Hi - some not unusual questions
Discussion
Hi all Swiss based PHers!
I'm pretty new out here, based in Nyon for those who are about and fancy a pint!
Couple of questions regarding driving here, as I am in the process ofbuying a car (an st220 I expect) -
I want to buy a UK car as it's so much cheaper, but, can I get away with being RHD? Or do people tend find being RHD as problematic on a car that will be driven regularly?
Also, in the winter (being a big snowboarding fan) will I be fine on the whole with front wheel drive in the snow? or is 4wd a must? (in which case Iwill have to buy something that isn't as fun as an st220!).
Otherwise, as I say, am looking to get to know a few people out here so if you fancy a pint....
Cheers,
Rik
I'm pretty new out here, based in Nyon for those who are about and fancy a pint!
Couple of questions regarding driving here, as I am in the process ofbuying a car (an st220 I expect) -
I want to buy a UK car as it's so much cheaper, but, can I get away with being RHD? Or do people tend find being RHD as problematic on a car that will be driven regularly?
Also, in the winter (being a big snowboarding fan) will I be fine on the whole with front wheel drive in the snow? or is 4wd a must? (in which case Iwill have to buy something that isn't as fun as an st220!).
Otherwise, as I say, am looking to get to know a few people out here so if you fancy a pint....
Cheers,
Rik
Wow cheers for the replies so quickly!
Well in reply to a couple of points made: will go for winter tyres and chains I think - if I can avoid getting a 4x4 I most surely will! The ST220 I think is the car for me, practical, comfortable, not slow and cheap at the moment.
My plans are actually to keep the car here roughly a year whilst I settle down, hence am happy to use UK plates in the meantime... and with the way things are working out with starting work etc... I should be avoiding the import duty if I then register it in a years time. Otherwise, I may well buy something a bit nicer in a years time anyway when I have greater funds and security.
Glad to hear peoples opinions on the RHD issue, it rather eases my mind on that one too.
Lastly, cheers for the invite to Zurich this weekend, will try to make it up if I can though will most likely be difficult this weekend as I think I am taken by meetings on friday and sat.
cheers and looking forward to meeting people at some point,
Rik
Well in reply to a couple of points made: will go for winter tyres and chains I think - if I can avoid getting a 4x4 I most surely will! The ST220 I think is the car for me, practical, comfortable, not slow and cheap at the moment.
My plans are actually to keep the car here roughly a year whilst I settle down, hence am happy to use UK plates in the meantime... and with the way things are working out with starting work etc... I should be avoiding the import duty if I then register it in a years time. Otherwise, I may well buy something a bit nicer in a years time anyway when I have greater funds and security.
Glad to hear peoples opinions on the RHD issue, it rather eases my mind on that one too.
Lastly, cheers for the invite to Zurich this weekend, will try to make it up if I can though will most likely be difficult this weekend as I think I am taken by meetings on friday and sat.
cheers and looking forward to meeting people at some point,
Rik
Thank you - very informative. As it happens most of my winter mountain journeys will be in Switzerland for Verbier, Champery and onr or two others... really though it's a case of cost of the car which relegates me to 2wd.
Unless I was to get a 4x4 (and I really want to avoid them as I also want a car I will enjoy too) the saloon/estate 4wd cars all seem a a good bit more pricey than the 2wd ford (which fullfills every other criteria of mine nicely) if I am to get something with reasonable but not high age and mileage on it.
Am also buying fom the UK because it is so much cheaper 2nd hand with current exchange rates, even the more common 4wd cars in switzerland. That and with my current state of not 100% stability, I think it better to spend a lot less now and buy again in a years time if it comes to it...
Quite curious about that import saving you are making though. Where does one pick up a LHD 2nd hand car in the UK does anybody know?
Unless I was to get a 4x4 (and I really want to avoid them as I also want a car I will enjoy too) the saloon/estate 4wd cars all seem a a good bit more pricey than the 2wd ford (which fullfills every other criteria of mine nicely) if I am to get something with reasonable but not high age and mileage on it.
Am also buying fom the UK because it is so much cheaper 2nd hand with current exchange rates, even the more common 4wd cars in switzerland. That and with my current state of not 100% stability, I think it better to spend a lot less now and buy again in a years time if it comes to it...
Quite curious about that import saving you are making though. Where does one pick up a LHD 2nd hand car in the UK does anybody know?
Yes there does seem to be a certain amount of sense to the collective wisdom... though at the moment it seems the budget wont stretch to it whilst also having a fun car to drive, that also works as a comfortable exec if it has to.... hence i have been looking at the Mondeo ST220.
As for snow driving... as long as I am relatively safe I am happy, dont need fun in the snow lol. Happy to wait for dry summer roads for fun
By the sounds of it from the majority of replies the FWD will be safe enough in the snow and so that will do me fine.
so.... Anyone got an ST220 for sale?
As for snow driving... as long as I am relatively safe I am happy, dont need fun in the snow lol. Happy to wait for dry summer roads for fun
By the sounds of it from the majority of replies the FWD will be safe enough in the snow and so that will do me fine.so.... Anyone got an ST220 for sale?
Well thanks for all the help guys
Ive put a deposit down on an st220 in the UK... getting a great deal on it, and is about most hoonable, practical car I can afford at the moment. I am thinking I will keep it a year or a bit more before taking it back to the UK and buying something more expensive here....
Now... lets get hooning!!
Ive put a deposit down on an st220 in the UK... getting a great deal on it, and is about most hoonable, practical car I can afford at the moment. I am thinking I will keep it a year or a bit more before taking it back to the UK and buying something more expensive here....
Now... lets get hooning!!
Gassing Station | Switzerland | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff