Car Imports

[Hugh Jorgen]

Need a new car, anybody picked up any info on nightstops, looks like buying in the UK is not smart but who can I trust my money with. H E L P ! ! !

[Mr Magoo]

Hugh,

Send ALL your dosh to me, I'll invest it in a nice new JAA ATPL for myself. - I've got a 1976 Robin Reliant in exchange, (but you'll have to make up the difference in cash).

[Capt Homesick]

I only looked into it for MGFs; by buying in Germany the 1.8i cost about 5k less, and came with a slightly higher spec. If possible, just drop into a showroom for whatever marque you like on a nightstop.
Allegedly, the Netherlands is even cheaper for MGs, but it varies country to country depending on the manufacturer.
If you don't want to have the hassle with languages, ordering RHD specially, etc, why not try international directory enquiries for car dealers in Eire? BY using Ryanair, it's near enough free when you compare it to the cost of the car.

[Rigsby]

MGF's......not a hairdresser in your time off are you??

[Fright_level]

Dubai good source for gas guzzling LHD 4wds.
Al Tyer motors will sell you a cheap Discovery or Range Rover which you will have to own for at least 6 months before importing to UK without paying duty. Had to have my V8 Discovery fitted with Cat converter to satisfy DVLA which costs around 3000 sterling. Lost some BHP. Interesting to note that I could have imported a smoke screening diesel without mods.Typical senseless application of rules! Al Tyer had a 4.0 Rangerover for sale for about 21K in 98.Best time to buy is during the "Dubai shopping festival" in April.

[StopStart]

Buying on the continent is all the rage amongst colleagues at work. Order by Fax, wire them the cash, pop over to Belgium and drive it home. Examples that spring to mind are Fiat 20V turbo for £17K (£21K UK) and BMW Z3 2.8 £23K (£28K UK). I think the Top Gear website has some blurb about it. There are quite few dealers now just over the channel that deal purely with RHD cars now. The only thing you don't get is the extended warranty available in the UK. Most manufacturers warranty the car for a year with the dealership bumping it up to 2 or 3 years. Continental cars come with the 1 year warranty and you can buy an extended warranty for about £400 - no great shakes there then. Don't believe UK dealers who witter on about UK spec etc. Continental specs are usually much higher than the UK ones (with things like aircon. alloys, leather included in the basic price).
If you've got a pile of cash burning a hole in your pocket buying on the continent is the way ahead. Alteratively check out the Sunday broadsheets - there's always loads of people flogging low age/mileage continetal purchases cheaper than UK prices.

[Flypuppy]

If you live in the south east of England, it may be worth giving P&O Stena at Harwich a call. They can arrange a trip over on the fast ferry and contact dealerships in Hoek van Holland and Rotterdam who are more than willing to sell you RHD cars.
I live close by and the dealer who just delivered my (Cloggie LHD) company car was desperate to get my father to come into his showroom to do a deal for importing into the UK. Here is an example, the old fella showed interest in buying a Volvo V40 2.0 16v, once it was loaded with all the toys like onboard trip computer, GPS Nav system, A/C leather seats alloy wheels etc., the saving was not a kick in the @rse away from GBP6.5k. Alot of that was due to the exchange rate between the pound and the euro, which at the moment is the best way of paying. The cloggies are pretty good at speaking English but if you need an interpreter just give me a shout.

------------------
A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

[Flypuppy]

This might help...http://www.posl.com/press/default.html

[7ac]

Various thoughts - if you want to sell it again at a reasonable price look at Southern Ireland 'cos if the service book says a foreign supplier then people will bid you down - if it is from an Irish supplier the shallower end of the gene pool won't notice ! There are some cracking deals to be had in the UK at present - I got 2 grand off a V70 plus 3.5% finance in October - OK a V70 may not be everyones desire but you get the drift. Be bold and there are deals which match the continent around. Don't forget that if you buy one abroad , the local dealer will treat you like a leper if you want warranty work doing. Happy shopping

[Vmike]

I think, in fact I'm almost certain, that if you buy, say, a Toyota from a toyota dealer in, say, Holland, your local Toyota dealer is bound - by law - to honour the warranty and provide all servicing etc as if you'd bought it from him.

