Help with Euro spec TT in the NYC area
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Help with Euro spec TT in the NYC area
I own a 2000 TT Coupe Quattro 225 HP, chassis number TRUZZZ8NZY1013854 manufacture date 29 Sepermber 1999. Bought it new then from an Audi dealer in Italy near the US Army post where my wife works. We are Americans part of the US Army civilian contingent here. Detailed specs on our TT seem to be identical to those sold in the USA at that time. We are returning to the US (New York City). The US Army will ship our TT over there for us. The question is, will we be able to get it into the country asince it is a Euro spec TT> Can anyone tell me what, if any, differences there are between our TT and those sold in the USA at the same time? If there are differences that would prevent us from bringing our TT back with us, are there any companies over there that can inexpensive bring our TT into compliance with US regs? We need to make a decision soon. Thank you.
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Unfortunately the car is too new to fall under the exemption (car must be >20 years old iirc)
While the specs may seem similar, things like the bumpers, headlights, emission/exhaust/catalyst systems, and instrument cluster must be changed to NA spec units (which can be costly; an instrument cluster alone is about $1000, not counting labor to install it). The car then needs to be federalized, which will take, at best, weeks (but most likely longer). Most numbers that I've heard thrown around for importation and federalization hover around $10k USD. Granted some of that may be for shipping (which the Army is doing for free), but its still an expensive venture, and there is no guarantee that it will be federalized (i.e., you may spend $5k on upgrading the car only to have it not be federalized, in which case it needs to be shipped back to Europe or crushed).
The only way you can get around it is if you are going back to Europe within 2 years (I think) and plan on bringing the car with you. Then you can bring the car here and use it without any upgrades, but at the end of the predetermined time period, the car needs to be shipped back out or crushed.
The only way you can get around it is if you are going back to Europe within 2 years (I think) and plan on bringing the car with you. Then you can bring the car here and use it without any upgrades, but at the end of the predetermined time period, the car needs to be shipped back out or crushed.
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From: Orlando, FL
Or just drive it over to Canada, then back to the US, where it will sit for 2 weeks in customs...
then you can drive it again. :-)
Check the list of cars that may be legally imported, I would think the TT would be on it!
Check the list of cars that may be legally imported, I would think the TT would be on it!
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very cool! speak to the base relocation office, they should be able to help
the only real difference is the headlights, which in order to pass US inspection must have amber in the corners. You can buy used headlight housings and DIY for little money, or you can get new headlights installed for ~2,000.. It makes the car look awful, so if i were you i'd see if i can pass without changing, if you cannot, swap the housings and get re-inspected.
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Federalising the car is a PITA
my recommendation: sell it over there and get something similar here.
Does it have all the required US crap like unleaded fuel only on the speedo next to the gas guage?
there are other silly requirements like the filler hole for the gas tank has to be a certian size.
IIRC, there may be a one-time exemption for importing a car.
Does it have all the required US crap like unleaded fuel only on the speedo next to the gas guage?
there are other silly requirements like the filler hole for the gas tank has to be a certian size.
IIRC, there may be a one-time exemption for importing a car.
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AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Brooklyn NYC
as i remember it....that rule does NOT apply for cars....
that are/were sold here alongside their european counterparts.
for example...if someone wanted to bring a 2002 A4 from Germany....they could, because the car itself was sold here as the same car....they would however have to make the ncessary changes to bumpers, lights, emissions, etc.....
There is a list of cars exempted by importation rules, and that generally applies to MOST cars that are sold here and there at the same time...
to the original poster, check out the websites for this stuff....the official government website...you'll find the exact list of exempted cars.
for example...if someone wanted to bring a 2002 A4 from Germany....they could, because the car itself was sold here as the same car....they would however have to make the ncessary changes to bumpers, lights, emissions, etc.....
There is a list of cars exempted by importation rules, and that generally applies to MOST cars that are sold here and there at the same time...
to the original poster, check out the websites for this stuff....the official government website...you'll find the exact list of exempted cars.
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