I won this ebayauction -03 h2 good/bad?

[Peter etg]

Hi,
As some of you know i´m in Sweden and am trying to find a H2 in the US to bring over here.
I just won this auction. Seems to be an ok deal i think. US 32555.http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=43913&item=4548923 666&rd=1

I am aware of the water history stated in the description. Does waterhistory allways have to mean big trouble (for me), or could everything just as well work fine in the future?
Since this one was pretty well equiped and low miles i hope i did a decent deal. What do you experts say?
Did i make a decent deal OR the worst deal ever made by a man??
Inputs are appriciated. But please don´t be to hard on me if the deal was really bad



Thanks a lot
Peter

(p.s it saids "auction ended you were outbid". That is beacuse i also use another user-id. patrikekh)

[AHels]

From what I've been able to work out, importing a non-stock vehicle to Europe is fine as long as it is still classed as road-worthy in the EU - i.e. check weight, emission etc restrictions with your local test-center.

The problem is that if it's not stock it will have to go through a full test as they wont have an already approved vehicle to test it against.

So basically you'll have to sit a full Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) test yourself. This is where they check the car from top to bottom and comments on anything you'll have to change to get it approved. Once approved you can then get it registered, insured and finally enjoy the ride

I'm guessing this is pretty much the same in all of Europe as it's set by EU guidelines - and although some states (Sweden in particular) have managed to opt out of various clauses (booze, tobacco etc) the vehicle tests should be the same all over the place for safety reasons.

Of course, if you want pretty much a stock vehicle, but stock, get it approved using the short test and add your supercharger etc afterwards - at which time it'll still need to go through 'bilprovningen' but should pass rather easily as they then only check your modifications. Also, make sure you'll get insured with mods - I know the insurance companies are quite ok in Sweden, but still something to bear in mind before buying/modding.

Hope that helps somewhat.

[W1N]

Hey Peter!

I just read an article about superchargers, how they are legel in Finland if the vehicle passes the emission tests. Naturally I will make sure this is valid, but right now everything points to the direction where SC would be possible.

Your info sounds kinda weird because I'm sure there are many many older US vehicles in Sweden like mustangs etc that have been tuned-up for cruising. Why those are legal? Or do you not have them in Sweden?

btw, I have a contact of a Finnish person that has done some seaches for Hummers in North-America and imported them to Finland. People contact him tell what they want and he searches that and gets it to Finland. Price for the hasn't been too bad. If you want his contact info, let me know. He lives in Canada. He might be interested getting you one.

Thanks!

[LoLo]

I am obviously not an authority, but I will say that I certainly wouldn't have sold MY H2 [no water damage, however] for that (or what I saw on the links above!). So, to me, looks like you did well!

Enjoy it, when you finally GET it!

[Peter etg]

Dallion. The first link you mentioned seems to be a very basic model w no lux. pk and w clothseats.

[Mully]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Peter etg:
Thanks all for your thoughts. The thing is that many people have told me before that a waterdamaged car does not allways have to be terrible. So can you explain what could happen in worse case w the truck in the future?(salt/fresh water.)
Seller mentioned in the description that the truck had been in the shop for some work/change of parts. Due to this it does not mean that it should be safe enough to buy you think?

W1N I do search autotrader.com, but it seems hard to find a H2 for less than 35000 w decent miles. But thanks for the link.

Peter </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Wow! My first real chance to post and I can't tell if this thread is a joke or not
Assuming this isn't a joke...Here's your sign...

Dude, I don't want to be to harsh on you but you need to work on your ebay skills. The seller of that "possible" Hummer has only sold 2 things on ebay with that name! And, one was another trashed car!! Sure he has a 100% positive feedback rating. He probably sold it to his mother. I have bought and sold cars on ebay and by far the most important thing to look at, for me mind you, is the number of items sold, for what value, and the feedback history. You said yourself you have two ebay accounts. If it were me I would NOT pay for this and take the negative feedback. Legal contract or not you were obviously out of your mind when you bid for it. You appear to be regaining your senese now by coming to a community of Hummer owners and asking for advice...LISTEN! Quit bidding on the junkers and get yourself a real one. If you can't afford it buy something else. There has to be more than one car in this world that excites you.

Ok, so, worst case is what you want to know? How about you just blew 32K+ on a Hummer that won't run. You then spend 10K on it to get it right and then you still have problems with it as long as you own it. Water and electrical systems do NOT go well together. Short of gutting all the electrical equipment how will you ever be able to diagnose electrical problems with certainty. I am no mechanic but that would be a fear of mine. So again, worst case, you just bought a 32K+ paper weight. But hey, an upside. Re-list it with ebay as the largest paper weight in the world, find someone who has lost their mind, and maybe you can recapture your loss

Now that I have gently bashed you over the head why don't you PM me. I will work for you free of charge to help you find what you are looking for. I love shopping with other peoples money and I do it responsibly. I also have an open carfax account for a few more weeks so don't spend your money on that. Give me exactly what you want. We will take our time and find just the right one.

In all of 2 minutes I found this one which has to be better than what you got and for near the same price!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=43913&item=4549051 775&rd=1

or this one...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=43913&item=4549836 463&rd=1

[W1N]

Thanks sclui56,

I'm kinda picky when it comes to getting a new ride

I'm also planning to upgrade it with Lingenfelter 500hp package, so do you think (can you check) I could have the Lingenfelter to buy it and then I could buy it fron them, once they have done the tune-up. It will thave to be atleast 30 days at the shop anyways. Only thing is that I need to have the taxes dropped since I don't have pay them to US if exporting goods...

What chanses do I have finding a very low milage H2 with all the options I'm looking for.

This is it what I'm looking:
Black H2 with lux
+ sunroof
+ factory chrome fuel door
+ black roof rail handles

Nothing more or nothing less, I'll do the rest myself

btw, where in CA is Encino?

Thanks!!!

[W1N]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by KenP:
W1N, I suggested to Peter to get a hold of you and/or Eldar. You both are experienced in this. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks!

I'll be glad to help him.

[W1N]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by sclui56:
For EU use, you may just be able to modify the circuit & turen one of them into a rear fog, which I believe is required?

While I am still waiting for info from the dealer, wouldn't it make a lot more sense to see if any member here is affiliated with dealers on the right (east) coast? Getting the vehicle to port would be a bit easier, not to mention the cost for truck or rail. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

sclui56,

Right, I need to modify one of the rear light to a fog light, and in the older version one had to be installed. Now these new ones can be used. Thanks for the pictures!!!

I agree that it would be much wiser to deal with east cost dealers since that's were the truck will be shipped out anyways. But, if you can get info from your contact that is extremely valuable for me! What do you think of those Autotrader-adds? Used or new?

Thanks!!!

[Mully]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">5GRGN23U25H126989 </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I just tried running it and this was the reply..."The CARFAX© database currently contains no records for this vehicle. Please check back again soon, as our database is continually updated." Is it possible you have it wrong?

[Ed G.]

Peter,
I just got off the phone with Larry Oas at Classic Hummer in Grapevine Texas. This is where I purchased my H2 they're great people. He informed me that it is against their policy to ship NEW Hummers overseas. They've done it before and have been slapped and fined by GM for doing so. It is possible to get around the "rules" but their dealership will not do it. He said he would introduce you to their pre-owned Hummer sales department, as it is ok to ship vehicles that have been registered in the US and the owner has wished to have their vehicle shipped overseas.

You can contact Larry at Larry@ClassicHummer.com
Be sure to mention that Ed Gagnon had refered you in your email. I'm not getting anything for the referal, but he said he receives many emails from overseas and wants to be sure that he answers yours as soon as possible.

Good Luck,
Ed


I'm not promising anything, just trying to help.

[sclui56]

W1N,

Had to p/u some parts yesterday so I spoke with the manager at the dealer. The deal is like before, if you want to by used, there's no problem for them to facilitate in getting the vehicle shipped, otherwise, on a new vehicle, you will need to find a valid person & address in the U.S. to whom this new vehicle is suppose tyo be registered to, the dealer would then issue a "MSO", which is sort of like a temporary title, and the vehicle will be titled properly once it reaches the destination state (obviously this will not happen).

The whole point of doing an out-of-state sale is to alleivate the sales tax, and I was told that once the "MSO" is issued at the time of sale, the trucking company can actually p/u the vehicle from the selling dealer to the port of your choice.

So your intention of adding mods to the vehicle before crossing the pond is only going to complicate matters, unless you have a very dear friend state-side to oversee the entire process.

[Peter etg]

I agree.
Good information!
So many people descripe huge trouble registrating a modified unit.
Not worth the enormous hassle.
Old cars (i belive older than 20 years or something) - different rules.

[W1N]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by AHels:
You're right. The Hummer's, be it a H1, H2 or even an H3 are not currently approved in Europe. Simply because GM haven't went through the trouble to get them approved as of yet - looks to change as they were talking about actually importing them themselves (GM Austria I believe?).

That being said, there are lots of Hummers on the European roads and they are all approved by EU legislation. The thing is, they need to go through the SVA test (may be called something different in Finland) for the full vehicle check-up, unless, you can provide them with a certificate of a previously approved vehicle of the same make, model and year - in which case they do a limited test only.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Kroymans Corporation will be offical importing party for entire Europe after summer 2006.

Actually there is a dealer in Czeck Republic that is selling Lingenfelter 500hp H2 as new vehicles so there might be a chance that they have had it tested before it went on sale. However, legal manners vary quite a bit from country to country

[VTSTOMPER]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by etg:
By looking at the pictures, it looks like the truck is "sitting little low" on the rear wheels. Like it is kind of lower in the rear. is it just the pics or me? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

well it says that the air ride relay is not working...that is probably why.

[DRTYFN]

Oh no, his was burgundy, and it smelled like muddy water, puke & beer inside.

[Ed G.]

Something is fishy. If it has had so much replaced how could it not have a water damaged title or salvage title?

[KenP]

W1N, I suggested to Peter to get a hold of you and/or Eldar. You both are experienced in this.

[sclui56]

Peter,

Considering all the fees & VAT you EU folks must dish out, that makes it even more important to get the "best" vehicle you can find. "Best" meaning as new as possible and without any sort of damage.

Last thing you want to happen is to have spent all that euros and have rust bucket in your driveway Just my 2 cents...

[Peter etg]

Ed. Thanks a lot. I will get in touch w him and see what he has. I am aware of the fact that dealers are not allowed to export brandnew cars/trucks. Lot of them registrate the car on somoneelse for a day and then ship it as used.
Not all dealers. Some.

W1N. When i buy a car outside of the EU it works as following:

Purchase
Inlandshipping US to closest port
Portfee US
Insurance
Overseasshipping to Gothenburg
Feeport Gothenburg
-------
I have to pay 10% in Custom on all the costs above added together.
AND
Ontop of all the costs above incl. the the custom, i have to pay 25% in VAT.
Then it has to be transported to Stockholm.
Then it has to be modified a bit to be able to registrate( mod. + reg are apprx. US 1500)

So at the end, the car/truck will be very expensive for me before it is outside of my house. So because of this, i really need to find one not to expensive. I do understand that "you sometimes get what you pay for".
Again, what can happen to a flooded car (freshwater) IN WORSE CASE in the future?

Thanks
Peter