Hypothetically why would i not do this........

[big_boz]

Now just to start, I am in no way in any kind of position to do this currently but if everything goes to plan in 12-18 months time i could well be in a position where i will be looking to spend something like £25k on a decent sized car for commuting and family duties, Think 5 series sort of size.

Commuting wont be over any kind of significant distance, 60 miles per day max (currently 14 per day) but i am self employed and due to the nature of my business i claim back 45p per mile against my tax liability so fuel costs are not really a huge concern, I would like something a bit more interesting that the average mainstream and i would like some exclusivity for my money which at this price point will be quite difficult.....and this has made me think a little outside the box.

Having rented one in the states i have a lot of time for the current Dodge charger V8 Hemi, and also the 2011 spec Mustang V8. Discounting the Stang for its pitiful boot and general lack of family orienatatedness....

With current exchange rate and having done some light research, i think i could get a charger just about in budget if i can get a dealer to sell me one for export and waive the local sales tax, including a couple of grand for (non-containered) shipping, import duty, VAT, and a bit on top for making good for UK use. I have no issue with LHD, and yes i know that quality is more KIA than BMW but i'm cool with that. So VERY roughly:

£17k purchase (30k USD-7% sales tax)
£2k Shipping (pessimistic estimate from what i can see)
£1.9k import duty @10%
£4.5 VAT @ 20%
£25k (plus Change)


I know that i could get a Hemi enginned 300C in UK spec over here but it would be more than budget and a bit too bling for my tastes, and the only chargers that are already in the UK tend to be the really high spec ones. I would be looking at a fairly bog standard one with minimal bling, ie bit of a sleeper.

Aside from buying something second hand, which i don't want to do as this will be the most i have ever spent on something that isn't bricks and mortar, i think that represents pretty decent value for something with that soundtrack, space and exclusivity. Plus depreciation wise, the exclusivity should help a little bit as there wont be many (or any?) in that kind of spec over here......

Usable daily driver Brand new V8 muscle car for the price of a 320d....I must be missing something as surly some people would be doing this??

[kambites]

I'd guess you get no warranty that can be used in the UK?

If that doesn't bother you, why not?

[big_boz]

I did think that, but mechanically the same as the 300C (same interior even) so any Chrysler dealer can carry out any work required. Total guess work, but the number of them on the roads in the states must mean that they are reasonably reliable given the JD power nature of the USA?

[J4CKO]

big_boz said:

I must be missing something as surly some people would be doing this??

No need to call 300 Surly but he would appreciate this.

People want 50 mpg diesels, low VED, premium badge, silver paint, black leather and a big colour screen in the dash and not some 18 MPG yee haw, tyre shredding thing with a badge they dont understand in the automotive pecking order, dont confuse the normals with us wierdos on here.

[B3NNL]

Its not quite as simple as just paying import tax etc. It would also have to go through the SVA testing and other hoops.
Have a look here, its a few years old now, but still worth a looksee as it highlights some issues you may have overlooked,
Either way, good luck!

[Truckosaurus]

J4CKO said:

People want 50 mpg diesels, low VED, premium badge, silver paint, black leather and a big colour screen in the dash and not some 18 MPG yee haw, tyre shredding thing

...and those that want an 18mpg yee haw, tyre shredding thing would rather get a Camaro, Mustang or Vette instead of a rental car spec Charger.

(Although, the latest Chargers with the fancy rear lights look pretty good at night)

[big_boz]

B3NNL said:

Its not quite as simple as just paying import tax etc. It would also have to go through the SVA testing and other hoops.
Have a look here, its a few years old now, but still worth a looksee as it highlights some issues you may have overlooked, i.e. the 10%customs tax as well if the car has been owned less than 6 months.
Either way, good luck!

Sorry i miss worded myself, the 10% import duty i listed is what you call the customs tax, same thing i think?

I will check that website on SVA, figured being new and essentially a 300C it is probably fairly simple, fog lights and orange indicators and so forth...I may be way off base though!

[CraigyMc]

J4CKO said:

People want 50 mpg diesels, low VED, premium badge, silver paint, black leather and a big colour screen in the dash and not some 18 MPG yee haw, tyre shredding thing with a badge they dont understand in the automotive pecking order, dont confuse the normals with us wierdos on here.

Just to clarify:

Normal people at the supermarket:


A typical PHer going to the same supermarket:


What happens when two PHers attempt to be normal people at the supermarket:


HTH.

