Buying car in France

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Sat 17 Aug 2002 23:04
Buying car in France - Daddy K
I'm off to be a student for a year near Paris. Despite being the proud owner of a 2001 VW Polo I want to buy a cheap car in France for use while I'm over there. The prangs that are synonymous with Parisian driving and the crime that a UK reg'd car attracts make it a no-brainer. Have up to £800 to spend - can anyone offer any advice?

PS
A convertible or something sporty would be nice
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Sun 18 Aug 2002 08:26
Buying car in France - lezebre


Congratulations on being a car nut and not wanting to put your veedub at risk, and being unwilling to get around by train, which would possibly be more sensible in that lovely metropolis.

As to whether to get a wreck here or over there, I think you will find there are pros and cons either way. Certainly I found this many moons ago during a year in the Vosges area, when I took an old car over - a beetle as it happens - then had to replace it with a local banger (une bagnole) because I believed the hype that I would be able to drive flat out all day on the Mway in Wolfsburg's finest.

Hopefully someone will be able to give you some up to date advice.
I remember having to queue all morning to have the French car registered in my name, but no doubt French burocracy has become less onerous since then (Ha!).

But please, if you would, elaborate on < the crime that a UK reg'd car attracts> because this hasn't been covered before.
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Sun 18 Aug 2002 11:39
Buying car in France - Ben79
If you want to confuse the French, just drive a right hand drive french car in the small villages in the middle of nowhere. They look at you like you are mad and stare at your car.

They are looking at the Citroens West Coast badge on the Xsara as most french cars seem to be badgeless.

As in good old England, nothing was on display in the car.

Ben
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If you cover no more than 100 miles per day and have easy access to a charging point at home or work, then an EV is ideal for you.

Is an electric car right for me?