Moving to Germany, Got questions

boblonben said:

A Buick Regal is MADE in Germany and sold there, just not as Buick, but as an Opel, so their size is just made for there.

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No,not this one,2 door ,way to big for a daily use,the other ones,yes,much smaller but not regal.

Jeepwalker said:

You're probably better off leaving it home with a safe person.

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x2 on this advice. I lived in Rome for a while, and if towns in Germany are anything like that you won't want a half ton American pickup there. I would buy a used smaller car that runs on diesel, one that holds its value that you can sell in 2 years for close to what you paid. Like a small BMW SUV.

There are thousands ram trucks in Europe. There are also official importers https://www.ram.com/de/

Just my opinion, but unless you are really tied to your truck, I'd sell it now when truck prices are high, then purchase a Euro vehicle for the three years. You could then order a new RAM through the PX/BX for delivery when you return.

A lot less headaches, and you will enjoy the assignment a lot more.

DocHolliday said:

Spent 5+ years working in Germany (DE). Do not bring that pickup with you. The roads in many places are so old, they were made for horse + cart travel. The fuel prices are over $10 US per gallon. If you get fuel chits your allotment will not cover your costs. The next really ugly factor is insurance.

Mandatory insurance comes in a one size package that cannot be changed. I.E. you will have one choice only, for one cost. My friend brought his Corvette over and had a $7,500 insurance bill. Mine was $3500 for my Mini Cooper that I bought in Germany, then couldn’t bring to the US because of emission restrictions. Check with your insurance company but make sure the person you talk to is authorized to write an EU policy. Very few are. Your policy does not adjust downward if you rarely drive your vehicle. It will not matter if you drive 1 mile a year or 100,000 the cost is the same.

In many cases you can travel everywhere via train or bus. It just takes a while longer but you are not trying to negotiate the roads. An added nicety is you can, and should, bring a food basket that can include alcohol drinks.
Parking is a nightmare. And expensive.
Doing your own auto work on Post is possible. I did. But plan ahead for times other than the weekend. I was able to get parts through the dealer. Otherwise there are a few places that sell oils or fluids. Your true filters are out there, just ask your co-workers for suggestions.
If you are eligible for VAT forms, you cannot use them for fuel. That fuel tank is going to cost you. By the way, use of credit cards is limited and in many places not accepted.

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Call USAA, they had the best auto & personnal property rates during my times in-country.

DocHolliday said:

Spent 5+ years working in Germany (DE). Do not bring that pickup with you. The roads in many places are so old, they were made for horse + cart travel. The fuel prices are over $10 US per gallon. If you get fuel chits your allotment will not cover your costs. The next really ugly factor is insurance.

Mandatory insurance comes in a one size package that cannot be changed. I.E. you will have one choice only, for one cost. My friend brought his Corvette over and had a $7,500 insurance bill. Mine was $3500 for my Mini Cooper that I bought in Germany, then couldn’t bring to the US because of emission restrictions. Check with your insurance company but make sure the person you talk to is authorized to write an EU policy. Very few are. Your policy does not adjust downward if you rarely drive your vehicle. It will not matter if you drive 1 mile a year or 100,000 the cost is the same.

In many cases you can travel everywhere via train or bus. It just takes a while longer but you are not trying to negotiate the roads. An added nicety is you can, and should, bring a food basket that can include alcohol drinks.
Parking is a nightmare. And expensive.
Doing your own auto work on Post is possible. I did. But plan ahead for times other than the weekend. I was able to get parts through the dealer. Otherwise there are a few places that sell oils or fluids. Your true filters are out there, just ask your co-workers for suggestions.
If you are eligible for VAT forms, you cannot use them for fuel. That fuel tank is going to cost you. By the way, use of credit cards is limited and in many places not accepted.

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Have you seen the size of the new cars coming out of Europe? They are all large, matters not if it's a luxery brand or FawVay (VW).

Take it.

I did two years at Spangdahlem AFB and while I loved Germany I would be in the don’t take the truck camp. Yes you can get parts if needed and yes most bases/posts have garages and auto hobby shops and you get gas rations but as others have noted insurance is expensive. The “on the economy” parking is brutal with a big vehicle. When I served you could only take one vehicle for free so if you’re taking the Honda and the Ram that’s an added expense. Are you living on or off base? What’s parking like if you’re on BAQ? Towns are tight, roads are narrow you’re going to get dents and dings. I’d buy a second vehicle when you get in country as there is always a service member selling a vehicle when they PCS. Used truck prices are high right now, I’d sell it and buy new through the exchange when you come back.

MrSassy1949 said:

In order to bring a vehicle back for free, one must take a vehicle over.
I suggest not taking the truck. Take the Honda, then sell it or trade it in on a new vehicle before coming back.

USArmy retired

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Unless the reg changed, that's not true. But it's been 17 years since I left USAFE.

Hi RougeIT,

Do you have your orders in hand? If so, are you being assigned to a unit directly or to a replacement company which will cut your orders for whatever unit has a need for your MOS and specialty? If you are being assigned directly to a specific unit and not a replacement company, contact the unit directly and ask them to have the sponsor they plan to assign to you and your family contact you. If things run even remotely similar to the way they were in the '90's after most of the units were drawn down, your assigned unit may possibly even assign you to a detached platoon on another kaserne in a different geographical area entirely. This is information your sponsor should be able to provide and is definitely information you want to have before finalizing plans.

Enjoy your assignment in Germany, it is a real blast! If they still have German-American Friendship Clubs, I highly recommend you join one and go on as many outings as possible. And definitely take advantage of any programs with a sister unit in the Bundeswehr if your new unit has one. The Schützenschnur looks mighty nice on a dress uniform and is a real kick to obtain, at least if you enjoy firearms.

3 years At Spangdahlem, 2011-2014, roads are tight in the villages, fuel costs are high, there was a dealership in Bitburg that was an authorized Dodge/Jeep/Ram service center, had our transfer case replaced after it shipped from the US, no cost, extended warranties pay for themselves sometimes. Parking garages are 6 feet or less, so that's a no-go. Had to pull the roof top carrier off our Journey to get into a garage in Berlin. Roads in Italy are even more narrow, a Mercedes C130 was tight with the mirrors reeled in. If it's the exhilaration of driving it fast on the Autobahn, USAA will only cover you in an accident up to 130Kph, or 80 miles per hour, over that you're on your own. My Ram shuts down at 106, if you're a tuner it could be fun, but the price to play is heavy and fines are seriously expensive for traffic violations, and speed cameras were everywhere. Driving the Journey at 119 was fun, but it gets old. The villages and back roads are where the history and true driving joy lies. Save the Ram stateside or sell it, get a cheap BMW, I had a 316i, burned more water than fuel, but was absolutely the way to go, sold it for more than I paid when I left. Enjoy USAFE or USAREUR!