Every year since my divorce, right around this time of year, I try to buy myself something just for me...A few years ago I went on a trip to Alaska, a the year after I bought myself a nice Ford Bronco and two years ago I bought a really nice mechanical drawing of a steam locomotive that I've got hanging over my fireplace...
Last year I decided to get a vehicle I've always wanted. A Land Rover Type 3... And I found this one on-line for 950 Pounds Sterling (sorry, I can't figure out how to get the little "L" thing on my keyboard) or about $1,500. The one problem, it was in the UK. I contacted the owner as this price was more than acceptable... We talked a few times and I went looking for a shipper.
I found a Import~Export firm in Bristol, UK and we negotiated a price... From Bristol to the Port of Miami the shipping would be around $650... Still way below my $5,000 self-imposed ceiling.
Here's were things began to turn to shit... I contacted the Government here to find out the taxes and tariffs I would incur on importing the said 1978 Land Rover Type 3...To make a very long story short, to comply with EPA and Federal Highway Regulations, I'd have to spend well over $10,000 to make the vehicle compliant with current standards... Before it even left the fucking dock! Not including the import fees, which were close to $2,000!
Needless to say I didn't spend $14,500 for a $1,500 vehicle...
I may be a bit crazy, but I'm not stupid.
I still want one, but I'm not going to pay out my ass for one.
This year my present to me was going to be a 6 week trip to Australia to visit (get drunk with) some mates, but now with the way the economy is going I'm definately NOT going to be spending $3,000 for just the airfare... Which is the lowest fare I've found so far... For that price the flight attendant better blow me hourly for the 17+ hour flight to Oz...
For a few months now I've been eying the UK... And BritRail has some great deals for a month-long rail pass that will let me get on and off the train, as many times I want anywhere in Britain, Scotland & Ireland.
And maybe I'll finally get to the Imperial War Museum and find the town where my father was billeted in Scotland during World War II prior to D-Day.
Well, wish me luck!
And maybe next time I'll have a new RT~Mobile!
Copyright 2009 Thomas J Wolfenden
Needless to say I didn't spend $14,500 for a $1,500 vehicle...
I may be a bit crazy, but I'm not stupid.
I still want one, but I'm not going to pay out my ass for one.
This year my present to me was going to be a 6 week trip to Australia to visit (get drunk with) some mates, but now with the way the economy is going I'm definately NOT going to be spending $3,000 for just the airfare... Which is the lowest fare I've found so far... For that price the flight attendant better blow me hourly for the 17+ hour flight to Oz...
For a few months now I've been eying the UK... And BritRail has some great deals for a month-long rail pass that will let me get on and off the train, as many times I want anywhere in Britain, Scotland & Ireland.
And maybe I'll finally get to the Imperial War Museum and find the town where my father was billeted in Scotland during World War II prior to D-Day.
Well, wish me luck!
And maybe next time I'll have a new RT~Mobile!
Copyright 2009 Thomas J Wolfenden
17 comments:
You were wise to not purhcase that car. Those taxes and fees are murder!
Also, tha tmonth-long rail pass that will let you get on and off the train, as many times I want anywhere in Britain, Scotland & Ireland sounds wonderful actually!
Tee: Yep, I'm thinking that also! I'll be by myself, so I can just hop on and off anywhere that looks interesting! Well, for me anyplace that has a decent pub would be interesting!
I hope you get to go on that trip, Tom.
As for the Landy - did you try having it classified as a "classic" car? does such a distinction exist in the US?
If you need to, buy an older one. Pre-1973 makes it a classic in the UK, and there's nothing like a Series One Landy to make you feel like the King of the Road :)
You'll have to upgrade the motor, though. Go for a diesel and run it on veggie oil, that way you can drive it almost for free....
If that holiday does happen, and if you find yourself in North Wales, please consider yourself invited to rest your weary bones with us for a few days! Real Ale location services provided...... :-)
We've no major cities near us, but plenty of historical sites.
Other places to stay can be found on www.smoothhound.org.uk - they have a good range of accommodation listed for most parts of the UK, at fair prices (for the UK!).
My contact email & Skype username have been sent to your gmail address.
Sorry, make that www.smoothhound.co.uk ....
note to self : learn to type.....
What happened to that Harley or was it Honda or something else...
Now we are talking!!! I likey alot
Cool=the trip.
Not so cool=the price of the vehicle when it all gets added up.
Hope it works out for you!
hey ranger man: I know a friend that tried to get a jag from back east. it was a British car as the steering wheel was on the wrong side. :)
He had a hell of a time getting it to California standards and just gave up...his grandmother bought it from him and it passed easily.
Wha-hey...huh?
The economy...that's they didn;t send me to Oz last year. they said maybe for this new year but I'm not holding my breath. i have a better chnage of going to Canada or London.
later sweets. xx
Viking: It varies from State to State, but in most places a "Classic" is 12 years or older, an "Antique" is 25 years or older... It's the new EPA regulations that get in the way. Cars already here are grandfathered, any imports are subject to the new regs.
Bryn: Duly noted and will consider the offer! Thanks!
Leazwell: It was a Harley Davidson Electraglide or Road King. There are some really good deals out there right now, but with the economy the way it is, I really don't want another monthly payment I have to worry about... So that thought is on the back burner for now, but not completely scuttled.
Just Telling it: The Land Rover or the trip?
CMK: I do too. I think everyone should do something each year just for themselves.
Spiky: Every year I try to plan a trip to Oz, but something always pops up and wrecks the plans. Hopefully this year this trip won't be shelved.
I agree with doing something for yourself every year. I use the anniversary of my smoking quit date to get myself a little something. This past year was my new smart phone. I love being able to look forward to something.
Over 25 years old and its DOT exempt. Over 21 years old and its EPA exempt. If you are in California, you still need to smog it, but shouldn't be too hard.
Someone gave you some wrong information.
http://vehicleimport.blogspot.com
CMK: It feels good to do that little something for oneself every once in a while.
Sean: I can't imagine anyone from the Government giving me the wrong information...
There has to be one here in the states for a decent price Tom. Have you checked ebay? Everything can be found on ebay.
@Ranger Tom. Most people within the government couldn't find their ass without a roadmap.
I have been in the vehicle import and export business for 10 years, and I know more about it than 99% of the people that work within the government. Feel free to look me up.
http://vehicleimport.blogspot.com/2007/12/importation-and-certification-faq-all.html
8. Importing a vehicle that is at least 25 years old.
A motor vehicle that is at least 25 years old can be lawfully imported into the U.S. without regard to whether it complies with all applicable FMVSS. Such a vehicle would be entered under Box 1 on the HS-7 Declaration form to be given to Customs at the time of importation. If you wish to see that form, you may download a copy from our website at www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import. You should note that the 25 year period runs from the date of the vehicle's manufacture. If the date of manufacture is not identified on a label permanently affixed to the vehicle by its original manufacturer, to establish the age of the vehicle, you should have documentation available such as an invoice showing the date the vehicle was first sold or a registration document showing that the vehicle was registered at least 25 years ago. Absent such information, a statement from a recognized vehicle historical society identifying the age of the vehicle could be used.
Blow jobs are given out in first class - hand jobs in coach. Good luck.
Bill: Yes I have and you wouldn't believe the prices of what I'm looking for...
Sean: Thanks for the information... Maybe in the next year or so I'll look into it again, right now the finances aren't looking so go for that kind of transaction...
Kimberly: Looks like I'll be flying First Class then!
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