OK. Serious questions about Importing a 2010 Camaro

[AUSCAMARO]

Alright folks...

My sister went gaga over the 2010 Camaro and WANTS a BUMBLEBEE!!

She is almost prepared to spend the bucks to buy one of these RHD jobbies that are available for $130g's but there has to be a cheaper way..

I know we have talked about the ones in Victoria that GMH have for 'Evaluation Purposes' but what are the factual reasons for not being able to import one and keep it LHD?

Or alternatively if buying an auto and taking to one of the major coversion shops do you think they would be able to perform a tidy enough job to convert to RHD and keep it looking new?

She has a $130g Rangie and is going to sell it and wants the Camaro to be her next car... Not bad for a 26 year old chick eh...

She wont stop ringing me and nagging me about finding out the if, buts and maybe's...

What do you guys rekon?

Mitch

[chevelle]

Compliance is the reason you wont be able to import one yourself. Its to protect the local car manufactures. Only pre 1989 you will be able to bring in with an import approval. It used to be 15 years and older but Canberra put a holt on it at 1989 a few years back. If they didnt do this we would be able to import up to 1994 manufactured cars today as a private import.
Unless you buy one in the states and have it in your name and use it over there for one year, has to be a whole year then you can bring it in as a personal import. Then you will still have to organise to have it converted by a company here in Australia that has compliance to do the work on 2009-2010 camaros as per the laws which are stated by Canberra.
The ones Holdens have will be eventually crushed or shipped to United States. They have special registration at the moment, which would be only available to Car Manufactures, along the lines of a test car purposes, evaluation purposes as you say.

[AUSCAMARO]

Yep, I understand about the pre 89 rules and the compliance issues.. As you say, if the government won't even let you import it then your stuck between a rock and a hard place.

My sister inlaw and her hubby live in America and she is still an Aussie citizen. I had thought about the 1 year idea but I don't know the specifics of it. Is it actually FACT or fiction? And if it were fact, if she were to bring it in and sell it after complying, would she be allowed or would there be any penalties?

Mitch

[UNRULY]

This one is for sale in Traralgon Vic:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a307/lx406/2010.jpg

[Nev68]

This one is for sale in Traralgon Vic:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a307/lx406/2010.jpg

LH Drive?
Is it registered?

[UNRULY]

Its LHD, and dont know much more about it. It in the American Auto Imports yard on Princes Hwy

[AUSCAMARO]

You can see the steering wheel on the left... I wonder how much they are asking?

[cluxford]

and did it come in from US or was it made local ?

Interesting to see one for sale out here

[AUSCAMARO]

If this is them http://www.victorian5thwheelers.com.au/index.asp, then I have sent them an email.. Thanks for the heads up UNRULY...

[blackoutsteve]

Wait until Holden make it RHD.
$130K is just ripping up money in my opinion.

[AUSCAMARO]

Wait until Holden make it RHD.
$130K is just ripping up money in my opinion.


Agreed, thats why I'm looking into other alternatives if any? ;)

[S[_]SPECT]

http://www.victorianamericanimports.com/stocked_vehicles_new.asp
Price: POA

[UNRULY]

Yep, thats the company.

[69SS]

Yep, I understand about the pre 89 rules and the compliance issues.. As you say, if the government won't even let you import it then your stuck between a rock and a hard place.

My sister inlaw and her hubby live in America and she is still an Aussie citizen. I had thought about the 1 year idea but I don't know the specifics of it. Is it actually FACT or fiction? And if it were fact, if she were to bring it in and sell it after complying, would she be allowed or would there be any penalties?

Mitch


When I lived in Houston I looked into this, and yes it is true. I was planing on bringing the wifes GT Mustang back into Oz when I was transferred back. Unfortunetly I was sent to India instead, so I just sold it in the states and lost a heap of cash!! I really wish i could have sent it back now. It was 02 GT with a heap of cash dumped on it, blower etc. Sold it for 12kusd grrr..

Anyway, your SIL would have to own it for atleast year and then move back to oz with it, that is the sticking point!!

