Any advice on this dilemma....

[bigstraight6]

One of my sons has been saving hard for a couple of years now to realise his ambition to own a late 60’s Mercury Cougar and has now found a car he’s very keen on, but it’s in North Carolina.....

Looking at the many pics he has of the car it does look rather nice, it’s a 68 model with a 302 motor and in unmessed original condition and has been a California car prior to the current owners custodianship. My boy has been in email contact with the vendor and also phoned him up last night on my advice, and he is happy to ping over a video of the car running. The boy has also been in contact with shipping specialists.

The car is up for 8000 dollars which seems quite reasonable but I’m a bit wary of the situation as I don’t want the dream turning into a nightmare as the boy has worked so hard to save his money, so it’s a real dilemma for me.

Has anyone here had any experience of importing a motor from across the pond?

[eddyramrod]

Ask Joloke, she's doing exactly this right now!

[JeeExEll]

http://autoshite.com/topic/30496-i-sold-my-mustang-all-hail-and-long-live-the-shite-stang/page-7?do=findComment&comment=1431216

[danthecapriman]

One of my sons has been saving hard for a couple of years now to realise his ambition to own a late 60’s Mercury Cougar and has now found a car he’s very keen on, but it’s in North Carolina.....

Looking at the many pics he has of the car it does look rather nice, it’s a 68 model with a 302 motor and in unmessed original condition and has been a California car prior to the current owners custodianship. My boy has been in email contact with the vendor and also phoned him up last night on my advice, and he is happy to ping over a video of the car running. The boy has also been in contact with shipping specialists.

The car is up for 8000 dollars which seems quite reasonable but I’m a bit wary of the situation as I don’t want the dream turning into a nightmare as the boy has worked so hard to save his money, so it’s a real dilemma for me.

Has anyone here had any experience of importing a motor from across the pond?

Yes!

I imported my Mercury Marquis from the states a few years back, similar figures of dosh too.

Get as many pics as you can, especially underneath just to make sure it’s not rotten. The vid of it running sounds like a great idea too.

Paperwork is absolutely critical. Do not buy anything that has no title certificate, this is the US equivalent of our V5 logbook and sometimes also called a pink slip etc, but lots of old cars over there don’t have them for whatever reason. If you don’t have one the car will not be allowed to leave the US. The title must go to the shippers with the car in order for it to be exported.

When I did mine I didn’t have a title certificate! The docks wouldn’t allow the car to leave the country so I had to arrange to completely re register the car to get a new title. This takes time and money so save yourself the hassle and just buy a car with a current title.

 

It’s no big deal though really as long as you be careful, ask questions and get the paperwork in order. I’d happily do it all over again without a second thought.

Also, cars over there don’t tend to have strict mot type tests like we do so there’s still every chance it’ll fall short of the uk standards once it gets here. Mine needed brake hoses and ball joints changing for its mot here. It’s no issue but bear it in mind as it’s all extra work and money on top.

When the car gets here you’ll need to sort your registration and duty payments out too.

 

The problem is, it is a scary prospect as your essentially buying a car many miles away for strong money blind. As long as your careful it’ll all be fine.

[panhard65]

Have we got any shitters near it who could take a look. I got close to buying a Ranchero until I found a helpful shitter to check it for me. He reported back about the filler in the windscreen pillars and general rot that couldn't be seen in the photo's. If we don't have anyone near you could try local owners club's to the car and ask on forums if anyone independent of the seller knows anything about it. Do as much research as you can about the seller and the area the car is from. Google earth if you have his address, you might see the car sitting outside his house if you get lucky. It is always risky buying blind but if you check them out first you reduce the risk.

[Bren]

Any pics of the car?

[alf892]

Some shippers will also give it a look over for you. Costs a few quid but not loads. The guy that bought mine over does as he imports stuff to sell so has plenty of contacts.

 

I didn't bother when I imported mine as it looked like crap in the pictures......and when it arrived it was only slightly worse than expected but if you are buying something that is priced on being in good order it is probably worthwhile.

[johngarty]

Personally for that kind of dosh I had saved long and hard for I would be on a flight out.

[Des]

Fly out, jump leads and K-Seal in the hand luggage and don't forget the pez pump pic.

[pshome]

Flights being dirt cheap these days,  spending £600 for airfair, rental car and a two nights in a motel,to have a look isn't a bad idea. May actually pay for itself to have the opporunity to argue the price a bit down in face of the car.

[purplebargeken]

Yep, 8K is huuge money to me and I would be on a plane as we speak. 

[Roobarb]

It's fairly common to have a PPI on cars out here. (Pre Purchase Inspection). Find a garage local to the seller and see if they are willing to do it. It could be a great saving.

 

I'm sorry but it's a bit too far for me to go and look - 1000+ miles each way. I'm in Minneapolis and NC is far enough away, that the two times I've bought cars from there, it has been sight unseen and shipped to me.

 

If there is anything I can do, drop me a PM.

[cort1977]

Likewise, I would pop over but it's about 1400 miles.

 

Agree about an inspection but be careful, had one done on my Pontiac when I got it - at loan company's insistence (I was trying to build up my US credit score) and the bloke who did it was a chancer, just took a load of pictures that I already had, didn't spot any of the faults and charged $300. 

 

A local garage with a proper mechanic as above would be the best thing.

[bigstraight6]

Many thanks for all the kind replies and useful information chaps, especially the Stateside contingent! I haven’t spoken to my boy as yet this evening to see if he’s received the vid of the car running and the pick slip, but will keep you posted when I do.....