Moving to US this year. Convert or sell 458?

don't know the answer to your question but wanted to say - gorgeous car!
where are you currently located?

 

There used to be a company called AMERISPEC that converted NON-US-SPEC cars into US-SPEC cars, but I can't find their link on google. Maybe the company no longer exists!

The whole conversion thing is pricy, might cost you more than 50,000 US$ incl. customs and conversion, since a Euro Spec car must meet US and in your case Californian Safety and Emission Standards and Regulations. The EPA part is the really expensive part, since the car has to be tested by EPA emission engineers!

I do not know if European cars have a stricter emission grade than US cars, but as far as I know, US cars have reinforced front and rear bumpers, and an extra crash beam in their doors that euro cars don't have, and these parts have to be changed or even welded (I wouldn't weld anything in a street car) ! ! !

Do your homework and research the whole thing on:

www.customs.gov
http://www.dot.gov/
http://www.epa.gov/

My advise - Enjoy your current car and sell it before you move! It is a 458, they are building them everyday. When you are in California, then you can order a new one. Or if you are definitely moving and without any doubt, then start ordering your new US-Spec 458 Italia now
REMEMBER that for the used Euro or GBP price you will be getting a brand new US car, thanks to currency exchange rates (Euro/USD or GBP/USD) ! ! !

The conversion is simply not worth the hassle

Finally, amazingly beautiful car, the colors are perfectly in harmony

By judging the size of his front plate, I would say: "Switzerland" . . . !?!

Greetz,


Joseph

 

I nearly tipped on the UK . . . Because of your brick house, but well the LHD mislead me . . . LOL

Greetz,


Joseph

 

By the way, in order to get the best price possible for your car since it is an LHD,
insert it on German, Italian and Swiss online car traders like:

www.mobile.de

www.autoscout24.de

www.autoscout24.it

www.autoscout24.ch

You might even get good offers from German or Swiss Ferrari Car Dealers:

http://www.zender-exklusiv-auto.de/

http://www.lueg-sportivo.de/

http://www.gohm.de/

http://www.autosalon-singen.de/

http://www.nikihasler.ch/

http://www.foitek.ch/

Greetz,


Joseph

 

I suspect a conversion would also result in meaningful depreciation.

You have until year end, so consider contacting a southern cal dealer now and getting a soft order in the system. I suspect you'll get a indication of a potential delivery around year-end. Backlogs seem to be alot shorter than they were for the F430.

 

My advice is sell it and save yourself a ton of potential headaches -- transport costs and damage, conversion delays and costs, skeptical buyers when you plan to sell. You don't want your dream car to turn into a nightmare car.

 

Amazing car mate!!

Have you thought about storing the car till you return 'home'?

 

nice car man!! my kind of configuration except for the two tone exterior paint and i want carbon fiber seats instead of the standard one. but definitely a very nice car and enjoy it first before moving here in the states.

 

you can bring it to the USA for 1 year on your passport and then have to send it out. Rules may even be more loose if you are a diplomat.

 

I have some experience but it is dated.

The Eurpoean cars have a lower selling price in the USA. They also smoke a little on our gas. The cars should be alittle quicker but on the two I drove could not tell the difference.

Some of the body parts cannot be purchased in the states. The doors were the big problem.

These comments where based on a 360 and later the 430. I decided on the US spec cars on these and the 458.

The modification at the time 2002 were $25,000 US dollars. It was considered to be unreliable by most Ferrari people at the time.

This may have changed now. Maybe the body part specs between Europe and the USA have come together.

If interested I can call my dealer or if you prefer give you a name and phone number at the dealer.

Lee