I know freetrade opened up the doors to getting cars imported from Canada, is it possible to get an A3 or an S3 in from Mexico?

Since buying the car in Mexico would force you to pay the new-car tax (included in the selling price, not a registration thing).

That said, the base price for an A3 in Mexico is US$25,000 and up to US$33,000 for the loaded 180HP version. Oh yes, and the S3 is just above US$42,000.

For that price, don't you like the S4?

NO, I'd prefer the S3!

Well, you are certainly an enthusiast for the S3!

I undestand that starting in 2003 you will be able to purchase you car wherever you want within the NAFTA region, and then pay your local taxes only. Though that's a two-year wait. Do you know when is a redesign coming for the A3?

Any easy way to smuggle one into the U.S.? At this point it seems like the only way to get one into the U.S. without paying premium price.

an old GTI for example. Then dump the GTI in Mexico and place the license plates onto your new S3 etc. Drive back into the US. Oh yeah take all the badges off too and put VW badges on it. The border patrol might still think its a Volks and viola! you got it in.

There was talk of the a long time ago, but as you can see it is very risky. You also risk getting pulled over in the US for driving an illegal vehicle.

Thanks Carlos, I was speaking only hypothetically since I have been reading the threads where everyone was complaining about not having the a3/s3 in the US. I was wondering why nobody had metioned the Mexico thing.

They are exactly the same ones used in the A4, so if you find the polished/silver version you'll have no trobule fitting them into your car, although not sure if they have the autodimming feature. Can't help you with part number as these are not offered in Mexico.

I´m not sure about that but what i understood is that the freetrade agreement with mexico deals with american and mexican made products. And since these cars are not manufactured in either country, the taxes for importing one into the US would be the same.

under certain conditions under a TIB for up to 6 months. Most manufacturers such as Audi or BMW do this when they import cars for testing which are not intended for the US market. The trick is you would have to own and register the car outside the US and probably obtain insurance abroad (at a great expense) to cover you during the time the car is driven with the United States.

It is possible to import a car into the US for private and permenant use but then it would have to be brought to a specialized importer for conversion to US standards for: lights, bumpers, emissions, airbag, etc, etc, etc. That alone usually costs $thousand$. What's more, I don't think this is actually possible with a model car which has not in one form or another, been federalized. To top it off, while the conversion process is taking place, you have to take out a cash bond for several times the value of the vehicle.** Most people don't have $100K just lying around for a few months time.

**Don't quote me on the exact amount since it's been some time since I did an entry like this.

The rules on this are pretty tight and have been since the early 90s. Are only hope would be if Audi offered the A3/S3 for sale here. Sadly, it doesn't look likely.

Best,
Jeff J (International Freight Forwarder and Customs Broker)