GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

ok, so i found i out i will be relocating to germany due to military orders in late january. so the problem is...what should i do with my car? i can take it with me, but then have the hassel of getting it over there, finding a dealership or warrenty covered mechanic, and just the whole weirdness of having an american car in europe. plus who knows, ill probably get deployed when i get there. what i am thinking is puting my car in storage at my parents, theyd drive it once a month or so. keep paying on it while keeping the miles way low. they maybe buy some tiny cheap-euro car when i get there. give me some imput and ideas if you have any.....thanks

i beleive the army pays for it at no cost to me

Probably either don't know or can't say, but how long do you think you'll be over there? A couple of years? If it's going to be a long time, a third option would be to sell it, and buy a new one when you get back. As much fun as it would be to get it on the autobahn, and with all the cool mods you've done, I imagine it would be hard to let it go. Good luck with the tough decision, but even more so, be safe over there.

hmmm, vibe, autobonn (sp?), sounds like funcrap i was too late, joat beat me to it

I think if it is possible, you should take it with you. I'm sure you will be able to get parts if needed, but I would be worried about the warranty service as well. Overall, I think I would rather have my Vibe with me wherever I was.

i beleive germany is a 2 year minimum tour. i could get a nice litle bmw for cheap i have been told. plus i guess you can get cars for cheap from other GI's that are goin back to the states. who knows...i have some time to wait and see

Hey, you'll get another ribbon for your chest!If it's for sure at least 2 years, then I would take it with me. Especially if the Army will ship it for you at no cost. I was in the Marine Corps. and was stationed in Japan for a year. If I remember right, they give you an amount of wieght that they will ship for free and anything over that wieght you'd have to pay 'military rates' (normaly VERY good).You would have a very rare car if you shipped your Vibe over to Europe and get a lot of attention from the tuner scene over there. As for parts, don't sweat it, you will always have the internet to order them from. On the other hand. You could store the Vibe and buy a nice sporty car over there and trick it out, then have the Army ship it to the states. Then you'd have a great daily driver/family car and a cool hobby/show/race car. (Umm right hand drive manual!)I see your delema. Good luck!

quote:You would have a very rare car if you shipped your Vibe over to Europe and get a lot of attention from the tuner scene over there. A US serviceman in any foreign country probably does not want to stand out any more than necessary any more. For me, that would be enough reason to leave it and get some local car over there. If this might be an issue for meat, then he should talk to the appropriate security folks in his command to get some advice on how significant a threat it will be to attract a lot of attention. Given prior terrorist attacks on US military in that country, blending in might be a better tactic.

hey.. if you end up getting deployed when you go to Germany then a car will not be needed... many people keep their cars in storage to what I beleive at the Armys expense... I know its common for people to sell their cars but come on..we are talkin a Vibe here... two years... possible deployment = leave the car in the states...

Or you could sell it on the chance you're there more than 2 years...and then come home and get yourself an 06 or 07 vibe!

Depending on who you have it financed with, they may not want it to leave the country. Personally, I would worry about it being damaged in transit. If I put a dent or a scratch in my car, I did it. I can't stand my stuff getting abused by someone else. I'd leave it here.I wish you a safe stay in Germany, and thank you for your effort. I don't think the people in our armed services get a fraction of the gratitude they deserve. (probably not worded right, but you know what I mean)

They've got some really nice cars in Germany.... even the TAXIS are BMW and Mercedes-Benz!!!! All the police cars (in Bavaria at least) seem to be BMWs. Seriously, I'd store the Vibe like you say, and see if you could get even a USED Mercedes A-class over there. It is the tiniest little Benz you've ever seen but it drives like a big car and can even hold its own on the Autobahn!But... for a two year tour... I think I'd take the Vibe with me, especially if the Army pays for the transportation. I've seen all manner of US cars in Germany... even a Chevy pickup. It's not COMMON by any means, but not that unusual. I don't think Toyota service would be that hard to come by.

when my dad was stationed in England for 3 yrs we brought our Toyota tercel wagon with us. it was a little strange, but it was a great car. we also bot a tiny european car that was a pos. that didn't last long at all. if i remember correctly, we took the Tercel all over england, scotland and wales without any issues or problems. the base should also have a mechanics shop for repairs and there are dealerships everywhere. remember, toyota and GM export their vehicles too. besides, with teh Voltz out, it wouldn't be that big a deal. Personally, i'd bring it with me to keep my costs down from having to get another vehicle there, especially a reliable one.the other issue of storing or selling it, is are you upside down on your loan? if you are then you're stuck. if you store it, still pay on it, and then get another car over there, why bother? i'd take it with me no doubt. besides, who here wouldn't want to take our vibe on the autobahn?

i dont know what i will do now, you all have good points. it will all come down to money. if i have to pay to ship it, then no way will i take it. but either way i am still leaning to storing it here and get a cheap euro car. but i got a couple months

military will ship it for you. you could always consider a scooter. you see them all over the place up there. traffic's a ***** and rather nasty. or just bike it, especially if you end up being deployed. still, i would bring it with me than store it, pay for it, and then buy another "cheap" euro car. i believe that you get what you pay for. there's something to be said for value in a quality product and not cheap.

