Deal or no deal?
Whether or not an amicable agreement is reached, there is a good chance that there will be a hike in import taxes, which means that there may be fewer and fewer non-British exotic cars on the road, since already expensive brands like Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Porsche will lose a lot of their viability. Even regular luxury cars like BMWs or Mercedes-Benz may lose a lot of their appeal when their prices hike. That’s not to mention that the majority of parts for repairs and manufacturing are sourced internationally, too. The EU has been unwilling to budge on sanctions to classify parts from Japan or Turkey as British goods. This means that it may simply be too expensive to bring in parts from abroad, leaving many consumers with no option but to seek local alternatives. And, while there are UK branches of Nissan and Toyota to turn to, if a Brexit deal is not reached, such automakers may be put off by tariffs that would negatively affect their ability to produce such popular cars as the Leaf. Buyers with a taste for something a little more sophisticated will have to look to home-grown models from Jaguar, Aston Martin, or Bentley. Just as import taxes and the possible weakening of the pound will restrict the availability of high-performance luxury vehicles from other European brands, it will also make it difficult for companies from the isle to export their more expensive offerings. This could, in turn, see their prices drop locally to make up for the lack of sales. Thus, it may actually be wiser to wait and see, assuming you have your eye on such an automobile.
Some local alternatives to foreign exotics
With this possibility on the horizon, there are a few premium options worth keeping a lookout for, just in case you can pick them up for a steal.
#1 Jaguar E Pace
While crossovers may not be as hot on the tight streets of England as they are in the USA, there is still quite a lot of demand on the market. With superior passenger and cargo space, and competitive fuel economy figures, SUVs and crossovers certainly have a lot to offer. Subcompact models from Jaguar are an excellent example of such a motor designed to feel at home in even the smallest of spaces. Thanks to some brilliant design and engineering, it doesn’t feel cramped, even when hauling the family around, and it has access to a fair amount of power. It may not be a true performance vehicle, but it is the perfect example of a stylish, lively, and practical luxury SUV.
#2 Bentley Continental GT
For those with slightly more traditional tastes, the large executive sedan supplies excellent straight-line acceleration from its twin-turbo W12, though it doesn’t boast the kind of handling really designed to deliver a thrilling driving experience. Instead, it has an interior that is nearly impossible to match, and a long list of comfort and safety features. It is not what one would consider particularly affordable, with a starting price of around £175,000, but the possible decrease in local prices could see more of these gargantuan cruisers on the road, much to the dismay of other road users no doubt.
#3 Aston Martin Vantage
Not quite as exorbitantly priced as the Rapide or the upcoming Valhalla, the Vantage is an excellent specimen of British automotive engineering done right to produce a gorgeous and capable sports car. You can choose between coupe or convertible configurations, with the base price starting between around £120k and £150k. But the poor mileage figures and high maintenance costs mean that you should budget quite a bit more. The 503-bhp twin-turbo V8 under the hood allows the low-riding Brit to soar up to 100 km/h from a dead stop in around 3.7 seconds, and almost nobody will be able to keep up once you reach top speed. It may not be the best exotic motor in the world, but it could be an excellent proposition at a lower price in comparison to rivals from across the pond.
