by Currently, there is an interesting situation – some cars are profitable to buy in Ukraine for resale in Europe or the USA! At first glance, this may seem strange, but there are indeed models that are more practical to export from Ukraine rather than import into it.
For example, a Dodge Viper for export to the USA, which is currently being restored in Ukraine, and a cult 90s Mercedes being sold at the price of a new Lamborghini Huracan.
While we receive a massive influx of “wrecks” from the USA (including damaged supercars costing hundreds of thousands of dollars!) and rundown foreign cars from Lithuania and Germany, we invite you to think about the reverse, and we will show you the numbers to explain why.
We have already talked about the cost of Soviet cars in Europe and even discussed the selling prices of Zaporizhets in America. As for Ukraine, you can find retro cars or so-called youngtimers (cars aged 25 to 35 years, essentially mid-80s-90s models) at very advantageous prices.
Which Cars to Buy for Sale in Europe
Here, the main focus should be on the condition of the specific car. There is no point in buying outright junk (unless it’s a pre-war rarity or an exceptionally unique vehicle).
Another important condition – no modifications (!), abroad, only the specimens closest to the original are valued. So if there is any kind of “market” tuning, even if it costs thousands of dollars, it makes no sense to even get involved.
For those who have the right skills and/or have their own repair shop (or reasonable craftsmen) and/or just a good opportunity to restore a car for resale – this might be the optimal way for maximum profit. However! As in our times, if a car is in its original paint and has minimal mileage, its price can be even higher than that of a restored rarity. Essentially, a time capsule with a small price tag is what’s needed.
Should You Buy Soviet Cars
Emigrants are known for their nostalgia for the homeland and all that is associated with it (father’s car, grandfather’s Zaporizhets, etc.). And since “ours are everywhere” – a buyer for cars of that era can be found almost in any country in the world, but most often – in the USA and the Baltic countries, although clients are also often found from Germany (much less frequently – in Britain).
An important point – foreigners rarely contact private sellers, and they don’t browse our classifieds sites either. So, either through intermediaries (and there are such), or through foreign sites specializing in the sale of unique and exclusive collectible cars.
Where is the best place to post ads for selling exclusive cars
- carandclassic.co.uk
- classicdriver.com
- ebay.co.uk/b/Classic-Cars/
- jamesedition.com
- mobile.de/CLASSIC-CARS
- topgir.com.ua/category/exclusive-cars/ (in Ukraine)
Oldtimers and Retro
Old Soviet cars (in collectible condition)
Pre-war cars (especially valued are the “government” cars of high-ranking officials and military officials (trophies) and models of brands that have ceased to exist by our days)
Any retro cars of famous personalities (in this case, these can be not only foreign cars, but also Soviet Chaika, ZIL, ZIS, etc.)
Besides the USA and Europe, where collecting is much more developed than here, iconic cars from the Soviet era can also be sold profitably in other countries of the post-Soviet space.
Several examples of car models that can be profitably resold:
Willys – this SUV can be bought in Ukraine for reasonable money (you can even find them for 1500 dollars, but they are almost scrap metal) and sold well in Germany, where they are greatly loved and appreciated. Here are the prices for Willyses on mobile.de:
Citroen CX – quite recently this model (even in rare “Prestige” trim) was sold for a price of a Lanos. Now see how much a similar model costs in Germany:
These are just a couple of vivid examples because the state, originality, and rarity of a specific car need to be considered. For example, a regular 24 Volga even in museum condition is incomparable in value with a KGB’s 24 Volga “chaser.”
Youngtimers
There is currently a real boom in youngtimers in Europe, especially when it comes to limited and/or charged versions. As before,
