LHD supercar in the UK?
Discussion
I am a new member but old petrolhead (!) and have a question for wise souls out there. I'm looking at an oldish supercar as a mid-life-crisis-mobile...If I buy a LHD one in top condition in Germany, for around 35-40% off of the same car price in the UK, is that mad? The car is a Ferrari 550. Can't afford a good one in the UK, but much cheaper in Germany, even from top dealers. Top German car the price of a poor RHD one. I don't mind driving LHD but will it be a nightmare to sell? Any thoughts/opinions very welcome!
I did exactly the same a few years ago when I bought a LHD F355 (through a importer/dealer in Wandsworth)
I wanted a RHD 348 but found with the DM exchange rate I could get an F355 for the same money but in LHD.
It was great fun as had it 8 years with no issues. Just avoided UK car parks with tickets basically.
It was also great for getting out on the kerbside when parking in the street rather than opening the large doors into traffic.
Resale no problem either through a specialist rather than main dealer, car was snapped up quickly.
Miss the car and emotion of driving it but dont miss god damn awful build quality.
But if it means getting the car of your dreams then do it.
I wanted a RHD 348 but found with the DM exchange rate I could get an F355 for the same money but in LHD.
It was great fun as had it 8 years with no issues. Just avoided UK car parks with tickets basically.
It was also great for getting out on the kerbside when parking in the street rather than opening the large doors into traffic.
Resale no problem either through a specialist rather than main dealer, car was snapped up quickly.
Miss the car and emotion of driving it but dont miss god damn awful build quality.
But if it means getting the car of your dreams then do it.
Thank you everyone really good knowledge there. Pistachio very good to know you did it with a Ferrari also. UK specialist dealers telling me it would be a 'nightmare' to sell but they would say that I guess! Giving me faith...Out of interest was insurance for LHD a problem? I suppose servicing is identical..Many thanks in advance..
Themaven said:
Thank you everyone really good knowledge there. Pistachio very good to know you did it with a Ferrari also. UK specialist dealers telling me it would be a 'nightmare' to sell but they would say that I guess! Giving me faith...Out of interest was insurance for LHD a problem? I suppose servicing is identical..Many thanks in advance..
Insurance is not a problem.Presumably that wasn't the dealer I bought mine from then...
Looking at the RHD versions of mine there is often evidence of what an after-thought RHD was for Fs of that vintage.
Servicing not problematic.
(mine had already been imported but was purchased at a significant discount to RHD equivalent.)
Enjoy.
Ive bought two 911s in LHD, (964C2 and 993 Turbo)for various reasons, at the time a significant reason was the obvious money saving but also the quality of car my budget would allow was significantly better.
When it came time to sell, the 964 sold within 24 hours of advertising it (it went back to Germany, owned for three years and made a 3K profit)) and I still have the 993.
From a practicality perspective, I insured the cars under their VIN intially (no problem) until the paperwork came thro.
The process was easy and from memory required a C of C (which Porsche supplied FOC), an MOT and then I trotted off to the Tax office and registered them, this took an hour and I came out with an age related plate and a tax disc.I never paid any inport tax as the car was over six months old.For me, the experience has been trouble free and I would do it again in a heartbeat, although now, certainly in the Porsche world the price seperation is nowhere near what it once was.
When it came time to sell, the 964 sold within 24 hours of advertising it (it went back to Germany, owned for three years and made a 3K profit)) and I still have the 993.
From a practicality perspective, I insured the cars under their VIN intially (no problem) until the paperwork came thro.
The process was easy and from memory required a C of C (which Porsche supplied FOC), an MOT and then I trotted off to the Tax office and registered them, this took an hour and I came out with an age related plate and a tax disc.I never paid any inport tax as the car was over six months old.For me, the experience has been trouble free and I would do it again in a heartbeat, although now, certainly in the Porsche world the price seperation is nowhere near what it once was.
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