P & O have today started a service where they will find you the car of your dreams in Euroland and ship it over, deliver it to your door and charge you anywhere between 5% and 20% less, depending on make and model, than it would cost you from the UK dealership up the road.

Sounds good to me. Now all I need is the dosh for a new car!

[Flat Side Up]

Interesting concept that after all the talk of "foreign' pilots depriving UK pilots of employment but it's OK when it comes to car dealers.

[Jack The Lad]

Flat side up, don't be a prat! Eu pilots are welcome in the UK, just as their cheaper cars are. If you don't meet the spec, that's your fault buddy. We're in the EU now, like it or not.

[Vmike]

..provided they speak the lingo. In theory, Brits are employable in every EU country as well but when I phoned KLM they told me that one of their requirements was that you had to speak fluent Dutch. Granted, we Brits have always been lazy about learning languages but....Blooody Hell!!!!!

Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but who the **** speaks Dutch, other than the Dutch, effectively making KLM a Dutch-only employer, whatever EU rules might say about it.

[airbourne]

Hugh,

If you are coming to Ireland there are a few garages to check on, Sorry I dont have tel numbers.
Merlin Motor City, Long mile road
Alan Dorgan Motors, Monkstown (BMW,Merc)
Aston Cars, Tallaght (BMW,Merc,hi-spec)
Stuarts Garages, Tallaght (main Rover/MG)
Hope this helps and you should get a good deal for STG against Irish punt. If you need any more help e-mail me.

[Flying Banana]

hugh jorgen, check out Auto Express magazine, a while back they published a special edition which i think is still available just on importing, loads of great info, websites, dealers, examples of what's on offer and full guide on what to do.Example I know of is full rhd spec Scooby Impizza Turbo nutter B**t**d fully loaded for 16900 from dealer in Holland

Cheapest definitely seems to be Edam country, however, watch out for ridiculously long delivery times, manufacturers latest dodge to put people off.

Alternatively pay our 'entirely reasonable' UK prices after all we're not being ripped off, no sir, this is cool britannia, new britain, new labour, new taxes, and we've got a nice shiny dome and lots of Tony's bloody nice blokes telling us what to do.

Sorry I'm ranting again, it just makes MY BLOOD BOIL!!!

[Flat Side Up]

Well Jack,
When you make assumptions you are bound to be in error and you are.
Have absolutely no desire to live or work in the EU. Enjoy a much better lifestyle,weather, job and pay where I am. You bunch are always talking of of protecting jobs for UK pilots and often rail about your Euro counterparts. You lack consistency.
Oh, forgot to mention I do have right of abode. Don't choose to exercise it!


[This message has been edited by Flat Side Up (edited 01 February 2000).]

[Mr A Tis]

Well youv'e flown the airline, drank the Cola, worn the clothes, seen the cosmetics, tasted the Vodka, waited for the train, tried to work the phone...................
yes, cuddly Richard is reported ( according to Sky) to be launching virgin cars.com-- buy your Virgin motor on the www from March this year !!

[Nightflyer]

I have imported two Nissans from Denmark, a Primera 2.0SE Estate for £12,000 (List £21,000) and just recently a new Terrano II 5 door SE Touring 2.7 TDI for £16,500 (list UK £25,180) Both were ordered through the main Nissan dealer at Esbjerg and both vehicles were full RHD UK spec with 3 year Pan European warranty. You pay 20 deposit and delivery is 2-3 months. Call Han Larsen on 0045 75152000. They will ship the vehicle over to Immingham near Hull for £150 and you drive is home without plates. You then take your Invoice, supplied Cert of Conformity to the DLVA and they will register it for you. The vehicle is imported free of an Danish taxes. You get a bill from HMCE for the VAT about 2 weeks later and you have 4 weeks to pay. Dead easy. Don't under any circumstances by a new car in the UK.

[Doors to Automatic]

Nightflyer,

Are the prices you quote excluding or including VAT? (i.e. If I was importing the Primera would I have to pay 17.5% on top of the £12000?)

[2R]

How about buying aircraft on the mainland as opposed to U.K. prices?,any thoughts