Possible move to Switzerland - LotusTalk

CountTracula · 10-15-2009, 05:21 PM

I am being offered a job in the Zurich area of Switzerland and I am inclined to take it. I have a bit (10 days or so) before I need to make a decision so I am trying to query the swiss forum posters about the possibility of moving my 2005 Lotus Elise with me. I have looked into importing a car into Switzerland and it does not seem that hard; however, is it worth it? In other words, would I be able to drive it around in the colder months? Any other comments on the Lotus ownership in Switzerland/Zurich?

Also, are there any motorsport related clubs in the Zurich area? Track days? Autocrosses? Go-karting? Let me know!

Cheers,
-- Nick

Valenz · 10-15-2009, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CountTracula

I am being offered a job in the Zurich area of Switzerland and I am inclined to take it. I have a bit (10 days or so) before I need to make a decision so I am trying to query the swiss forum posters about the possibility of moving my 2005 Lotus Elise with me. I have looked into importing a car into Switzerland and it does not seem that hard; however, is it worth it? In other words, would I be able to drive it around in the colder months? Any other comments on the Lotus ownership in Switzerland/Zurich?

Also, are there any motorsport related clubs in the Zurich area? Track days? Autocrosses? Go-karting? Let me know!

Cheers,
-- Nick

Oh yeah! Go for it. I have a friend (with an Elise) who lives there and he's sent some beautiful videos of drives on pristine twisty roads through snow laden mountain passes. I can put you in contact if you'd like.

A.J.

def · 10-15-2009, 06:26 PM

Nick! Very cool man. My only question is - are CUP cars street legal there?? 211? You get where I am going with this...

fitfan · 10-15-2009, 06:40 PM

oh heck yeah!

...and dump the federal car and pick up a sargis

DWebb · 10-15-2009, 08:34 PM

OMG! Are you still here?
I'd be gone.
You should probably go pack your sh!t now.

carl · 10-15-2009, 10:36 PM

Nick, we'll miss you at Jack's track days. It was always good having you around. if i ever needed to get under my car i could have you lift it!
i have a friend that relocated there last dec and loves it good luck. carl

Blacktan · 10-16-2009, 03:46 AM

CUP cars are street legal at most EU countries .

Blacktan · 10-16-2009, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valenz

Oh yeah! Go for it. I have a friend (with an Elise) who lives there and he's sent some beautiful videos of drives on pristine twisty roads through snow laden mountain passes. I can put you in contact if you'd like.

A.J.

STELVIO PASS ... the famous lotus "path"

gospeedv8 · 10-16-2009, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by def

Nick! Very cool man. My only question is - are CUP cars street legal there?? 211? You get where I am going with this...

Legal! Legal! Legal!

Go for it! and send me a pm for a drive ....

Dragi

CountTracula · 10-16-2009, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valenz

Oh yeah! Go for it. I have a friend (with an Elise) who lives there and he's sent some beautiful videos of drives on pristine twisty roads through snow laden mountain passes. I can put you in contact if you'd like.

A.J.

A.J. that would be awesome if you forward me his email so I can query him for some details... Thanks a lot!

CountTracula · 10-16-2009, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by def

Nick! Very cool man. My only question is - are CUP cars street legal there?? 211? You get where I am going with this...

Ha Ha Ha... Yup - I see your point!

You coming to autox this Saturday?

CountTracula · 10-16-2009, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carl

Nick, we'll miss you at Jack's track days. It was always good having you around. if i ever needed to get under my car i could have you lift it!
i have a friend that relocated there last dec and loves it good luck. carl

Thanks Carl! Yeah, like I could deadlift the Elise

kestrel74 · 10-16-2009, 07:56 AM

Say Hi to ModernWedgie ( Lillie ) she lives there ! ( well, in Geneva )

MyFutureSelfnMe · 10-16-2009, 08:14 AM

I second, third and fourth everyone who says you should do it. Switzerland is one of the cleanest, most pristine, beautiful countries in the world and you will probably have even more fun with your Elise there than you would in NorCal. In some ways, when I'm there and return to the US I feel like I'm actually traveling from the US to Mexico. Most people can't do it because immigration isn't exactly a snap. If you have a job offer, you have an opportunity many people would kill for.

