Australian Corvettes Association

toycsi

hi there all,
just wanted to know some info if i may r.e private imports of corvettes for personal use.
i wanna import a 95/96 model c4 but want to keep oit origanal and lhd.
apart saving $ 20,000 pluis as well for not having to convert it over.
it seems you can buy a really clean nice vette in the usa for around the $12,000- $ 16,000 us plus $ 2,000 u.s shipping to oz.
so for around $ 25,000 aus inc shipping,gst,customs e.ct i could land myself a nice vette.
so can i put caution left han drive sticker on rear and get some sort of club or vic roads permit to drive it occasionally ?

iv seen brand new lhd chev camaro recently with reg plates ,not trader plates and caution lhd sticker driving around lhd now,so whats the go ?

do you guys have any info on rules and regulations r.e of all this please ?
im in victoria btw.
cheers

australi · Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2009 5:11 pm Post subject:

Welcome again and remember to add your location to your profile.

I'll sit back and read but in QLD at least, the vehicle has to be 30 years or older before it can be driven LHD...

toycsi · Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2009 5:15 pm Post subject:

hi there
thanks for reply.
yeah iv hear the 30 year apply story,but surely i can get some sort of a permit to drive occasionaly ?
and what about these brand new chev camaros iv seen that were reg and kept lhd ?
yep iv upated profile/location
thanks

Winfield RED · Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2009 6:48 pm Post subject:

You can, and you can get a permit to drive it, but you must have a good reason.

Forget it, youre wasting your time and your money. Buy a 94 or 95 that is allready in the country.

If you bring it in now with the intent to wait til its 30, forget that too, cause it goes on when it entered the country, not when it hits 30.

Why a 95 or 96 primarily? Nothing wrong with a 94, and with all my experience, id most certainly aim for 94 or 95 before 96. Both those models are as good as 96 in every way, but are not as complex in the ways of computer control and sensors that will do nothing for you, and will ultimately cost you more money.

96 is OBD 2 standard, and its overly complex compared to the very user friendly and simle OBD 1.2 on 94 and 95 C4s. C4s in 94 and 95 incorporate a fair few OBD 2 codes, but none of these will effect the running of the vehicle, and will not set the malfunction light. They can only be read with the correct tools, and were only put in place for GM's own testing and development purposes to ready them for the 96 OBD 2 standard. For that reason, i call them an OBD 1.2 system.

94 and 95 can also be easily and unlimitedly reprogramed to adjust every aspect of engine tuning and automatic transmission shifting and firmness, as well as manual transmission 1st to 4th shift adjustments.

96 can also, however it is alot more expensive with no real gain, and its not worth the extra issue. It will also require substially more expensive software.

If you want my educated advice, buy a 94 or 95 before ANY other C4, and id follow those options with the option of an 87 as the 3rd choice. 87 is an exceptionally good year for the earlier models, and i reckon alot better than 88 due to better ride and handling. Its smoother and more comfy, yet they handle as good or slightly better too. 87 also has a roller cam, 86 doesnt, 87 has alloy heads on all models, where as 86 only had them on convertibles and late coupes.

89 is a great year if you can track down a 6 speed Z51 car, they also had the newer designed seats that were used from 89 to 93, but overall the 87 is just as good a car, especially if you like auto or end up with an auto.

A 94 or 95 car is a HUGE step up from a 93 car, which is a reasonable step up from a 92 car. Apart from the brakes, 94 and 95 are pretty much identical, and the only difference with a 96 compared to 94 and 95 is the OBD 2 computer system, more sensors, and cheaper suspension parts were used ( not to mension they were soft as shite ) Ive seen and heard of bone stock 96s breaking suspension parts in the rear.

That is my advice cheers

_________________
"Trends may come and go, but Mercedes Benz will always be...."

toycsi · Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2009 7:15 pm Post subject:

hi winny
ok thanks for advice
so i could get a permit hey.
i want the lastest in a c4 hoping it may be in real clean orer thats all.
and no i dont want any earlier models.
to buy a later model here in oz you are looking at $ 40-$ 50 aud worth,no way i say.
i just wish they would relax or change the laws a little
so why can the new chev camaros stay lhd i wonder then ?
cheers

Winfield RED · Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2009 7:20 pm Post subject:

New Camaros cant stay leftys as far as i know, and they wont relax the laws.

