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Hi all
Been looking at some more Japanese classics and there’s some. bargains to be had especially the dry state US import variety
Any thoughts on whether this would be financial suicide for resale values later on once I’ve done all the work I’m going to do and want to move on? Looking to add value as always but worried LHD will kill any potential returns.
Any thoughts good people?
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IMHO I'd rather buy a dry LHD than a rusty repaired RHD.
However one thing to check before buying is availability of plastics / rubbers that might have perished.
Metal panels can be fabricated from sheet metal to repair rust holes easier than fabricating specific profile rubber trims / plastic dashboards that have been cracked in the Californian sun / heat.
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eternaloptimist
Posted a lot
Too many projects, not enough time or space...
Posts: 2,578
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Don’t forget there’s a huge LHD market in the rest of Europe to sell to later on.
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XC70, VW split screen crew cab, Standard Ten
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Thanks for the replies guys and darn good point about Europe!! 🤔(presuming export taxes from us arent stupid by then)
Will have a cast around on perishables as I know as but having looked for my Carina recently.... also know the US spec bumpers are fecking horrible on most and would need replacing
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eternaloptimist
Posted a lot
Too many projects, not enough time or space...
Posts: 2,578
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Thanks for the replies guys and darn good point about Europe!! 🤔(presuming export taxes from us arent stupid by then) Will have a cast around on perishables as I know as but having looked for my Carina recently.... also know the US spec bumpers are fecking horrible on most and would need replacing You don’t pay taxes to export things, only to import them.
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XC70, VW split screen crew cab, Standard Ten
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Thanks for the replies guys and darn good point about Europe!! 🤔(presuming export taxes from us arent stupid by then) Will have a cast around on perishables as I know as but having looked for my Carina recently.... also know the US spec bumpers are fecking horrible on most and would need replacing You don’t pay taxes to export things, only to import them. True but EU countries might slap a high import tax on goods bought from UK. You'd just have to drive across the soft Irish border and then flight it to Europe from there.
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eternaloptimist
Posted a lot
Too many projects, not enough time or space...
Posts: 2,578
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Feb 22, 2019 10:24:05 GMT
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You don’t pay taxes to export things, only to import them. True but EU countries might slap a high import tax on goods bought from UK. You'd just have to drive across the soft Irish border and then flight it to Europe from there. True, but that’s the same principle as us importing a car from the US or anywhere outside the EU today. The OP was talking about export taxes. And yes, I guess smuggling will continue to be an option, but not if you want to register it in its new home. Anyhow, back on topic, I’d buy from the US, enjoy the novelty of a non rusty car from a dry state then sell to Europe later. Alternatively I’d import a rust free RHD car from South Africa. I think there are still some interesting cars down there and the exchange rate was incredibly good last time I looked.
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XC70, VW split screen crew cab, Standard Ten
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Feb 24, 2019 19:09:51 GMT
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You don’t pay taxes to export things, only to import them. True but EU countries might slap a high import tax on goods bought from UK. You'd just have to drive across the soft Irish border and then flight it to Europe from there. Yeah this was my thoughts - more what they might do to our imports coming their way. Sorry didn’t phrase it so well! 😂
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,306
Club RR Member Number: 170
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Feb 26, 2019 14:01:06 GMT
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Don’t forget there’s a huge LHD market in the rest of Europe to sell to later on. Yup. This could change and make LHD cars uncompetitive to buy from us. After all, as luckyseven pointed out, some decent J imports are hard to buy as by the time you pay the tax and shipping etc. it's gets expensive for what you can buy over here. That's taking in the actual condition of the car, not the mileage of it etc. For me, it doesn't make much difference. As a matter of fact, I'm buying a left-hooker. I know it will dent the resale, especially after March, but it's a rot-free 70s car, which to me is worth alot more and I suspect it is to other buyers. To new classic folk, the market is limited ; my dad for instance won't buy left-hookers. As an example, we saw a 1970 Mercedes W115 220 for sale at Bicester. It looked fine on the surface but it was a patchwork quilt underneath, clearly, bleeding rust from beneath the underseal. He wanted £4,000 for that, and it did have an MOT surprisingly. We've also seen a US spec W115 250. Left hooker and in better condition. Paint is a little worst, but it is more honest and the car is rust free. £4.5k, despite it being a better car. With that, I say, but bear in mind that it will affect the resale. With some cars that isn't the case. Take the Citroen DS. I reckon left hookers are more favoured, due to the UK car's generally being far rustier.
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