Going to Australia

[gsmcoverage]

Hi All,

I probably off to Australia in the next few months, probably for good (great), but I would love to have a Vette there. I heard some scary story about RHD only allowed there or something. Would love a C5 or C6 nothing older really...
Can I get them there or import them without any issues like you can in the UK?
Is the RHD thing true?

[chevy-stu]

I think so, after a year you HAVE to have it converted, unless you can prove it's a development or test vehicle, and have to run HUUUUUUUGE sign on the back saying 'WARNING LEFT HAND DRIVE !!!!'... unless anyone knows different.

>> Edited by chevy-stu on Wednesday 3rd May 14:13

[gsmcoverage]

Oh my - its like £15000 to convert it to RHD

www.corvette.com.au/index.asp?Sec_ID=18

A second hand one converted is around £30,000 and its a 1998/9 with 40,000 miles. A significant increase on the UK prices as the RHD conversion seems to bump it up by the £15,000.

Mad to have one or a serious investment.

Anyone know where cheap vettes are in Australia??!!

[sayerbloke]

Sounds like the £15k spent on conversion doesn't go down with normal depreciation then... Guess that makes sense, because whether it's a new car or an old one, you'd still pay the same to have the work done.

If having LHD is a real no-no over there, it may well be money well spent if you are looking for a 'vette [and plan on hanging onto it for a while, anyway!]

[te51cle]

There's always the Monaro option...

[ZR1cliff]

Good luck with the move out there,what part are you going to?,i lived in Perth for a year and loved it.

[gsmcoverage]

ZR1cliff said:

Good luck with the move out there,what part are you going to?,i lived in Perth for a year and loved it.

It looks like its going to be Perth. Depends on work though and when the visa comes through, but I think Perth is great.
Would be much better with a vette, but with all the costs of the move and then the conversion it may have to wait a while.

Perhaps i may be able to hang on to it a bit longer than the last one. The roads are a bit straighter!

[ringram]

Plenty of old muscle cars there, chrysler, holden and ford V8's etc.
Monaro, SS Commodore, HSV stuff (www.hsv.com.au) Ford performance V8's etc.
Just not many corvettes due to RHD only. No real loss.

[mark387mw]

Hi Mark, I'm now in New Zealand. I wish I had the Corvette here, there are too many boy racer rice burners around. I'm now trying to find something as a replacement for my Corvette. LHD seemed to be a problem here also, but there are ways around it. ie having ownership in UK and knowing an importer at your destination. You should have a look at the Australia forum.

Mark

[anonymous-user]

ringram said:

Just not many corvettes due to RHD only. No real loss.

!!

[mark387mw]

any news on Oz?

[gsmcoverage]

Hi Mark,

Nothing for a while it seems. My visa only just started to get processed last week, so they say SIX months from now! Oh well. I am off in 5 weeks though for a 3 week holiday and to look around for work too.

Interestingly enough MCE called the other day and said did i want to renew my insurance. Did ask if they remember that i dont have the car anymore and it came to an unfortunate end. Even with the accident a quote they gave me was £550. £150 LESS than last years. All i need is a car :-)

[v8d]

I would pay and get a rhd Vette. The monaro is a fantastic car, I've had mine for 2 years now and its just stunning. However, no matter how brilliant it is, it will never EVER rival a corvette in the looks department. In the UK Monaros are very unusual, but I guess in Oz they are 2 a penny. Both great motors, tough decision !

[ERIKTHEVETKING]

ringram said:

Just not many corvettes due to RHD only. No real loss.

This man is either crazy or on the wrong forum...

Just imagine those lovely straight roads and no Vette .. gutted. I looked on that site and all I saw was chavmobiles ... how depressing. Well, I guess it's 15 Grand or no OZ for me :-)

Eric

[vetteheadracer]

Perth is the place to go.....just watch out for my relatives there....I have about 60 of them lurking in the greater Perth area!