American car registration in Finland

heliana · Post by **heliana** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 2:58 pm

I'm moving soon to Finland (Helsinki) and I have American car. Someone said that I have to "convert" my Chrysler to European car. Can anyone say how and where should I do it?

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Hank W. · Post by **Hank W.** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 3:15 pm

The Chrysler dealership probably has the parts as wel as knowledge of what needs to be done as a routine... Aro-Yhtymä IIRC. Its some small stuff, like removing side lamps etc. and maybe a few bigger things like installing a block heater . You have to do it between asking the customs decision on the car tax waiver and getting the car inspected...
BTW go to Midas and buy a boxful of headlights, the "US exotic imports" cost 25 bucks a bang here, H4 is "local standard"...

heliana · Post by **heliana** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 3:36 pm

Thank you!
But there seems to be a company which gives out "actual" certificate, about American car converted to European car. Only after that certificate I can register my car.
If anyone knows the name and phone number of that company, it would be very helpful in moving to Finland.
Thank you.

sinikala · Post by **sinikala** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 3:46 pm

EU Certificate of Conformity (CoC) - it's a bit of paper to say that your car is of a type recognised in the EU.

You need to speak to Chrysler about that, probably it's cheaper to get it in the US before you come.

DennisS · Post by **DennisS** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 4:43 pm

By the way does anybody know why so many American cars have this "80" sticker in the back. I am guessing that is their allowed top speed. But why is that?

Hank W. · Post by **Hank W.** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 4:53 pm

It is not a passenger car, it is a 2-seat commercial van... piilofarmari... that had a tax-free benefit in the "good old days" before they closed that loophole.

The question for "can I " is "we tried it already"

Rosamunda · Post by **Rosamunda** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 5:17 pm

heliana wrote:I'm moving soon to Finland (Helsinki) and I have American car. Someone said that I have to "convert" my Chrysler to European car. Can anyone say how and where should I do it?

Have you read all the threads about importing cars into Finland? It's a bit more complicated than just fitting a heater.... You might want to sort out a spare set of winter wheels before you send it over too. Have you calculated the tax yet, or are you exempt?

If you use the search engine ( eg import car ) then you will see lots of other topics that could help you.

Hank W. · Post by **Hank W.** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 5:26 pm

penelope wrote: You might want to sort out a spare set of winter wheels before you send it over too. Have you calculated the tax yet, or are you exempt?

Elementary, either she is so rich as she got the money to drive a car with the gas prices here she doesn't care of a few extra ten thousand in taxes; and if the gas price is too expensive she don't need winter tires either...

Unless it is a Chrysler Neon that you might even drive around without getting fined for driving an oversize truck in a residential zone

Rosamunda · Post by **Rosamunda** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 7:01 pm

My guess is it's a Voyager, every ex-pat mom (except me) in Espoo drives around in a Voyager.... One of the most unreliable cars on the road with possibly the worst service reputation in Finland (Hesari not me). Go figure!

heliana · Post by **heliana** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 8:41 pm

wow! you guys are so mean! Is everybody so mean in Finland?

raamv · Post by **raamv** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 10:10 pm

Sowwy Penny. Had to rebut!! I have a voyager and no issues cept for the price of parts which you dont get anywhere here cept the dealers.
and they cost an arm an a couple of legs.
As for reliability.,..Its wayyyyyy reliable than any other meganes or peugots...all with American comfort!!
Its one of the best in mileage/fuel effeciency in its class..
More comfortable than Scenics etc..
Heliana: If you have chrysler and planning to bring it here, I suggest that you buy many many spares from Mopar there before you step foot in Finland!!!
e.g. The Lug nuts/bolts are 10 EUROS a piece!!! ( 68 cents in the US).
As for the meanness..Dont take it personally..Cos you are getting a very realistic picture..than hearing: Oh yeah..Please come here everything is very cheap and cozy here without any problems. The customs will treat you like royalty and you will be able to get your car here in a jiffy and be happy to drive on the beautiful concrete warmed roads without any hassles..Btw..We Love American cars too..They will be very cheap and cozy to drive in Finland as the gas prices are very cheap as in 1.20 Euros a litre.
People are very jovial and will welcome you with open arms where they smell of lavender!

Hank W. · Post by **Hank W.** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 11:05 pm

raamv wrote:voyager megane peugot Scenic

I thought we were discussing *cars* and not short buses

Rosamunda · Post by **Rosamunda** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 11:14 pm

Well I'm glad you like yours raamv, but honestly I know lots of people who have had problems and as an ex-Scenic 4WD owner I know which I would rather sit in (as driver or passenger). Renault do possibly the best seats in the industry, IMO.

But there was an article in Hesari a few months ago comparing reliability and after sales service of different cars in Finland. Everything Japanese came out best (IIRC Toyota then Honda) and the Voyagers were right at the bottom. The test was done after 1 yr, 3 yrs and 5 yrs (or something like that). If you can search in Finnish then you can probably find it on their website.

And BTW you don't need to have an American car to find hate mail under your windscreen wipers 'coz mine's British and it seems to be a problem down-town for some people

GaryK · Post by **GaryK** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 2:41 am

penelope wrote:And BTW you don't need to have an American car to find hate mail under your windscreen wipers 'coz mine's British and it seems to be a problem down-town for some people

A British car? I thought those were already extinct (or bought out by Germans)!

JimmyBang · Post by **JimmyBang** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 12:02 pm

...most voyagers are crap, and in America, at least California they are the cheapest piles around. But, yes...anything you can bring from America in the way of transportation would probably be cheaper. EXAMPLE: I had a 1997 Chevy Blazer that I sold when I came here for $3500, when I arrived here I found a few in the car trade magazines for anywhere from 15-22000 euros!!!!
which would have made my $5000 tax, modify, paperwork dilema much more appealing...so do your research! (I didnt!)

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