Which car would be better in Finland?

CaribbeanGirl · Post by **CaribbeanGirl** » Thu Sep 05, 2013 12:01 pm

I'm moving to Finland in about a month. I have the option to take one of two cars with me tax free.

2005 Suzuki Aerio - 5speed - 2700 lbs
2003 Audi A4 Cabriolet Convertible - Automatic - 3900 lbs

Which do you think would be best there?

What would be the average insurance for each car per month or per year?
I hear it's by weight which is why I put the weight of the car next to it.

I prefer the Audi, but not sure since its convertible, Finland is COLD but maybe the Suzuki is more economical.

I was told that since I would be living in Helsinki I don't really need a car but having
one would be nice since I have owned a car my whole life and it's
something I'm used to, but before I take it, I want to know an estimate of the insurance and taxes and mandatory fees I will have.

I thought about selling them both now and buying a newer Audi, not convertible and taking it in 6 months since I have 12 months to take everything in, but I will be in Finland part of that time. Can I do that and still take it tax free? Not sure!
Or do I have to be in the states with the car for the entire six months?

Any advice would be appreciated!

thanks!

**Sponsor:**

Pursuivant · Post by **Pursuivant** » Thu Sep 05, 2013 1:14 pm

No you got to own the car and drive it for it to be a tax exempt removal.
I'm sorry if I am confusing you with someone else, but you were coming over for just a short time? Basically, with the money you spend shipping the car over you can buy one here. The Suzuki has negative sales value and not really something you want to drive long distances, as you said in the city its useless to have a car. It would make "sense" to drive one, but shipping one from the US? Rather bring an AMC Gremlin - worth more

The Audi would probably get more than the scrapping fee after the 2 year moratorium, so while its not the sensible citycar choice, it is.

But I'd just sell them and if really-really-really wanted to drive got one locally - you even know where to park where you living at?

jahasjahas · Post by **jahasjahas** » Thu Sep 05, 2013 1:17 pm

Pursuivant wrote:I'm sorry if I am confusing you with someone else, but you were coming over for just a short time?

Since this is her first message, I'm pretty sure you are.

Liam1 · Post by **Liam1** » Thu Sep 05, 2013 1:21 pm

Agree
There is a 1995 (97km so lowish mileage) Suzuki Liana (EU name I think) at €6800 on Netti Auto. Previous posts talk about a couple of thousand euros in shipping costs + making all the EU compliance changes, so there isn't massive amount to be gained if you can sell it Stateside...

kharnynb · Post by **kharnynb** » Thu Sep 05, 2013 1:22 pm

sell em both and buy something here, the main reason would be that retrofitting engine heating, buying wintertyres etc. would cost you a lot
Easier to buy something similar to the suzuki here, if and when you know about parking etc in helsinki ;D
I never owned a car, untill i moved outside of the center.

CaribbeanGirl · Post by **CaribbeanGirl** » Thu Sep 05, 2013 3:59 pm

Pursuivant wrote:No you got to own the car and drive it for it to be a tax exempt removal.
I'm sorry if I am confusing you with someone else, but you were coming over for just a short time? Basically, with the money you spend shipping the car over you can buy one here.

Thanks for the feedback! In reply to above, I am going for a long period of time. I'm going for work and they are hopefully covering the relocation cost of the car, I thought it would cost me about $1000 for any conversions, winter tires bought here, etc... So to get the Suzuki there with what it cost me here could be $4000. The Audi would probably cost me about $3000 because I will need to do things before I take it, but if I sell it I can get $7000 quickly. The Suzuki, I would give away so no benefit there...

Not sure if that makes a difference. Just scared of being without a car there! haha

Not sure about parking!

How much is it usually to rent a car for a weekend to go away somewhere?

Adrian42 · Post by **Adrian42** » Thu Sep 05, 2013 4:41 pm

CaribbeanGirl wrote:winter tires bought here,

Are you getting good studded tyres where you are right now?

Upphew · Post by **Upphew** » Thu Sep 05, 2013 5:35 pm

CaribbeanGirl wrote:Not sure if that makes a difference. Just scared of being without a car there! haha

Not sure about parking!

Pursuivant · Post by **Pursuivant** » Thu Sep 05, 2013 7:28 pm

Yeah, "not worth it" - you need a garage for the convertible ot it will rot away snd that either costs you a price of a flat or you drive 100km daily and petrol is ten bucks a gallon.. SELL

Upphew · Post by **Upphew** » Thu Sep 05, 2013 8:29 pm

If someone pays, bring the Audi. What you would expect to get if you sell it there?

http://www.nettiauto.com/audi/a4?id_veh ... car_type=9

kharnynb · Post by **kharnynb** » Thu Sep 05, 2013 11:12 pm

A set of winter tyres(finnish quality) with rims will set you back more than 1k already.
at least 200 for a block heater, not able to do that in USA, since it would be wrong voltage and plug.

