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Discussion
Some of you may now that I regularly flit back and forth to the USA for my work. So it seems that due to a massive project, I am moving to California for three years or so (at least two I have been told). This begs the question of what to do with the Vantage.
a) ship it over
b) keep it
c) sell it
Shipping it over seems to be a PITA and i'm not sure i'd want a RHD in LHD territory. Our house in Santa Monica does have a decent garage though.
Keeping it will be interesting as it will have to stay outside for three years as the garage will be used for storage whilst we are away.
Selling it looks like the best option but I know I will take a hit against what I paid for it.
On the plus side, if I do sell it, I could always buy the Cobalt V8VS stateside. Who knows, I may even opt for a Roadster.
There's no way i'm going to turn down the job as it's my dream job and absolutely the best move I could ever possibly make.
Still a bit upsetting to see the car go though. I will be back into an AM once I have got myself settled in over there. Oh, I wonder if I could get a V12V in Cobalt...
a) ship it over
b) keep it
c) sell it
Shipping it over seems to be a PITA and i'm not sure i'd want a RHD in LHD territory. Our house in Santa Monica does have a decent garage though.
Keeping it will be interesting as it will have to stay outside for three years as the garage will be used for storage whilst we are away.
Selling it looks like the best option but I know I will take a hit against what I paid for it.
On the plus side, if I do sell it, I could always buy the Cobalt V8VS stateside. Who knows, I may even opt for a Roadster.
There's no way i'm going to turn down the job as it's my dream job and absolutely the best move I could ever possibly make.
Still a bit upsetting to see the car go though. I will be back into an AM once I have got myself settled in over there. Oh, I wonder if I could get a V12V in Cobalt...
I think you will have real difficulty driving the car in the US. I'm a bit hazy on the details, but I think you can drive it for a year before you have to register it there, at which point the cost of modifications would be prohibitive. Probably better off selling it here, if you can bear to part with it, and buy another one over there.
It depends on if you going to buy new in the US if so get on to the factory and see what can be done...or see if you can do a deal with a dealer for your car with connections in the US. The shipping costs would go towards to a 3 year lease in the US for your length of assignment ...and/or you may able to get a reasonable long term storage...but its about choice...
I think the smart money is on selling the car as although the contract is for a minimum of two years (likely optioned for three) the chances are I could be out there longer.
Now, do I sell it privately (ugh, tyre-kickers) or just offload it to a dealer...? Decisions, decisions.
EDIT: I don't have the time to be in day by day to speak to potential buyers and the nature of my job means for the most part my cellphone is switched off, so private sales might be a right pain.
Now, do I sell it privately (ugh, tyre-kickers) or just offload it to a dealer...? Decisions, decisions.
EDIT: I don't have the time to be in day by day to speak to potential buyers and the nature of my job means for the most part my cellphone is switched off, so private sales might be a right pain.
Edited by Highrisedrifter on Saturday 26th May 17:54
I imported a RHD car to the USA (not an Aston, a MkIV Spitfire.) Unless you see this as a permanent move, I think you're better off selling and then buying the same as you've got, or similar over here.
You won't be able to drive it here for 2 years without formally importing it, which means you have to pay import duties, taxes to the State when you convert the UK Registration Certificate to a US State title.
Especially with a relatively new car where it is a lot easier to do a valuation, you will probably get taxes/duties on the full amount. US customs charges 2.5%, you've got brokerage fees, shipping, handling charges at the port.... when I changed my UK title to a Florida title I also had to pay 8% of the value of the car. Fortunately, there is no real valuation procedure but if they believe you are being fraudulent they will come after you. I think older cars are less scrutinized.
In California you may have to do CARB certification as well (emissions testing.)
So, long story short, if it is a 2-3 year stretch, probably better to sell it and buy in California.
You won't be able to drive it here for 2 years without formally importing it, which means you have to pay import duties, taxes to the State when you convert the UK Registration Certificate to a US State title.
Especially with a relatively new car where it is a lot easier to do a valuation, you will probably get taxes/duties on the full amount. US customs charges 2.5%, you've got brokerage fees, shipping, handling charges at the port.... when I changed my UK title to a Florida title I also had to pay 8% of the value of the car. Fortunately, there is no real valuation procedure but if they believe you are being fraudulent they will come after you. I think older cars are less scrutinized.
In California you may have to do CARB certification as well (emissions testing.)
So, long story short, if it is a 2-3 year stretch, probably better to sell it and buy in California.
Highrisedrifter said:
I think the smart money is on selling the car as although the contract is for a minimum of two years (likely optioned for three) the chances are I could be out there longer.
Now, do I sell it privately (ugh, tyre-kickers) or just offload it to a dealer...? Decisions, decisions.
EDIT: I don't have the time to be in day by day to speak to potential buyers and the nature of my job means for the most part my cellphone is switched off, so private sales might be a right pain.
