scottie1113

I have heard from my friends in the Netherlands, Germany, and Poland that the EU has made things much more expensive in those countries. I would guess it's dur to subsidy of the above mentioned orange farmers.

Any comments? I'm trying to get a job in Europe.

jgsmuzzy

Poland receives much more money from the EC than it puts in. There are countries that are net givers and countries that are net takers......

As for expensive, after all taxes (income tax, value added tax, fuel taxes etc etc) people in the UK take home 48% of their salaries, I think it is 52% in the States. One big bonus in Europe though is a MINIMUM of 20 days paid holiday a year, and in most cases, statutory holidays are not included in that figure. I get 23 days holiday and 8 public holidays off.
I am not sure what the norm is in the States, but I do not think it is that much.

Deathdealer

In the States a newbie worker gets 12 days a year. Usually after three years or so you get 16-18.

Wombert

It's the Euro that made things more expensive, people say. Some things have become cheaper (technology), others more expensive (vegetables, fruits). Costs have increased since the introduction of the Euro, but that's mainly because of the oil prices (and the gas prices, as they're fixed to the oil prices - stupid)

scottie1113

Yes, the price of oil affects everything. Pump prices where I live are still 50% higher than they were two years ago. That means any industry which uses petroleum products--and there aren't many that don't--faces higher costs which tranlates to higher prices for consumers. It's a function of inflation.

I think the only thing that is Euro related to higher costs is subsidies, but that benefits some at the expense of others. In time it will even out. Correct me if I am wrong.

GrantintheUK

Hey there,

I live in London UK and my aim is to import from the USA a 2005 GT - loaded with as much of the options added as possible - listen I am no millionaire, but whilst the £ is so strong against the $, I must take up this opportunity, right?

I think it would be easier for me to order from an East Coast Ford dealer, ie from NY or somewhere like that and then the journey is a bit shorter.

What is your advice on price plans and maybe any dealer who may be expert in shipping to the UK etc? Or any dealer that someone recommends could deal with me. We have a big American car importers in London, but I reckon they will just bump up the price to get one here for me, besides I want to this all myself, or as much as possible.

In 12 hours I have become so exited about this car, OK, this car is part of American Motoring History but as a non US resident, I already feel very, very excited about owning this car, even despite the fact that gas here is $7.65 a gallon here, still it will be more of a weekend car!

Anyway, enough of my rambling, bring on the info and I look forward to hearing from you and chatting with you.

Your delivery dates are in my thoughts...!

Regards.

scottie1113

Grant,

Maybe you should contact kevinb on this site. You can find him in the car salesmen forums. He can probably arrange shipping from Baltimore if he's willing to do the deal. Let us know how it works out, and if I can help, I will.

jgsmuzzy

Grant,

I costed getting a car in from the states, and found that "David Boatwright Partnership" could sell me the same car for £400 more. To have them deal with absolutely everything is a lot easier than doing it yourself. When doing your calcs, remember to add the shipping / insurance price onto the cost of the car, add 10% to that value, add 17.5% to the whole lot, pay for the necessary mods, and put it through SVA. Also remember to factor in Cartage fees at the docks, these can be up to £500.00

you can get their details through google.

Good Luck (let me see your car when you get it!)

James

94REDGT

James,
Hi, i also looked into importing a new 05 Mustang, your figure's are pretty much the same as the quote's that i got, also, have to agree that it's so much easier and hassle free to get someone else to do all the necessary work, as far as i'm concerned i'd willingly pay £400 just to let them get on with it.
Yes, i'm excited about the new Mustang and i love reading all the posts about the guy's (and girl's,sorry!) who are getting theirs, but, i'll wait a while before i get mine, it'll give me a bit longer to save up as well!
I'll be in the U.S. early next year, and will probably rent one, also, i belong to a club in FL. hopefully i'll be able to scrounge a ride from one of the members there as well.
By the way, are you going to the Classic Car Show at the N.E.C. later this year, hopefully, maybe, there may be a new Stang there?
Regards,
Angus.

jgsmuzzy

I am certainly hoping to go, it all depends on several factors! Got to support the club when you can. Now, if Mark confirms that an '05 will be there, I will camp out overnight to make sure I am the forst one to drool all over it!

94REDGT

James,
Hi, hopefully i'll be at the N.E.C. on the Sunday, i also try and get out and support the club whenever possible, might see you there?
If Mark does manage to get an 05, i'll let you sit in first, i've already seen them in Nashville!
Regards,
Angus.

scottie1113

My question for you all is do those fees apply to used cars as well as new?

jgsmuzzy

yep, I do not think that pre 70 something cars have to do the SVA test though.......

JustAnotherDude

As for general prices, almost everything as dropped (some) the 10 years we've been EU members. We're still net payers though, but that comes with having more to play around with than other members. It's why it's a *union*.

I just wish our own government were so happy to take our money away from us.

33.5% on income and then another 25% VAT on most things (food, literature, travel and admissions excepted)...and then even MORE on "luxuries" like gas, tobacco and alcohol. Which is ofcourse added before VAT, so the extra 25% is tax on taxes. So for each 100 I make, I give about 60 back to the government for each thing I buy. Socialism at its best.

Compared to that, shelling out some extra to some Spanish tomato growers feels insignificant.

Sorry, rant off.