Awesome, do you have a uk agent recommendation to do all the paperwork? According to xe.com the exchange rate now is 0.57638, if it hits 0.60, f**k me it would be tempting to take the plunge and bring down a UK car.
Just a point about the LCT asked previously. I imported a car recntly, and definately was up for LCT. Whether or not a private sale was involved is not relevant, because you need to pay the taxes before the car will be released to you for collection. On a bright note, the car I brought in had 3 diffrent valuations: 1 What I actually PAID for it 2 What it is worth in the Australian marketplace 3 What it was valued at by the valuer for tax purposes When I collected my car with blue slips, etc and took the paperwork to the RTA to pay for the government charges (including Stamp Duty on my own bloody car that I had owned for some time...grrr), I was told by the chippy that I could use the actual PAID value. This worked out well, because it cost much less overseas than a local price. If you look at a 360 2004 F1, these can be picked up for a song in the UK right now. My ntent is to head back and get 1, possibly 2 of these cars (wifey will have it), as soon as I can, maybe mid year. 12 months later, they'll be on a boat back to Oz.
I bought a 7 series back in '90 when the 120% taxes were in, they tried to base the taxes on the value here which meant the car was going to cost more than new and they did this all RETROSPECTIVELY even though I had all the paperwork done in London !! Told them to push the car into the harbour and FO at which point I got up to leave Customs House in Circular Quay and they "struck a deal" !!!! like WTF !! I paid taxes on the sale price not redbook, still the biggest rip off I have ever had
you know I'd still have more money today if they had done it ??!! the tear up on 7 series is stupid without additional help from bankrupt govts
The 22B. Did you end up selling it? I recall it was at an auction last year but was passed in. Stamp Duty is a joke but welcome to NSW!
Yep, was talking to the German engineer about that very issue yesterday (car costs new/second hand). He said no one wants secondhand 7 series in Germany and that they are very hard to sell. A 100,000 Euro car you can buy in 2 years for under 30,000 Euros. Pity they are LHD. On the 7 series I saw a new one the other day and I quite like the look of it.
I'm thinking either M3 or 7 series next, the 7 looks the better option because it can hold more wheels and tyres in the back
Yeah and you can put the wife in the back left seat. Further away. I'd be interested in an M3 if I could afford one now that they are V8's.
haha funny you should say that, she tried the backseat last week on the way home from Sydney, she got carsick inside 10 mins the 6 cyl M3 has always been the goods
that CSL of yours had a beautiful note to it as well, never heard a BMer with that sound before or since
That car is one of the all time great BMW's. I was thinking about great drives I had in that car, the type that make the hairs on the back of your neck stick up. The last was on the Canberra FCA rally at Crackenback. Then I realised that particular drive was the last drive that did that for me, and I have driven some nice cars since then. CSL's are under 40% of new cost now, biggest bang for buck that I can think of.
360C, I dont know much about the CSLs. I know its one thing to look at a stopwatch, and other cars can be faster, but what is it about the CSL that you appreciate so much? As you've stated, you've had some great machinery since then, so that comment has really intrigued me. Not just that the CSL is so favourable, but it would also tend to suggest that the other cars were somehow..."deficient?" If you have the time, I'd love you to unpack that.
Well, I am going to buy another house directly, so I probably wont be able to buy another Ferrari for a few years. Can buy one now of course, but would rather another house naturally. Give me a bump in a few years when this 360 arrives eh? Make sure its red/tan 6 speed too.
The CSL has a large number of differences from the standard E46 M3. Do a google search for the full list; but essentially it's circa 150kg lighter with more power from different engine management, induction and exhaust systems, different suspension, faster steering, better brakes, sticky tyres, faster sequential gearbox yada yada. The upshot of all that is a very small and light car that sounds incredible, goes like a cut snake and turns on a dime. In my experience it didn't translate to seriously quick lap times; but in real world road conditions it was a rocket ship. On the up and down twisty mountain roads around Crackenback it was the best tool for the job. By comparison a modern Ferrari occupies too much road and feels unwieldy in those conditions. Some of the mid engined V8's and certainly the rear engined V-12's have very tricky handling on the limit whilst the CSL always felt like it was on your side. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I had Testarossa/Boxer engines in mind and shouldn't have said V12's. The F50 is quite easy to handle as a matter of fact; but still occupies far, far too much real estate.
well if a certain 355CH had turned up that would have been a prime example of "some of the V8 ferraris " having trouble BTW, juts saw your times in HP, pretty good for an old guy in a slow car ON SLICKS AND WITH A WING !!!! Also noticed that one of the 2+2 guys from SA missed out on a trophy for 3rd place even though he was about 4-5 secs faster than 3rd place, but then this wouldn't be the FCA if we didn't have a trophygate episode
