Hope this never happens to you, but then...
10-29-2001, 04:17 PM
#1
Instructor
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Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: South Africa
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Hope this never happens to you, but then...
It's always been expensive to maintain a Porsche in South Africa and over the past two years the Rand declined from R7.90 to R8.40 to the US$. Keep in mind the cost of living here is about the same as in the US, but when it comes to importing spares we're pretty F*&$@ over here. So much so that only the super-rich and die-hard enthusiasts keep our cars. (I fit into the latter.)
Then came Sep 11 and thanx to that SOB Bin Laden, the whole world took a turn for the worst. I realize there are much bigger and more important issues at stake, but how would you fancy having to pay $100 for an item to the value of $10 for your Porsche?
When you guys spend $100 over there, we have to fork out the equivalent of $1000 for the same item over here, so how would you fancy spending $ 10 000 for an item that's only worth $1000..? That's what we have deal with over here.
There's an up-side though... I just had a State-of-the-art-light-weight-all-aluminium-race-radiator built locally for a mere $300. Bet you can't have that done in the States, Eh?
I suppose there's a silver lining to every dark cloud...
What's more, is every time the Rand takes a dive, South African Porsches fetch higher prices in the local market. But then they're also more difficult to sell...
Someone help me make sense of all this, pleeeze...?
Sorry. I just had to get that off my chest.
Then came Sep 11 and thanx to that SOB Bin Laden, the whole world took a turn for the worst. I realize there are much bigger and more important issues at stake, but how would you fancy having to pay $100 for an item to the value of $10 for your Porsche?
When you guys spend $100 over there, we have to fork out the equivalent of $1000 for the same item over here, so how would you fancy spending $ 10 000 for an item that's only worth $1000..? That's what we have deal with over here.
There's an up-side though... I just had a State-of-the-art-light-weight-all-aluminium-race-radiator built locally for a mere $300. Bet you can't have that done in the States, Eh?
I suppose there's a silver lining to every dark cloud...
What's more, is every time the Rand takes a dive, South African Porsches fetch higher prices in the local market. But then they're also more difficult to sell...
Someone help me make sense of all this, pleeeze...?
Sorry. I just had to get that off my chest.
10-29-2001, 04:43 PM
#2
928 Engine Re-Re-Rebuild Specialist
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Perhaps your car should be renamed "FAT BILL" because of its bloated expenses.
Sorry to hear that parts are so costly for you!
I have to wonder whether it's because of import/export taxes. I assume that none of your 928 parts are produced locally or by companies that have a presence in S. Africa.
Sorry to hear that parts are so costly for you!
I have to wonder whether it's because of import/export taxes. I assume that none of your 928 parts are produced locally or by companies that have a presence in S. Africa.
10-29-2001, 08:58 PM
#3
Three Wheelin'
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Hudson Valley NY
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Pierre,
Your are a shrewd business man why don't
you market your,There's an up-side though... I just had a State-of-the-art-light-weight-all-aluminium-race-radiator built locally for a mere $300. Bet you can't have that done in the States, Eh?
in the usa.
steve c
Your are a shrewd business man why don't
you market your,There's an up-side though... I just had a State-of-the-art-light-weight-all-aluminium-race-radiator built locally for a mere $300. Bet you can't have that done in the States, Eh?
in the usa.
steve c