Peter Daily

I am on a temporary contract in Europe, and was thinking of getting a GT3 RS. Sadly the base prices here are astronomical, so I was looking into buying one in the US and exporting it. However, a US dealer I spoke to mentioned that there is a six month export restriction, plus the car has to be first registered (and sales taxed) in the US.

Can anyone shed some light on:
- what is required to place an order for an RS (available build slot, local address, deposit, etc)
- any export restrictions, and how those could be enforced by a dealership or Porsche
- how long do I have to get an order in before 997 RS production ceases?

Thanks in advance,

Peter

Larry Cable

Peter, just to clarify you want to order a US spec car and take delivery in Europe, or you want to order a US spec car, take delivery in US and export to CA?

Anyway you need to find a dealer with a build slot, and you will need to place a deposit, the amounts vary from 0-25k depending on the dealer/situation ... also I have not heard recently of anyone finding open build slots.

Dont know about the US/CA export restrictions ... one option you might think about is doing "euro delivery" and extending the insurance (up to six months) before the car has to be exported out of the EU ... that way you would get to drive it over there ...

As for how long do you have, notionally up till June '11 which is around the time the model year switches, however in practice its never clear when the build allocations will be exhausted ... if you are going to do this the sooner you find a build slot and order it the better

malmasri

There are a few on the used market now.....you can export but it would not be your own spec.
Here is one example:
http://porschedallas.parkplacetexas....426&store=1655

Peter Daily

Hi malmasri, that used one you linked looks pretty good... I'd change a few things but is very close to what I'd build. I wonder why the dealer is asking only 6% off msrp for a pre-owned car?

Larry, I'd like to order a US spec car from a US dealer, take delivery in the US, and then export it myself to Europe. It seems buying one used will be easier, but i'd prefer to buy new if possible.

Thanks for the responses guys... I'll try to find a dealer with an allocation, and the willingness to sell to me without having to register in the state... Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks again,

Peter

Larry Cable

because dealers are greedy bastards ...

Peter, my understanding from exporting my '04 GT3 to europe (UK) from the US is as follows, if you have not lived outside the EU for at least 2 years, and owned the car for a minimum of 6 months you will be liable to both importation duty and VAT/GST in the state in which you import it, that could amount to a further 25%) these were the rules in place in the UK at least in '05 and I believe they apply EU wide.

You may temporarily import the vehicle into the EU for up to 6 months, if the car is legally registered in its "home" state/country and operate it under those plates and registration, but I am not sure what other rules may apply in this instance. You may also meet with difficulties insuring the car without it being registered in the country, I did.

Also note that to register a US car in the EU the car must pass certain state compliance rules, in the UK this meant I would have to swap out the headlights and also swap the rear fog lamp from one side to the other, of course this
would not be necessary in a left hand drive state.

Personally, I think you would be better finding a CA dealer who will do Euro delivery, extend the insurance for 6 months and go that way. You will get a US/NA spec car (if you order from a US/NA dealer) it will be registered and
insured in europe and you wont have to **** about with all the paperwork etc
that I did in order to do this ...

Regards

- Larry

switchcars

If you are on a temporary contract in Europe, why don't you just buy one in the US, title and register it here, and ship it over there to use while you're there?

Larry Cable

read my posting above, if he does that he has to document that it is a temporarly assignment to avoid the import duty and VAT/GST ... not too hard
but the paperwork is a PITA ...

carrering

can't you just order a US spec RS, do european delivery and you can keep the car here up to 6 months. how long is your temporary assignment?

i'm a contractor in germany as well but work for Uncle Sam so we get certain perks like US spec car (3% off US MSRP) and no tax.

Peter Daily

Well, my temporary contract will probably be a few years minimum... i may not return to the US for a while.

My employer allows me to import to Europe duty-free, but not will take care of purchase taxes. I was hoping to avoid paying US state taxes on a vehicle that would probably never be driven in the US.

My biggest concern is Porsche's policy to protect dealer territory - ie, requiring a local US address (I have one), and then requiring me to register the car in that state.

I was hoping to find a dealer that could find a way around this, perhaps by noting that I was moving and thus just put a 30day temp plate on it.

Sorry for the long and complicated post. I wish I could make peace with someone else's build and just buy used!

Thanks,

Peter

carrering

Peter, maybe my dealer can help. I'll PM you contact info.