What car would you take / buy on Euro Expat Assignment

[mziggy16]

Howdy All -

In the next year or so there's a fair chance I could be shipped across the pond on a European assignment for work (3 yrs, likely in Switzerland). Part of the deal would be the option to bring a car over with me and/or bring one home, so lets assume no import/export fees on my dime and exchange rates similar to current - a hypothetical exercise for fun, mostly.

Two reasons for the question:
1. Is there a car that is relatively available in the US that would be more valuable in Europe? Probably not something I want to do, but am curious on thoughts.

2. Is there a European car or model, either unavailable or hard to find in the US, that I should hunt for while I'm there to bring back?

For those wondering, my current DD is a '13 BMW 335i M-Sport 6-speed and I'm in the market for an SC or Carrera.

-Mike

[stealthn]

Anything European, over there

[Rtrorkt]

alfa romeo

[svandamme]

anything you bring over, you'll have to pay import duties on.
You cannot drive US registration for 3 years, that won't fly.

And paying duties, regging it, I don't see the point of that really.

[Jim Bremner]

Something like a BIGBLOCK 1963 Galaxy

[WPOZZZ]

Bring back an E34 M5 touring.

[aigel]

Buy an SC and sell there before you leave. I'd look at anything fun - 30+ years old which has classic status in Germany. A rust free classic will sell well.

[wildthing]

RS3 Hatch?
Some BMW sleeper wagon perhaps.
A Euro only brand like Skoda maybe.

[Won]

Originally Posted by svandamme

anything you bring over, you'll have to pay import duties on.
You cannot drive US registration for 3 years, that won't fly.

And paying duties, regging it, I don't see the point of that really.

Are you sure about that? I was under the impression that if you have owned the car for some time (6 months?), and you are not allowed to sell it once in Europe (for some time?), but otherwise for personal use it was exempt from duty. Maybe it's different in CH than the EU. I once saw a late model, LHD Pontiac running around in the UK with a US Airforce plate, but yes generally as a resident you would have to plan for inspection and registration of the car in the new country. Within the EU you have 6 months to do so after moving countries, in CH I have no idea, probably the same. Of course not everyone cares about this rule within the EU. But especially for us non-EU people, I think it's not worth the risk of invalid insurance coverage, etc., as usually it's very clear when we enter the country and register your residence and so on.

Cars I would consider bringing to Europe (strictly considering resale):
- Obviously, aircooled Porsches. Take the price in $$$ and just change the currency to €€€, minimum. Maybe double the number too. Absolutely crazy market here. Or it is the other way around?
- I saw a surprising number of F body Camaros in the UK (LHD and all), I think they are popular as the most affordable "American muscle" of sorts. New Mustangs are very popular in Germany too as now they are available through the dealers, but maybe older ones could be desirable? Same for all other newer "re-imagined" Charger, Challenger, etc...
- I also see some older Silverado type pickups around, but I don't understand why...
- VIPERs.

Cars I want to buy here, so I can bring home to Canada (where to begin?):
- 1 series BMW hatch of any generation (Stijn would probably think I'm crazy)
- Any German car you like in NA, but with manual and in wagon/estate/touring form, diesel if you don't care about the environment . If I were to move back tomorrow, I would bring back my 320d Touring, no question.
- Older Mercedes G-wagons, military surplus or otherwise, before they became posh cars.
- Golf GTD if you can forgive VW, personally I don't really care.
- VW T2/T3 Doka/Syncro; somewhat rare here but not as much as they are in NA
- VW Transporter T5/T6, California if you can swing it. I don't think these "Eurovans" are sold in NA?
- On a theme here, the new Scirocco.
- Alfa Romeo 159. Not the best driving car by all accounts, and there never was a GTA version, but certainly the most beautiful "normal" car of the last decade in my opinion...
- A strange one, but as we had so much fun in a similar thing as a micro-camper, VW Caddy or anything in this class.
- DEFENDERs.

