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+--- Thread: Nervously contemplating taking the plunge... (/showthread.php?tid=3163)
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Nervously contemplating taking the plunge... - glennbroadway - 24 Jul 2011
I'll keep this short: Hello everyone! Looks like a great forum and I've enjoyed reading all your comments over the last few days.
I'm not a petrol head, nor am I in any way capable of working on cars or engines. I'd love to own a DeLorean. Can it be done? Would it just be too much to take on.
I'm happy to own a LHD car. It wouldn't be my primary vehicle (of course).
They seem to rarely come up for sale within the UK, but I wouldn't know where to start when it comes to importing.
Are these two for sale still? If so, how do they stack up in the whole scheme of things?
http://www.pjgrady.co.uk//GenericContent.aspx?PageType=Deloreans_For_Sale&ShowContent=VIN_16640.html
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C233417
I have many more questions but I'll save them for later. Thanks for reading!
Glenn.
Re: Nervously contemplating taking the plunge... - MikeWard - 24 Jul 2011
Hi Glenn,
Welcome to the site.
Regarding the two cars you mentioned, the first was sold quite some time ago, back in January I believe. The second was involved in a little run in with a garage door, and from when I know, it now requires a new gull wing door.
I would say you could buy one even with basic mechanical skills. My skills were only basic when I bought mine, the rest you learn as you go along. As long as you are prepared to learn then I am confident you would be fine.
About importing, there is really nothing to be scared of. I imported my car which arrived during the early part of this year with no previous experience on how to do such a thing. I was simply following a guide written by another member and of course asking all the appropriate questions. Just keep in mind with importing, that you would have to pay 20% VAT on the cost of the car and the shipping once it lands in the UK.
Re: Nervously contemplating taking the plunge... - Guinney1971 - 24 Jul 2011
^^^^^^^^^^ what he said
Hi Glenn, welcome to the DeLorean Owners Club UK, you'll find us all a friendly bunch
with a wide range of DeLorean experiences under our belts.
If you're free in September, come to Derbyshire for our 15th Anniversary bash, you'll
get to see a wide range of cars close up (and probably get a ride in one), and also be
able to chat to us all and draw on our various experiences of buying, importing and working
on our cars. We'll have all sorts from rolling resto's (like mine), to concours cars like
Tony Openshaw's, and RHD's like Mike & Mary Hooper's.
I would guesstimate that nowadays, you probably need to add about 30% to the price of
a car in the US to work out what it would cost you by the time its parked at your home.
Re: Nervously contemplating taking the plunge... - glennbroadway - 24 Jul 2011
I noticed that meet up in September - I'm just not sure I'll be able to make it up to Derbyshire (I couldn't be much further away really - I'm near Portsmouth).
Presumably there must be people in the UK who can assist with the import of a USA based car, and subsequent conversion work. I also suspect there must be several service specialists around the UK. I came across the P J Grady website for example.
Also, I recently watched this unfulfilled eBay auction:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1981-DELOREAN-SILVER-/320726239299
At this stage I have no idea if that might be a suitable candidate for me...
There's just so much to think about I don't know where to start!
Glenn
Re: Nervously contemplating taking the plunge... - Guinney1971 - 25 Jul 2011
to be honest, that looks a nice car, and the bodywork dings would be easy
for someone like Chris Nicholson at PJ Grady to sort out, and compared to
repairing bodywork on a painted car, it works out cheaper to have a De
repaired.
The nearest owner to that would be someone like Tony Openshaw (you can
pm him through the forum) I think, but I dont know whether he'd have time
to check it over for you - his reg is also 'HTY' I think funnily enough.
It certainly looks 'ready to roll' tho, and I've seen alot worse.
No harm in emailing the seller and seeing if you can have a chat over the
phone with him about it - notice the Aston Martin parked in front of it in
one of photos btw? :wink: I wonder if the bloke is a 'car trader' maybe?
Good luck, let us know how you get on
Re: Nervously contemplating taking the plunge... - glennbroadway - 25 Jul 2011
He, he... Yes, I did clock the Aston!
