which classic to import for resale value?

pj9999

I'm moving back to Cork from the UK soon and would love to bring something interesting with me.

The main objective would be to bring something which I could sell at a profit, but I would initially use it as a weekend car for a couple of years.

I'm not mechanical, so ideally something which could be serviced easily and locally.
Sensible(?) options I guess could be a Cortina mkIII , Capri or Escort RS2000 or an old Zephyr?

On the other hand you only live once, and I might be tempted by the '67 Merc 280SL Automatic I saw advertised for 19k sterling.
Asking for trouble on a number of counts surely, but it'd be some feckin yoke to drive around in.

Would that re-sell in Ireland?
Would I be able to insure it reasonably?
Would anyone service it?
What else would I need to consider

What would you bring in?
I really hope I do this and it's not just some midlife crisis or something!

P

Dades

The only thing about Mercs is there are loads of them around these days (good thing too). Definitely one of the most popular classics. And 19K STG is an awful lot of Euros!

Maybe go for something rarer - a nice Lotus Elan +2 perhaps?

240Z

Old Carrera's and 911's in general are priced way higher over here - not sure how well they sell though and hardly cheap to maintain. Anyone can travel over to the UK and bring in a 30yr old car for next to mothing. However, a new/newish car is a different story. If your looking to make money an non-classic may be worth a look. Being out of the country for 12mths and owning a car for 6mths there is no VRT (import duty at upto 40%) to pay. You then need to own the car here for 12mths before selling on. Could make a serious killing on cars where there is no 'Ireland' spec and the std UK car is already being sold. BMW's, Merc's, Audi's, Boxter... compare the prices on autotrader.co.uk and carzone.ie.

240Z

pj9999 wrote:

I really hope I do this and it's not just some midlife crisis or something!

P

If your 35-45 and it feel's right to you then it's probably a mid life crisis, but, who cares - enjoy yourself.

Blue850

Cork + MK1,Mk2 2 door Escort = Profit.:D

johnnycortina

Blue850 wrote:

Cork + MK1,Mk2 2 door Escort = Profit.:D

Yes go for a mk1/2 2 door escort / RS Mexico. Going crazy money over here, and still can be bought reasonably over in UK.

junkyard

An Escort or a good MG roadster you'll always sell them but be sure to buy the best you can find.

mike65

You should be buying a classic for the love of oily bits - not profit!

Mike.

Traumadoc

pj9999 wrote:

I really hope I do this and it's not just some midlife crisis or something!

P

could possibly be, but less trouble than a young blonde.

Squirrel

Blue850 wrote:

Cork + MK1,Mk2 2 door Escort = Profit.:D

Genius, now where's corktina while I go and buy one

Eric318

Do you want a classic, or do you want to resale it?

Years ago, I fell in love with the Honda XR500R. I imported the first one ever on French soil. One government official (registration) tried to disuade me from doing such a folly by telling me that I would never be able to resell it.

25 years later I still have the bike and it is worth more than I paid for it...

By the way, I am thinking of selling my MGB Roadster (because of baby girl), exUSA, rustfree, LHD, beautiful, dark blue, 1975 with chrome bumpers, electronic ignition, electric fan, will drive anywhere. It has one broken piston ring, and I am prepared to pay to have a new engine delivered and fitted. It breaks my heart but I hardly use it.

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