Military member with a big question??? I need you opinion

[ajjones44]

I have a question for you guys. I am returning from Iraq in a couple of months and the first thing I want to pick up is a Camaro. However, I will be going to Germany in the fall and the wifee is a little concerned about taking the car other there. She is mainly worried that it may get messed up. What do you guys think? BTW, she has blessed off on on Rushforth Wheels, Pedders suspension, TSP exhaust and a KB Supercharger. Not that I am trying to persuade you or anything. Thanks.

[DocHolliday]

People succesfully bring cars over seas all the time...I wouldn't worry about it.

[40years]

FWIW, I would not worry about it either. On the plus side, you would get to really open her up on the Autobahn. Something most of us can only dream of doing. Good luck and THANK YOU for your service.

[Orange5thGen]

First Thank you for serving for us all!
Now get one and bring it over there and take it out on the autobahn.....

[flyby]

I spent four years in Germany in the USAF back in the mid 80's. Back then many people brought their own cars over without a problem, you just have to do all the leg work. You will enjoy the roads over there they are much better than in the states. You will espically love the autobahn. Suggestion, LEARN GERMAN, this is very important, when you even try to communicate with the locals in German, they really treat you well. On the other hand, if you only try english, which they ALL learn in grammar school, they will treat you like sh*t. Good luck, and thanks for your service, where are you being stationed?

[ssmike]

First, God bless you for your service to our country! I wouldn't worry either, my brother-in-law shipped his BMW and Mustang GT to & from Germany where he was stationed. He got to drive the Autobon too, I hope you get the chance with your new Camaro! Enjoy and be safe!

[Blade]

NP I have heard so far on shipping a car over. They got that procedure down at this point. Thanks fo your service! And have fun rippin up The Bahn!

[ajjones44]

Thanks for the input guys!!!

[Big Brunsy]

:flag2: thanks for you service, take that car and dive it like I wish I could!! good luck man

[Atcer]

Originally Posted by ajjones44

I have a question for you guys. I am returning from Iraq in a couple of months and the first thing I want to pick up is a Camaro. However, I will be going to Germany in the fall and the wifee is a little concerned about taking the car other there. She is mainly worried that it may get messed up. What do you guys think? BTW, she has blessed off on on Rushforth Wheels, Pedders suspension, TSP exhaust and a KB Supercharger. Not that I am trying to persuade you or anything. Thanks.

You will have to add the red fog light and maybe some side blinkers. Try this link and give them an e-mail to what will need to be done to get it approved on the road.
http://www.mildenhallautocentre.ltd.uk/

[drtwo]

I was in the military in Germany in early 90's. It is quite a pain to get a car sent over and very expensive to buy one there. I honestly suggest buying it through AFES but waiting to get to the states to pick it up. Get another cheap car that you can sell while in Germany. Insurance will likely be high too!

[rmnc3r]

Take it over, have fun with it while you are there (Married = 3 year tour?),
sell it for a boatload of DMs to a drooling German Motorhead when you leave,
then buy a new one. Spass Machen!

[cschmidt1956]

Thank you for your Service.

I took a vehicle to England in the late 70's. For me it worked out okay. A Camaro over there would be awesome. As other stated the Autobahn is an amazing piece of work. Roadbed is better than twice the thickness of the best roads here. That means SMOOTH, and meant for speeds.

Enjoy!

[JIMMYRAY31B]

I'm in the Army and I was stationed in Germany from '99-'01. Just some infromation for you, first if you do get a Camaro you will have to make sure your finance company (if you finance) will let you take it over there. Second you will be taking a lot of faith in the company shipping it over there and it will take about 1-1.5 month, if you decide to let the military ship it for free. Third I would suggest to also safe some extra money to buy a german beater when you get there cause the winters can be harsh depending where you will be and it does rain a lot there.

Side note: the roads are great to drive on though! Perfect place to open up a car. When I was stationed there one of my sergeants at the time had a 4th Gen maro, he set up for the autobahn/German roads and got rid of all the restrictions and on a ride one time he got it to 178mph! It was a blast in Germany being able to open up any car legally!

Also you will not have to add anything to your vehicle. This is only when you try to bring a German spec vehicle to the states then you will have to add some things.

[Atcer]

I'm Airforce and I just had a troop go over there (May 09) they had to add lighting to his mustang, the base service station can convert your car to their specs otherwise you can not get a plate to register it. I have seen the red fog light placed into one of the back up lights of the Camaro, sincce they only require one for backup. you can also go to a .mil site for Ramstein and take the written test before you arrive. This will speed up the process. You still will need to take a driving test to get a foreign drivers license. Family will have to do the same. I would also reccomend getting a beater as a friend down the street just got back from Ramstein and said cars get beat up in parking lots ans such with the smaller limited parking areas.

[Atcer]

Originally Posted by JIMMYRAY31B

I'm in the Army and I was stationed in Germany from '99-'01.

Also you will not have to add anything to your vehicle. This is only when you try to bring a German spec vehicle to the states then you will have to add some things.

Rules/laws have changed, will need to meet lighting laws.

[boxmonkeyracing]

I am in the military and have been stationed over seas. the car if messed up during shipping will be completely fixed/payed for by the military. but i did ship a 99 wrangler TJ to iceland with no problems. you will have to watch out for mods because it does have to meet the local specs for emissions.

and to let you know if I ever got stationed in germany my first stop is to trade in all my toys for a new camaro to ship over there and take it out on the autobahn and the ring.

[Waco]

Not sure you can buy GM products through AAFES, just returned from Iraq and AAFES there only sold Ford, Chrysler and H-D. I have shipped 2 cars to Guam and back...If you do ship, make sure you note the mileage (they should record it at the port on your docs) and conduct a very meticulous inspection pre and post shipping. Scratches and such are common and not a big deal to get fixed normally, the only chance you take is that you may not be able to find a great body/paint shop to fix them, if they occur, to your standards. Wonder also if the new colors are widely available overseas or if it would take them a while to track down and have shipped. The DoD folks at the receiving yard now offer you a check on the spot of the est repair bill if you do find minor damage and their est meets their cost threshold. Your prerogative if you wish to accept it or take it to a repair shop for an est instead. Stay safe, get home soon and best wishes on the PCS to Germany!

P.S. I'm also buying soon and am still AD and would take my SS anywhere they would let me. Except Guam again...too small of an island and too much salt in the air.

[monstertodd]

There are several members on here who live in Germany and have Camaro's. You should talk to them. One of them is called Blacky I believe.

[Ravirn]

Originally Posted by ajjones44

I have a question for you guys. I am returning from Iraq in a couple of months and the first thing I want to pick up is a Camaro. However, I will be going to Germany in the fall and the wifee is a little concerned about taking the car other there. She is mainly worried that it may get messed up. What do you guys think? BTW, she has blessed off on on Rushforth Wheels, Pedders suspension, TSP exhaust and a KB Supercharger. Not that I am trying to persuade you or anything. Thanks.

First off, keep your @$$ safe over there.
Secondly, tons of cars cross the Atlantic every year... no problems. I say go for it and have it shipped!

[ajjones44]

Originally Posted by Waco

Not sure you can buy GM products through AAFES, just returned from Iraq and AAFES there only sold Ford, Chrysler and H-D. I have shipped 2 cars to Guam and back

Correct, no GM cars through AAFES and I wouldnt go that route anyway. I have had a bad experience with them when trying to purchase an Avalanche back in 03 and a Harley in 04. A guy on my team also had a bad experience when trying to purchase a Mustang this year. GM does offer its own Military discount through gmmilitarydiscount.com. I havent went there the get a quote but I would estimate it to be in $2000 area.

[Andro]

Don't worry your car will get inspected with you being present before and after it arrives to Germany. I shipped my BMW from Italy to Las Vegas without incident

[Buelligun]

I have spent 13 years of my career in Germany, and found the German people on the whole (including younger generation) are very respectful of other peoples property, obviously you do get the odd one who is a wretch I am sure you will have no problem with having your car out there. I cannot offer advice on shipping/ where to purchase as I'm British Army....and I could drive across!
Autobhans are great roads, but be aware they are NOT all unrestricted, (and they are looking at putting speed limits on whats left) and where they are, if you crash over 120kph, you will AUTOMATICALLY be blamed for the accident!!:( Oh, and one other thing, it doesn't matter how fast you are going.....keep an eye on your rear view mirror, there is ALWAYS someone going faster

[Legend]

Lots of advice...I'll throw my 2 cents in as well since I jsut returned from a 4 year tour there...

The military will ship your car. Any damage will be fixed by the military. So, dont' worry about that...I sent home two cars when we left...Mini Cooper and a Saab...zero incidents.

Inspection will be your toughest obstacle...the stock exhaust would pass with flying colors but an aftermarket exhasut will be too loud most likely. 90 db is the limit...so check and see what yoru exhaust is before purchase.

No need to worry about the car after arrival...cars are macines to Europeans...they will respect it! Dont' leave it unlocked and such but overall, you'll be fine and the car will be too.

On a side note...AAFES no longer does business with GM...they stopp selling those products about 4 years ago so you cannot buy through AFFES.