Import Euro Super 7 or wait and buy state-side?

[pfannkuchen]

Hello all -

 

I'm currently in Germany and I'll be here for another 2 years. I was planning on buying a super 7 here (93 so it'll be 25 years old when I get it back). After looking through the classifieds on this forum, I'm thinking it may be easier just to wait and pay a little extra for a state-side registered Westfield rather than trying to import a European-engine car. I've been looking at other blogs from people who have tried to register imported European cars and it seems really hit or miss. If it's not a big advantage to me, I'll just wait and buy one state-side (bigger engine). What do you guys think?

 

These are the cars I'm looking at here -

 

http://suchen.mobile.de/auto-inserat/westfield-andere-2-0-sport-super-seven-velbert/223632106.html?origin=PARK

 

http://suchen.mobile.de/auto-inserat/andere-andere-vm-77-garbsen/225744337.html?origin=PARK

 

http://suchen.mobile.de/auto-inserat/andere-andere-donkervoort-super-eight-lhd-h-kennz-bischberg/225122902.html?origin=PARK

 

http://suchen.mobile.de/auto-inserat/lotus-super-seven-frasdorf/230303851.html?origin=PARK

 

anyone with experience registering imported cars with Euro engines would be appreciated.

[JohnCh]

I can't answer your specific question, but have you considered a third option; buy a car now, and sell it before returning to the US? This allows you to begin the se7en experience to determine what you like/don't like before making a longer term purchase after returning home. I personally learned a lot my first few years, including use-patterns, which ultimately led me to effectively start from scratch and head in a different direction from my original car.

 

-John

[Croc]

I am not sure its the imported engine that makes over 25 year old cars difficult to register. Its just that many states are clueless with dealing with them even when you have the right CBP import paperwork. Some states cannot handle non-US titles or documents with different languages even when you have a legal attorney certified translation.

 

John's suggestion above is a sensible one especially since seven values in western Europe stay very strong given the difficulty in getting new ones on the road and their high prices when new. So you could buy and drive for a few years and not really lose out. Then buy another one in the US when you arrive without having all the hassle and cost of importing a car.

 

For buying a seven are you factoring in the cost to bring it over in a container? Import fees? Clearance fees? CBP tax grabs? You would probably need your own 20 foot container for car and I assume household objects since shippers don't like to share out containers for mixed loads (car and household - but they will do it for each on their own). So this adds to the cost you are investing into the car which is instant depreciation once the car hits stateside.

 

If you still did want to bring a car over as a personal import then for your cars linked, I would try to stay with a car that will help your resale value state side. So the Westfield is definitely overvalued relative to the US once you convert Euro into Dollars. The Donky's you link are reasonably priced, are attractive, well made, very competent cars, etc. but you will be on your own for support and even if you are unfazed by this, a potential US purchaser after you will probably be. Was not sure about the manufacturer of the other two.

Edited August 13, 2016 by Croc

[pfannkuchen]

I can't answer your specific question, but have you considered a third option; buy a car now, and sell it before returning to the US? This allows you to begin the se7en experience to determine what you like/don't like before making a longer term purchase after returning home. I personally learned a lot my first few years, including use-patterns, which ultimately led me to effectively start from scratch and head in a different direction from my original car.

 

Good point. I have considered that, but I'll only be here another 1.5 to 2 years (sorry, didn't mention that), and I imagine selling the car would take some time. I don't think the short-span of ownership would be worth the time, energy, and money.

 

For buying a seven are you factoring in the cost to bring it over in a container? Import fees? Clearance fees? CBP tax grabs? You would probably need your own 20 foot container for car and I assume household objects since shippers don't like to share out containers for mixed loads (car and household - but they will do it for each on their own). So this adds to the cost you are investing into the car which is instant depreciation once the car hits stateside.

 

Shipping cost is not an issue. I get one vehicle imported without cost. So, even if I don't import a car for myself, I'll probably buy something 25 years old to flip (skyline, euro BMW, land rover?, etc ).

 

If you still did want to bring a car over as a personal import then for your cars linked, I would try to stay with a car that will help your resale value state side. So the Westfield is definitely overvalued relative to the US once you convert Euro into Dollars. The Donky's you link are reasonably priced, are attractive, well made, very competent cars, etc. but you will be on your own for support and even if you are unfazed by this, a potential US purchaser after you will probably be. Was not sure about the manufacturer of the other two.

 

Great points. If I have a mechanical issue, I don't want every mechanic turning me away.

 

Sounds like the most reasonable option is to buy a car to flip, then buy what I want when I get back to the states in 2 years.