Dear all,
I think I've read all the posts on importing cars to Switzerland. Just have a couple of specific questions... I am thinking about importing my Subaru Forester, because it is paid off, I love it and I don't have to pay the shipping charges (either way) or any of the fees to register or modify it. In light of all this - is it still a crazy idea? I would ship this car back to the US when my contract is up (2-3 years) so I don't have to worry about selling it. Is the cost of repairing damages and normal wear and tear really going to cost me the same as what I will lose in selling it (roughly 7k) over the time I'm there?
Also, we might have to buy another car (we are going to donate our very old and scary Saturn) we were thinking about a diesel VW Golf (safety & fuel efficient reasons). We would love to be able to bring this back with us when we are done (we would pay for the shipping on this one). Can we do this or are VW sold in Europe made specifically for European market & will parts be hard to find the the US? Or are VW the same the world over?
Thanks so much!
Melanie
Diesels here and in the US are different. In the past at least dont know if it has changed but I believe not.
Our diesel is much more reffined (sp) and would not handle the US diesel
You have read some of the other threads about changes that need to be made to an American car to be road worthy here. These vary on a model by model basis (and possibly year of model) so "a one size" answer will probably not fit. You can be assured that there will be changes and there will be costs in time and money to do so. You will not know the real cost until you take it to a dealer and have them work through the details (lights etc. etc.).
So you are planning to do this when you come over here and then "undo" all of this to re-install your American equipment before you leave.
To put it in a few words - pain and more pain.
Why not negotiate with your employer to offset some of the loss of selling your car in the USA against the cost of shipping both ways. The "loss" might be much less. And we have not even discussed the cost of the changes needed on the vehicle entering and exiting CH.
Good luck with whatever decision.
My understanding was that the North American car market is protected and non-US spec cars younger than 25 years were not allowed to be imported there. There are differences such as the bumpers that you could not easily change. If you ever compare a Golf in Europe, or for that matter the same car sold on both sides of the pond, there are quite some differences, albeit subtle between the two.
Start by reading here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal...fety_standards . Also check out the list of "Nonconforming Vehicles Eligible for Importation": http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/CARS/RULES/IMPORT/
I may be moving there myself and have been looking at taking my Alfa Romeo 147 with me. I cannot.