Buying a car in France that will be legal in US when I move back

[Heydrick]

Hi! New to the forum, and not yet moved, but on my way with family to area outside Strasbourg. I am very interested in buying a new car while over there (I know, costs are higher, etc.), but I want to know if there is a source of info. on models that would be legal both in France, and back in the US without major mods. My hope is finding something decent and being able to ship it back in 3-5 years if we get moved back. I've done quite a lot of web surfing, but haven't hit the phones yet. Any help out there?

[Bevdeforges]

I'm not super well versed in these matters, but AFAIK there are safety regulations that vary between the US and France. The German car makers used to run programs where you could buy and use a car in Europe that would then be exported back to the US - but I haven't heard about those for a while now.

The big problem seems to be that the French car makers don't market to the US. I'd check with Mercedes and BMW if you're serious about buying a car that can be shipped back to the US in a few years. They're the make that used to do that sort of thing.
Cheers,
Bev

[minesthechevy]

Pick the most upmarket model that is common to USA and Europe you can afford in whatever range takes your fancy. Dont worry about available options at this stage.

Get a spec sheet from the manufacturers for both markets.

Send copies of the sheets to a good agent of that marque in whatever area you live in, and ask them what changes would be /needed/ to bring the Euro-spec up to USA-spec.

I stress /needed/ - if your not careful, they will insist that there's the 'wrong sort of air in the tyres', and charge accordingly.

If and when they reply, go through each item to see if they're not jerking your chain; then doublecheck that list with the DoT Importation section, or whatever they call themselves, and ask if THEY agree with the list, or is there anything else they'd like to see.

Keep all the documentation because you'll probably have a fight on your hands in any case when they inspect your vehicle at the dock.

(Later) You might want to take a look at a Land Rover Discovery 3 - they are available in the UK with incredible discounts at the moment and a factory LHD model would be easy to get hold of. I might be able to help some more if you want to pursue this - send me a PM

Originally Posted by Heydrick

Hi! New to the forum, and not yet moved, but on my way with family to area outside Strasbourg. I am very interested in buying a new car while over there (I know, costs are higher, etc.), but I want to know if there is a source of info. on models that would be legal both in France, and back in the US without major mods. My hope is finding something decent and being able to ship it back in 3-5 years if we get moved back. I've done quite a lot of web surfing, but haven't hit the phones yet. Any help out there?

EU spec and US spec is very different. However there are reduced requirements if the vehicle is your own property and was registered to you in the original country.
You will find good info here : Americans in Toulouse - Home

The quality manufacturers offer ids (international & diplomat sales) where you can buy the car in the specification of your home country for delivery in another. It is strongly marketed to overseas military personnel who have even better exemptions than individuals. The benefit for an individual is that there are tax exemptions so that you can take delivery of a new car in Europe tax free, but pay tax in US at the depreciated used car rate. I am almost certain that the tax advantage requires private individuals to export the car within 12 months.

You can read more about it here : Military, Diplomatic and Tax-Free or Export Sales - Sales & Services - www.volvocars.com/uk

It happens to be Volvo, but the rules are the same. Saab has recently stopped these sales, but MB, BMW, Audi, Porsche etc are still active.

Peter

[Heydrick]

Thanks for the advice! Let the adventure begin!