Switzerland is not part of the EU. It has its own rules. You should not have a hard time getting your car registered though, stringent import regulations are mainly peculiar to North American countries.

Have fun!

CountTracula · 10-16-2009, 08:33 AM

Future,
yeah - I totally see what you are saying. It is indeed a great little country

I am offered a really great job with some awesome possibilities so I will most likely take it although I am still negotiating some smaller terms...

MyFutureSelfnMe · 10-16-2009, 09:06 AM

Refer to Importing cars

Assuming you've had it >6mos, you can drive the car with California plates legally up to 1 year. During that year you will probably get a sh*tload of attention. No import duty.

All they want to do is inspect your car. There is no stupid list of vehicles that are or aren't admissible. They aren't robots. Be glad you're not moving from Switzerland to the US.

Find the cheapest port in Western Europe to ship to, and ship it there. All things being equal, ship it to Genoa. Road trip it from there. It should cost $2500ish I believe.

ms355 · 10-16-2009, 09:23 AM

Congratulations. You have got the chance to live in one of the best places in Europe - right in the heart of it. Switzerland is a beautiful country. The only thing that you will be missing is the Ocean, but they have wonderful lakes ...

As far as importing the Elise is concerned you might want to contact the Lotus dealer who is next to Zürich (Garage Pfenninger in Zumikon):
Lotus Garage Pfenninger in Zumikon / Schweiz - Probefahrt, Occasionen, Neuwagen, Vertretung für Evora, Elise, Exige, Europa, Esprit & Elan

However, I would recommend not to drive a car like the Elise in winter time even if you plan to drive it in the lower parts of the country (like in Zürich).

LarryB · 10-16-2009, 09:24 AM

Pretty sure Pascal is from Switzerland and will be at this weekend autox. You can ask him. Also there was a long time LT member that moved to Switzerland and I think took a old Fiat over- Modern Wedgie that you might get in touch with. Considering your originally from one country over, sounds like it would be a good move.

Valenz · 10-16-2009, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CountTracula

A.J. that would be awesome if you forward me his email so I can query him for some details... Thanks a lot!

Introductory e-Mail sent. Have fun in Zurich and don't forget to post pictures/videos.

A.J.

AgentTripleX · 10-16-2009, 09:51 AM

Hey Nick, would hate to see you leave, but if you need suggestions as for shipping let me know. I just shipped a couple cars to Switzerland.

10-15-2009, 05:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
CountTracula Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NorCal Posts: 652	Possible move to Switzerland I am being offered a job in the Zurich area of Switzerland and I am inclined to take it. I have a bit (10 days or so) before I need to make a decision so I am trying to query the swiss forum posters about the possibility of moving my 2005 Lotus Elise with me. I have looked into importing a car into Switzerland and it does not seem that hard; however, is it worth it? In other words, would I be able to drive it around in the colder months? Any other comments on the Lotus ownership in Switzerland/Zurich? Also, are there any motorsport related clubs in the Zurich area? Track days? Autocrosses? Go-karting? Let me know! Cheers, -- Nick

10-15-2009, 06:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
def ...ault Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mountain View, CA Posts: 2,609	Nick! Very cool man. My only question is - are CUP cars street legal there?? 211? You get where I am going with this... __________________ //kevin - 05 Graphite Gray - Red Touring / LSS / Starshield / Stage 2 + more SOLD

10-15-2009, 06:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
fitfan Regurgitated User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Diego! Posts: 4,089	oh heck yeah! ...and dump the federal car and pick up a sargis __________________ Driving it around!

10-15-2009, 08:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
DWebb Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Pleasanton Texas Posts: 183 Images: 20	OMG! Are you still here? I'd be gone. You should probably go pack your sh!t now. __________________ Yes, that's very nice, Thank You.