SOR it with a trusted dealer. They take the hassle of selling it.Now, do I sell it privately (ugh, tyre-kickers) or just offload it to a dealer...? Decisions, decisions.
EDIT: I don't have the time to be in day by day to speak to potential buyers and the nature of my job means for the most part my cellphone is switched off, so private sales might be a right pain.
Edited by Highrisedrifter on Saturday 26th May 17:54
Alternatively put it into car storage in the UK. Lots of companies doing it - car will be looked after, can put it on a battery conditioner etc.
If I were you I'd sell it. Its going to depreciate over 2 /3 years and you don't even get the benefit of driving it.
Job sounds great - tell us more!
I can sympathise with you on this one as I was in a similar situation 3 years ago.
Employment prospects weren't looking too good in the UK and the company I was working for offered me a contract working in Japan for 1 to 2 years. At the time I owned a V8 4.3 Vantage and had only had it for 1 year so the thought of parting with it was going to be a really tough decision.
Rather stupidly I kept the car for the first year and paid for secure storage at a facility near Blackpool with the cost amounting to about £900. On my return to the UK for a short break I decided that keeping the car was like taking money and throwing on the fire.
Before returning to Japan I got in touch with my local AM dealer and asked them to sell the car for me, they gave me a contract with a fixed value for the car. The car sold within 3 weeks of going on the forecourt, they sold it for £51k and I received £46k. Had I kept the car, it's forecourt value now is about £43k to £46k, so as I see it i've broken even on value plus i've saved money on insurance, storage, servicing etc.
My advice is sell it, save the money and when you return to the UK buy a V12 Vantage.
Hope the above helps you on your decision.
PS I'm also due to go out to the US but nowhere as glamorous as California, instead I get to go to exotic places like Clairton near Pittsburgh.
Employment prospects weren't looking too good in the UK and the company I was working for offered me a contract working in Japan for 1 to 2 years. At the time I owned a V8 4.3 Vantage and had only had it for 1 year so the thought of parting with it was going to be a really tough decision.
Rather stupidly I kept the car for the first year and paid for secure storage at a facility near Blackpool with the cost amounting to about £900. On my return to the UK for a short break I decided that keeping the car was like taking money and throwing on the fire.
Before returning to Japan I got in touch with my local AM dealer and asked them to sell the car for me, they gave me a contract with a fixed value for the car. The car sold within 3 weeks of going on the forecourt, they sold it for £51k and I received £46k. Had I kept the car, it's forecourt value now is about £43k to £46k, so as I see it i've broken even on value plus i've saved money on insurance, storage, servicing etc.
My advice is sell it, save the money and when you return to the UK buy a V12 Vantage.
Hope the above helps you on your decision.
PS I'm also due to go out to the US but nowhere as glamorous as California, instead I get to go to exotic places like Clairton near Pittsburgh.
Congrats on the new job, I'd phone around all the good dealers ( including the likes of Top555 etc) and get a best deal for a straight sale you may be surprised at the variances. With a bit of luck you'll end up with a blinding deal stateside so end up "quids in" a Brit in the US driving an Aston is onto a winner 
Yes sale or return contracts are generally about 10% to the dealer. If you do go down this route be aware of some dealers who may offer you a higher valuation for selling, it looks good on paper but the car may take months to sell rather than weeks, it's best to go with a realistic price from the start so £50k for a 2009 car will be about right with a forecourt value of approx £55k. AM of Wilmslow sold my car and gave me a valuation over the phone to start with, so give a few dealers a call and see what comes up.
Grant3's suggestion of selling on the spot for straight cash is also worthwhile investigating, something that I never thought of.
Good luck with it and I hope all goes well with whatever you decide.
Grant3's suggestion of selling on the spot for straight cash is also worthwhile investigating, something that I never thought of.
Good luck with it and I hope all goes well with whatever you decide.
Just made an agreement with a dealer who will purchase it for the price I want.
Actually, I have an incredible lump in my throat now. I never thought this car would affect me as much as it has.
I'm off to the states in two weeks for preliminary talks and will probably move over in late July but I will be flitting back and forth to here for a few days here and there so I will endeavour to be about if I can.
One thing this does do is strengthen my resolve to get myself an Aston over there once I am settled. No other car will do now i've been spoiled by the AM marque.
Actually, I have an incredible lump in my throat now. I never thought this car would affect me as much as it has.
I'm off to the states in two weeks for preliminary talks and will probably move over in late July but I will be flitting back and forth to here for a few days here and there so I will endeavour to be about if I can.
One thing this does do is strengthen my resolve to get myself an Aston over there once I am settled. No other car will do now i've been spoiled by the AM marque.
Jockman said:
Don't be a stranger HRD 
I won't. I'm going to find either a Cobalt V8VS Roadster or, if I can, a V21V once i'm over there. I just need to see how things pan out with the work first. I estimate August time or so before i'm in another AM.I'll be taking my THUG personalised sill plaques with me and they will sit on my desk as a reminder to get my finger out and buy another vantage!
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