My friend Frank is excited about the prospect of living in the UK because he can buy a new-ish Range Rover V8 with FHS* for £10,000. But what if you don't want to live in England? Due to some outdated trade-unionist laws, post 1988 vehicles cannot be imported into Australia without special provisions. This leaves us with everything built before December 1988. Shame, we miss out on the face lifted 911 and Ferrari 348 of 1989.
Budget uber-cars with pre-1989 build dates in the UK:
Turbo Lotus (X180 shape 1988-2003) Decent examples start at around £8,500. Australian delivered examples worth considering start at around $40,000.
AUDI Quattro 1983 (The Skyline GTR of it's time) Local examples are rare, properly sorted Quatto's start at around $22,000. This jaw dropping 80's pinup is yours ex-UK for £10,995 although decent cars trade for £6,500.
Old AMG options Mercs (rare here, common Isle-side) This immaculate hotch potch is yours for £1295 from a dealer. As a w201 owner twice over, I can recommend these early modern examples as a good place to start your MB odyssey.
Ferrari TR (1986-1994-ish) Prices? Big. You'll save about 35% after taxes and port costs ex-UK. Only mint examples with known histories should be considered.
The 911 Turbo is so common, the price difference doesn't warrant importing one. The styling feels a tad fussy, even cheap on 1988 examples.
The Tom Wilkinshaw Racing 6 liter Jag XJS is rare but cheap. Builds began around '88. I couldn't find one. Think 175mph and 6.8 secs to 60mph. Fast for a barge with a bodykit.
*FHS = Full Service History. Look for garaged 1 owner cars too, as everything including Queen Lizzy rusts UK side.
That's cool, bro. Did you drive the ed ferrari? I would recommend others to check your. Anyway, why don't you check also mine at: http://motorforlife.blogspot.com/
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Motor Mania
I can't get anyone to lend me a Ferrari, I'll just have to save up for one. Fastest I've driven 2 date was in a Lister engined Jaguar V12 at 245kp/h. I did drive a twin-turbo Toyota Supra years back but I didn't have the opportunity to explore it's top speed.) To put that into perspective, most expensive family cars can better that these days. I simply don't have the connections to borrow them yet.
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