Hello all, I will be moving to Holland in a couple of months. Simply, I am trying to determine the best way to own one in Holland. Would it be easier or more practical to buy an S2K here stateside and make the modifications here (to meet EU requirements), and ship it to Holland - or would it be better to buy one sold in Holland made for EU driving? The latter may be more expensive because of the excessive Dutch taxes on new cars, upwards of 30% I have heard.
My other question is, where can I read about the required modifications for registering a US car in EU? I know the headlights need to be changed out for "auto-balanced" units, but I don't know yet what else needs to be done to a US S2K to be road-ready in the EU.
Any input would be valuable, thanks!

 

Send a PM to Siepel; he did just that a few years back.

 

I don't know the answer to your question, but if you're going to get an '04, keep in mind that the US version has the 2.2 liter engine while the EU version has the 2.0 liter engine. If you take over a US car, you might be in a poor position if you ever have a problem. But, you would also have a pretty special car compared to the others.

 

To heck with the US version if you can get a EU.

Why? In my opinion, most all the changes done to our beauty for the 04 are great. Most ....except for our 2.2l motor. As the proud owner of a 9000rpm redline scream machine, I can tell you there is no going back. Honda succumbed to pressure from the US market for "more torque at lower revs". Hondas response was what......way less than 10% change. Oooohhh. And people are impressed, while sacrificing the WONDERFUL 9000rpm redline.

AND, they smoothed out the VTEC engagement so you don't FEEL it the same. I tell ya, wide open throttle at 6000rpms gives a change in engine sound and seat position. I'd hate to give any of those things up.

What I would love is the new instrument cluster, but the 9000rpm redline. That means I would have to convert, but the EU and JDM do not convert to miles per hour from kilometers. You need to think of that as well. Are you willing to convert, or drive around with the wrong readouts?

You have the perfect opportunity. Go over there and get an EU 04. All the benefits - none of the conversion headaches.

Remember just my opinion....we all have 'em.

 

Depending on how long you'll be staying in Holland, you may get EU 04 tax & duty free, international plate, etc.

 

Hi Amaru,

As mentioned above, I will be able to help you with this, just PM me and I will answer all your questions.

Please tell us where you are from and where you are going (and for how long)?

Unless you want to pay the equivalent of US$ 61,000.- which is the going price for a new S2000 over here (including tax etc.) (NOT KIDDING) I would not recommend following that suggestion.

Instead, buy a 2002 or 2003 MY with the glass window 'for cheap' in the US and import it to here without paying any further tax, (depending on if you are officially moving i.e. not illegally )

I'll be awaiting your PM!

 

One problem might be that you have to own the car for at least 6 months prior to moving here.

This was in my case (Dutch person moving back to Holland), I am not sure if it will be the same in your case (US person moving to Holland).

Regards,


Siepel

 

wow, i have no idea myself whats involved. However i imagine that the S2K in europe is not nearly as restrictive emmisions wise, as most cars there arent.
BTW, i read recently that the S2K in Portugal anyway costs nearly $44,000 So i see why you'd wanna do the conversion before going to Holland Good luck with your move !

 

Thanks guys for the good input! A few have suggested that it's financially more viable to get one here, make the mods, ship it, and still come out ahead, which is sort of what I suspected. I'm in Dallas, Texas where I have seen a few new and used for sale at pretty reasonable prices. The question remains, however, exactly what does need to be done to it, so that it will be street-ready for EU driving? More interestingly, if I get the mods done here in Texas, would it still be street legal here, or would that be an illegal drive from whatever mod shop to the shipping port in Galveston? LoL. My stay in the EU will be more than a year, so it's worth it to ship one...i _think_....But I need to find out more about this "6 month minimum" thing, if it applies... Anyone who has done this, feel free to share all the grubby little details. Have a good one!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Hockey
but the EU and JDM do not convert to miles per hour from kilometers.