Importing 458 or not?

[Frippe]

I'm set on buying a 458, test drove one recently and fell in love. However have some different thoughts on buying one in the U.K. Vs importing and keen to hear thoughts from others.

My main argument for importing is my negative view on brexit - I believe that will have a quite negative impact on U.K. Economy in general and potential supercar buyers in particular. Might be that effect is only really showing in 2019-20 and hence nothing to worry for yet but considering how inflated supercar prices in general are in the U.K. It certainly feels downside is much bigger on prices here vs having a LHD that can be exported back to Europe.

Don't think I have. A big issue around having a lhd in the UK, I'll be doing plenty of Euro trips in any case.

Warranty - I'm looking at 11/12 model and most seem to have extended warranties - I guess that could be an issue with an imported car?

And overall prices seem to be somewhat lower in EU vs UK.

Thoughts?

[Frippe]

Chris355 said:

I think uk prices are already starting to fall. I have seen a number of cars reduced in price over the last few weeks. Main dealer I was talking to last week was saying that RHD 458's will start at £125k mark next year

I don't have an issue with LHD here, had one previously and made virtually no difference to me. I have toyed with import as cheaper and potentially safer for the reasons you mention. However, its a pain from an inspection and payment point of view.

If it has a Euro official Ferrari warranty, it is valid here, so that's not a problem.

Thanks Chris, very helpful. I assume the pain of having it imported can be dealt with (for a cost) by using a company specialised in car imports.

To be clear to the other comments, I have no view of the 458 in particular is due a price decrease, my point is that 2-4yrs from now all super cars in this country will drop in prices as the effects of a hard brexit will start appearing with higher interest, less wealth and less high earners in London buying expensive toys

[Frippe]

Durzel said:

It's in the interests of both sides of the market to talk up or down the opposing side's position, really. It's prudent to take both sides opinions (including this one) with a dose of skepticism.

There are dreamers in every market really (case in point - people still advertising Speciales for £350k+), but decent cars are moving. In my admittedly limited experience procrastinating on buying these cars doesn't really achieve much besides burning time, the only commodity none of us can buy more of...

I spent far too long irritated by the ever increasing prices of F430 Spiders - to the point where they became unfeasibly expensive to my mind. All the while Ferrari dealers remained steadfast in their market manipulation pricing. I offered what I thought was a reasonable price on one, a bit over the middle of what I knew they'd bought it for (long story - but they gazumped me on it) and what they had it up for, and there was no negotiation. In fairness they knew the market well - and the car sold for what I presume must have been the asking price shortly afterwards.

There isn't in my opinion going to be an awful lot of movement in the prices of 458s while the F430 is propping it up, and there would have to be a pretty significant event in the world of credit & interest rates for the whole market downwards to compress to the point where they lose a lot. While there continues to be uncertainty around the world assets like these will continue to be attractive hedges. Waiting for that mythical RHD £120k 458 is only going to achieve one thing - missing another summer of sun, the likes of which we get very little of in this country, while others who decided that life is too short are out enjoying theirs.

Short version: The prices on these cars aren't going to change dramatically any time soon. They haven't changed for years.

Edited by Durzel on Friday 19th May 12:10

That is sort of my point, you have not had a brexit for years hence prices has not changed. We will have one now which will eventually led to a recession in the U.K and a loss of a lot of wealthy job /people moving out. Hence much higher risk today, although of course I hope I am wrong