Sterling Mess
I am seriously considering buying a new Golf 1.6S with its neat autobox. It seems almost impossible to get any discounts from the local VW dealers, so is it worth importing one? It used to be the smart thing to do 5 yrs ago to help drive down overinflated UK prices. I am happy to do all the paperwork and travel to pick the car up, but is it worth it these days? Also I could end up stuck with my 04 reg Golf, which ideally I would like to trade in. What do you advise please?
Asked on 8 August 2009 by
Answered by
Honest John
Due to the fall in Sterling, pre-tax car prices cars are now dearer in all
mainland European countries than they are in the UK. Manufacturer UK operations cushioned currency fluctuations by forward buying their trading currency, which is why UK prices have taken a while to start rising in line with the collapse of Sterling. If Sterling picks up again against the Euro, that will be the time to buy in Europe. But the UK debt situation makes this increasingly unlikely.
mainland European countries than they are in the UK. Manufacturer UK operations cushioned currency fluctuations by forward buying their trading currency, which is why UK prices have taken a while to start rising in line with the collapse of Sterling. If Sterling picks up again against the Euro, that will be the time to buy in Europe. But the UK debt situation makes this increasingly unlikely.
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