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I'm looking at used car prices on standvirtual. Are the prices shown inclusive of VAT?
Those prices include VAT, and when sold by a professional/dealer, should also have a warranty (usually 18 mo). If you buy it from a private owner (usually cheaper), there's no warranty.
@antonio_f Jeannemarie, thanks for the tip on Standvirtual. I hadn't heard of that, so now I can see what we'd be looking at to replace our car in Pt.
We have a 2014 Lexus ES 300H (hybrid) that is a fantastic car with 75k miles and we're thinking of bringing it over. We've read all the steps to getting it matriculated, taxed etc. but anyone want to convince us otherwise? We bought it new, so know it's history and it's never needed anything but oil changes. Get's 32 to 38 mpg depending on what driving, already has Kilometers on the speedometer and running lights. Having read the prices of used cars, we think spending a few grand to import it would be a savings as selling it here will bring almost nothing. We're open to advice and thank you.
@dottyhop I guess used car prices in the US have fallen considerably? We sold our 2020 Kia in 2021 for more than we paid for it. I see your car is running 19k to 21k on average in the US. Do factor in the shipping cost and the serviceability of that brand based on where you will be living in Portugal.
We figured if we needed a car here it would be better for us to buy a popular model that is serviced and cheaper to maintain in Portugal then our US vehicle. We saw that most of the vehicles here get quite good gas mileage compared to the US vehicles.
@jonesdn2020 Laura likewise sold her 2019 Honda HRV for more than she paid new. Our used Kia E-Niro here is actual an import, from France, but it was someone else's problem to do that. Some irritations remain - to operate some of its fancy features, I had to sign up with the factory, but in this case the French branch thereof.
(Excuse me for irritating spelling observations, but people who aren't native speakers may be interested to know that "it's history" means, "it is history.")
@jonesdn2020 Yes. There was that temporary spike when the pandemic had everything shut down, but now they're back to more normal pricing I've heard. I haven't really checked, but paid $43k for it new and since it still drives like new, thought it might be a good option to ship rather than pay that much again for a used one in Pt. I don't remember seeing Lexus' on the road when we were in Pt. so guess I need to find out if anyone services them there. My old MBZ had to be given to charity due to the computer not turning over for the smog check (California requirement) even though it still ran perfectly at 234k miles, so I'd hate to spend the money to ship it and then have something like that happen. Fuel is so expensive in Pt that having a hybrid is very appealing.
@dottyhop Have you checked into whether you will be able to charge your hybrid here? I don't know enough about the differences between a US Lexus hybrid and a European Lexus hybrid, but if I were you I would look into that so that there are no surprises.
I have seen a few Lexuses over here and see Toyotas fairly regularly, so I doubt you would have any problems with servicing them.
@kellyd It's not a plug in type hybrid, so that's not an issue, but if we buy a car, an electric would be ideal and I was curious as to how many charging stations there are and how much it would cost to put one in our rental? So you make a good point.
@dottyhop Charging stations are reasonably abundant. Of course it doesn't help, if there isn't one close when you need it, but you can research it. We were on the way to Amarante last week and ran pretty low, and were able to charge up in Paredes, a town along the way of ca. 20,000.
We don't have a "charger" in the house, I just upgraded the service to 32A and we charge from an ordinary house current plug, with the draw set to 12A I believe. At the advise of the seller.
@dottyhop
Hi, here are my thoughts: your car is already 9 years old, do you want to keep it forever?
If I was you, I would check similar (or better, as the newer models of the same car will be much better!) in Germany, you can use autoscout.de.
To see what the difference in price is with selling your car in your country.
Also from outside EU I understand the paperwork is even more extreme.
I just imported my 2nd almost new car from Germany (I have written extensively on here for the 1st car 2 years ago). A very good experience, got the Portuguese plates in just 2 weeks, because I knew exactly what papers are needed and asked them from the dealer in Germany before I bought. Also I used an experienced car import lawyer as I don't speak Portuguese.
This time I actually drove it from Germany, it was an interesting experience, 3100km all the way from Berlin! (Last time I had it transported in the back of a truck).
@itexpert7 Thank you for great feedback. My husband is 86 and I'm 80 so thinking that our car will probably last as long as we are driving. I have no desire to spent 3100 Kilometers in a car, but my spouse is an MBZ fan so that would be very appealing to him. We'll be in Vilamoura so I'm assuming there are mechanics there who know cars. Hadn't considered parts for Japanese cars though although being from California, ours was probably built here. I hadn't mentioned that California, having the strictest emission standards in the country, has forced the changes that many manufacturers now include for American cars since we also have the largest population. I was thinking that might also endear our Lexus to the licensing/matriculation people. But, we will certainly rethink this. We rented a Skoda for 2 months last year and drove all over Pt and it was a great little car and we thought this would be a good one to buy when we come back, but then found they're now made in Russia. No thank you.
@dottyhop
You are welcome.
I didn't know that some Skodas are made in Russia, as they are usually made in Czech Republic, and of course they are VW cars.
If you like a Skoda car, there are always the equivalent (virtually same mechanicals different body) from VW, Seat and Audi.
I never tried to import a car for free, have heard horrible stories of 6 to 12 months paperwork, as they are trying to make it difficult as you're not paying the import tax.
Pehraps someone in here has experience actually importing a car from the US without paying the tax?
@itexpert7 Skoda announced in early 2022 that it was ceasing production in Russia, and stopping exports to Russia. Given sanctions etc, it is highly unlikely that any cars sold in Portugal will be Russian made, unless imported (or perhaps in transit) before March 2022.
@thomasribatejo Well that's good to know but I doubt we'd be buying a new one, so chances are what's available is Russian made at this time.
Those cars are quite expensive in Portugal, so it's a good option, if you manage to have it compatible with EU regulations, and import it with all the proper documents to avoid paying tax (ISV).
@dottyhop I usually advise people in selling their car abroad and buy one in Portugal because of the hassle (conformity with EU standards, importing timing, amount of documents and money needed, etc), although cars (even used ones) are expensive here (high taxation) (electric ones have less taxes... for now). Also, take in consideration the parking spots in Portugal are not made for big cars, like those seen commonly in the US, and in some cities and villages the roads are ancient, and thus narrow, making it difficult or even impossible for bigger cars to navigate them.
@antonio_f I always think of my Lexus as small as I also had a 400 at one time which was much wider and longer, but you make a good point. Thank you. So much to consider, and arranging for shipping, paperwork, taxes, matriculation etc. on top of everything it takes to get us over there, is a lot to undertake. I appreciate everyone's input. This is exactly why I asked.
car prices are a disgrace in portugal caused by taxes. I saw a secondhand MGZT for sale in lagoa years ago - price 23000 euros. Looking on EBAY in the uk I could with a bit of bargaining - buy 4 or 5 MBZTs for the same amount of money. So perhaps if you were stopped on a uk number plate, you could always tell the gnr - you can keep it mate as i have another 4 at home.
Only bargain, years ago were 4 x 4 which were classed as "agricultural vehicles" and did not have car tax. The same with a Jeep wrangler with a screen limiting the use to 2 people - that got a tax break. No doubt its changed.
When ever it comes to collecting tax the Portuguese bureaucracy can be so quick and efficient
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@martin
It's not only taxes, it's the lack of competition and culture of accepting to pay more without looking for a bargain.
A plug in hybrid BMW has only 500 to 1200 euros import tax (and 4% VAT difference when new), but still is sold new 5k to 10k more here than the same car in Germany!
Just buy from Germany almost new like I did twice, or new at a big discount (there are online sellers selling at serious discount new cars).