I thought as much with regards the severity of those dings. The description seems to suggest that the car is in very good condition. I can understand why the reserve was not met, although I'm intrigued to know how much more the seller would need... hmmm.
By the way, I'm assuming that the one car listed in the 'for sale' section on this site is either one of the two I listed in my first post, or is simply not available (otherwise you would have mentioned it).
Re: Nervously contemplating taking the plunge... - MikeWard - 27 Jul 2011
I'm over in Surrey, near Windsor, so about an hour and a half away from you - but if you ever find yourself up this way, let me know, you are more than welcome to take a look around/have a ride in my car.
Re: Nervously contemplating taking the plunge... - glennbroadway - 29 Jul 2011
Thanks Mike. I think I'm very close to buying to one...
Re: Nervously contemplating taking the plunge... - stunned_monkey - 30 Jul 2011
Hello Glenn, I've finally managed to get back on line after moving house! Don't be scared of importing... certainly don't bite the bullet and by buying a UK car, compromise on what you want. Make sure it's what you're looking for and any work required is minor. So many cars get regstered with the minimum work to pass an MOT. I ALWAYS replace/refurb the brake system and fuel system as a bare minimum, usually a refurbished steering rack, new front springs, new tyres all round and so on as well. This ensures the car is at least as good to drive as it would have been in 1981! (many are not!)
Re: Nervously contemplating taking the plunge... - Guinney1971 - 30 Jul 2011
good point well made Martin - congrats on the house move btw!
Re: Nervously contemplating taking the plunge... - MikeH - 03 Aug 2011
Might be willing to sell mine for the right price :o
Re: Nervously contemplating taking the plunge... - Guinney1971 - 03 Aug 2011
no way Mike!!
Re: Nervously contemplating taking the plunge... - MikeH - 06 Aug 2011
afraid so, I don't use it as much as I should and ive noticed the prices of deloreans for sale seem to be on the up quite alot. Once ive worked out how much its worth I may put it up for sale but I wont be in any rush to sell
Re: Nervously contemplating taking the plunge... - steve852 - 06 Aug 2011
Hi Glenn,
I'm in the same position as you, looking to purchase a DeLorean but with no mechanical experience. I've secured a loan now and just waiting for the right car to come along. I'd agree with what one of the other commenters said earlier - don't compromise on what you want just to get a car quick. I don't know if you have preferences on different options (interior colour, bonnet style, gearbox type, etc), but if you do then it'll be worth waiting for the right car to come along. Also, and I don't mean to state the obvious, but use all these guys in the club as they know their salt and are always happy to help. Chris Nicholson at PJ Gradys is also very approachable too and has been kindly offered me advice and assistance in the past over phone.
The only thing I'd say about importing is to do your homework. Make sure you ask the right questions. I've looked seriously at two cars abroad now and, if I hadn't requested certain photos then I'd have potentially invested in a less than idea motor. There's also gray areas about the importation tax that you'll want to investigate as I shall (if anyone knows difinitiely then let us know btw). For example, as Ds were built and exported froim Britain originally they may be applicable for import without the normal 10% duty and at a lower VAT rate of 15%. The other issue is age - once a car exceeds 30 years old it is applicable to recategorise it as a collectors piece or sort, rather than a car. This reduces things further, nulling the duty and reducing vat to a mere 5%. However none of this I'm sure on yet and details on the internet are sketchy. But if you're lookiing into seriiusly importing from the US then these are things you'll wanna take into account as they could save you a potential few grand.
Other than that good luck with it!
Steve
Re: Nervously contemplating taking the plunge... - steve.s - 08 Aug 2011
hi
just to clear things up, you will not get a D imported now as a collectors/museum car for the 5% duty rate.
i tried a few years ago and lost. Took UK HM to court over it and lost.
perhaps Chris N can confirm, but i think you can claim (letters needed for the club?) that the car is UK produced and already has VAT paid, so you pay 10% import duty.
not 100% sure on this!.
defo no 5% though unless may be its proto 1 :lol: :lol: