I've just shipped this car to the US, what should be next?

"duurtlang" (duurtlang) 07/08/2014 at 20:03 • Filed to: None

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25

This green BMW is on a ship to the US as we speak. What car should be next? Any advice, oh wise Oppo? I'm secretly eyeballing this somewhat similar E30 Touring:

Disclaimer: a car has to be 25+ years old and not super expensive (in Europe)

Brian Silvestro > duurtlang 07/08/2014 at 20:03

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2002s and Alfa Romeos.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > duurtlang 07/08/2014 at 20:05

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S2 Avant!

Also, what were your costs like for the shipping, export/import fees, etc?

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > duurtlang 07/08/2014 at 20:06

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I'll take a 205 GTi please.

duurtlang > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 07/08/2014 at 20:09

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Export fees from Europe (the Netherlands in my case) are insignificant (€11), shipping is €1000-1500 for Emden (Germany) - Texas. I'm not entirely sure, as I've only been responsible for the European part of the deal, my part ended when I left the car at the German port. The car is on the ship right now, so I'm not sure how much it'll cost to legally import/register in Texas.

S2 Avants aren't feasible just yet. Too new, too rare, too expensive. At least for me they are.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Brian Silvestro 07/08/2014 at 20:09

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but we have 2002s here. Don't be greedy.

daender > duurtlang 07/08/2014 at 20:09

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Audi Quattro Coupes?

AM3R > duurtlang 07/08/2014 at 20:11

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I'll gladly buy the cleanest E28 M5 you can find. I'm not completely sure what they go for in Europe though.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 07/08/2014 at 20:13

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And a Volvo 340. They weren't even good car so I'm sure they're cheap across the pond.

Frank Grimes > duurtlang 07/08/2014 at 20:34

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I saw one like the bottom one at costco some guy awas already chatting up the owner about it and didnt want to wait in line. It had E36 M3 wheels and was freaking dope!

Frank Grimes > duurtlang 07/08/2014 at 20:36

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can you bring me a Renault Turbo5? Probably way out of my price range.

duurtlang > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 07/08/2014 at 20:45

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Volvo 340s were initially designed by DAF, right before DAF was bought by Volvo. DAF is a Dutch company and I happen to be located in the Netherlands. These 340s were primarily driven by older people and were sold in great numbers. Consequently there are still many left in decent shape. For very little money. Oh, and RWD.

It's the 360 you want though. It looks the same as the 340, with one big difference. The 340s have Renault engines, the 360's got the more powerful red block Volvo engine larger Volvos of the era had. Sadly the 360 is very rare nowadays. You can get a very nice 340 here for about €1000.

I'm afraid that if I were to buy a 205 GTI I couldn't bring myself to sell it.

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > duurtlang 07/08/2014 at 21:24

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MGB GT

or Puegot 205. Or 504

EL_ULY > duurtlang 07/08/2014 at 21:34

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bring it to my house noooow!

DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully > duurtlang 07/08/2014 at 21:40

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Ship a 340 over, install redblock turbo from one of the many, many turbo 740s/940s roaming around, profit?

zeontestpilot > duurtlang 07/08/2014 at 23:08

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Are ae86's rare?

duurtlang > zeontestpilot 07/09/2014 at 03:44

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Everything 1980s Japanese that's not a Starlet or maybe Micra has become rare. Rust, disposable image and popularity in Africa (where many used cars were shipped to) are the main reason's I'd guess. Doesn't mean it's impossible, I'd have to look into it.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > duurtlang 07/09/2014 at 06:12

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Cool :) are you making money on these, or is it a way to drive a cool car for a bit essentially free of charge?

How rare/expensive are E28s? Either that or something from Italy like a GTV6 or an S3 Spider. Something nutty like a BX? Ooh, or a Mk3 Capri 2.8i. Did they do 190E estates?

I think those are most of my ideas, but I'm not sure how many would sell.

duurtlang > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 07/09/2014 at 06:36

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I like doing this, however if everything goes well there's (some) money to be made as well.

The most important thing is to get cars that are significantly cheaper in Europe than they are in the US. So there has to be some market in the US and some supply in Europe. The US didn't get the E30 Touring, there's a 25 year import ban yet there are plenty of E30 enthusiasts: instant market. The US got plenty of E28s, so it's much harder to get your money back there. There are no wagon versions of the E28 (or MB 190). I like doing a BX as well, the problem is that the market is so much smaller. Doesn't mean it's impossible though, I'm sure there are people willing to pay for something like this. I know I like them.

Jobjoris > duurtlang 07/09/2014 at 07:03

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My neighbor has a '90 dark-grey BX 1.9 GTI 16v for sale, that's the one you want (and located in the Netherlands). Has been for sale for years now and probably will for some more months to meat your 25-year rule. Let me know if your interested.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > duurtlang 07/09/2014 at 07:16

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Yeah, I was thinking that might be the case. To be honest, E30 Tourings are probably a great bet.

Shall try and think of some others that are affordable and have a big market. R32 GT-Rs are probably a good bet, but rather expensive.

duurtlang > Jobjoris 07/09/2014 at 07:27

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Do you have a link to his ad?

duurtlang > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 07/09/2014 at 07:32

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I don't think I've ever even seen one. Another option would be an original Mini or a Defender. Another car that I consider interesting is the Honda Accord Aerodeck, which has become amazingly rare now but I did locate this one (1):

It's probably the only Euro market Japanese car I'd consider. I'm wary though, they're very rust prone.

Jobjoris > duurtlang 07/09/2014 at 07:33

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Sure do: http://www.gerardsprenkels.nl/index.php/occa…

Hasn't got a price-tag on it but I can ask him if you want me to.

duurtlang > Jobjoris 07/09/2014 at 07:40

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I adore these cars, but I can't justify owning one for myself right now and for shipping to the US it has to be 25 years old, so built before July 9th 1989 if I were to ship it today. My dad has a BMW K75 that was produced 2-3 years before it was first registered, so I know it's possible a car registered 9-1990 is old enough, but it's not likely. I'd need official conformation from Citroën.

Thanks for your suggestion though. I appreciate it!

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > duurtlang 07/09/2014 at 07:42

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Ooh, Defenders would be a great bet. As would old Minis, but both are probably more common/cheaper in RHD UK form.