Can you buy a European car and legally drive it in the U.S.?

Question

Could you specify what you mean by U.S. "specs" or a link showing what they are?

Answer 1

Yes, spunion is right. My brother was stationed at Ramstein for 3 years. He bought a US spec BMW there so he could take it back to the states. If it had been a euro spec BMW, he would have had to take it somewhere to get the necessary conversions done so that it would be legal in the US. Its mostly emissions stuff that is different.


Conforming Vehicles

Most vehicles manufactured abroad that conform to your country's emissions, safety and bumper standards spend no time on the European market; instead their manufacturers immediately export them to your country. One exception is the case of dealers who service US and Canadian military bases; they may stock US-version vehicles. Of course you'll find such dealers in the immediate vicinity of a military base. See Appendix A of this chapter for the names, locations, phone numbers, and addresses of US military bases that remain in Europe. Be skeptical of claims made by any other European dealer or private individual that a vehicle either complies with or needs only minor adjustments to comply with these standards. A vehicle that does comply should bear a label that clearly states this fact. Manufacturers affix such labels in readily visible positions in the engine compartment and/or on the vehicle body inside the driver's door. If such a label is not present but the vehicle is nonetheless in compliance with your country's standards, you should obtain a letter of conformity from the manufacturer's representative in your country—not from a dealership—before buying the vehicle with the intent to export it.

You can order factory-fresh, conforming vehicles through domestic- or European-based brokers, through your local dealer, through a manufacturer's office in your country or abroad, or through a dealer in Europe. Although in several instances you'll need to place such an order some ten months in advance of delivery, usually three or four months suffice, and some orders can be filled in just four weeks or less—with brokers being able to fill certain orders in as few as three days. Indeed in many cases lead-time time will be shorter than the duration your domestic dealers are able to quote. Note, though, you may be required to place the order in an individual's name rather than a company's. What's more, for one year or so after you buy a European vehicle factory-direct the manufacturer may prohibit you from selling it outside Europe. Such a policy deters profiteering.

Non-Conforming Vehicles

If you bring home a vehicle that doesn't satisfy your country's emissions, safety and bumper standards, you'll fight a maze of paperwork and pay for expensive shipping, Customs and conversion fees. Despite all these costs, you can still realize bargain savings. Bargains endure because European-version models run the gamut from plain and moderately powerful to luxurious and faster than hell; while the models marketed outside Europe tend to be on the luxurious and racy end of the spectrum. Of course with lower-end models come lower sticker prices. And most new European-version models come with a kill switch installed, making the vehicle very difficult to steal. But be careful not to buy a vehicle whose body style is not safety-approved by your country. BMW's Z-1 roadster, for example, is illegal in the US no matter what emissions and bumper modifications are done to it. Lower sticker prices are not the only savings you can realize: over time, lower-end models tend to require smaller and less frequent expenditures on maintenance and fuel.

Still, shipping and importing a vehicle is very tricky business. As such, I devote the next chapter to the subject.

Answer 2

The motor vehicle will could desire to fulfill the U. S. risk-free practices and emission administration standards before being launched from the Port Authority. There are companies that retrofit some imported autos to fulfill US standards even if it is costly. it may in all risk be extra low-priced to purchase a 2003 Landrover Discovery once you get to Florida. There are Landrover sellers interior the states.

Answer 3

Only if the car is U.S specs. I live in Germany (military), and if you buy a car over here that is European specs, it's common knowledge (in the military community) that you have to convert your car before shipping it back to the states.

Answer 4

I dont see why not, i see people all the time driving cars that have the steering on the opposite side of the car. For example, mail carriers and odd european cars at carshows. As long as you obey standard traffic laws, I dont see what the problem would be.

Answer 5

I live in CA and have seen lots of people do this very openly, so probably not illegal.