Totally not worth it.
If you live inside the n3 tram route, you won't have a parking space unless you pay a hefty monthly fee. inside ring 1 it is impractical to own a car most of the time.
If you live in vantaa or Espoo, you can and probally will want to own a car.

A decent second hand car will set you back around 5000 from a dealer, usually including winter tyres and a recent service.
(I personally recommend against buying from private sellers, unless you know them and are stronger than them ;D)

CaribbeanGirl · Post by **CaribbeanGirl** » Fri Sep 06, 2013 12:53 am

Upphew wrote:If someone pays, bring the Audi. What you would expect to get if you sell it there?

http://www.nettiauto.com/audi/a4?id_veh ... car_type=9

Haha! love the pic! I would probably get around $7000 here for the Audi since I'm selling it quickly...

But if I have to invest all that $ into it, it's better I get the $7000 plus $3000 investment and buy a car there that's not convertible. Worried about snow fall and the soft top!

Plus would it be harder to sell since its an import? Maybe if it was newer it would be worth it!

Quin · Post by **Quin** » Fri Sep 06, 2013 2:31 am

Some pretty bad advice in this thread (between the good).

Since both cars are federal spec they will need work to conform to the European CoC (which you would need to register any car here).

Then we get to the winter part where you will need either winter tires and you need to swap them in approx. april and nov or get a second set of cheap rims and put them on that.

Engine heater is not necessary on modern cars. Any decently maintained modern car will start (yes a 1993 Renault will not work in -25 unless very well maintained). I have (and have had) multiple cars and none of them have engine heaters (edit: lie one had it but I never plugged it in). Never had any problem and since my balcony overlooks the parking area of the apartment I look how many plug their cars in: Only the granddad does it and none of the other do (electricity points only work from 06.00 to 09.00 anyways so what if it is -25 at 13.00).

All in all I would give the Suzuki away and sell the Audi (it is a softtop and it is NOT gonna like winter).

Then once you get here go on Netti Auto and buy a second hand car (private only if you either know the person or have good mechanical knowledge)

People who say that when you live within ring 1 (which I do) and don't need a car in my opinion are students or stuck in that time. I could not live without the cars. When we do shopping we go to stockman downstairs (or maybe ruolahti K-market) load up on all we need and drive it home. Not gonna bus or Metro with all that shopping. Also if for work you need to move around a car is invaluable essp if you need to visit several locations. Yes public transport here is great for leisure but not for work (work late and wait 15 mins for a bus/train in a snowstorm is no fun)

Since you like Audi come over and buy a secondhand A3 sportback when you get here, it includes winter tires and second set of rims and you are good to go. Parking depend on where you live but if your apartment has a parking garage you pay about 90 euro a month otherwise 12 a month for parking on the apartment ground if they have it. If not you have to pay the Helsinki area parking for your area which is 10 euro a month..so yeah a really hefty fee... http://www.hel.fi/hki/hkr/en/Parking/Re ... al+parking

Last but not least a decent second hand car costs MORE then 5000 euro since that just buys you a high milage money pit. More in the 10k to 30k range depending on your requirements (2 year old A3 mentioned above would be about 20k)

kharnynb · Post by **kharnynb** » Fri Sep 06, 2013 7:55 am

http://www.nettiauto.com/en/suzuki/liana/5517240 hardly a high milage moneypit, similar to what she owned before. And a very nice car for winter, since it is 4wd.

block heaters aren't just for start/non-start situations, it also greatly increases fueleconomy once the temps hit -10.

Flossy1978 · Post by **Flossy1978** » Fri Sep 06, 2013 9:49 am

My electricity point works any time of the day. Must be just your building who has it just from 06:00 - 09:00. I go to work very early, before 06:00 and my engine heater thing starts two hours before I leave. And the other week I vacuumed my car in the middle of the day using the power point.

Just forget bringing the cars. Buy something secondhand here. You can get 1 or 2 year old cars which have been used for businesses at a reasonable price.

Public transport is amongst the best in the world here, if you live within KEHÄ 3. But still, having a car is nice.

If you live downtown, parking is an a*se. Better know how to parallel park REALLY WELL into tiny spots LOL. Too many cars, not enough spaces in downtown.

Finland Forum

Find information about moving to, living in and life in Finland