Cars like Audi RS series are cool too, but these types of cars are much more rare in general than they are in NA, so there will be a big premium to pay. Having said that, I would love a Porsche RS2! https://www.autolina.ch/en/auto/audi-80/1233671

Then it's an endless list of old cars which we didn't get in NA, even from chitty marque like Fiat, Renault, Peugeot, Alfa... When we moved to Europe, I was talking to a friend back home about a possible business venture where he sends me a container full of aircooled VWs, and I send it back full of original Mini's and 500's. Can you send a container back at the end of your assignment?

[Bill Douglas]

It was quite a while ago, but a friend did quite well bringing MG Roadsters and MGBGTs into Holland. Karmann Ghias are cheaper in the US than in Europe, so rust free examples might be worth you working out the numbers on.

[ckelly78z]

The Swedes really like the big block classic led sleds (Cadillac, Ford, Chevy, Dodge) but they don't make a good daily driver for you in the meantime. Maybe you could sell it as soon as your get settled, and buy something exciting.....I'm thinking an older eurospec Skyline GTR, or something similar that isn't available in the States.

[svandamme]

Originally Posted by Won

Are you sure about that? I was under the impression that if you have owned the car for some time (6 months?), and you are not allowed to sell it once in Europe (for some time?), but otherwise for personal use it was exempt from duty.
- 1 series BMW hatch of any generation (Stijn would probably think I'm crazy)

1 series is an awesome car, had 3 already, the chassis is brilliant, nimble, and a 118D has plenty of grunt.
the 116 and ED is a bit anemic. Especially the 3 cylinder version

There could be an exception on taxes in Switzerland if it is a certain minimum age and if you owned it for a certain amount of time..
Cant just buy the car just before leaving and take it with you without taxation on import, that won't fly.

[WPOZZZ]

Another car to bring back would be an E30 320is aka M3 lite.

[svandamme]

Originally Posted by WPOZZZ

Another car to bring back would be an E30 320is aka M3 lite.

get a 120D or 120i then. It will own 320's and ask for desert.

3 series are fat fuchers , they are bigger then the old 7 series were
1 series is what 3 used to be

unfortunately BMW is changing them to FWD next year.. it's a total shame.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Jim Bremner

Something like a BIGBLOCK 1963 Galaxy

To use as a daily driver in Switzerland? Or to flip as soon as you get there and then buy something that doesn't drink $10 a liter gas like a bunch of soccer moms drinking low fat lattes and start and run like hell in the Swiss winter and handle like hell on snow and ice?

[Won]

Originally Posted by WPOZZZ

Another car to bring back would be an E30 320is aka M3 lite.

I searched for E30 318is in Germany once, then got hit with the reality that any car that is remotely desirable and was available on both sides of the pond, is not worth buying in terms of $$$. 320is from Italian market would be 1) very difficult to find in decent condition, and 2) not worth the M3-and-above price you would have to pay, just to own a unicorn.

Stijn, I don't know if you're aware but the 1 series hatch was never sold in North America. They are an absolutely unremarkable car here, but every car friend who visited me from home commented how cool they are.

[cairns]

If I were over there and planned to bring back here I would get an MB or BMW estate and keep it for myself. If I were going over there I'd buy cheap american metal and sell it for big bucks. They'd go apes *t over something like a 65 Grand Prix.

[mziggy16]

Originally Posted by Won

Can you send a container back at the end of your assignment?

I believe the deal is that I would get a 40' (might not be the exact length) container that I can pack to the gills going both directions.

I really like the idea of picking up something that was only sold in the Euro market (and a great driver) and bringing that back here to play with.

Thank you for the thorough response!

[mziggy16]

Originally Posted by svandamme

anything you bring over, you'll have to pay import duties on.
You cannot drive US registration for 3 years, that won't fly.

And paying duties, regging it, I don't see the point of that really.

Company covers these costs, not me, so not really an issue bringing anything over with me.

However, they would probably frown upon me dragging an ancient piece of American muscle with me considering I have a family of four.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by mziggy16

However, they would probably frown upon me dragging an ancient piece of American muscle with me considering I have a family of four.

I have two good friends with large families (6) that took 3 year over seas tours. One on London and one in Naples.

They both took their min vans with them.

Laugh if you must, but they each sold their vans for very, very good money and brought home a different, more eccentric Euro car.