Cheers,

Lyndsay

[marinablu68]

Agreed, thats why I'm looking into other alternatives if any? ;)
Hey Mitch check out www.camaro.net.au if you havn't already.full list of prices and options etc and conversion details. V8 models from $109,000 and SS models from $123,000.
Its bollocks when you do the sums on the sell price at US41k for the SS in the states, with current AUD value near 93c = Au $44,085
Im under the impession there is nothing stopping you from importing your own
but your gonna get bent over by the tax nazis and also go through hell to get it complianced. Then theres finding the right people to convert it of which im not aware of any Perth companies that do top notch conversions on new models like that (appologies if there is!). The pros on the east coast charge as much as it costs to buy another 1st gen to do a conversion( but you get what you pay for).
Unfortunatly we are over a barrel and will no doubt have to bear the crazy prices these cars are being offered at.
I would kill for one of these new models but i think im gonna have to stick to the old girl. I guess thats still good ,right.:rolleyes:

[AUSCAMARO]

SPECT;25803']http://www.victorianamericanimports.com/stocked_vehicles_new.asp
Price: POA

I have emailed them so we shall see what they say?

Seems to be the same place as I emailed yesterday :o

[AUSCAMARO]

Alrighty... The responce from Victorian Imports:

G’day Mitch

Thanks for your email,we have a 2009 Camaro bumblebee 2SS in stock,which will require conversion to RHD before it can be registered for road use in Oz.It will be a sample vehicle which we are required to submit to the Federal Dept. of Transport for approval before we can continue to convert further Camaro’s.At this stage we expect it to be ready for registration in about 6 to 8 months and final cost to be around $140 000.Let me know what you think.



Regards,

Terry Lewis

(Sales Manager)

Victorian American Imports

9-11 Eastern Road

Traralgon VIC 3844

Tel: 03 5176 0600

Fax: 03 5174 0400

www.victorianamericanimports.com

So it seems that there won't be a cheaper alternative by utilising this mob and it also seems as if this particular vehicle will be the guinea pig for this company and it will be some time before it sees the road.

[AUSCAMARO]

The Yanks recon this is a bench mark.... http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2009/10/sema-preview-hurst-camaro-fetches-61900-at-ebay-auction.html $62g's for a 2010 Camaro.
http://www.autoguide.com/gallery/gallery.php/d/100519-4/hurstcam10.jpg

Wait until they see how much one will cost us!

[blackoutsteve]

Corvette Clinic in Bundoora Vic. are another who will be converting these cars.
Their expected price is still drug money..

[69SS]

I just cant believe the prices they are asking for these.. Its bloody ridiculous. But I guess if some people are prepared to pay that price and have heaps of reddies then that is the market value.. Just don't get it, would much rather drop 140k on an original gen 1 or even an RS4 or M3 - I know euro and all, but at least they will hold some value, it’s a shame cause I love the 2010, just cant see the value in it! Imagine what will happen to the price on a converted 2010 if GM release a right hand drive - if they do sign me up!..

[blackoutsteve]

Exactly.. If GMH release an RHD version, these converted Camaros will plummet in value.
1 Because GMH's price will be lower, and..
2 Why pay top dollar for a converted car when a factory original would be much more desirable?

.and I sure hope the quality of the conversions are far better than what I've seen in most muscle cars..

[S[_]SPECT]

There is a discussion on the Mustang forum regarding conversions..
Two people have stated conversion costs in the $37K ball park..
Obviously the current Camaro sites are including import etc... but my question would be, can you import it yourself cheaper than the $60 - $80K difference there seems to be. Then pay for the conversion separately??
With less people to add in margin it would be cheaper no ??

Agreed though Steve.. If GM does produce a RHD Camaro the value of any conversions would fall through the floor.. which begs the question.. would they NOT do it for that reason..

Like you said, it would also diminish the interest in say HSVs..

BUT if GMH produced it.. would it be a CAMARO ??

[blackoutsteve]

SPECT;25895']BUT if GMH produced it.. would it be a CAMARO ??

**** yeah!
GMH have already produced it here at Fisherman's Bend. They've already developed the car and then they showed GM in Canada how to build it.

[S[_]SPECT]

Sorry, I dont mean would it be the same car .. I mean would they actually badge a Holden as a Camaro, or would they call it something else..?
Like they did with the Monaro, selling it as a Pontiac GTO in the states. Same sh1t.. different bucket.

