Overseas muscle cars

[Camaro Tom]

I drive a camaro in england, birmingham to be exact the only problem is like people have said the price of petrol, and posdibly mods and parts, mainly have to get them shipped from the states, and the UK loves to tax anything been imported in.
Been a bumblebee camaro it certainly does make every look at your car, but everyone loves bumblebee and wants pics etc etc with it, also been rare in the UK i can pull up next to ferrari's and lambo's and the camaro will get more attrntion because its so rare to see one.
With it been big aswell people tend move out the way on the highway.
Only problem is im always wary of where i park it, cus there is always some idiot somewhere that will dink or scratch your car, jealousy is an evil thing unfortunately

[Number 3]

I met a few people when we took Fbodfather's Thor to Florida way back in 2009 from Europe. As stated by others above many of those countries tax by engine displacement. When I told them it was 6.2L they whistled and rolled their eyes.

3.0L is considered a big engine in many of those countries. As ps2ren mentioned, China is one of those countries. And it isn't just importing them either those taxes apply to cars built in China as well.

But I recall reading an article years ago about driving LH drive cars in Japan. It was considered a status simble to have a tan on your left arm. That meant you could afford to drive a LH drive import. When I was there I remember seeing many Opels that were LH drive and wondering why when GM made RH drive Opels those weren't there instead.

Now driving in Europe? Narrow streets, small parking spaces. I've always suggested (after being there and seeing it) that Europeans would drive small cars if gas was free. It would be such a pain to drive what we call a Full Size Car or SUV there.

[jd10013]

Originally Posted by stray bullitt

Hey up, I drive my Camaro daily here in England, and really have no issues, other than the price of petrol. The prices of spares are no more expensive than any other mid priced car, insurance is reasonable (£500/$750 per year, age 49 with one speeding ticket, and a substantial crash claim history), and as for tight space driving on the roads, well that is a myth mainly conjured up by U.S. tourists who have seen our quaint little medieaval side streets. We have 40 tonne semi-trucks over here you know, who need to deliver in our towns and cities. Overtaking can sometimes be a bit tricky (in UK and Japan), unless you have a trusted passenger, but you just hang out a bit wider, and gun it if it's clear
If you want to be noticed, certainly, anywhere in Europe, or indeed japan, bring on the Camaro, you will love the experience.

good point

[10BlkSS]

Wow, thanks for all the perspectives straight from England. To clarify, im not relocating, im more thinking ahead in a hypothetical way if i was to need to go that route. I see it can be done!

[KaBoom1701]

Originally Posted by Baltimorejohn1

"Camaro attracts a crowd everywhere it goes, whether it's at a Chevrolet dealership, a car show, or driving down the boulevard. As such, Camaro has become a halo for the global Chevrolet brand, offering head-turning design, performance and value that appeals to car enthusiasts everywhere," Johnson said.

As such, the Camaro has created a world-wide sensation from Abu Dhabi to Tokyo.

Here's how Dino Dalle Carbonare from Speedhunters.com described driving a Camaro in Tokyo:

"My ride for the week was a metallic red Camaro SS riding on optional 21-inch rims, probably one of the most eye-catching cars I have driven in Japan. Within two minutes I already had businessmen at pedestrian crossings pointing and staring at the big wide front grille, and other motorists rubbernecking as they passed me on the opposite lane."

Sales outside the U.S. are expected to grow significantly, as Chevrolet increases production to accommodate exports for Chevrolet's largest markets, including Brazil, China, Russia, and Europe.

South Korea is also expected to contribute to the rise in sales next year. The new Camaro was introduced at the Busan Motor Show in April as an example of the types of products Korean customers can expect when Chevrolet begins selling cars in the country in 2011.
"Camaro has already helped create excitement for the Chevrolet brand," said Johnson. "Its influence will continue to grow as we introduce Camaro to car enthusiasts around the world."

PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1vJbf)

Great write up!

Gp 5th Gen Camaro!

[Decibel JJ]

In Germany, I drove a BMW 7 series and a RUF Porsche 993.



And I still got passed on the autobahn :(

[05stram]

I got blowed off the Autobahn by a Citreon and a VW Golf (American Name but it had another on it forget what it was) once.

[PeeBee]

Originally Posted by Aubrey64

I'm not sure about price but it would be pretty difficult to drive. I've been to a few European countries and its very rare to see wide bodied cars. I feel like all the cars I see are very small like smart cars, or mopeds/motorcycles, and then you see some nice exotics but I have never seen a Camaro. Narrow streets, limited parking, and crowds are not a good combo for a Camaro

Camaro isn't difficult to drive over here, once you get used to the car. It's wider than most cars, true, but it's only when you go into truly medieval parts that you can get into trouble.

As for price: mot European countries charge around 10% import tax on the "MSRP" as you call it...

For the UK, taxes are about 215 GBP/year, for an import car.

Other countries, like Belgium are CRAZY (10k Euro "registration tax", and almost 5k Euro yearly tax, and if it's a leasing, another 24k "advantages of all kind" tax).

Luxemburg taxes come around 350 Euros (CO2 emissions x 1 Euro + 0.1 Euro for every slice of 10g above the minimum C02 emissions (90 gr/km))


Just my 2p of course

[Rock36]

I've actually seen a lot more Mustangs owned by Germans than I have Camaros. I also see more muscle cars here in Germany than what the average person might expect, because I tend to visit places and events here in Germany where locals who own muscle cars go/visit.

There are actually a decent amount of American car shows and drag race events over here.