911's going to Europe?

[Nick Triesch]

On a well known So Cal Porsche car site, in an ad it says that many 911's are being sold and are going to Germany. Is this true? That would be terrible to lose our great cars . When I had my 356 several years ago, a friend of mine got a great deal on a 356A. Right after he got it running and we went on a few road trips he got an offer from an overseas buyer. It was too good and he sold it. I was pissed. It was all about the money. Not a Porsche lover. Trader dog! Nick

[mnewport]

Interesting question. I just had a discussion with a friend from Sophia Bulgaria on Friday. He happens to deal in import/export for a living. His sentiment was that many of the good condition vintage 911's purchased by Europeans were done so because it was cheaper to buy in the US and ship to Europe than it was to simply buy in Europe. Especially right now, when the value of the US dollar is low relative to the Euro.

[murphyjp]

I just looked at an 81' SC and the seller told me he was contacted by a German buyer who basically explained the same thing, cheaper to buy and ship from the U.S.

[Nick Triesch]

If this is a trend then we could lose a bunch of really great cars from America. If the Germans come in and offer a ton of cash for a nice vintage 911 then we are doomed! Nick

[dienstuhr]

Yes it's true, mainly because your dollar is in the tank compared to the Euro. A few are coming north of the border as well

Cheers

d.

[mnewport]

your dollar is in the tank compared to the Euro

What comes around goes around. Give it five or six months and the Euro will collapse again. It moves in cycles, and if the Fed raises interest rates (and it HAS to at some point), the US dollar will go right back up.

[Eddyvdw]

Bring the Porsches back home! They are designed for the Autobahn and have the right to do more then 65 mph.

Just kidding. The dollar/euro change rate is not the only reason. More important is that you guys still have many rust free early cars especially in the southern states. The Euro cars were mainly sold in Northern Europe with all it's rain, snow and salty roads.

The younger Porsches are far less interesting to import because of import duties and road tax. If a car is classified as 'vintage' (25-30 years plus) the import duties drop to the level of 'collectables and art'.

In 2 months I will visit Zuffenhausen with my 1972 US 911E. Feels like a pilgrimage.

Gruss,
Ed

[PeterRT]

Well, in another thread here I've just read
"$14K is a nice budget for a Carrera targa, you should easily be able to find an excellent one, esp. the earlier ones (84/85) with under 100K miles, no accidents or rust, nice service history, etc. for that price."

Such a car is not that easy to find here anymore in Germany, there are very few good ones on the market. During the crisis and due to the inrush of reimported US cars prices got somewhat under pressure, but a German car (US imports are a little less popular) fitting that description would sell for probably around $35k at the current exchange rate.

[HenrikL]

Originally Posted by PeterRT

Well, in another thread here I've just read
"$14K is a nice budget for a Carrera targa, you should easily be able to find an excellent one, esp. the earlier ones (84/85) with under 100K miles, no accidents or rust, nice service history, etc. for that price."

Such a car is not that easy to find here anymore in Germany, there are very few good ones on the market. During the crisis and due to the inrush of reimported US cars prices got somewhat under pressure, but a German car (US imports are a little less popular) fitting that description would sell for probably around $35k at the current exchange rate.

The same is true for Sweden and probably the rest of Scandinavia. Targa's aren't that popular up her, but the car described above would still sell for around $30k.

[trond]

I am guilty as charged. I found my 1980SC in California and it is now very happy here in Norway. Good rust free reasonably low mileage 30 year old cars don't exist here. Reasons are people traditionally don't have more than one car, so most old cars will have a much higher mileage, and most likely a rust problem. It has less to do with the dollar

[twistoffat]

Its true and I´ve helped some find Cars in the states. I wouldn´t worry though as the cars are going to good homes. Porsche´s biggest market was the US so its only natural that there are more cars to be found there. That combined with a better climate in many states and a weak dollar at the moment means that Europeans are once again casting their eyes stateside. Its not cheap however as Freight costs and Import duties add quite a few dollars to the purchase price. Regard it as them returning to their birth place.

[felix83]

Is fear of losing US cars the reason Porsche made them less desirable, with sealed beam headlights and less powerful engines?

[PeterRT]

Seems to be worse than I thought right now. Browsing mobile.de (German online car sales portal where virtually every used car in the country is advertized), I've found exactly one early Euro 3.2 targa below 100k miles listed. It's a 204 bhp cat version for $44k:

Print view: Porsche 911 Targa, 3.2

[diverdan]

Here in the UAE the French seem to be buying up the vintage stuff for more money than we could get in the States. I've got a bunch of cars and parts, but I'm not in a sales mode. It will take me 6-10 40 foot containers to move it all back to the U.S. At $3,000.00 per container to the East coast and then how to get it all to Michigan, it will be a major expense. However, I will have the satisfaction of not selling out. I will probably be forced out of here in the next two months. I'm just a stubborn 64 year old teacher entrenched in these cars and I'll keep them until I'm too infirm to enjoy them. I've just seen too many of these cars leave our shores, in fact I'm repatriating several US spec. cars.

Dan Smith

[twistoffat]

Originally Posted by PeterRT

Seems to be worse than I thought right now. Browsing mobile.de (German online car sales portal where virtually every used car in the country is advertized), I've found exactly one early Euro 3.2 targa below 100k miles listed. It's a 204 bhp cat version for $44k:

Print view: Porsche 911 Targa, 3.2

Thats a Euro mode though and not a US model. It has the side indicstors above the wheel arch.
If a European buys a US car for 20k USD by the time its taxed shipped and registered with the required Euro standard changes it costs nearly 30k USD.

[Ed Bighi]

Mine had to come with me when I moved here, but yes, a lot of them are coming over here. The economy is doing far better in these parts and even when the recession was in, these guys never saw the recession like we did in the US. Not even close. And with the savings rates being what they are, you sort of connect the dots and see why this is happening. As for the TUV requirements, this can depend on where you are getting it done. I have both German and Austrian. Both were easy even with many modifications like headers, custom intercooler, race seats, no fog lights anywhere and no side markers on the fenders. It's who you know that matters.

[cdrik915]

Hi from France mates ,

I read this topic with interest ,

I think , without talking about rates exchange , that Europeans find better cars in US , especially california , due to dry and hot temper'.

Those who buy your cars are , in general case , professionnals sellers.

The way to ship a car to Europe isn't easy for a simple buyer.

Another reason : you have the more beautiful 911 mates !!!


I'm actually rejuvenating a 2.4 E /1972 model , that comes from California , for a New-Zealand guy , and sincerely , it's rust free or approaching !!!

Very hard to find a shape like this for the same model in Europe.

Anyway , i think the wheel turn , and some others cars do the reverse process.

The Euro value isn't the only reason of that fact for resuming.

My two cents.

[calling911]

Mine went to Belgium. Nobody wanted it here.

[ljowdy]

For you Europeans, I have a 1973 911 T with "S" trim, Euro black metal bumperettes, Deep 6 wheels, Griffing upgraded A/C that works great, and a 3.2 engine How does $40,000 US sound?

[Drisump]

Hey guys, we (Canadians) are trying our best to keep your cars close to home. It's amazing how many older 911's you see while driving in Vancouver these days.....they have to come from somewhere. The decline in value of both the USD and 911's, have made them a very compelling "deal" for Canadian purchasers, who until very recently (last couple of years) couldn't contemplate purchase of these cars. I bought mine in Nevada about four years ago and she'll likely be with me for many more years. Cheers