shipping my suv or By one in STX

After you take into consideration shipping, use tax, and road tax the prices in the VI aren't that far off. In the VI they add these items on to a supplement to the window sticker on the car. Stateside they don't include the sales tax on the window sticker.

I was able to buy a Ford Escape on STX for no more than $500 more than it would have cost me to buy it stateside then ship it STX.

Take you internet price to a local VI dealer and negotiate.

I figured the fex extra dollars I paid would help me if I needed to get the car serviced.

Jim

Thanks jim. but what about buying a used suv & shipping it down? would it be the same or much more to buy a used suv in STX? is it worst it to ship it?

If you already own a "paid for" car you might consider shipping it to the islands. If you go out and "buy" a new or used vehicle and then ship it to the USVI you are going to spend more.

simple....do the math...

Richard -

If you come down here, look at all of the bulletin boards at the grocery stores and read the Avis - there are people leaving all the time and there are some decent deals. Some of the cars don't have that many island miles on them - they were brought from the States and then too expensive to ship back when the people bugged out. Also, the rental agencies are having their sales right now - might find a good deal there as well.

If you own a good car and it is not some exotic make that will be difficult to get parts for then ship it down. It will cost you at least $2K for shipping, road tax, duties and use tax. The cost depends on car's value, country of orgin and weight.

Cars don't get a lot of miles on them in the VI, but the miles they do get are hard. It is also hard to get first rate service on cars. Many garages look like they are something out of the 50s. Many don't have electronic test equipment.

When the check engine light came on my GM car and I called the dealer on STX the soonest I could get it in for service was six weeks. I finally found a Goodyear store that was able to read the code, but they didn't have a clue what to do to correct the problem the code indicated. Fortunately the problem wasn't serious so the car continues to run fine.

Jim

Hi Neighbor,
How are you & Britt progressing with your permanent move to STX?
I hope to be there sometime after Christmas so look forward to seeing you both!
Since you are the moving expert, I have a question for you...I have a 1999 Lincoln Towncar with only about 45,000 miles on it and that is paid in full. I was thinking about shipping this down. It was made in USA, obviously, and I have actually seen this car in STX.
I am a bit concerned about the fact that it is lower to the ground than a SUV but it is a big sturdy car. Parallel parking in town will be a challenge-LOL- but I am sure I will survive. What do you estimate the shipping charges to be & how easy will it be to get repairs or service when needed(it is in the Ford family)?

Well got to go-still not sure if my unit is complete yet!! And will see you both at end of year!
Take care,
Phyllis

I always recommend buying a vehicle once on island, as there are always plenty for sale, you won't have all of the hassles and expense of shipping, inspection, registration, etc. and, here on STT at least, we need more cars here like we need another Marylin! Haha!