[USA-69Z]

Didnt the Koreans design it ? built in aus and sold in the US? something like that ?? c'mon steve you will know this one

[blackoutsteve]

GMH have recently talked about re-releasing the Chevrolet name down here.. Also the Cadillac. Remember the Cadillac that was almost going to be sold.. maybe 2 years ago, just before the finacial crash?

So, I reckon they'd sell it as a Chevrolet.. Why piss off the purists who they need to sell it to?

[blackoutsteve]

Didnt the Koreans design it ? built in aus and sold in the US? something like that ?? c'mon steve you will know this one

The designer of the concept Camaro (..and 02 Firebird concept of course) is an American born Korean.. Pretty sure without Googling! :p

[cluxford]

Caddy's actually did make it in. 3 x CTS-V's were shipped RHD, only 3 made it in before they canned the program. one was for sale recently in Sydney for $65K. I was very very very tempted.

My view is no matter how stupid GM execs are reality must suggest that a RHD version sold here, UK, NZ even Singapore and other RH drive countries would just snap this thing up, besides the ZR1 this is one of the coolest cars on the planet (supercars excluded)

[blackoutsteve]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121311527578861039.html

I'm wrong about the American Born bit..:p

[blackoutsteve]

This is the 2002 Firebird concept car.. Can anyone make out the signature?

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d35/Jeanius86/5thGenTA.jpg

Edit: Kevin Morgan

I could be mistaken.. This could be the 2002 concept..

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt336/Motomas/pontiac-firebird-concept.jpg

[rs/ss 396]

If you move to NZ you can import and leave LHD after owning it in the US for only 3 months, now that would be a good holiday!

[EAT-30T]

I'd wait it out man.... dont get me wrong I absolutely loved the 2010 Camaro... However I just couldn't part with that kind of money... your just burning it up... wait out and see if a RHD version comes out... being that its built on the same ZETA platform as the commodore... and holden axed the monaro.... it shouldn't be too long one would imagine? god knows? lol

[AUSCAMARO]

My sister is still waiting for her Rangie to be repaired. Been a couple of months now.

Will see what happens after she gets it back.

[USAtoAUS]

Is it built on a Holden floor pan?

You would think that for less than $140k you could reskin a Holden with NOS panels and parts.

[AUSCAMARO]

Is it built on a Holden floor pan?

You would think that for less than $140k you could reskin a Holden with NOS panels and parts.

Yeah Phil, but the Holden pan you would need would be the Manaro floor pan which they don't make in the VE range.

[blackoutsteve]

The Zeta platform VE and the Zeta II platform Camaro are are lot less interchangeable than you might think.

[USAtoAUS]

Thanks, it was just a thought.

One of the kit car companies needs to come out with a tube chassis that conveniently allows one to hang new Camaro sheet metal on it!

[blackoutsteve]

A 2010 Camaro kit car... Hmmmm. :confused:

Personally, I think Ferrari and lamborghini kit cars are tasteless enough..
Nothing says "I can't afford my dream car and I'm willing to put up with this fibreglass Datsun instead" better than a kit car.

Let's hope the 2010 Camaro doesn't become what the Parenti Corvette was. (Remember those hideous things?)

I'm comfortable with not being able to afford a new Camaro.

[sixty8]

I'm comfortable with not being able to afford a new Camaro.[/QUOTE]



I'm with you mate just love the new one but for that much not a chance bring them back to reality

[Chad350]

According to this months Motor magazine the Camaro WILL be sold here by Holden maybe as early as the end of this year but most likely next year.

[blackoutsteve]

Yeah, there was a press release a few months ago in the HeraldSun's Cars Guide that said they would go ahead with it..
Yum.

[Nev68]

Yeah, there was a press release a few months ago in the HeraldSun's Cars Guide that said they would go ahead with it..
Yum.

$$$$?

[blackoutsteve]

In the $70s..
No idea what options that would buy..

[anychevy]

.

Let's hope the 2010 Camaro doesn't become what the Parenti Corvette was. (Remember those hideous things?)



I remember when Perenti had a stand at the Sydney motor show :rolleyes: So I asked the dude "how much for a turn key car ?" 25 grand he says :eek:
I said "You can buy a real corvette for that you moron" :D and walked off.

