I NEEED this car

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Discussion

stig

Original Poster:

11,818 posts

285 months

Tuesday 3rd October 2006
quotequote all
Hi all,

Well, I happen to be in Houston for a couple of weeks at the moment and just couldn't resist popping into the local Ford dealer who have a fine selection of 'stangs (they're a Saleen dealer too).

Well, I've finally decided against the Saleen. They have four S281's for about $40k a piece (marked down as they're clearing the '06 cars), but to my mind it's still 10k for a bodykit and a retrim. The tail isn't to my taste either.

However, they do have a black California Special in that appears to have my name written on it Basically, it's as if I'd specced a stock GT and added all the bits I wanted to it - it's just perfect!!! The California Special comes with different front rear bumpers (very nice they are too), bonnet scoop and side scoops (purely cosmetic - but they look good). The interior is 2 tone black and dove grey leather - yum!

So the question is: if I just hand over the cash (at a very favourable rate at the mo ) and personal import, am I right in thinking I'd be looking at the following on-costs:

Purchase price (but I assume I can buy less sales tax?)
Import Duty on purchase price @ 10%
Import VAT on that @ 17.5%
Shipping RORO & insurance - approx $2000
SVA conversion costs - 500 quid(ish)? To include those nice combi rear light units
SVA 135 quid

If my calculations are right, that means I could have this awesome bit of kit on my drive in about 2 months time for less than 23k!?

Does that sound right? Some prompt replies would be great as I'm only here for another 10 days or so.

Will post some pics when I've been back for the test drive

Mustang Baz

1,632 posts

235 months

Wednesday 4th October 2006
quotequote all
This may help Stig - www.import-car.info/index.shtml

Some comments; RORO - be aware some people have had good, some bad experiences on this form of transportation as opposed to a container.

Insurance once here - can be found quite reasonably, but may be worth checking out; call Adrian Flux as the specialists.

SVA test - have heard £500-700 dependant on the location. Can highly recommend Mildenhall Autos in Suffolk if you fancy a drive!

One other thing - suggest buying some flowmaster mufflers over there for $200 a pair; get them fixed on post SVA test and you will be sorted for sound....

Edited by Mustang Baz on Wednesday 4th October 11:07

mikef

4,887 posts

252 months

Wednesday 4th October 2006
quotequote all
stig said:
I'd be looking at the following on-costs:

1. Purchase price (but I assume I can buy less sales tax?)
2. Import Duty on purchase price @ 10%
3. Import VAT on that @ 17.5%
4. Shipping RORO & insurance - approx $2000
5. SVA conversion costs - 500 quid(ish)? To include those nice combi rear light units
6. SVA 135 quid


1. Most dealers won't have experience of selling tax-free, you might find that hard to sort out in 10 days. They may also need to deliver to the port if it's not registered. You'd also need to figure out proof of ownership for an untaxed and unlicensed vehicle, both for US export and UK import
2. Import duty also on shipping costs
3. VAT also on shipping costs and on the import duty
4. I'd think you should get it in a container for that. Shipping insurance should run about 2.5% of value
5. A couple of companies advertise at http://users.boardnation.com/~import- and should be able to quote

Also add in - export agents fees (couple of hundred quid) and import/customs agents fees (again, a couple of hundred)

But worth all the hassle...

stig

Original Poster:

11,818 posts

285 months

Wednesday 4th October 2006
quotequote all
Thanks chaps. I agree that getting a specialist to handle the paperwork is probably the best bet. I have family that live here so have no trouble keeping the car stored until it can be shipped.

Twin Turbo

5,544 posts

267 months

Wednesday 4th October 2006
quotequote all
Very nice. I'm sure it'll look a lot better in black, than the white one here:

www.mustangheaven.com/stangspecs/2007/07caspecial.htm

stig

Original Poster:

11,818 posts

285 months

Saturday 7th October 2006
quotequote all
Twin Turbo said:
Very nice. I'm sure it'll look a lot better in black, than the white one here:

www.mustangheaven.com/stangspecs/2007/07caspecial.htm


Oh it does - believe me.

It looks pony in white (excuse the pun )

Twin Turbo

5,544 posts

267 months

Sunday 8th October 2006
quotequote all
So, are you going for it?

Make sure you post pictures if you do

evolutionvalet

907 posts

221 months

Sunday 8th October 2006
quotequote all
Chris,

Email sent mate. Let me know what you need and I'll try to sort it for you.

Cheers

Kev

mrkipling

494 posts

257 months

Monday 9th October 2006
quotequote all
Nice choice Stig.

You may like to contact these people www.cheq-flag.com./index.html , when I imported my car from NY, it was in a shared container & total cost inc clearance at both ends was £750. They also organised transport from the dealer to the port & I picked it up from Felixstowe. Good luck with it.

stig

Original Poster:

11,818 posts

285 months

Monday 9th October 2006
quotequote all
Thanks again guys. To be honest, the quotes I'm getting from UK based importers are so good there seems little reason to self-import! It would be different if i was buying a used or ex-demo car, but the Cal Specials are '07 and have only just come out, it's new cars only.

Kev - got the emails thanks mate. Have replied accordingly

Twin Turbo

5,544 posts

267 months

Monday 9th October 2006
quotequote all
Do you mind if I ask how much a UK importer is charging you? (I won't be offended if you'd rather not say) I assume it includes SVA/licensing etc?

And can you choose your own spec from a UK importer? What are the lead times?

I'm 75% convinced I'm going for a used Monaro VXR next year.......but a new Mustang could sway things a little

mrkipling

494 posts

257 months

Tuesday 10th October 2006
quotequote all
This site will give you an online quote & you can build the car spec

www.kc-imports.com/

Twin Turbo

5,544 posts

267 months

Tuesday 10th October 2006
quotequote all
mrkipling said:
This site will give you an online quote & you can build the car spec

www.kc-imports.com/


That's a great site. Just quoted £25,700 for the GT of my spec. Now, that's tempting.

Time for a test drive methinks driving

stig

Original Poster:

11,818 posts

285 months

Thursday 12th October 2006
quotequote all
Twin Turbo said:
Do you mind if I ask how much a UK importer is charging you? (I won't be offended if you'd rather not say) I assume it includes SVA/licensing etc?

And can you choose your own spec from a UK importer? What are the lead times?

I'm 75% convinced I'm going for a used Monaro VXR next year.......but a new Mustang could sway things a little


Having done some research, you only stand to save a couple of hundred quid if you self import a NEW mustang. The importers get better rates on shipping etc. as they bring a fair few cars over.

If you drive one, you WILL want one

evolutionvalet

907 posts

221 months

Friday 13th October 2006
quotequote all
yes cloud9

aeropilot

34,692 posts

228 months

Tuesday 17th October 2006
quotequote all
I just got back yesterday from staying with a mate in California, and we popped by his local Ford dealer in San Jose, which is also a Roush dealer.....
They had some stonking deals on a forecourt full of unregistered 06 Roush 'stangs.....like $32k-40k depending on spec.....smokin