Buying a 997S Stateside
Discussion
One for the dreamers maybe, but I'm off to NYC soon and for a bit of fun went to the Porsche US website and specced up a 997S to a HUGE degree eg sports exhaust, sports chrono pack, full leather, sports seats, bose, sat nav etc. Came out at $89K which is £50K. It also comes with factory pick up. So, what is stopping me buying one when I'm over there, picking it up in Stuttgart, paying my £8750 in VAT and saving myself £20K into the bargain?
I have vague recollections that a US buyer who opts for European delivery has to post some sort of bond to cover the VAT as he/she is effectively receiving goods in Europe (if only temporarily) without paying VAT.
And if you suceeded you might have trouble proving ownership; Porsche AG would be unlikely to give you anything other than temporary registration paperwork while in Europe. You wouldn't get proof of ownership (title, as is called in America) until the car arrives in the US.
And if you suceeded you might have trouble proving ownership; Porsche AG would be unlikely to give you anything other than temporary registration paperwork while in Europe. You wouldn't get proof of ownership (title, as is called in America) until the car arrives in the US.
Sounds like an excellent idea and if you could find a dealer in the US willing to spec up a UK car even better. Even pay him over the odds for a little "motivation" Regardsing titel : Possession is 9/10 of the law so reciept of sale, sundry documetation and travel plates from Germany is sufficient to establish good title in the UK. Title in US need never be established.
I don't know for certain but I suspect there are differences between RoW spec and US spec. Potential examples:
- ride height in the US may be higher due to federal bumper legislation.
- US air bags are typically bigger as they are designed to protect occupants who are not wearing seatbelts whereas euro airbags are designed to work in conjunction with seat belts.
- headlamps may be different (not just LHD vs RHD) to meet federal regs
So an EU conformity certificate is unlikely to be issued by Porsche. But SVA should be quite easy with minimal mods required.
I doubt very much you could order a UK spec car through a US dealer. It wouldn't meet US regs and there is no reason why Porsche NA would give US dealers access to that spec.
Not trying to rain on anyone's parade but pointing out the realities as I know them. I spent 20+ years in the US of A...
- ride height in the US may be higher due to federal bumper legislation.
- US air bags are typically bigger as they are designed to protect occupants who are not wearing seatbelts whereas euro airbags are designed to work in conjunction with seat belts.
- headlamps may be different (not just LHD vs RHD) to meet federal regs
So an EU conformity certificate is unlikely to be issued by Porsche. But SVA should be quite easy with minimal mods required.
I doubt very much you could order a UK spec car through a US dealer. It wouldn't meet US regs and there is no reason why Porsche NA would give US dealers access to that spec.
Not trying to rain on anyone's parade but pointing out the realities as I know them. I spent 20+ years in the US of A...
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