[blackoutsteve]

They were HQ Holdens with body kits.. Could have at least been HXs with real brakes and Radial Tuned Suspension so it didn't handle like crap.
I remember their big sales "advantage" over a real 'Vette was that they seated 4 people. Big deal! :p

I remember seeing them and going "Wow a Corvette" and then realizing what they were.. Caught me out a few times. I always got that same feeling when you see a nice arse and quickly realize you're looking at a man. http://www.souliejolie.com/forum/style_emoticons/smilies/bad.gif

[Nev68]

.. I always got that same feeling when you see a nice arse and quickly realize you're looking at a man. http://www.souliejolie.com/forum/style_emoticons/smilies/bad.gif

You aren't helping your hetero cause Steve:rolleyes::D

[anychevy]

They were HQ Holdens with body kits.. Could have at least been HXs with real brakes and Radial Tuned Suspension so it didn't handle like crap.
I remember their big sales "advantage" over a real 'Vette was that they seated 4 people. Big deal! :p

I remember seeing them and going "Wow a Corvette" and then realizing what they were.. Caught me out a few times. I always got that same feeling when you see a nice arse and quickly realize you're looking at a man. http://www.souliejolie.com/forum/style_emoticons/smilies/bad.gif
Yeah, the guy had the same sales pitch, thought I was keen too :rolleyes: they gotta be the ugliest kit car ever :confused:
I'm a but worried about the "nice arse" comment Steve :D but you didn't have your glasses on, right ?

[blackoutsteve]

Hey, I saw a cool movie the other day.. "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Sausage"
Oh man, that cracks me up..:D
Sorry, it's post beer-o'clock. :p

[WILD68]

Could really see Steve in his Saturday night Mardi gras get up in this.

http://www.boostcruising.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=97288

[blackoutsteve]

The Corvette movie car from Corvette Summer.. Damn that's ugly..
And yes, it was right hand drive and that's not an Aussie (thank God)..

I have the DVD but am yet to watch it. Maybe when Jim comes over and we have a few too many beers and who knows what might take place. :D

[anychevy]

Could really see Steve in his Saturday night Mardi gras get up in this.

http://www.boostcruising.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=97288

Ever see "corvette summer" ? I think that was his inspiration :eek:
4685

[anychevy]

The Corvette movie car from Corvette Summer.. Damn that's ugly..
And yes, it was right hand drive and that's not an Aussie (thank God)..

That car (or a very close copy) was for sale at a Sydney car dealer back in the 80s
God knows what happened to it :confused:

Oh Yeah, This thread started as "serious questions etc" Sorry

[Twisted67]

Maybe start a new thread under"BS/Ramblings and other Crap" ,maybe??:D

[Nev68]

The Corvette movie car from Corvette Summer.. Damn that's ugly..
And yes, it was right hand drive and that's not an Aussie (thank God)..

I have the DVD but am yet to watch it. Maybe when Jim comes over and we have a few too many beers and who knows what might take place. :D

I loved that movie when I saw it as a youngster in the 70's(?).
I've got the DVD, you do get to see a decent car every now and again.

[Nev68]

That car (or a very close copy) was for sale at a Sydney car dealer back in the 80s
God knows what happened to it :confused:

Oh Yeah, This thread started as "serious questions etc" Sorry

The real car did come to Oz.

[70mach1]

According to this months Motor magazine the Camaro WILL be sold here by Holden maybe as early as the end of this year but most likely next year.

April Motor has a good test GTS v Camaro v FPV GT v GT500.

If Holden sells the new Mario for under $80k they'll be lined up around the block to buy it..........it'd be an instant success I believe..

Some tough renderings Le Mans style

http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/2010/top-2010-Chevrolet-Camaro-ALMS-Style-Race-Car-by-Vizualtech.htm

http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-2010/bc/2010-Chevrolet-Camaro-ALMS-Style-Race-Car-by-Vizualtech-Rear-Angle-3-1280x960.jpg

[cluxford]

Holy **** that looks wicked, how huge is that rear wheel it's like 60% or more the height of the car.

[AUSCAMARO]

OOh yeah... Imagine that on the street!!

[70mach1]

OOh yeah... Imagine that on the street!!

..........and doesn't it p!$$ all over V8 supercars for menace and attitude-I'd love to see something like that on a race track .......or the street:p

[cluxford]

reminds me of the "super sedan" class of racing, those things used to look fricken awesome....do they still run ?