posted 07-17-2003 04:42 PM                  

I'm desperate to become a proud Prowler owner in the UK. There are very few available over here - and I'm thinking about importing - but as a new kid on the block... I'm keen to get up to speed quickly with the sort of questions I should be asking a potential seller...

I've noted from the exceptionally active topics in this forum that "ball joints" are an issue, but other than that.. I'm clueless!

I'm no mechanic - so I'm not going to have a clue looking under the hood.

I've never driven one - but then I bought a 9 month old Mercedes SL280 over the internet without having driven that either.. (hindsight is a wonderful thing).

I can see there are many proud owners within the group - and I've noted from looking around that there are still a few low mileage cars still available. This brings me to another issue. I intend to use a Prowler as a primary car - covering around 10-12k miles per year... probably for the next 3 years at least.

So, any idea on servicing costs? (US Dollar figures fine as I'm told there are only around 10 Prowlers in the UK). Also if anyone knows where to get the Prowler services in the UK reliably - that would be great too.

I've found pricing for tyres, around $1k for a full set of Dunlops - Goodyears not available here according to most of the tyres dealers I know.

Any help or advice greatly appreciated... I look forward to becoming a proud an active owner - rather than a spectator on the wings.

Thanks

posted 07-17-2003 05:17 PM                  

Phil Gray

You might want to try to contact him to see if he can help you with some of the issues of owning a Prowler in England.

posted 07-17-2003 05:41 PM                  

If you e-mail me your phone number I will be glad to call you as I think I can assist you.

What is your color of choice?

I do a large shipping biz in England and have a very reputable freight fowarder there in Essex and we could have one brought over RO-RO for ya, Also have a super export broker here in located in Baltimore, MD and I am in the shipping biz....so it could be done pretty quickly

or you could call me if you want 732-364-0994

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Mike Venezia "KATATAK"
2001 Orange
Dead Stock except for:
Rear Shimmers
Mopar Exhaust
Ceramic Brake Pads
Mud Flaps

posted 07-18-2003 01:39 PM                  

Great to see such a quick response from the forum!

I've spoken to a chap in the UK today - who's hopefully going to visit with a Prowler next week! Very exciting... I've also investigated the in's and out's with the local HM Customs and Excise (Tax offices) who tell me the cost of importing is as follows....

Take the Insurance value of the Shipment (ie 35k) + Shipping (+$2k - I'm guessing here).

so the taxable value is $37k.
The UK import Duty is 10%...

Bringing the total to - $40.7k

Then Add VAT (Value Added Tax) at the standard UK rate of 17.5%

Total = 47.8k

Then add in the handling fees, shipping agents, clearance agents... etc etc... and all in a $35k car will cost around $50k....

Scary huh!

So, I'm probably going to try and source from a UK based supplier - as I really don't think I can face the paperwork nightmare...

I will keep this thread posted on developments.. and still welcome any suggestions as to what questions I should be asking... so please.... keep em coming!

Thanks Christian

PS.....

CJ, Thanks for your suggestion - I will try and contact Phil...

Mike, likewise - if I don't contact you directly I hope you don't mind if I pass on your details to my contact here in the UK?

Ed, Thanks for the welcome - I've had a search around - is that Marty Usher you're referring to? If so I'd like to drop him a note or phone call to see what sort of miles he covers...

Thanks again everyone.

posted 07-18-2003 02:44 PM                  

I am not sure you rough math is correct ...and you may be high by about $8,000.00 usd

give me a call..I have lots of ins and outs in the ocean shiping Biz

posted 07-18-2003 04:07 PM                  

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