European Cars in the USA

I watch Top Gear, the biggest motoring show in the world. Their cars always have more power, better fuel economy, and better handling because of one simple fact: they are built smaller and lighter. This is simply because USA customers want more comfort than economy or speed. I live in the USA but I have the mind of a Brit. I love British vehicles and everything about them. I would sacrifice comfort 1,000,000 times to get better economy and power.

So what would it take to get a European car over here to the USA? I am on a strict budget of $5,000. So what would it take to get a used, economical, lightweight European vehicle over here?

Now there's the more important question, what should I get? Even though I would in fact sacrifice comfort, I still prefer it. Is there any way to get a luxurious vehicle shipped over here for under $5,000 and still get the European economy (35+ MPG)?

I would also be keeping in mind the cost of making it legal to register.

I watch Top Gear, the biggest motoring show in the world. Their cars always have more power, better fuel economy, and better handling because of one simple fact: they are built smaller and lighter. This is simply because USA customers want more comfort than economy or speed. I live in the USA but I have the mind of a Brit. I love British vehicles and everything about them. I would sacrifice comfort 1,000,000 times to get better economy and power.

They get more powerful cars, because they have different emissions standards than we do over here. It's the same with all foreign cars. Honda enthusiasts get the shaft when it comes to the performance trims of many Honda & Acura cars (we got a short generation of the Integra Type R over here, and no other Type R.) Heck, it's the same with American cars. Stuff like the Ford Cosworth and the better versions of the Ford Focus, among many other more performance oriented trims of various cars.


So what would it take to get a European car over here to the USA? I am on a strict budget of $5,000. So what would it take to get a used, economical, lightweight European vehicle over here?

Now there's the more important question, what should I get? Even though I would in fact sacrifice comfort, I still prefer it. Is there any way to get a luxurious vehicle shipped over here for under $5,000 and still get the European economy (35+ MPG)?

$5,000 isn't going to cut it, not by a long shot. You can't just import a car, and call it a day. You need to have a Registered Importer import the car for you, and that is going to cost you. The car also needs to meet safety and emission standards of the US. If it doesn't, the car needs to be modified to do so, within 120 days of it hitting US shore. On top of that, some cars, some models, and some trims can't be imported period. A car that's 25 years or OLDER on the other hand, is easier to import (but will still cost a lot more than $5,000.)

Here's an example of the cost you might deal with, when buying an imported car. As a Honda enthusiast, I've looked up imported '98 Civic Type Rs before. From what I've seen, they cost around $15,000. On the other hand you can get a US version of the '98 Civic for under $5,000.

Even if you want to go the "easier" route and get a car that is older that 25 years old, you're still going to be paying a lot of money. Chances are, if the car is imported, it will be a rare car over here. Certain people will be willing to pay for such a rare car, which will jack the price up (simple supply and demand.) Either way, with a $5,000 budget, it will be a lose-lose situation.

Keep in mind that US and UK MPG are figured completely different as well. Their liter is bigger than out liter, their gas and additives are also different. Chances are, a car over there is getting the same, or worse, mpg than the ones over here, but the numbers appear to be better (though they probably are better now that we have this ethanol garbage in our gas.)

Your best bet is to find a car that you like, that has been originally sold over here in the US, and modify it in a similar way to a better trim that is sold elsewhere. You can always swap engines, transmission, ECU/ECM, and suspension parts. Even better, you can get aftermarket parts that will be better than OE UK parts, for some things.

My 97 Civic 5spd gets 34mpg without the a/c running and still gets close to 30mpg with the a/c on. Plus, I only paid $3000 for it.

You're just simply not going to get one of those Brit econoboxes in your price range. Sorry. :(

British cars are ugly.

British cars are ugly.


Aston Martins, Jaguars and Caterhams are not Ugly!

:screwy::screwy:

I watch Top Gear, the biggest motoring show in the world. Their cars always have more power, better fuel economy, and better handling because of one simple fact: they are built smaller and lighter. This is simply because USA customers want more comfort than economy or speed. I live in the USA but I have the mind of a Brit. I love British vehicles and everything about them. I would sacrifice comfort 1,000,000 times to get better economy and power.




Don't know about more power, smaller or lighter.

While there is a greater range of vehicles to be found outside the US, I thought most European cars were now being sold there?


Or is there something in particular you want that you can't get in North America?

Don't know about more power, smaller or lighter.

While there is a greater range of vehicles to be found outside the US, I thought most European cars were now being sold there?


Or is there something in particular you want that you can't get in North America?

Well thing is according to she show their cars are smaller and lighter because that is what their market demands

Well thing is according to she show their cars are smaller and lighter because that is what their market demands



Don't ever believe anything you see in Top Gear.
It is an entertainment program first. They talk a lot of shit to make it entertaining.


There are some big cars sold in Europe, but, it is not America, and small to mid size cars are far more popular.
But, being smaller and lighter does not make them faster or better.
Generally Speaking, the Japanese are the masters of Small and Fast.

Generally Speaking, the Japanese are the masters of Small and Fast.


HEHEHEHE, he said small & fast. :rofl: So that should mean girls don't like them....