I suggest leaving the Vibe here and buying a cheap car in Europe. My reasons:-No shipping damage-Won't stand out as much in a foreign country-Traffic is INSANE in European countries -If need be, you could buy parts or whatever over the internet, but have you ever shipped something heavy to Germany? $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$-The military might ship your car for free, but you get what you pay for. A friend of mine bought a Harley while stationed in Germany and had it shipped back for free when he returned home. It arrived a month after he did.My biggest concern would be:-If you get deployed, where would you keep your Vibe in Germany? You know, cars we drool over here in the states (WRX STI, Mitsu Evolution, Nissan Skyline) have been available in Europe for years. You could probably pick up an older one cheap. Ship THAT home, it will be much more fun. Good luck and stay safe!!

1. Let your parents drive your Vibe to the store once a week. At least run it for a 1/2hour. Do not worry about money, you will probably make more once you are in Germany. The payments should not be a problem. A 2003 will almost be paid off when you get home. Imagine an almost new vehicle with only 1 year or less to go on the payments. You will have almost 10 years of driving left on the vehicle.2. Go to the marina supply and buy some stuff for the oil and the gas tank for storage. Do not want acid building up and ruining your seals. Have the Vibe put in storage and lube the tires and all of the rubber seals. Driving from the base(when you get time) will be overated. The public transportation is excellent compared to the states. You will be with your buddies and I am sure that when you guys get some time off there will be more than 4 of you. You do not want to take your Vibe on the autobahn. You do not have tires rated for high speeds. You will probably end up wrapping it around a tree. If you should get in a wreck there or need some body work. Do not call the insurance company. Plus you might as well leave it bent until you get home. The price of shipping sheet metal will cost more than your first born. 3. I hope that I have convinced you to at least leave it here. Yes it might be cool for about a week. After that you will wish you left it home. With times the way they are you will not have much time to spend with it.

were you military over there? your thoughts were my first thoughts and ideas about taking it with me. than other made some good points about taking it. but i am still leaning to keeping it here. i will have had it for almost a year in january, but i have a 6 year deal, so it will only be half paid off by the end of those 2 years.

hmm... good points there, hot vibe.when we were stationed overseas, it was back in 85-88. my dad was intel and specialized in terrorism operations. he had to brief all the incoming GI's. the public transportation system in Germany is supposed to be one of the best in the world, so you could probably get away with a bike even or just walk. still, i'd take mine over, but that's me.

after talkin to a few friends here, i think ill take it with me. they said where i am goin id want a car, i guess its kinda in the boonies. they said to rent a euro car in i ever go on any road trips.

which base are you going to and when? you'll definitely have to get some pics while you're there. i've always wanted to go to Deutschland but never made it over. even took like 7 years of German from jr hi thru college. still can't speak it.

as of right now i am going to baumberg or something like that. i report on the 20th of jan.

well, while you're there, you'll have to check out a Rammstein concert and let us all know how it went.

yeah, those guys are crazy

Do you need to get a German driver's liscense? They are really expensive and really hard to get. If you don't need to get a liscense I would ave the Vibe shipped there to show it off Im that kinda person llol. Do you speak German?

well since i am in the military, we take a USAER(or something like that) test. i took it once when i deployed to kosovo for 7 mos a couple years ago. it isnt easy, but its free. i just realized, i could possibly have the ONLY vibe in germany. thatd be kinda neat, till it gets stolen

I read something once in the magazine Pontiac sends owners about a guy who took his Aztek to Hungary or Romania (can't remember which) when he got transferred there for his job. He said it was cool watching people turn away from BMWs to look and point at his Aztek.

quote:well since i am in the military, we take a USAER(or something like that) test. i took it once when i deployed to kosovo for 7 mos a couple years ago. it isnt easy, but its free. i just realized, i could possibly have the ONLY vibe in germany. thatd be kinda neat, till it gets stolen I don't think anybody is going to still your Vibe.1.They can't sell it in Europe for sure.2They not going to take it apart,because they can't sell parts from a car,what is never were imported to Europe.So take your Vibe with you,and have fun on the autobahn.Just watch your mirror often.When I was in Germany,we drove on the autobahn very often.My brother-in-law had a Saab 9000 turbo.We always drove around 210-220Km/h.And belive it or not there were cars in every minutes who passed by.

ya, that'd be kinda cool to have the only vibe there. i'm sure everyone will be checking it out.

quote:I read something once in the magazine Pontiac sends owners about a guy who took his Aztek to Hungary or Romania (can't remember which) when he got transferred there for his job. He said it was cool watching people turn away from BMWs to look and point at his Aztek. i remembe rthat article too