C

[HustleRussell]

big_boz said:

the only chargers that are already in the UK tend to be the really high spec ones. I would be looking at a fairly bog standard one with minimal bling, ie bit of a sleeper.

Buy a ready-imported blingy one, which someone has already spent the time and money importing, and de-bling it externally?

[big_boz]

Truckosaurus said:

...and those that want an 18mpg yee haw, tyre shredding thing would rather get a Camaro, Mustang or Vette instead of a rental car spec Charger.

(Although, the latest Chargers with the fancy rear lights look pretty good at night)

That's the one i like.....

http://www.dodge.com/en/2012/charger/

If you believe the figures 18MPG is well off base, its 31 miles per US gallon which would roughly translate to 36miles per UK gallon...

so a 2013 370BHP V8 RWD RT with sport pack is 29.5k USD

Edited by big_boz on Wednesday 21st November 13:51

[kambites]

That 31mpg is the highway figure, not the combined and is for the V6.

The V8 is 25 US mpg highway, which probably means mid 20s UK mixed if you drive very gently; I could quite believe that someone would average 18mpg from one.

Edited by kambites on Wednesday 21st November 13:04

[big_boz]

HustleRussell said:

Buy a ready-imported blingy one, which someone has already spent the time and money importing, and de-bling it externally?

The ready imported ones are the Mega High end ones and tend to retail for £40k + so well out of my budget.

kambites said:

That 31mpg is the highway figure, not the combined and is for the V6.

Wishful thinking on my part

[Greg_D]

i fear, looking at the link above, that you would be looking straight down the barrels of a depreciation ass kicking.

Sorry, but i can't see this being worth more than chicken feed in 3-4 years

It's a nice idea, but there is a reason that there aren't any being imported, no one wants one!

[kambites]

big_boz said:

Wishful thinking on my part

Mind you the V6 is still 300 horsepower.

[big_boz]

Greg_D said:

It's a nice idea, but there is a reason that there aren't any being imported, no one wants one!

I understand the re-sale market would be limited but non-existent? All big cars depreciate a lot and i would be expecting it, but at least this would have some USP, and provide (me anyway) with much more enjoyment for 3-5 years than an similarly priced UK market car, which wouldn't have half as much character.

There is a market for modern V6 US mustangs in the UK, I wouldn't want one of them but some people do (granted not many) but i would offer up a Aussie non VXR spec Morano as more of a competitor to a non blingy charger, and there is plenty of market for them......

Edited by big_boz on Wednesday 21st November 13:21

[kambites]

It would certainly be a more interesting car to own than "yet another mid-sized German exec"

[Greg_D]

don't get me wrong, i'm not saying it is without positives, just you need to be realistic that it is going to shed a higher proportion of it's value than the equivalent euro spec car (inc monaros and other parallel imports - and they like chucking their value)

on a personal note, i would like to see one on the road, but just as long as you go into it knowing the full financial implications, that is all.

[kambites]

Greg_D said:

don't get me wrong, i'm not saying it is without positives, just you need to be realistic that it is going to shed a higher proportion of it's value than the equivalent euro spec car (inc monaros and other parallel imports - and they like chucking their value)

on a personal note, i would like to see one on the road, but just as long as you go into it knowing the full financial implications, that is all.

Surely absolute value lost is what matters - a 25k car losing 70% of its value over 3 years is better than a 40k one losing 50%. What's the cheapest ~400bhp V8 powered saloon you can buy in the UK at the moment?

[Monty Python]

If you want a Yank tank, why not get used Dodge Challenger Hemi V8, 2010 model with ~10k on the clock for £25,000.

[big_boz]

Greg_D said:

don't get me wrong, i'm not saying it is without positives, just you need to be realistic that it is going to shed a higher proportion of it's value than the equivalent euro spec car (inc monaros and other parallel imports - and they like chucking their value)

on a personal note, i would like to see one on the road, but just as long as you go into it knowing the full financial implications, that is all.

Don't Worry Eyes Fully open!

I suppose i am saying that yes i know it dump loads on money in Depreciation, but what new car wont do that? At least (in my head) I wouldn't mind so much if it was on something more interesting than your run of the mill £25k exec. Besides i doubt i would get a petrol 6 for £25k new, I think i would probably cry myself to sleep at night loosing 50% of the value of a 4cyld 3-series over 70% of the value of a Charger.