Thread Hijack, but I'm soon wanting to put together final calculations for an import also. Not a 360 though. I will be shopping for a Pre 89 Testarossa. With the current exchange rate, the temptation has become a little too much lol. So knowing importing can actually cost more than expected, I want to nut out "realistic figures" before even approaching the bank/wife What's the go with Pre-89's? Do you still get hit with LCT? Is it true that GST and LCT are on the AUSSIE market price? Not what you paid in the UK? And known compliance costs for pre 89's? Buy price of the car in the UK will be approx $60 AUD, so lets work with that as a starting point. Also, what are insurance costs like on cars of this ilk, once in Aus?
Why don't you just go to the Oz customs website. It's all there and the question has been asked and answered to death on this forum.
No worries. I'll do a search on here also, and be checking customs websites for final answers. Its just always nice to know from people that have done it recently. My last car was purchased from Brissy, and on the 300ZX forums, I am always happy to answer questions by newbies looking to purchase interstate. Sorry for the trouble.
PM uzz32soarer, Rob has been silly enough to import 3 Testosterone's himself and uses them ALL the time. I did 18,000 miles in one back in 1989. If you go ahead, choose very carefully as rebuilding a 12 cylinder is extraordinarily expensive.
Don't worry about grumpy pants. Ask all the questions you want. Here is a start http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4371.asp
I've been seriously looking at bringing in a carbed 308 GTB. The LCT only applies on the landed cost if it exceeds $57,311 or whatever the exact LCT figure is at the moment. Import duty is now 5% (down from 10% pre 1.1.2010) on cars up to 30 years of age. Cars 30 years of age or older are exempt from import duty. GST is applicable on the landed cost including all freight, insurance, broker fees etc. The compliancing cost for a 308 varies, but I was told to put $2,500 aside which includes EVERYTHING to have it registered. That said RUSTY UK cars are the norm and that is the biggest risk. Bob.
Yep rust is my other worry. I've seen a 348 thread where the whole front 1/4 was nothing BUT rust. Again, leading me to weather a museum peice, or a well drivn car is the best option? Ferrari standing still, vs ferrari used on WET and possibly SALTY roads
Some owners in the UK put their cars away in storage for the winter. You need to find those type of owners
A fellow car nut I know just picked up a GT4 he imported from the UK with a PPI($34000approx all up) and he hasn't been able to register it because of dangerous rust issues underneath,have seen the surface rust on the nuts,bolts & wishbones etc. so I have to wonder if it is a bargain to bring any of them in without seeing them personally.
For $10K more he could have bought a car here and had it inspected a little more thoroughly for rust.
there's no such thing as a cheap ferrari. i brought the 328 over from the UK without seeing it and without anyone inspecting for me. Just dumb luck that it was a ripper.
Yeah, you lucky ****! And you sold it before you got to take me for a drive in it. ****en *******!! Ill be there next month PP, still picking me up from the airport in the 355? A little TOO keen alright! I hope there is a lesson learnt here today kids.
The luck of Pless struck again I once saw a 512M that was 18 months old at the time. It was a personal import from England and had spent one winter in England. Pretty, pretty shiny on top; but underneath she was a sad girl. All bolts and fastners were dull and had a film of corrosion. Any scratched/ dented metal bits underneath had the cancer. Imagine a 25 year old car that had been there the whole time. Unless it is taken off the road and stored correctly over winter, it won't be pretty. Then add in the fact that they are now cheap enough to have fallen into the hands of people who can't afford to maintain them properly. Deferred service issues galore. Just a belt job on these is an engine out affair with a dozen "while we are there" jobs thrown in. You really need to know what you are doing. I would import a 550 instead if budget allowed, it is a much, much better car.
I'd dearly love too but the price difference takes this venture from "doable" to almost impossible for me (at the moment). That's a separate windge. The used car market in Australia is, well, borderline criminal lol. That said, if a good TR at the right price comes up, I'll be all over it. I just think that, given careful investigation, and true patience, buying the RIGHT TR from the UK will work. But as said, I'm still doing the sums.
