Sports & Performance

[LostMyMind 0]

Hi There

New to the site,just been reading lots so far.Im a mechanic but would like to start my own one man sales in sports and performance or specialise in a particular area,Im not sure yet.

I would work part time as a mechanic to begin with 'testing the market' . I would eventually move into it full time with  a small workshop to do some repairs too.

I am passionate about sports and performance cars but realise they may not be better for business.I just don't know where the cars would come from,private sales ,well there's no meat left on the bone,not any performance car auctions near me.There are imports from Japan but by the time shipping and import taxes are payed it wouldn't be worth the effort or am I wrong?

I would rather try selling more expensive cars  but I guess the risk is higher....... no risk no reward? 

 

[BORO PAUL 0]

Hi mate ive been trading over 20 years on and off and intend to start full time next year

Im into performance stuff my self scoobys, Evos, RSs and the likes 

never really delt in the high priced stuff 10k plus but im tempted, you can source enough cars threw auction if your willing to travel up and down the country or specialist forums for well looked after cars

dont forget retail should be priced more than private sales if you pick the right cars

 

my only worry is the stick some of these cars can take and the rights people have on breakdowns and the sale of goods act and we all know a new clutch for a evo is more than a new clutch for a corsa

[LostMyMind 0]

Good stuff Paul,I hope to start late next year.

Well I guess thats true.... private sale price < retail but it seems like a very narrow margin sometimes and I feel you can only ask the high end retail price if you have a very good car,good premises and set up

Also I think I might have to be very specific with the warranty,as you say things like clutches & gearboxes have a much harder life,people doing trackdays etc

Also a lot of private sale ads the car could be quite far away and when you turn up the car may have mechanical faults or bodywork thats not described or seen in the pics,so it could be a lot of hours/travelling/fuel for little return!

Hard to know.... Would like advice from people who specialise or into this area too 

Edited December 15, 2015 by LostMyMind

[Econimotor 15]

I believe if you sell cars for track days and racing the new sale of goods act would not apply. You should contact your local trading standards office or contact Lawgistics.

[Rory RSC 596]

I think if you are passionate about those type of cars then hopefully that will come off in the way you deal with customers and the enthusiasm will shine through. I like the sporty stuff and do quite well off the hot hatch type cars like the Focus ST's, Astra VXR's, Golf GTi's etc. Recently had a few nice BMW Coupes which have flown out and certainly have a strong demand. I think nice desirable sporty stuff combined with a few 4x4's or with potential to move into the 4x4 and prestige market gives great scope for growth.

 

[James Baggott 227]

Nice to see more new faces in the forum. Welcome all. 

[It's me 613]

some thoughts

trade insurance can be a bit hard in this sector

these type of cars always bring the people who are perfectionists because a lot of them are into detailing

you say you can mechanic? then theres your market, specialise in repairing others faults if you can and you have a niche market

anyone can buy cars and hope to sell them,you have a skill so keep to it and maybe sell what you run as an add on or specialise in something you can sell and repair if it does break

me?

i prefer to keep it simple so anycomebacks are nearly always cost repairable without breaking your banking terms

 

best of luck,

one final thought its always best to offer what peiople want rather than what you want so if you lived say in a village of oaps then i would specialise in say i10's

[BORO PAUL 0]

Its a skill to buy and sell cars on its own

yes if your handy with the spanners it will defiantly come in handy 

It would be lovely to open the garage on a morning if it was full of performance cars... for me and the OP anyway 

insurance isnt to bad i pay 800 a year now with my own scooby sti on it

[LostMyMind 0]

Thanks for the replies,some things to think about.

Im almost sure I want to go down the specialising route,maybe even just selling one brand of car and getting to know it well.Im thinking if you have 10-15 cars of one brand and somebody is looking for that brand/make model then theres a good chance they will come to you but at the same time there may be less sales if that car is not in demand enough,so I guess its important to choose the right brand if going down this route.

I believe if you sell cars for track days and racing the new sale of goods act would not apply. You should contact your local trading standards office or contact Lawgistics.

Thanks I didn't know that,will look into it more

I think if you are passionate about those type of cars then hopefully that will come off in the way you deal with customers and the enthusiasm will shine through. I like the sporty stuff and do quite well off the hot hatch type cars like the Focus ST's, Astra VXR's, Golf GTi's etc. Recently had a few nice BMW Coupes which have flown out and certainly have a strong demand. I think nice desirable sporty stuff combined with a few 4x4's or with potential to move into the 4x4 and prestige market gives great scope for growth.

 

Sounds good,did you start out selling these kind of cars?

some thoughts

trade insurance can be a bit hard in this sector

these type of cars always bring the people who are perfectionists because a lot of them are into detailing

you say you can mechanic? then theres your market, specialise in repairing others faults if you can and you have a niche market

anyone can buy cars and hope to sell them,you have a skill so keep to it and maybe sell what you run as an add on or specialise in something you can sell and repair if it does break

me?

i prefer to keep it simple so anycomebacks are nearly always cost repairable without breaking your banking terms

 

best of luck,

one final thought its always best to offer what peiople want rather than what you want so if you lived say in a village of oaps then i would specialise in say i10's

I have thought about specialising as a mechanic but it would take a long time to know a particular brand inside out and have all the equipment to call yourself a specialist,thats how I see it though but I might try to start selling a particular brand and learn/specialise as time goes on but definitely agree with specialising with whatever is in demand.