10-15-2009, 10:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
carl Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,050	Nick, we'll miss you at Jack's track days. It was always good having you around. if i ever needed to get under my car i could have you lift it! i have a friend that relocated there last dec and loves it good luck. carl __________________ User formerly known as 4carl

10-16-2009, 03:46 AM	#7 (permalink)
Blacktan This is my 5th Lotus ... Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Athens,GREECE Posts: 873	CUP cars are street legal at most EU countries . __________________ 2006 Fed Aspen White Elise LSS -SOLD- 2006 Fed Phantom Black Exige BWR/CharlieX tune 2006 Fed Storm Titanium Exige -SOLD- BMW E66 745i GREEKS do it better www.lotusclub.gr/forum

10-16-2009, 07:56 AM	#13 (permalink)
kestrel74 G-200 Driver Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: North of Detroit; Watkins Glen, NY Posts: 9,308	Say Hi to ModernWedgie ( Lillie ) she lives there ! ( well, in Geneva ) __________________ 74 Europa Zetec TC Special 3614R Elise #2292 / Chrome Orange !! / Starshield / Nitron Sport SA / RTDbrace / Uprights machined / Down Low rails / ChaseCam / V1 / SS lines w/ R4-S "My daily driver does .85 Mach" " I started flying when Sex was safe and Hang Gliding was dangerous " BUY My Europa ! http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f94/...pa-sale-43829/ Last edited by kestrel74 : 10-16-2009 at 08:30 AM.

10-16-2009, 08:14 AM	#14 (permalink)
MyFutureSelfnMe Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 1,205	I second, third and fourth everyone who says you should do it. Switzerland is one of the cleanest, most pristine, beautiful countries in the world and you will probably have even more fun with your Elise there than you would in NorCal. In some ways, when I'm there and return to the US I feel like I'm actually traveling from the US to Mexico. Most people can't do it because immigration isn't exactly a snap. If you have a job offer, you have an opportunity many people would kill for. Switzerland is not part of the EU. It has its own rules. You should not have a hard time getting your car registered though, stringent import regulations are mainly peculiar to North American countries. Have fun! __________________ Originally Posted by dead_ed I love my elise but there's no hiding that it was assembled by drunks.

10-16-2009, 08:33 AM	#15 (permalink)
CountTracula Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NorCal Posts: 652	Future, yeah - I totally see what you are saying. It is indeed a great little country I am offered a really great job with some awesome possibilities so I will most likely take it although I am still negotiating some smaller terms...

10-16-2009, 09:06 AM	#16 (permalink)
MyFutureSelfnMe Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 1,205	Refer to Importing cars Assuming you've had it >6mos, you can drive the car with California plates legally up to 1 year. During that year you will probably get a sh*tload of attention. No import duty. All they want to do is inspect your car. There is no stupid list of vehicles that are or aren't admissible. They aren't robots. Be glad you're not moving from Switzerland to the US. Find the cheapest port in Western Europe to ship to, and ship it there. All things being equal, ship it to Genoa. Road trip it from there. It should cost $2500ish I believe. __________________ Originally Posted by dead_ed I love my elise but there's no hiding that it was assembled by drunks.

10-16-2009, 09:23 AM	#17 (permalink)
ms355 Alfa User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 2,143	Congratulations. You have got the chance to live in one of the best places in Europe - right in the heart of it. Switzerland is a beautiful country. The only thing that you will be missing is the Ocean, but they have wonderful lakes ... As far as importing the Elise is concerned you might want to contact the Lotus dealer who is next to Zürich (Garage Pfenninger in Zumikon): Lotus Garage Pfenninger in Zumikon / Schweiz - Probefahrt, Occasionen, Neuwagen, Vertretung für Evora, Elise, Exige, Europa, Esprit & Elan However, I would recommend not to drive a car like the Elise in winter time even if you plan to drive it in the lower parts of the country (like in Zürich). __________________ Michael Elisetalk Trip to UK 2007

10-16-2009, 09:24 AM	#18 (permalink)
LarryB Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: NorCal Posts: 3,107	Pretty sure Pascal is from Switzerland and will be at this weekend autox. You can ask him. Also there was a long time LT member that moved to Switzerland and I think took a old Fiat over- Modern Wedgie that you might get in touch with. Considering your originally from one country over, sounds like it would be a good move.

10-16-2009, 09:51 AM	#20 (permalink)
AgentTripleX #101 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Francisco Posts: 3,101	Hey Nick, would hate to see you leave, but if you need suggestions as for shipping let me know. I just shipped a couple cars to Switzerland. __________________ http://www.facebook.com/SPRVXN www.twitter.com/autoVXNS http://sprvxn.tumblr.com/ "We always deceive ourselves twice about the people we love - first to their advantage, then to their disadvantage." Albert Camus "The refusal to choose is a form of choice; disbelief is a form of belief." Frank Barron

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