Overseas military auto sales

2,203 Views | 10 Replies | Last: 6 yr ago by BackwardsInBoots
aalan94
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AG

Howdy folks. I'm currently in Afghanistan and wanted to see if anyone had bought a car through the exchange places you see here and in Iraq, etc. A buddy of mine is hot to buy a Harley and the rumors are of great discounts, but none of the websites actually tell you what those are. I could care less about a Harley, but I'd like to look into buying a truck or decent SUV.

I've heard stories, but nothing really verifiable. Anybody have any experience doing this, particularly forward. I know you can do this in places like Germany, but the discounts here are supposedly phenomenal. If I do it, I'll probably take some time on my leave back in Texas test driving and then decide whether I like the car and buy it over here. But I need more info. Thoughts?
74OA
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My info is definitely dated, but overseas military car sales have been around forever. I bought a US-spec Porsche at huge discount at the Canadian PX (of all places!) in Germany many years ago, for example. No idea how it works for you forward-deployed folks, but it's definitely reputable. Lots of info out there.......
mrad85
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Are you sure I couldn't interest you in this years finest Helmand Davidson?
Aggie1
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I'm thinking this is not outdated information, but BX overseas purchase is a pretty good deal.

First, If you had a car shipped overseas you should have a return option with that vehicle or its replacement.
It used to be - and I assume it still is - you can purchase overseas and either have delivered overseas OR pickup after return to stateside.

GM, Ford, and Chrysler all seem to have "military sales" opportunities throughout the year to veterans even if stateside - so the overseas purchase may not be convenient - for instance if you want to ship home the car shipped overseas to begin with - PLUS, any new vehicle purchased while overseas. I get emails regularly to take advantage of their military sales.

Buying services such as available through USAA is just as good a deal as I ever had offered in overseas sales.

This year (and last) ALL (?) auto manufacturers appear to have over produced and there are fantastic deals for just about any vehicle you may be interested in. Go to mfg websites for current offers... and many dealers will offer even better deals to get rid of last - year before last - inventory/stock - but have to take what they have in inventory or access to obtain from swapping with other dealers. I've seen up to 30% off advertised for some vehicles.

In addition - some BX/PX offer overseas foreign made autos. I think all installations have sales offices for foreign made vehicles either as a concession or near gate off base for pretty good deals. IF you buy a foreign made vehicle overseas and you drive XX number of miles while overseas, it can be shipped home as a used car rather than new (Audi, Porsche, Volvo, Saab etc. and save big bucks. I have had friends catch a hop to an overseas location - purchase an American spec vehicle - drive around for a vacation - and have the vehicle shipped home for a nominal fee as "used" and avoid hefty import duties because of mileage driven. Then the buyers catch another hop home. Great way to go if you've got the time - and patience...
bqjoker03
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Which base are you at? I'm heading out there soon.

One of my warrants is buying his second car through the program and he says it's a slightly better deal, but I haven't seen the numbers to verify.
Aggie1
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I am now retired. But, when on active duty I had offices in Dallas, San Antonio, Washington D.C., West Ruislip (High Wycombe), UK and Ramstein.
And, after retirement as a consultant stints in Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi, Lebanon, Jordan, Belgium, Tanzania and Korea.
My TDY's were to just about every facility in the DoD.
I saw a lot of overseas auto sales during many years of travelling.
I even met Gen Ramirez at Muster in Korea....
AAAAAAAAAAg - Air Force Aggie Architect and Hospital Administrator fm Amarillo, Altus, Austin, Arabia, Arkansas, Africa, Seoul, Bahrain, Amman, Kuwait, Iraq, Iran, Saudi, DFW-Fairview, Ramstein, San Antonio, Pentagon, OKC, JCAHO/JCR - '65, '69, '73 - A&M Letterman (ret).
Winston Churchill: “If you’re not a socialist in your twenties, you have no heart. But if you’re not a capitalist in your thirties, you have no mind.”
BigJim49 AustinNowDallas
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At Ramstein 50s - toyed with buying a Mercedes360SL for $6,000. Didn't .

Last used price $1,000,000.

BigJim49AustinnowDallas
Gator2_01
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I bought a Jeep a few years ago. Got a bit under MSRP. It's important to know that if you are buying in AFG and picking up in the states, you WILL be paying sales tax if you are in a sales tax state.

Definitely get yourself a quote, but also get a quote from USAA/TrueCar and compare. I know folks that got much better deals through USAA than from MAS.
billtheag89
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I bought a Jeep from OMSC delivered to a participating DFW dealer. They had it in inventory from someone who had ordered previously but backed out. It had the options I was looking for and was priced $2K less than I could find elsewhere. Concur with recommendations to check other sites including your hometown dealer.
SPullig
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In the same boat as I'm currently overseas and buying a vehicle when I get back. Priced out a F-150 XLT package with MSRP of 51k, best MAS will do right now is 42k. Same truck is currently sitting on dealer's lot for 39k. Talked to the dealer as I met with them while home on Christmas leave and they said they would make it work for me to get the truck I want at a better price when I'm ready and back home.

Treat MAS just like anything else, its another option, not always the best option.
bqce
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Did it in 79 while in Japan. Worked like a champ and a great price!
BackwardsInBoots
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Parents did it in 98 when we were in Japan. I don't know about the price of the vehicle, but it wasn't delivered on the promised date and they only wanted to pay for a rental sedan until my dad had a "talk" with someone (family of 6, had purchased a minivan). The second time we came back from Japan in 08, they went with year-old used cars with low mileage instead.
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