myron

iTrader: (4)

what ever you get, get diesel.

PrissyJayne

this thread!! Thanks OP! My husband and I have put in for orders across the water, mostly in Europe. We're hoping to be out of Oklahoma by this time next year. Lots of great input in here. We'll probably ship the Maxima, sell the Acura and I'll be on hunt for something new (always wanted a diesel).

jangkai

B5 RS4. Ten years old now but its an avant and TTv6 gets decent mileage.

Then later get a diesel wagon either Audi or BMW. 335d or the new A6 3.0 TDI both rated at around 300hp and 450+torque.

Well that would be my choice

myron

iTrader: (4)

yea B5 rs4 is a nice car but damn expensive. If you want a decent one with low KM, and I am talking about 100 000miles(160 000km) you are spending well over 20k euros. B5 rs4 with 260000km goes for 16k euro.

My cousin imports used cars from Germany, Austria, Holland, into Serbia, so I asked him about pricing one of those out for me.

mrmako

The diesel thing may be a thought, but I do get to buy gas on the US military bases at the normal US price, so it's not really a cost thing.

i'm on the fence now with the Subaru. I love the car to death, but a GTI or A4 there would kick some serious ass (along with some other cars).

Volvo S60 (325 HP AWD) = $42K
Merc C350 Sport (302HP) = $36K
Audi A4 Prem. (211HP) = $35K
GTI (w/nav) (211HP) = $28K
BMW 335i xDrive Sedan (300HP) = $38K
(all military / expat prices, US spec)

The XC 90 seems to be the only European vehicle I can get that can seat 7, is US spec (for shipping home later), easily serviced while there, and is not too far from the $40K area. Unless there is something I'm missing, let me know.

mrmako

Actually, that is a thought....Hmmmm......



OK guys, update:

It is 100%, I'm leaving this little island and heading to Germany. We're pretty certain about what the wife will drive (XC 90 W/Platinum package +Comfort Package ~$40K OTD). But I have decided to give up the Subaru so I can have some fun. I need suggestions. New criteria so feel free:

Must seat 5
No trucks (pickup/SUV)
~ $25k
Wagon, sedan, coupe are all on the table.

Those being considered (used, not new):

VW GTI or R version
3 series BMW
A4/A6/A8 Audi
Mercedes (all 4 door cars, C and above)

The other worldly cars being considered

Audi RS6 (C5, might be 8-10 years old, but it's OK)
Mercedes E55 AMG (W211 model)
BMW Alpina B10 (the E39 version has always been a favorite of mine) or D3 (Turbo Diesel 3 series Alpina)

If I missed something, let me know. The reliability of the "other worldly" cars scares me, but some have 120K, 175K, 210 K Km's on them so that has to say something to their reliability.

SRK85

How about a 2006-2010 320d?

mrmako

I saw an Alpina D3 for sale over there. Those are pretty sweet, and has 410 lb/ft of torque.

mrmako

So I went to the Volvo dealer and I put $10K on a new 2013 XC90. I know, the new ones are not out, but the factory stops production of the 2012 in 2 weeks, then the 2013 starts up. We're one of the early folks to get the new one. So the minor facelift product is what we'll be getting. here are the vitals:

Caspian Blue Metallic (only for Military/Tourist/Diplomat sales, custom color)
Platinum Package (Navi, rear camera / sensors / premium stereo/xenon headlights with bending)
Climate package (Heated seats and headlamp washers)
Rubber floor mats all around.

I'll post pics once we take delivery in January.

1killercls

I would live in Ireland and have a WRX STI

charliemike

Err ...

charliemike

If it needs to seat five, you've got all kinds of options available to you that we don't have in the US.

Rather than just looking at GTIs or whatever I would start looking at Opels, Fords, Citroens, Alfas, Fiats, whatever ... You could fall in love with an Alfa and have never considered it. If you have a car coming, maybe you can buy a beater from someone on the base returning to the states and drive that until you find what you really like.

speedemon90

Ohh if you get the GTI/R you get the amazing looking Euro tails!!!

and when you brought that here, everyone would be jealous of you.

edit: I'm not sure if that could fit 5 comfortably though...

mrmako

It only has to seat 5 in a pinch. More like an emergency.

mrmako

Just a few quick ones as I had plates put on at the local dealer here in Stuttgart. I do like the new wheel design. Gives it a nice look.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/vjy/6583304575/" title="IMG_0452 by VJ Yacono, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7168/6583304575_55004fac4d_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="IMG_0452"></a>


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/vjy/6583289153/" title="IMG_0458 by VJ Yacono, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7023/6583289153_c91f8dabe3_b.jpg" width="683" height="1024" alt="IMG_0458"></a>


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/vjy/6583300155/" title="IMG_0459 by VJ Yacono, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7013/6583300155_9c0af6f80a_b.jpg" width="683" height="1024" alt="IMG_0459"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/vjy/6583293579/" title="IMG_0456 by VJ Yacono, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7024/6583293579_090a7f0f8c_b.jpg" width="683" height="1024" alt="IMG_0456"></a>

(LED DRL's instead of fog lights. And we had a lot of fog today, so I'll say I really don't need fogs as the headlights provided ample light)



And before someone calls me out for not being an SUV guy. I'm still not. This is the wife's car, and she likes it. Plus my options living in Europe, well, were few and far between. But it rides nice, and I have now a whopping 25 miles on the odometer.

More pictures on a better day when I have more time.

crazyasiantl

iTrader: (7)

Never Summer

Enjoy Stuttgart! You're in the perfect part of Germany for the long open stretches of Autobahn....