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Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!seismo!harpo!eagle!mhuxl!houxm!ihnp4!ihuxk!rs55611
From: rs55611@ihuxk.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: buying in europe? - (nf)
Message-ID: <512@ihuxk.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 13-Dec-83 15:41:12 EST
Article-I.D.: ihuxk.512
Posted: Tue Dec 13 15:41:12 1983
Date-Received: Thu, 15-Dec-83 01:29:29 EST
References: <2812@hp-pcd.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, Il
Lines: 27

The rough rule of thumb is that buying a German car in Europe
saves roughly enough for the cost of the vacation trip there.
(Assuming getting a ~$20,000 car.)  The tremendous bargain prices that are
often seen in magazine ads often refer to European models.  If you 
purchase a Euro. model that has not been certified for US use,
you have to put up a bond equal to the price of the car with customs,
and then you have 90 days to make the car US legal, both in
emissions and safety items.  On a Mercedes, this certification can reach
$10k!  Thus, make absolutely sure that the price you are quoted is for
a US model.  Also, some Euro. models are missing features/options that
are standard on the US versions.  A case in point:

The new Mercedes 190 models run about $24k here in the US.
Dealers have been advertising 190's to be purchased in Europe
at prices around $12-13k!.  These are European models, however.  In addition
to the pollution controls, US headlights, US bumpers, etc. etc., there are
significant differences in the two cars' standard features list.  In Europe,
the base 190 is kind of a quality commuter car, often used by Taxi companies,
and comes stripped, minus the standard US features such as AC, power sun-roof,
power seats, windows, locks, etc.  By the time one of these is optioned
and/or modified to US trim, you might have saved ~$2k.

In short, you can save money, but don't expect a steal!

Bob Schleicher
ihuxk!rs55611
Bell Labs, Naperville, Ill.