Buying a new Camaro V8

[Camelot1971]

fatboy18 said:

Don't be tempted to look on the German used car websites.

Lots of Camaro's on there a good prices but..... Many have dubious history. Normally salvage cars, exported to Latvia, repaired and sold with clean titles.
So make sure you check the vin number on Carfax.

I had heard that. I think if i go for an SS, the UK cars are getting cheap enough now that it wouldn't be worth the effort of importing. Some of the low mile UK 2019 cars are now around £35k. The ZL1 is so rare in the UK that the odds of finding a nearly new one here at a sensible price are probably zero.

Importing one, even from Canada nearly new, for less than £55k all in is very tempting!

[essexstu]

Camelot1971 said:

I had heard that. I think if i go for an SS, the UK cars are getting cheap enough now that it wouldn't be worth the effort of importing. Some of the low mile UK 2019 cars are now around £35k. The ZL1 is so rare in the UK that the odds of finding a nearly new one here at a sensible price are probably zero.

Importing one, even from Canada nearly new, for less than £55k all in is very tempting!

Why not just go for a UK supplied one? I don't know if Iain Allen cars still have any stock but worth speaking to Craig. Remember UK supplied cars have a three year warranty which a grey import won't and an import won't just be about the Speedo, I don't think the sat nav will work correctly nor the dab radio. If Craig doesn't gave any new cars left I'm sure he will get trade ins come up as owners swap for Corvettes

[Camelot1971]

essexstu said:

Camelot1971 said:

I had heard that. I think if i go for an SS, the UK cars are getting cheap enough now that it wouldn't be worth the effort of importing. Some of the low mile UK 2019 cars are now around £35k. The ZL1 is so rare in the UK that the odds of finding a nearly new one here at a sensible price are probably zero.

Importing one, even from Canada nearly new, for less than £55k all in is very tempting!

Why not just go for a UK supplied one? I don't know if Iain Allen cars still have any stock but worth speaking to Craig. Remember UK supplied cars have a three year warranty which a grey import won't and an import won't just be about the Speedo, I don't think the sat nav will work correctly nor the dab radio. If Craig doesn't gave any new cars left I'm sure he will get trade ins come up as owners swap for Corvettes

If I go for the SS, I probably will, as prices have dropped a lot, although all the UK auto cars are 8 speed rather than the 10 speed. If I ended up with a 6 speed then that doesn't matter. Finding a UK ZL1 is very tough and people want stupid money for them - £70k for a 2018 car, for example. I get a new grey import will not have a warranty but a 3 year old UK car won't either. Getting the audio swapped is about £800 I think.

There is of course the "fun" of sourcing and importing your own car!

[essexstu]

Camelot1971 said:

If I go for the SS, I probably will, as prices have dropped a lot, although all the UK auto cars are 8 speed rather than the 10 speed. If I ended up with a 6 speed then that doesn't matter. Finding a UK ZL1 is very tough and people want stupid money for them - £70k for a 2018 car, for example. I get a new grey import will not have a warranty but a 3 year old UK car won't either. Getting the audio swapped is about £800 I think.

There is of course the "fun" of sourcing and importing your own car!

Well whichever route you take you wont be disappointed. They are great cars. Fun to drive, sound awesome and certainly get a lot of attention being so rare. Good luck!

[Gary H 2008]

Yup, couldn't agree more

[Camelot1971]

Gary H 2008 said:

Yup, couldn't agree more

Nice! Is that an official UK car or an import?

[Gary H 2008]

There are no official ZL1s - only the 'debadged' SS (removed so as to not offend. Seriously)

Saw your post on Camaro6 Richard, more than happy to talk you through my experience.

[Ian.T.]

I imported a one owner, 20k miles, 2013 black on black ZL1 last summer and it’s for sale on eBay. I have receipts totalling £38800. Please take a look and make me a serious offer if your interested.
It’s totally genuine with carfax history documentation.
Cheers

Edited by Ian.T. on Thursday 30th April 01:01

[Camelot1971]

Ian.T. said:

I imported a one owner, 20k miles, 2013 black on black ZL1 last summer and it’s for sale on eBay. I have receipts totalling £38800. Please take a look and make me a serious offer if your interested.
It’s totally genuine with carfax history documentation.
Cheers

Edited by Ian.T. on Thursday 30th April 01:01

I'd be looking at a Gen 6 car when making the final decision but thanks for the offer

[Camelot1971]

Well, to bring this to a conclusion, I bought a 2019 V8 Coupe from Ian Allan today! Very happy with the purchase, will have it delivered next week. Can't wait to rumble around my local area in it! It's red hot, 6 speed with Recaros, dual mode exhaust and active dampers.

Thanks for all the advice and help - appreciate it.

Edited by Camelot1971 on Thursday 11th June 17:21

[Bearintown]

Well done sir -enjoy

[irocfan]

[NMNeil]

You may have snagged one of the last ones to be imported. Keep hold of it
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/uk-sal...

[Camelot1971]

NMNeil said:

You may have snagged one of the last ones to be imported. Keep hold of it
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/uk-sal...

Yes, once the last of the imported cars are sold, that is it. They have a lot of pre-ordered C8 Corvettes - I saw them listed on the wall!

[unsprung]

Camelot1971 said:

They have a lot of pre-ordered C8 Corvettes - I saw them listed on the wall!

Very cool!

When you say "a lot" -- What is that figure exactly?

A dozen? A hundred?

[Camelot1971]

unsprung said:

Camelot1971 said:

They have a lot of pre-ordered C8 Corvettes - I saw them listed on the wall!

Very cool!

When you say "a lot" -- What is that figure exactly?

A dozen? A hundred?

It looked like well over 100 - the order cards looked like clocking in cards on the wall! Great to see though - I really hope it's a success story for Ian Allan and for GM. Personally, I prefer the C7 design but for the money the C8 will be a great car hopefully.

They are starting to sell Dodge products too - Challenger, Ram etc.

[unsprung]

Camelot1971 said:

It looked like well over 100 - the order cards looked like clocking in cards on the wall! Great to see though - I really hope it's a success story for Ian Allan and for GM. Personally, I prefer the C7 design but for the money the C8 will be a great car hopefully.

They are starting to sell Dodge products too - Challenger, Ram etc.

Thanks for taking the time to reply (and in considerable detail).

Your hopes I agree with in full. Could become very exciting, 12 to 18 months from now.

[irocfan]

Camelot1971 said:

They are starting to sell Dodge products too - Challenger, Ram etc.

You are a bad,*bad* man!! I really didn't need to read that

[Camelot1971]

irocfan said:

Camelot1971 said:

They are starting to sell Dodge products too - Challenger, Ram etc.

You are a bad,*bad* man!! I really didn't need to read that

They were prepping a couple of Rams while I was there and they have a Hellcat in stock at the moment too.

[bobchevy]

Good choice, you will avoid the gearbox problems associated with the A8 that normally involves a flush with a new improved fluid.

I see Ian Allen still have a few Camaros left its a shame they do not have all there cars on site to view due to space limitations

The Camaros are good value for the money now and I believe Chevrolet will not be replacing it with a Gen7 after this model expires so that will help with values.