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Are used cars really cheaper in Europe?

Posted: Sat May 06, 2017 11:16 pm
by bk7794
I've been looking through some English Craigslist ads and I've been seeing something that's pretty surprising. Cars in the mid 2000s going from anywhere between 800-3000 usd after conversions. The mileage on them, while most of them probably close to city miles, are around 100-200k miles. It's weird because in the US cars from that time period and that mileage would be going from 2000-6000 USD.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-Ford-Mon ... SwtZJY9LzY

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-FORD-MON ... SwrhBZBYsl

Some of those estates tho...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-Civic-T ... SwhvFZCJyk

Here's an ambulance that's stick:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volvo-V70-2-4 ... Sww9xZBQRl

Re: Are used cars really cheaper in Europe?

Posted: Sun May 07, 2017 12:56 am
by IMBoring25
My instant gut reaction would be that Cash for Clunkers distorted our used car market and it's never really recovered. There may be other explanations, possibly including a high excise tax that needs to be added.

Re: Are used cars really cheaper in Europe?

Posted: Sun May 07, 2017 8:55 am
by theholycow
From chatting with Tups, I've learned that used/older cars become very expensive to continue owning, at least where he lives, due to safety and emissions requirements/inspections/etc and heavy taxation. Politically it is probably a matter of policy trying to discourage excessive vehicle ownership/usage as well as keeping ostensibly more offensive old (polluting, unsafe) vehicles off their small, crowded roads (and, in some places, very high speed highways).

I wonder if there is money to be made mass-importing used economy/family cars (not sports cars or exotics) to the US.

Re: Are used cars really cheaper in Europe?

Posted: Sun May 07, 2017 10:06 am
by bk7794
I've wondered what their emissions/safety inspection is like. Still though, some of those cars look brand new.

I wish we'd be able to import those. Get rid of these Nissan Versas and other pathetically boring alternatives. Hyundai.

Though isn't there that 25 year old rule? I'd love to get a Focus and convert it to diesel.

Re: Are used cars really cheaper in Europe?

Posted: Sun May 07, 2017 11:47 am
by Rope-Pusher

I hear that used vehicle prices in Europe are so low that some people drive them over here in order to use as transportation on their "Holiday Americano" and then leave them here and take a flight back home.

Re: Are used cars really cheaper in Europe?

Posted: Mon May 08, 2017 8:02 am
by Rope-Pusher
Looks like they plan to follow the 80/20 rule as they search for ways to improve air quality in the UK

http://europe.autonews.com/article/2017 ... -ane-daily

Re: Are used cars really cheaper in Europe?

Posted: Mon May 08, 2017 9:06 am
by theholycow
The proposed changes make it sound like they have nasty, awful air quality there.

Re: Are used cars really cheaper in Europe?

Posted: Mon May 08, 2017 9:15 pm
by Rope-Pusher
I hear that the U.K. at one time had air pollution so bad that you couldn't see across the street. They've cleaned things up considerably since then, but expectations have now risen to where once again they feel that something big needs to be done.
Image
Dark moths began to predominate with the industrial revolution
http://web.nmsu.edu/~wboeckle/biston.html

China is at the point where some days you can't see across the street,.....and they plan to change that,....but, like a 1000 foot long oil tanker ship, it will take a long time to change directions. Air pollution in China is projected to continue to worsen for the next 15 years before it starts to reduce.
I've known people who come back after a 2-week visit with a hoarse throat that they say is from breathing the air. Vehicle and home air filters are becoming a big thing.
Image
The chemicals in the air over China have produced a strain of gigantic moths.

Re: Are used cars really cheaper in Europe?

Posted: Wed May 10, 2017 9:19 pm
by bk7794
Still, at least the prices are reasonable..unlike here. accord 2012 70,000 miles..12k.