Youd be wasting your money bringing in a late C4 that cant ever be used, no one in this country that i know of can fit a compliance plate to anything after Feb 89. Permits are NOT the way to go, cause like i say you need a good reason.

Why dont you want an earlier model? Apart from the engine and interior, an 87 is as good a car as a 94 or 95, at well under half the price.
_________________
"Trends may come and go, but Mercedes Benz will always be...."

toycsi · Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2009 7:24 pm Post subject:

yeah i coul look at getting a earlier car i suppose.
but i would want to upate the front and rear bars/lights,side venders though,can this be one ok and still look good ??
so can the earlier car 87 or 89 stay lhd then ??
and would i get a better and cleaner buy car from usa instead from here ??
so a 1989 z51 6 speed could be the go then also.
thanks :-D

Winfield RED · Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2009 8:00 pm Post subject:

No, youd be better buying what is here, then you dont have to worry about conversion. Its done.

No C4 can stay LHD in Vic. Not that im aware of anyway.

You can indeed change the bumpers to the later model 91-96 bumpers, then youve got the choice of 91-94 side vents or 95-96 side vents, but if it was me, id save your money and stick with the 84-90 style bumpers, cause they look alot better, but then it depends on the colour of the car.
_________________
"Trends may come and go, but Mercedes Benz will always be...."

WA Vetter · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 12:13 am Post subject:

87 better than a 88 HA !!!! lol

_________________
If its not fun, its not worth doing ,,,

australi · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 9:51 am Post subject:

Thunder Kiss · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 1:12 pm Post subject:

In Victoria, you can get full LHD reg at 30 years old, club permit at 25 years old, or if you are a new vehicle manufacturer you can fully register a LHD car for a period of one year, after which it can never be registered again in Australia.
That's why you see new LHD testing/development cars driving around Melbourne.

steves87 · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 2:08 pm Post subject:

australi · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 3:41 pm Post subject:

Also, when you buy one here already RHD; all the paperworks been done in the past.

Since the rules changed 3 or 4 years ago, I wonder if our C4's have gone up in value?

toycsi · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 4:13 pm Post subject:

Winfield RED · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 5:04 pm Post subject:

australi · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 5:07 pm Post subject:

Winfield RED · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 5:12 pm Post subject:

Yours is and has been here for many many moons, so its not worth anything more than when you bought it.
_________________
"Trends may come and go, but Mercedes Benz will always be...."

australi · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 5:14 pm Post subject:

The whole car and engine's MUCH shinier than when I bought it though.. Toothy Grin

Winfield RED · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 5:17 pm Post subject:

The interior is looking abit sparce.... Chuckle

_________________
"Trends may come and go, but Mercedes Benz will always be...."

australi · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 5:21 pm Post subject:

57 Splatt · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 10:10 pm Post subject:

Have a look at my 87 in the photo section. I am open for offers and the 87 is the model to have I believe just do your homework. cheers

australi · Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 9:49 am Post subject:

...You can always place an ad in our member market section too :-D

Winfield RED · Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 8:28 pm Post subject:

steves87 · Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 5:55 pm Post subject:

Saw a registered c6 zo6 lhd on sat... had to double take... but they gave me a huge wave Very Happy

WA Vetter · Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 8:00 pm Post subject:

what colour
_________________
If its not fun, its not worth doing ,,,

steves87 · Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 8:03 pm Post subject:

vetteoz · Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 9:55 pm Post subject:

australi · Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 9:59 am Post subject:

All good info vetteoz thumbs

_________________

68vet · Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 7:44 am Post subject:

What about WA?

I think you can leave imported cars lhd if they are more
than 15 years old.

If the op wants to relocate, he might get what he wants.

nifty · Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 12:36 pm Post subject:

i even think thats changed tom... i believe, but dont quote me on it, that there is now a cut off date in w.a for cars, even if they are over 15yr old.