What car to buy in Europe? (Some Audi content)

[Doyt W. Echelberger]

I lived in Holland for a few years, and bought new cars there, drove them
for a year, and shipped them back to the USA where I had them sold by my
parents. I'd roll the money over and buy another, drive it a year, and do
it again.

Reason for selling at end of year? Dutch law says you can buy _TAX FREE_ a
new car in Holland, drive it there (for up to a year) and then the owner
must ship it or pay the Dutch taxes that Dutch citizens pay to keep the car
in Europe. And that tax is HEAVY.....like 40% of the price of the car (in
Holland.)

Advise your friend to check out current Spanish law on that issue before he
makes any long range p[lans.

The laws may be different in Spain, compared to Holland, but I doubt it.
All that Euro-alliance united Europe activity......and I was there a long
time ago. But check it out to be sure that he don't get hung up on
unexpected details.

I bought a travel trailer in Holland and paid the tax, registered it as
Dutch, and kept it two years, so I wouldn't have to ship it like the cars.
Before coming back to the USA, I sold it to a Dutchman and passed the tax
cost along to him in the sale.

Your friend may want to do that with his cars over there, and just buy the
one he wants to take home nearer the time he is coming back. They may be
offering something better by then!

Doyt Echelberger


 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
At 07:55 AM 7/26/2002 -0700, you wrote:
>Good morning to you all!  (At least it's morning here in overcast
>California.)  A close friend is moving to Spain for a few years, and is
>looking for a car for his family .  Two adults, 2 small children.  Had an
>oldish Volvo 740 Turbo here, and has been treated rather shabbily (I'm being
>nice!) by the overseas purchase program from that company.  (Lest you think
>boring, he also had a 2.7L RS spec 914/6, a couple of Suburbans, a Triumph
>and a Harley, and a TQ Midget race car.)  Thinking in the loaded Passat
>price range, maybe a US spec car to bring home after his business is done.
>An Audi wouldn't be out of the question.  I think they'll be based in
>Madrid, and they enjoy ski trips as well as many other outdoor activities.
>Any suggestions from those of you on the ground over there?  TIA, John