Californian imports

[aplus]

Good evening all

I wondered if i could please garner some impressions on cars imported from California.

Are they regarded in the same way as a european spec car and does it in anyway affect re-sale values?

I guess each car is judged on its own merits but would value your thoughts please.

Thanks

 

[dereksharpuk]

I'm no expert but if a Porsche is not C16 (ie UK spec) it is worth less. Of course a US car is also left hand drive. However, that is not such a big problem on older cars, ie pre water cooled and of course the pedals will not be offset as they are in right hand drive cars.

But, I suspect a California car is worth less and would be harder to sell in the UK.

Comments anyone?

 

[colt]

I think Derek has made a good point.
These us models have an over complicated engine management and emission system which can give problems over time and this is not due to the uk climate add to that the nasty spec suspension the yanks got lumbered with plus the visual things like the bumperettes etc and it has to be a decent amount less than a European model to attract my interest. I know you don't mind left hand drive, but get a euro one if you can ,it's probably easier in the long run.

Christian

 

[IndischRot]

In my opinion the UK versus non-UK spec matters less and less as a car gets older - what matters is its condition and history.

Early US cars (95 and perhaps early 96) were OBD-1 compliant and thus their emissions equipment pretty much the same as the rest of the world's 993s. Later ones have secondary air injection systems which can trigger a check engine light if not functioning correctly. In extreme instances the fix may require a top-end rebuild which can get a bit expensive.

Bear in mind a US car will require some sort of test (not sure if IVA or SVA) before you can register it in the UK and you will probably need new headlamps and indicator repeaters in the wings and perhaps a rear foglight. Otherwise it should be a fairly easy pass. I think you'll need to pay VAT and perhaps some amount of duty.

Given the above it will probably need to be a special car to warrant the expense and effort.

 

[aplus]

Hi guys and thanks for your comments.

Essentially i live in France and am on the hunt for a 993. Although prepared to consider a rhd a lhd would be preferable. I have spoken with a guy who lives in France already and may be considering selling his car. It was imported a couple of years ago into the uk from california and registered there. He then subsequently re-registered the car in France. He has already fitted side repeaters and removed the rear bumperettes but the front ones would need to be removed and the number sorted out.

It all sounds very promising and await some more info. I just wanted to get a handle on forum opinion to a Californian import. Would you yourself consider buying one if it fitted the bill or given the choice would you always buy a UK or European car.

Phelix-very interesting about the emissions thanks i will check on this.

Colt i will pm you and thanks again

 

[dereksharpuk]

I think that if you live in France and will remain there, a California import is not the problem it would be in the UK. But you will need to be very careful of EU regulations.... Surely a German or French car would be better, unless the California car is very special and cheap.