[MogulBoy]

I've been following the 550/575 market in CH for the past year or so and there are currently 66 cars advertised as being on the market, but they don't appear to sell very quickly...

Prices didn't look to unrealistic last year but with the current relative strength of the Swiss Franc and the fact the WHD (Wrong-hand-drive) is not a showstopper for me, I'm beginning to think that picking up a RHD model in the UK could be doable later this year and I'll just pay the import duties of 4% + 7.6% VAT.

Anyone out there have any views on the local market / importing issues?

Cheers,

 

[JazzyO]

For future reference, it helps if you actually tell us where you're located rather than having to decrypt your message. I thought you were in the UK, first reading your message. A first name is BTW also appreciated by this friendly bunch of people.

Anyway, welcome.

I bought a RHD 365BB a couple of months ago, which is likely to be imported into Holland at a later stage. Like you, I don't mind driving RHD, but for any car that I would use more than occassionally, such as my own 550, I would not like it to be RHD. It is just such a pain with parking lots, toll booths and overtaking. Especially since you are in a mountainous country, I would really think twice - if you're behind a truck without a passenger on a mountain pass, you don't see anything. The other downside for RHD is resale value. If you ever want to sell it again, you may have to export it to the UK to get it sold. For a car like the 550, which is not likely to appreciate in the next decade, I think that's a serious downside.

If you still want to go RHD, decent 550's are going for about GBP45k in the UK. So that's 75k CHF. Add taxes plus transport (either for you to go and collect the car or for the car to come to you) you're looking at 85k. Surely you can find a decent example in La Suisse for that? You can certainly find a nice example in Germany including importing for around 90 - 95k.

Best of luck with the hunt!


Onno



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[MogulBoy]

I had an Airfix model of a 365 GT4/BB (in Le Mans spec.) as a boy. They are cool!

The global economy aside, the UK market for 550/575s appears to have been crashing a bit of late and by all accounts, GBP45k will not only buy you a 'mint' 550, but you can also find some very good 575s at this level (someone on Pistonheads recently bought a 19k mile one for less).

Swiss prices on the other hand, would appear to have some way fall by comparison, but as so many cars seem to be on the market 'for ever', I have very little idea at what values any are actually changing hands for.

There is also a relatively limited private sales market over here and most cars appear to be for sale at dealers....

As I mentioned, I'm really not bothered by wrong-hand-drive but what is of some concern, is any major expenditure that would be required to switchover headlights and instrument clusters etc. plus any potential compromise in the driving/pedal positioning etc?

Some Porsches after all, were arguably 'designed' to be LHD and the RHD versions are compromised (wrt pedals and fuel tank size).

Any such issues on the 550/575?

MogulBoy, (aka Stephen)

P.s. In case anyone is interested, I'm a Scot based near Geneva.

 

[JazzyO]

Hi Stephen,

There are no issues with RHD 550's compared to LHD that I am aware of, I would be very surprised if there were. No issues on the Boxer either.

I don't know Swiss law but I would be very surprised if you need to change instrument panels. I would avoid it at all costs because then you might need to change them back when selling on. The headlight adjustment is easy and cheap.

As for private vs dealer: I personally would not buy a car like this from a private seller. There is just too little incentive for them to be disclosing everything. Specialists are a good compromise if you find the right one: cheaper than official dealers but the right one will still provide you with the guarantee that you are buying a good car. I found my specialist through his impeccable reputation on the internet forums. I paid more than I wanted to at the time, but I have not regretted it for 1 minute. The car was, and still is, mechanically perfect. If something goes wrong with engine or drivetrain on a 550, you're talking big bucks. I mean, BIG bucks. Same with the gearbox on a 575 F1. So I would advise you to rather pay a little more than take risk.

If you get the car before May, make sure you join us on FLED2. http://www.ferrarilife.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8612


Onno



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