 Poster: A snowHead
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I've rented a place over in St Anton for the last couple of seasons but this year I am going to spend the majority of the Winter there and am thinking about buying a cheap left-hand drive car and keeping it there, for the occasional airport run.
Has anyone got any advice re: buying one in the UK (the sites I've seen cater for recent, expensive imports whereas I want old, reliable, high mileage volvo, merc - preferably estate)
I'm told by a mate who lives in Austria that insurance is mega expensive and not to buy an austrian car over there. Can anyone corroborate that?
I'd welcome views. Thanks
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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For the sake of a few months, what's wrong with running a RHD? After all, you'll not be spending all day in it and I've never found it a problem. Re-selling an LHD could be a nightmare.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Bode Swiller, Yes
B00thy, My current car is my regular RHD car - no probs really, although I prefer LHD. Germany has cheap second hand cars. Lots of used car lots around Munich. 
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I considered it when I did a season. In the end I bought a cheap (ish) 4x4 over here and never found RHD to be a problem. I think the elevated driving position and better all round visibility of a 4x4 makes a huge difference. Selling it on when I returned to the UK was simple. I don't think that would have been the case if I had bought a LHD example.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Yes insurance is high in Austria. Will you have a Garage because without a car on the street takes quite some punishment over the whole winter?
IMHO. Its not worth it. By the time you added up the costs of buying,insuring,taxing,running,repairs,road tolls & selling.
If you need to go to the airport take the train.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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stanton, how does the cost of second-hand cars in Holland compare to neighbouring countries?
A German friend of mine says reliable second-hand cars are cheap in Germany, is it the same in Holland? I'm looking to buy a LHD to use in France but the used cars I've seen in our area are either about 3 months old so very expensive or 10 years old and knackered with little inbetween.
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stanton, I'd take the train if I always flew back from the same place.
But sometimes I may go from Friedrichshafen, sometimes from Zurich, sometimes from (gulp) Frankfurt. I am likely to drive to Val d'Isere at some stage and probably visit another resort or two etc etc.
And if I buy an LHD I will probably keep it for at least 3 years. So it's not quite so simple a decision as you make it sound. If it were then I would not be considering it.
As far as wear and tear I have a parking space in an underground carpark.
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B00thy,......try both these sites if you want to get an idea of German price, condition & what's available.
Mobile
Autoscout
Keeping it for 3 years, I would be tempted to go for a fairly decent Volvo XC (4x4) in Germany. I don't imagine you would loose a great amount when selling it 3 years later - especially if sold around St. Anton.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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ben wright,
Car are expensive new & secondhand. Becuase we have to pay 26% BPM (Tax) on new cars this expense gets passed on (to the value) of the second hand car.
I do not own a car, there to expensive. If I need one I rent one.
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B00thy,
OK understand. Have you considered renting a car ? THere is an Avis in St anton.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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BernardC, DB, - Thanks for these links - I'll have a look
stanton, I didn't realise there was an AVIS in St Anton. I'll check this out too!
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B00thy,
If you go down the hire car route then it might be cheaper to hire a taxi for certain trips.
St Anton travel links
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You know it makes sense.
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stanton, thanks for the info. Shame cars are pricey there - it'd be less of a detour to buy one in Holland rather than Germany.
I'll see what prices are like in Belgium as that'd be easier to get to without going way off our route.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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B00thy, ...if you are considering car hire, have a look atThis Thread
This is for FRANCE only, but it might be worthwhile your pursuing a similar, medium-term commercial rate in Austria.
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