Is this sensible?

Anan1

As some of you may remember, I recently bought an Audi A8 from my brother. Wonderful car, does everything I need, absolutely couldn't fault it. Anyway, about two weeks ago I found a 1986 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet in the UK and decided to buy it with the intention of making a few quid on it here. I picked it up in Southampton on Tuesday, drove it home and have done over 500 miles in it so far. The thing is - and I never thought this would happen - i've fallen for it. I mean fallen for it in the thinking-up-places-I-can-drive-to sense of the word. I'm now seriously considering giving my brother back the A8 (he misses it) and using the 911 as an everyday car. Is this ridiculous? I know we're coming into winter but the heater works perfectly.:)

cantdecide

Here it is ---it's finally our chance to insult you for a change:D

Mr Magnolia

If you really want to then go for it.

What are your main concerns?

Anan1

Mr Magnolia - My main concern, I suppose, is that i'd be swapping a modern safe, comfortable quiet and spacious car for a 21 year old small, noisy, and unsafe one. No power steering, no eight airbags, no ESP, no ABS even. Plus, the Porsche is worth quite a bit more than the A8 so that's maybe 8 grand more out of my pocket if I keep it. From a practical point of view, the Audi has to win hands down. On the other hand, I drove out to VRT in Tallaght yesterday morning and still loved the Porsche, even in the p1ssings of rain on the M50.

Mr Magnolia

Can you hold off for another while and see how you get on with the Porsche?

If your mind is made up though...

Anan1

Mr Magnolia wrote:

Can you hold off for another while and see how you get on with the Porsche?

That's what my g/f reckons too! I suppose I could just lend my brother the A8 until he finds himself a new car, and do a slow sell on the Porsche while driving it. At the end of the day I did buy it to make money, not as a toy.

Victor_M

A friend of mine had a similar experience with an 911SC, '81 I think.

Took it for a test drive, fell in love with it, traded in his merc ML, drove it for 2 months spun it on 2 roundabouts, facing into oncoming traffic both times, it was mildly damp, not going too fast, scared the sh1t out of himself, sold it and bought a Range Rover!

cantdecide

I know there's 2 sides to it- profit and a little indulgence but are you ever worried about buying a car for profit and end up being lumbered with it cos no one wants it that wouldn't go to the UK themselves??

I ask cos I have a little nest egg that might show a profit if I picked up the right car. Maybe an E46 320d touring? Fear of selling it on is holding me back and it's nothing like as exotic as a 911.

cantdecide

Apologies fo slight thread drift:)

unkel

Told you so, Anan1

bushy...

Victor_M wrote:

A friend of mine had a similar experience with an 911SC, '81 I think.

Took it for a test drive, fell in love with it, traded in his merc ML, drove it for 2 months spun it on 2 roundabouts, facing into oncoming traffic both times, it was mildly damp, not going too fast, scared the sh1t out of himself, sold it and bought a Range Rover!

I know of one spun into the oncoming lane on a straightish road (no damage ) , did a bit of poking at it afterwards and found muppet mechanic had went playing with ride height bolts ( upsetting corner weights) when swapping shocks the day before ==> it was like a chair with one short leg.
Other trivia , there is a Ω -shaped spring under the gearbox under a good bit of tension , don't go poking at it without clamps

Esel

James Dean! :eek:

Anan1

unkel wrote:

Told you so, Anan1

In fairness, you did!:)

cantdecide wrote:

I know there's 2 sides to it- profit and a little indulgence but are you ever worried about buying a car for profit and end up being lumbered with it cos no one wants it that wouldn't go to the UK themselves??

I ask cos I have a little nest egg that might show a profit if I picked up the right car. Maybe an E46 320d touring? Fear of selling it on is holding me back and it's nothing like as exotic as a 911.

Always - there's a lot that can go wrong when buying from the UK. Even with experience and lots of care, there's still an element of luck involved. That said, this 911 is just a little bit special - it's not liable for the usual €5,500 or so in VRT. Can anyone guess why?;)

Bushy/Victor - I was fully expecting it to be massively tail-happy & generally skittish in the wet. I'm actually amazed at how well-planted it feels, even on tight, wet roundabouts. It certainly feels a lot safer than the likes of, say, a 205GTI. Maybe i'm just not trying hard enough yet?

colm_mcm

Anan1 wrote:

it's not liable for the usual €5,500 or so in VRT. Can anyone guess why?;)

you've converted it into a van ?

jayok

21 years - it's a classic. That'll be €50 VRT please.

Or as colm_mcn said - it's a Van.

Anan1

jayok wrote:

21 years - it's a classic. That'll be €50 VRT please.

Or as colm_mcn said - it's a Van.

Nope, it's 30 years for classic and it's not a van. As I said before, VRT on a 1986 3.2 Carrera Cabriolet would usually be €5,5k.:)

colm_mcm

you lived in the UK for a while, or can prove you did?

you fitted hand controls or a swivel seat to it?

Anan1

colm_mcm wrote:

you lived in the UK for a while, or can prove you did?

you fitted hand controls or a swivel seat to it?

No, and no again. Although in a way you're warm.;)

colm_mcm

Did you actually register the car in Ireland?

Anan1

Yes, it's (well it will be shortly) on 86 D plates. Will I tell you, or do you want to keep guessing?:)

colm_mcm

Tell me, I have to go to bed now!

Anan1

The car was here before, in the mid nineties. It's just going back on it's previous 86 D plate. Clever, eh?:)

colm_mcm

will it be actually registered to that number though? won't it have been deregistered when it left the country?

Also if it was 86D, wouldn't this mean it was imported used from the UK before it went to the UK?

Anan1

colm_mcm wrote:

will it be actually registered to that number though? won't it have been deregistered when it left the country?

Also if it was 86D, wouldn't this mean it was imported used from the UK before it went to the UK?

I checked thoroughly before buying, to be honest I wouldn't have bought the car otherwise. I had it examined by the VRO, who issued a letter to Motor Tax requesting that the registration number 86 D 3*** be reactivated. A few more forms, and that's it.

It started life in the UK, came here, went to Jersey, went back to the UK and then I brought it back here. So yes, it was originally imported here used from the UK.

colm_mcm

That's brilliant, you'd surely make a good profit on it, assuming you got it at the right money in the UK.

Anan1

colm_mcm wrote:

That's brilliant, you'd surely make a good profit on it, assuming you got it at the right money in the UK.

Now if I could just bring myself to part with it!;)

PauloMN

I'm still stunned your gf has suggested keeping the 911. Where did you get her... I want one of those!

C_Breeze

Post up some pics of it!

unkel

Anan1 wrote:

Now if I could just bring myself to part with it!;)

No need. Well not just yet. Drive it for 2 years, keep it in good condition and sell it for what you paid. Win win situation

Anan1

PauloMN wrote:

I'm still stunned your gf has suggested keeping the 911. Where did you get her... I want one of those!

Not quite, what she actually said was not to give back the Audi.;)

C_Breeze wrote:

Post up some pics of it!

I would but I don't know how.

unkel wrote:

No need. Well not just yet. Drive it for 2 years, keep it in good condition and sell it for what you paid. Win win situation

Hmmm. Well I suppose the main thing is there's no need to sell it right now. I mean I haven't even NCTd it yet! Very hard to get an appointment there at the moment, isn't it?;)

ch750536

With all things, you can only pay import duty once no matter what it is.

Hard part may be proving it but with a vehicle its easy.