Locally delivered Vs Inported

[Nicco]

I am looking at buying my first Porche and see that some offered for sale are from the UK and then imported to Aus.  Is this a big issue and are these worth the same as Australian delivered vehicles and will they hold their value as locally delivered cars? I am looking at a manual coupe and interested in either a 996 4s or 997s so would appreciate any advice on which I should consider buying? 

[sandy468]

Do you have one in mind that's advertised atm?

[tazzieman]

For many cars it shouldn't matter , but it does.

All depends upon the previous owner(s) and type of driving , where the car was driven (city vs country) , salt vs no salt.

If this is known,  and a cherished car can be substantiated , then it shouldn't affect price or resale (though it will , even though it shouldn't)

 

I'd take a Winchester 911 over one that's lived in a hot Aussie beachside city suburb.

[Rod C]

Potential rust issues from salt on the roads, possibly  insurance cover can be harder to obtain and depending on model of car could have a lower market value due to being an import though it seems good classic cars will always bring good money. I'm sure there are just as many pros as there are cons but having the car inspected by someone reputable would be well advised.

[Whytar]

Unfortunately it a perception thing that imported cars aren't worth as much as Aus delivered cars. Not necessarily accurate, but a perception all same.

[Nicco]

 

Thanks, saw this one on Carsales https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Porsche-911-Carrera-2005/SSE-AD-4434542

Do you have one in mind that's advertised atm?

I saw this one advertised     https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Porsche-911-Carrera-2005/SSE-AD-4434542

[sandy468]

All of the above - some wont touch them and some (SimonN) fall all over them (only UK ones).... pros and cons but if you buy right, and around 70 -75 for this one sounds ok to me, you'll have a great car (and this one has ok ks and is well optioned with the seats, chrono and Pasm) at a discount price. just harder to sell at the other end unless you sensibly meet the market with the same type of lower price it'll hangaround forever. Don't see too many imports in these or especially a 996 4s. Do you know how long it's been on the market Nicco - oh and you'll have to change your name, we already have a Niko, much loved too!

[Whytar]

Looks like a nice car. 5 years on UK roads isn't a long time if it's been cared for. Get it checked out if you're serious and you might have a nice car there. Km's are good for a 05 model.

[Nicco]

Thanks. 70 - 75 would be a good price but is a fair way from the asking price of 83k. Can get a 996 4s for similar price although like the variable suspension option and newer build date. Yes, happy to change nane!

[sandy468]

Thanks. 70 - 75 would be a good price but is a fair way from the asking price of 83k. Can get a 996 4s for similar price although like the variable suspension option and newer build date. Yes, happy to change nane!

"70 - 75 would be a good price but is a fair way from the asking price of 83k."

!0% knock off price usually applies Nicco - don't ask don't get!

And you could be known as Nicco junior - I'll bet you're many many decades younger than the 'ol bloke

[Nicco]

10% sounds great! Good to know these things from people who have been there and done that. A lot of info to compare on the internet but still hard to ascertain what is good value so appreciate the unbiased advice. 

And may be younger? Few greys but full head of hair haha. 

[SimonN]

Nicco

This is a very touchy subject. So here is the question. If you have 2 cars identical in mileage and spec, both in as good condition as the other, do you think it is worth paying a significant premium for one because it was shipped to Australia when it was new, rather than when it was a second hand car? Some people do, some don't. Some see value in being able to say it was an oz delivered car, some don't.

There are also a lot of myths around. First, note I said identical cars in the same condition. In the same way as UK cars can have real rust issues, just because it is an Oz delivered car doesn't mean it is in better condition. As with all s/h cars of value, you need to get them checked out by a knowledgeable specialist. There are loads of UK cars over here in great condition. 

I note the comment about insurance. In all the time I have argued in favour of imports, this is the first time it has come up. I don't know anybody who has had a problem in this regard. I have never even been asked if my cars were originally Oz delivered. Maybe somebody has had a bad experience, but that is the exception, rather than the rule.

What you have to remember is that these imports do sell at a discount and that discount does move around a bit. However, if the value of a particular model goes up, on average, it goes up by the same percentage whether it is an import or local delivered. I also believe that correctly priced imports are actually easier to sell than Oz delivered cars, but please note that correctly priced means at a significant discount o the Oz delivered price.

So it's really up to you which you buy. Whichever way you go, you should always buy on condition and have the car inspected.

[Nicco]

Nicco

This is a very touchy subject. So here is the question. If you have 2 cars identical in mileage and spec, both in as good condition as the other, do you think it is worth paying a significant premium for one because it was shipped to Australia when it was new, rather than when it was a second hand car? Some people do, some don't. Some see value in being able to say it was an oz delivered car, some don't.

There are also a lot of myths around. First, note I said identical cars in the same condition. In the same way as UK cars can have real rust issues, just because it is an Oz delivered car doesn't mean it is in better condition. As with all s/h cars of value, you need to get them checked out by a knowledgeable specialist. There are loads of UK cars over here in great condition. 

I note the comment about insurance. In all the time I have argued in favour of imports, this is the first time it has come up. I don't know anybody who has had a problem in this regard. I have never even been asked if my cars were originally Oz delivered. Maybe somebody has had a bad experience, but that is the exception, rather than the rule.

What you have to remember is that these imports do sell at a discount and that discount does move around a bit. However, if the value of a particular model goes up, on average, it goes up by the same percentage whether it is an import or local delivered. I also believe that correctly priced imports are actually easier to sell than Oz delivered cars, but please note that correctly priced means at a significant discount o the Oz delivered price.

So it's really up to you which you buy. Whichever way you go, you should always buy on condition and have the car inspected.

Thanks, great thoughts.  The one I put up above seems significantly lower in price than the few others advertised so I guess the owner has factored this in.  Now I just need to decide on a 997s vs 996 4s!

[Rod C]

Nicco

This is a very touchy subject. So here is the question. If you have 2 cars identical in mileage and spec, both in as good condition as the other, do you think it is worth paying a significant premium for one because it was shipped to Australia when it was new, rather than when it was a second hand car? Some people do, some don't. Some see value in being able to say it was an oz delivered car, some don't.

There are also a lot of myths around. First, note I said identical cars in the same condition. In the same way as UK cars can have real rust issues, just because it is an Oz delivered car doesn't mean it is in better condition. As with all s/h cars of value, you need to get them checked out by a knowledgeable specialist. There are loads of UK cars over here in great condition. 

I note the comment about insurance. In all the time I have argued in favour of imports, this is the first time it has come up. I don't know anybody who has had a problem in this regard. I have never even been asked if my cars were originally Oz delivered. Maybe somebody has had a bad experience, but that is the exception, rather than the rule.

What you have to remember is that these imports do sell at a discount and that discount does move around a bit. However, if the value of a particular model goes up, on average, it goes up by the same percentage whether it is an import or local delivered. I also believe that correctly priced imports are actually easier to sell than Oz delivered cars, but please note that correctly priced means at a significant discount o the Oz delivered price.

So it's really up to you which you buy. Whichever way you go, you should always buy on condition and have the car inspected.

Re insurance SimonN I'm only going on my experience some 23 years ago when I was investigating insurance on a 77 Carrera import only to find two out of the 1/2 dozen calls I made didn't touch imports. Maybe this has now changed over time and like car enthusiasts insurance companies are more accepting of imports.

[Whytar]

I'm ringing around insurance companies at the moment as I need to insure my car in the next 48 hours or so and none of the insurance companies have asked about whether the car is a personal import, so I assume it's not a problem these days. 

[SimonN]

I have received quotes for and insured imports with both "standard" and "specialist" insurers and have never had a problem. As with Whytar, I haven't even been asked whether the car is an import. I know enough others with imports, and tghis is the first time I have ever heard of an insurance problem. I guess while it might have been an issue 23 years ago, it isn't any more.

[Nicco]

I'm ringing around insurance companies at the moment as I need to insure my car in the next 48 hours or so and none of the insurance companies have asked about whether the car is a personal import, so I assume it's not a problem these days. 

I too called yesterday to get an indicative quote through Porche Insurancevsnd they didn't ask. 

[OZ930]

I found this article in, PFA sponsor, NineAuto site.  It is a bit of an advert in itself but worth a read.

https://nineauto.com.au/2016/12/07/every-car-has-a-story/

No where does it mention import or Oz delivered.  

[Apogee]

Thanks, great thoughts.  The one I put up above seems significantly lower in price than the few others advertised so I guess the owner has factored this in.  Now I just need to decide on a 997s vs 996 4s!

Might as well go for the 997 C2 instead of the 996 C4 if you are going to buy from the UK and they are around the same price. The 997 is so  much better looking. I don't know if the early 997s have the IMS issue but if it doesn't then, you won't be up for the extra $1- 1.5K putting in the IMS upgrade into the 996. The only 996 without IMS is the Turbo model.

[brian in buddina]

Nicco

I am not sure if I missed something in your situation about you importing a car from the UK or anywhere else for that matter, but an important point has been missed in this thread.

You can only import it if you owned it, I think, for a year??? while working over seas. Then there will be import duty, gst & ADR compliance costs, besides shipping costs & fees. 

Another avenue is importing a car which was manufactured prior to 1 january 1989. This means you didn't have to own & work over seas. ADR compliance is not applicable.

Get a quote from a shipping broker on the importation costs.

Google "car importation to Australia"

There has been rumors about importation laws changing, but nothing yet. Will this effect the future value of present P. vehicles here?

There are a few posts on differents threads on this forum on this subject.

The last thing is, if you do not inspect the car, say in the UK, who does? Or do you buy it sight unseen? Then organising in the UK what needs to be done for shipping.

There has been discussion about preffering shipping in a container as opposed to a roll on roll off shipping.

 

[Nicco]

Hi Brian, the car is already in Aus. Was imported by the previous owner. Thanks for the info. 

[SimonN]

Brian

If you want to buy a pre-89 car from the UK, the process is a lot easier than most believe and with some common sense, you can pick up bargains if you are prepared to be patient. Same applies to the USA, if you don't mind LHD. In response to points you make, nobody buys cars sight unseen as such. If you aren't in the country in question, you get one of the many very reputable Porsche specialists to do a PPI and take photos. Getting the vehicle moved and shipped isn't a problem either. However, AFAIK, it there are no ready made services but if you are prepared to do your research, it really isn't a drama. Like most things in life, if you are prepared to put in the effort, the rewards are out there.

[MFX]

Thanks, great thoughts.  The one I put up above seems significantly lower in price than the few others advertised so I guess the owner has factored this in.  Now I just need to decide on a 997s vs 996 4s!

Personally I would go for the 997 over the 996 4s everyday. The IMS issue is still there, but to a MUCH lesser extent than the 996. You also have a far superior interior in the 997, over the (covers his head ready for the onslaught) Hyundai Excelesque interior in the 996. Plus, in my opinion the 997 looks far better from the outside.

[Nicco]

I don't think I can afford an S in 997 so might look for a base model with some options. Opinion certainly divides doesn't it!

[Whytar]

A base 997 3.6 shouldn't be overlooked. Many owners say that the 3.6 is a sweeter, revvier engine and still goes very well. I am also lead to believe the 3.6 was less prone to reliability issues that the 3.8

If you buy a base 997 you just need to budget in $1000 for lowering springs to resolve the dreadful 4WD stance.