Opinions on LHD Supercars

[rich12]

What are people's thoughts on LHD?

They are generally cheaper than the equivalent RHD counterparts and have obviously come from another country so could be harder to do research on it but what (if any) are the good points?

I'm not looking to buy one for me personally but just curious as to your opinions on them.

[rich12]

So from a purchase POV, checking its history seems to be the biggest hurdle?

I suppose the only way to be confident is for it to have Lamborghini history that you can check directly with them?

[rich12]

Good stuff.

So obviously there are mixed opinions on them but not as bad as I thought.

The reason for the question is we have a really good customer of ours who lives in the UAE and has very good relationships with people in the 'car world' (powerfully built director) who has been asking us to see if it would be viable to bring them to market over here.

The financial side is fine as there seems to be a big enough difference in cost once fees/duty etc are taken into consideration. It's just whether you can actually sell the bloody things that i'm not too sure on.
Our main business is surrounded by Supercars but not selling them so just need to make sure this could actually work.

[rich12]

355fiorano said:

There is a difference I believe in the perception of European LHD vs other markets based on anecdotal evidence from my conversations with friends and other petrolheads ... but by no means indicative or comprehensive.
Specifically from UAE, I have heard that the UK market is a bit more reticent in buying UAE speced cars. They do have a different spec due to weather/road conditions over there and I think the fact that the history may be even less traceable and possibly books, bills etc in arabic alphabet may be a deterrent to some buyers. There is also a reluctance for Japanese cars for similar reasons.

Great bit of info. It's not something i've come across to be honest and whilst I see the potential issue, we would only bring cars over that had full main dealer history and we have a contact at Lambo/Ferrari who said they would help if need be.

In regards to the different set up, do you have any more info on it? different being camber etc or different being different suspension/tyres?

[rich12]

If LHD sales are very dependant on which country they're from, why aren't people adding the country in their listings?

[rich12]

HamidQ said:

I live in the UAE so I am guess I am at a bit of an advantage. Like any market there are people who cherish their cars and those who use and abuse them. If you are able to find a well looked after car, you could be £££s in.

3 years ago I bought a Scud and it cost me the equivalent of £72K. The car is still with me and is unlikely to leave me soon.

Last year I bought a new Maritime Blue 991 GT3RS after an 18 month and that will stay with me for as long as I am alive I think. That could be a good car for someone if I change my mind...

I am not sure about the tax implications but if you want a car to drive, this may be a good place to buy. GT4s for example are getting close to the £60K mark...a main dealer inspection is a couple of hundred quid, not to mention most of the enthusiast cars are well known in the right circles so the most of the "story" cars can be avoided by reaching out to folks like myself.

If you don't mind me asking, where in the UAE do you live? It's always good to get more info from people who actually own these sort of cars out there.

[rich12]

355fiorano said:

A friend was looking to buy an 599 HGTE and was seriously looking at a UAE car and looked at the spec differences but I can't really remember. He never did buy it but I seem to think that on top of things like different filters for the dust there were also ECU differences for suspension and engine settings which were more optimised for the conditions there but please wait for someone else with more knowledge to respond. Many may not look at cars in such detail however and I still think the main concern for people is history and the language issue on the paperwork.

This is exactly the sort of info I need.
If we're going to import cars from a specific place, I need to know every little detail about them so I know whether or not they'll be good cars.

Whilst we work with supercars day in, day out, importing is a completely new venture for us so need to make sure it's viable.
Hopefully it will work and i'll be able to import myself a lovely F150 Raptor. (I have no interest in owning supercars, I just like looking at them and driving them haha).

[rich12]

Great posts. Thank you.


Yes, i've seen some horrendous colour schemes. One recently was an LP560 in brown with brown and red interior.
Definitely not something i'd be bringing over here haha.

The headlights are the bits i'm looking into at the moment. Not sure a 2009 LP560 had the ability to change them LHD/RHD.

[rich12]

Just thought i'd give a little update.

We found a lovely 2009 Gallardo and my contact had been speaking to the owner and finally arranged to view the car.
Perfect spec/colour and a great Lamborghini history etc but it had clearly had a knock at the front so that's a no go.

Shame really as it would've been a perfect car to test.
The hunt continues.

[rich12]

Out of interest, what do people think to this car?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Well priced?

[rich12]

Another good post, thanks.

We may have a little bit of luck on our side. An F430 has just come back up for sale that we originally wanted to buy but missed out by a day.

He's going to go and look at it tomorrow but have already been sent photos and a video of a walk around in the showroom.