Should I Ship A Car To Europe/Which One?

[maxnharry]

Am finalizing a deal to work in Luxembourg. My prospective employer has agreed to ship my car for me. I currently drive a HUGE Toyota Landcruiser that gets around 13mpg.

1. Should I ship that car

OR

2. Buy a small car here and have it shipped and which one would you recommend?

3. Buy something over there?

Thanks

 

[robin]

I'd say #3. Isn't there regulations and inspections that any car that you sent over would have to go through?

 

[SoCal2NYC]

Buy something there.

 

[texas_jack]

Ship a '67 plymouth GTX

 

[slycedbred]

Get an estimate of how much it would cost to ship your car and have them give you that much as a supplement to buy a new one while you're there

 

[Stazy]

How long are you going to be in Europe? Once you have lived there for a year I believe you can buy a new car tax free (assuming you are North American). Just something to keep in mind...

 

[maxnharry]

Originally Posted by Stazy

How long are you going to be in Europe? Once you have lived there for a year I believe you can buy a new car tax free (assuming you are North American). Just something to keep in mind...

Am going to be there for three years at least, so that's a good idea. I guess I have been thinking about selling the Landcruiser and picking up a used Audi or VW here and sending that.

 

[globetrotter]

1. keep in mind you may find driving and parking your american car in europe to be a real pain **********

2. gas is real expensive

3. I'd just buy a local car

 

[Thomas]

Originally Posted by globetrotter

1. keep in mind you may find driving and parking your american car in europe to be a real pain **********

2. gas is real expensive

3. I'd just buy a local car

1. +1

2. +1+1+1+1+1+1+1+1!!!!!

3. Or check out the public transit options. Likely there's a bus/metro that will cover most of the distance. And you'll see more of the local sights.

Plus people will resent or outright hate you just because you're driving an enormous, wasteful beast.

 

[maxnharry]

Originally Posted by Thomas

1. +1

2. +1+1+1+1+1+1+1+1!!!!!

3. Or check out the public transit options. Likely there's a bus/metro that will cover most of the distance. And you'll see more of the local sights.

Plus people will resent or outright hate you just because you're driving an enormous, wasteful beast.

Great points-yes the Landcruiser will not be making the trip.

 

[mmhollis]

Gas is definitely more expensive and the streets are narrower I'd buy a car there.

 

[VKK3450]

I'm not an expert, but I looked into this a bit when moving to the Netherlands from the US. Couple of points

-You can usually bring in one car per adult tax free.
-It will still have to comply with road safety / MOT.
-After about 6 months (depending on country) you can sell it without paying import duties
-Many American cars go for significantly more in Europe than back home. I have seen Vettes here for double the US MSRP.

There are many nuances, but if you play it right, you may be able to bring a car over, drive it for a while (yes petrol is higher), have something which not many people here have, and sell it for a profit after 6 months to a year.

YMMV depending on car, country, personal situation, etc etc...

K

 

[Nataku]

I'd say buy a local car. Europe has so many cool choices.....I like new new Alfa Romeos.....plus, they're all gonna look at the Land Cruiser and laugh. As others said, gas costs a fortune and that thing will be near impossible to navigate down the narrow streets lined with cars and such.

 

[eighteennine]

Great to have a SFer come to Luxembourg, I've been living there for 8 years now. I'd get a new car here, driving a huge beast like that in Lux city is a hassle, especially parking wise. Many underground car parks here are so low and narrow, you'd probably couldn't get in.

Where are you going to work? In the city, on Kirchberg or somewhere in the country?

 

[LabelKing]

I know I'd ship my own car if I had to move overseas.