parky43007

Since the US$ rate against the euro is very low at the moment it looks very attractive to purchase a 997 in the US and pick it up from the factory in Germany.
A quick calculation (taking taxes etc into account shows a saving of around 20%) .

Anyone know if it would be possible to buy at a dealer in the US and pick-up the car at the factory?


Shaun

zacharie

It doesn't work so easily,
You'll eventually end up by paying taxes of your country [VAT and so on].

MJones

For an American when you take euro delivery you must put up an additional $10,000 that is refunded after the car is delivered in the US.

programmatore

They used to take a US$ 10,000.00 deposit to cover the VAT (I don't know how much that deposit is now.) The deposit was refundable upon delivery of the car in the US.

The dealer also made a copy of my passport in order to register the car in Germany and get a tourist (ZOLL) license plate/tag. I am not sure whether EU citizens would be able to register a car this way. I am almost 100% certain that you need to be a US resident to take advantage of the Euro delivery program and order a car from the US.

parky43007

Just a quick calculation for a base 997 C2

Without taxes
In the US $69,300 (51,975 Euro), in Spain (where I am) 65,407 Euro ($87,210)

If I pay taxes to import a US ordered car from Germany to Spain (16% VAT + 12% Spanish registration tax) gives a total of around 66,500 Euro.

In Spain the car with taxes would be around 84,000 Euro

17,500 Euro or $23,300 less!

It would still be worth paying the extra $10,000!

SrfCity

Good thinking. Why not buy the car in the US, drive it around for a while over here on vacation then ship it to Spain? It would cost maybe $1,500+ to ship. You'd have a 4 year warranty too. Unfortunately you'd have to service in the US I'd imagine.

Adrian

If you are serious talk to Larry Miller of http://www.carsinternational-stuttgart.com his business is this kind of package.
He works directly out of Porsche Zentrum in Stuttgart. He is American and looks after American Porsche purchasers who live in Europe.
Ciao,
Adrian.

Stef Scheepers

I bought my 964 that way (when Bush Snr. started the first Irak war and the Dollar value fell down the toilet). Saved an absolute fortune (DM 84 000 versus DM 136 000).
Adrian's "home" country (Switzerland) helped out with their very generous temporary registration / export laws. You can temporary register a car over there tax free (with the intention to export it), extendable up to 5 years. You even get a cute Swiss numberplate.
The only grief you have with "homeless" cars is to obtain full-cover insurance.

Adrian

Hey Stef I live here my home is a long way away down under
The Swiss with their bi-lateral agreements with the EU might not be allowing this kind of thing anymore. However it is worth a try.
Ciao,
Adrian.

Stef Scheepers

Adrian, you noticed I wrote home as "home"?
Tsk, bloody Aussies, always moaning and looking for a fight....

Adrian

Stef,
Yes I did however others here may not see your subtle reference.
Spoiling for a fight? We come third behind South Africans and New Zealanders
Have a great trip home by the way. A month in sun what a pleasure and no talking Porsche between you and your lovely wife whilst you are in your homeland. You hear me?
Ciao,
Adrian.

parky43007

Thanks for the advice guys,
I will give Larry Miller a call. I will also check the Swiss option out - I go there every month or so.

umfan866

Are there any conversions that need to be done if you are buying a US-spec car but keeping it in Europe? In my experience, in the US the parking lights are wired so that they are always on when the headlights are on, but in Germany/Europe the parking lights are completely independent of the headlights. What about brakes, bumpers, fuel considerations, etc?