Why is it so expensive to purchase an imported automobile in Australia?

 

Tax, tax and more tax.

No doubt a small factor is dealers stretching things and not passing on exchange rate savings (car prices really haven't improved despite the $AU almost doubling against the $US) and a small amount from extra transportation costs.

However all the big bucks is in tax. Roughly speaking you cop 10% import duty , then 10% Goods and Services Tax , then 33% Luxury Car Tax for every dollar above $57k at this point and then stamp duty (say another 5%) for the privelege of transferring title , dealer delivery (expensive car wash) , registration etc.......

It adds up in a big way once you're up there at the expensive end.

 

Wow, you weren't kidding, that's just astronomical! That's about 60%+ in taxes alone. How can they not allow you to benefit from the exchange rate? I thought that was a matter of just simple math?

 

I had a Maserati and sold it a year later. As mentioned, it's a gorgeous car with a great engine, but it's just not put together well. The little things got to me; cheap control knobs, shortcuts, and I was never confident enough on long hauls to trust it. I always worried it would break down. If you ever read any of the Maser boards, there are plenty of threads with horror stories about sitting by the side of the road, waiting for the flatbed truck.

I replaced the Maser with an XKR, but sold it a few months ago when we got an au pair (I couldn't justify having four cars), but I've regretted it ever since. It was the best car I've ever owned, in every way. Beautiful, fun to drive, gorgeous exhaust note, comfortable, and extremely dependable.

So now I'm contemplating getting another (maybe a convertible this time?) but a certain 997 4S has caught my eye, too. What to do...what to do...

 

If you speak to the dealers they tell you that it makes no difference as they hedge their currency exposure and the benefits are lost there. I'm sure there's an element of truth to that.........but just an element

 

That should be their problem if they hedged incorrectly in the face of record easing of US interrest rates and a falling dollar. The consumers of AUS should benefit along with their economy.

 

wow what a post!
You had more information than the Jaguar reps did at the DC Auto show I went to yesterday.

It was also yesterday that I have my first encounter with the new 2011 XKR. sadly every single car was open to get into except THIS ONE! They listed the HP at 510 @ $106k and many were comparing price, styling and value to the new ZR1 corvette at 638 hp @ $125k.

One gripe of the corvette crowd about the jag was from INDIA and aftermarket support did not exist. Jaguar did not have many models on display at the show, a total of 5 and 1 being a 1998 XJR that was in the used car lineup from the DC distributorship.

Thanks again for one heck of a writeup

 

Jags are still built in the old spitfire factory in Birmingham. They're just owned by an Indian company.

http://www.factorytour.co.uk/castlebromwich/

 

The grille, I think looks so much better in black. Did they sandblast the chrome off it before they spray painted it? Othewise I think it will chip rarther easily. How about the chrome around the windows? This would look good in black too, just like the Black Series. They can use that vinyl wrap...

 

Disappointed to hear the Maseratis STILL have bad quality. They're beautiful cars, inside and out, in my opinion.

 

Well, as far as the chrome grill, I differ a bit. My '13 XKR was available only with the black grill. Being that the paint is very dark, I felt it would look better in chrome. I had the dealer order chrome grills prior to it arriving and had them changed out on arrival. I like the chrome grills.

 

Jaguars should have a little chrome on it, after all it is a Jag...