Posts by vividraven50

Robin Clark said:They didn't pay anything, and neither did I. The dealer just gave me an informal quote, basically saying if I bought it at that price, that's what it would cost.
What does a VIN have to do with CO2 emissions?
The manufacturer sets the CO2 emission levels because the car has European certification or a COC certificate that lists the specific emission data.
Here in the US, when importing, we just copy the info from that certificate. There aren't any actual tests or measurements performed because, again, the car already has its certification—we just transcribe it from the COC.
A specific tax (in this case, at this dealership) was calculated incorrectly by the distributor to the buyer's detriment, and I am 100% sure about that right now.

And please stop spamming. It's pretty obvious you don't get how this works and don't have anything intelligent to contribute.

You haven't even bought the car yet, and you're already acting like an expert... as if a gentleman could somehow uncover or divine the CO2 levels just by looking at a VIN.

Robin Clark said:Good grief, here I am writing the exact same thing for the second time:

Market value is defined as the value of a used motor vehicle within the American market on the day the special tax base is determined. (this applies to used vehicles)

The sale price is the retail price of a new motor vehicle, including customs and sales tax, but excluding special tax. The sale price also includes the value of any optional equipment installed in the vehicle. (this applies to new vehicles)

Copied straight from the US laws regarding special motor vehicle taxes.

I'm not sure which catalog you're talking about; that's how things work when you buy used cars.

But we are talking about buying a new car here.

And it's not a Customs issue, it's a dealer issue because they handle the homologation during import and then they're the ones calculating the special tax when they sell it.

And something feels off there, since they're calculating a higher amount than what's actually happening.
Knowing how some people in America operate, that extra cushion probably ends up in someone's pocket every time a car is sold.

I really don't want to argue anymore. Please, folks, just read carefully before responding, because the situation here is as clear as day.

Out of 14 posts in this thread, 9 of them are pure spam.

If you ask me, you're just acting smart, and people like you... well, they usually end up in a psych ward sooner rather than later.
Sir, those vehicles being imported into the US have to be reported via Intrastat; they have to report the VIN accurately, and based on that specific number, they are required to pay the CO2 tax.
I'm simply suggesting that maybe they didn't pay the CO2 tax based on the price they quoted you... perhaps you were just lucky and they gave you one with a defect, and now you'll be constantly repairing it. You could have gone down there first thing in the morning and waited for them to explain themselves...
If that is the amount they quoted you, then that is the amount you're stuck with...

Robin Clark said:I actually got confirmation on a legal forum that my math was spot on.

I'm going to reach out to the dealer and ask them to walk me through their tax calculations. I need to know why they're coming up with $873 higher totals than what I'm seeing on my end.

Honestly, this is just what we get with the EU.
You’d think importing cars from Europe would make things cheaper—less paperwork, fewer taxes, smoother process—but instead, they end up being even more expensive.
Man, there is just zero logic to it.

I mean, I don't think you have anything better to do with your time...
He’ll give you the market value, but then he calculates everything based on a catalog price that might not even match what you actually paid...
What that means is they sell you the car at one price, but they are legally required to calculate that special tax based on the catalog value... so, really, don't waste your breath overthinking it.
It isn't the dealer's fault; it's Customs...