheap to tax, run and insure. Parts are easily imported.
If you can live with 2 seats, the Corvette should be your first port of call.
As for costs, figure on paying the following:
Cost of the car and a USD "Carfax" to check it isn't dodgy (like HPI)
Shipping costs and marine insurance in case the boat goes down - roll-on, roll-off (ro-ro) is cheaper and I have imported cars without issue this way.
Costs accrue "this end"
10% import duty based on purchase cost.
20% VAT on "cost plus duty plus shipping" and any handling fees this end including transporting the car to your home
IVA conversion (white sidelights, side repeaters, rear fog and orange rear indicators where not fitted - if sequential, these are not permitted under UK law)
IVA test
Registration and first year tax (about £230)
It is not as attractive now as when I imported mine in 2004 at 2.2 dollars to the £.
There is no worldwide warranty on these imports, you're on your own. That said, after a succession of Corvettes and Camaros and currently a blown Mustang GT, I've never had an issue...at all, they tend to be quite bulletproof.
These days, you may not be much better off than buying one here in the UK that has already been imported, converted and registered.
All that said, I bought my first yank in 94 and would not entertain anything else. Cheap to tax, run and insure. Parts are easily imported.
LuS1fer said:
The Challenger is far more old school muscle and, in terms of handling, the Camaro will be the far superior car but is often criticised for a "turret" outlook.
If you can live with 2 seats, the Corvette should be your first port of call.
As for costs, figure on paying the following:
Cost of the car and a USD "Carfax" to check it isn't dodgy (like HPI)
Shipping costs and marine insurance in case the boat goes down - roll-on, roll-off (ro-ro) is cheaper and I have imported cars without issue this way.
Costs accrue "this end"
10% import duty based on purchase cost.
20% VAT on "cost plus duty plus shipping" and any handling fees this end including transporting the car to your home
IVA conversion (white sidelights, side repeaters, rear fog and orange rear indicators where not fitted - if sequential, these are not permitted under UK law)
IVA test
Registration and first year tax (about £230)
It is not as attractive now as when I imported mine in 2004 at 2.2 dollars to the £.
There is no worldwide warranty on these imports, you're on your own. That said, after a succession of Corvettes and Camaros and currently a blown Mustang GT, I've never had an issue...at all, they tend to be quite bulletproof.
These days, you may not be much better off than buying one here in the UK that has already been imported, converted and registered.
All that said, I bought my first yank in 94 and would not entertain anything else. Cheap to tax, run and insure. Parts are easily imported.
Thanks for the info.If you can live with 2 seats, the Corvette should be your first port of call.
As for costs, figure on paying the following:
Cost of the car and a USD "Carfax" to check it isn't dodgy (like HPI)
Shipping costs and marine insurance in case the boat goes down - roll-on, roll-off (ro-ro) is cheaper and I have imported cars without issue this way.
Costs accrue "this end"
10% import duty based on purchase cost.
20% VAT on "cost plus duty plus shipping" and any handling fees this end including transporting the car to your home
IVA conversion (white sidelights, side repeaters, rear fog and orange rear indicators where not fitted - if sequential, these are not permitted under UK law)
IVA test
Registration and first year tax (about £230)
It is not as attractive now as when I imported mine in 2004 at 2.2 dollars to the £.
There is no worldwide warranty on these imports, you're on your own. That said, after a succession of Corvettes and Camaros and currently a blown Mustang GT, I've never had an issue...at all, they tend to be quite bulletproof.
These days, you may not be much better off than buying one here in the UK that has already been imported, converted and registered.
All that said, I bought my first yank in 94 and would not entertain anything else. Cheap to tax, run and insure. Parts are easily imported.
As the car will be a toy, I could live with 2 seats, but would like to enjoy it with the family also, so 4/5 seats needed.
Looking at the import mainly for choice of vehicles I suppose, but it does work out not hat much cheaper and a ball ache, so may have to rethink.
kapiteinlangzaam said:
Ive not driven a Challenger, but have recently driven both auto and manual (L99 vs LS3) Camaros and loved them, although for me the LS3 seemed much more characterful...
I was very impressed with the Camaro, and found it v. easy to get comfortable in the cabin. It drives just like you would expect a 430bhp RWD car should.....
Does is not make sense to buy an already imported car in Europe?
Something like this at 27k euro / 21k GBP + 300eur for a set of export plates and enjoy the drive back to the UK? Or is that far more expensive than bringing one in yourself from the US?
http://ww3.autoscout24.nl/classified/282954752?asr...
I think you're probably right on the face of it regarding the cars already imported. I was very impressed with the Camaro, and found it v. easy to get comfortable in the cabin. It drives just like you would expect a 430bhp RWD car should.....
Does is not make sense to buy an already imported car in Europe?
Something like this at 27k euro / 21k GBP + 300eur for a set of export plates and enjoy the drive back to the UK? Or is that far more expensive than bringing one in yourself from the US?
http://ww3.autoscout24.nl/classified/282954752?asr...
Any other website recommendations for me to look at?
Monaros and Vxr8's worth considering, if you can get past the badge which is the only thing Vauxhall about them they are superb, all the benefits of a muscle car with out being a lhd, I have owned both and the prices are on the rise!
But saying that I see the appeal of both the camero and challenger but given the choice id have the dodge all day long, but really can't answer why lol
But saying that I see the appeal of both the camero and challenger but given the choice id have the dodge all day long, but really can't answer why lol
swerni said:
Garynogrip said:
Monaros and Vxr8's worth considering, if you can get past the badge which is the only thing Vauxhall about them they are superb, all the benefits of a muscle car with out being a lhd, I have owned both and the prices are on the rise!
But saying that I see the appeal of both the camero and challenger but given the choice id have the dodge all day long, but really can't answer why lol
If you can get past the badge and the fact they aint exactly pretty.But saying that I see the appeal of both the camero and challenger but given the choice id have the dodge all day long, but really can't answer why lol
Sorry, has to be said.
Personal preference really. Camaro I love the engine, handling is OK but there's not a whole lot else I love. The interior is cramped and it's like looking out of a pillbox. Styling, again personal preference but they're not my favorite. Z28 is nice though.
Challengers I love. They're big, a bit cumbersome compared to the Camaro, but they feel like proper muscle cars and they're a great daily drive. I'm on my second and looking for another. To say they get under your skin would be a bit of an understatement.
Challengers I love. They're big, a bit cumbersome compared to the Camaro, but they feel like proper muscle cars and they're a great daily drive. I'm on my second and looking for another. To say they get under your skin would be a bit of an understatement.
Still on the wish list, seems I might have to compromise on colour if it's a challenger, I really would love a Hemi Orange, but not spoils for choice, everyone seems to have black.
Just have to see what's about when I've got £ in hand.
Can't stop looking every day at these things, hope they live up to the looks!
Just have to see what's about when I've got £ in hand.
Can't stop looking every day at these things, hope they live up to the looks!
Gassing Station | Yank Motors | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff