Import or Buy New/Used?

[macloft]

You may be right about the 3 years then take back with you to US.
I have only looked at bringing one over permantley from US, then you have to change it over to RH drive and it must pass the ADR rules ie seatbelts mirriors etc, but no it does not need to meet the latest emmission requirements. It can not have side pipes however. Again this is only if you want to keep it in Australia or sell it in Australia. Warl you need to have a registered engineer to qualify it in Australia. There are many areas to search on the web, look under "personal car imports to Australia from US", then contact the transport authority in the region you intend to move to.
Good luck I would take it over as you will miss it, remember the price of petrol is a lot dearer in Australia so if it is a big block it will be expensive.

[macloft]

Actually i looked it up as this subject is dear to my heart. Bottom line is you can only import as a personal import if you are a permamnent resident or Australian citizen and you owned car for over 12 months in America.. You can not import as a personal import if you are a visitor. You can import under a cavant but for one year only.

[Zedn]

Im pretty sure there is something that allows you to bring it in and drive it here as if you were on holidays. Wasnt someone talking about a lambo that does that a while back?

The best thing for you to do is call Vic roads from the US and ask them yourself. It might be a $10 phone call but well worth it to get the facts.

[OZCOBRA]

Well here it is....

People travelling on Temporary Resident visas are not eligible for a Temporary Vehicle Import Approval. Temporary residents can only import vehicles under carnet. The carnet (equivalent to 100% of the market value of the vehicle) will be limited to 12 months and not the period of the visa!!!!
CARNET EXTENSIONS.....Prior to export for your 3 yrs (apply for this LOCALLY IN THE STATES) to avoid charges and GST on modifications to the initial Carnet.

Initial approval for a temporary import can only be
granted for a maximum of twelve months and in the
case of a carnet no later than the carnet expiry
date. Applications may be made to extend this
period but any extensions must be approved prior
to the expiry of the original approval.

http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/re...sfactsheet.pdf

http://www.aaa.asn.au/touring/bringing.htm#carnet....damn shame that!!!