By car through europe

adminonFebruary 21, 2022February 11, 2022Leave a Comment

Still at the end of the 20. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the combination of a driver’s license and the first car of one’s own promised great freedom. With the gray rag in your pocket, you set off on a tour of europe in a used car. driving bans? Overpriced gasoline? parking problems? No topic. But who still travels by car today cross through europe from city to city? We have a few ideas.

They still exist, the automotive explorers who would rather sweat behind their own steering wheel than buy an interrail ticket and sit relaxed on the train. And it’s not a difficult decision to make: the car is still the most popular means of transport for Germans. Before starting a car trip through europe, you should think carefully about the advantages and disadvantages of this form of travel. What speaks for a trip by car? What against?

Advantages of traveling by car

You can take as much luggage as your trunk will hold.
You only sit in the car with the people you want to be with.
you are flexible – when you want to go, you go.
You stop exactly where you want to go. And not where the train or bus stops.
You save money – if you share the costs.
You decide where to go.

Disadvantages of traveling by car

You have to take care of everything yourself – navigation, travel and route planning. And of course driving.
The car is one of the slowest means of transport, especially for connections between European metropolises. thanks to traffic jams and congestion.
It will be expensive when you are on your own – gas, tolls, parking.
Car breakdowns are extremely annoying, cost time. And money.

Your own car

With friends the trip through europe becomes a real experience.

If you decide to travel to europe by car, you have many more options today than you did 30 or 40 years ago. For most people traveling through europe by car, their own car is still the first choice. No wonder. You know your car through and through and usually feel comfortable and safe in it. A piece of home in a foreign country, according to the motto "my car is my castle".

And there are no unpleasant surprises in terms of insurance – because you have taken out the insurance when you bought the car. a careful technical check-up before you set off on the long journey is a matter of course. What you should check in any case, we show you in the video "car check before your vacation". You want to save your own vehicle in terms of mileage or maybe you are afraid of higher risks of theft in some countries? Then you have the following options.

Car rental

A rental car can be a good alternative to your own car, especially if you can get good deals. And maybe by plane or train to the starting point of your journey by car through europe. When renting a car abroad, there are a few important rules you should be aware of. We have compiled them for you in our checklist "car rental in germany and abroad".

Of course you can rent a car in germany for the whole period of time. Be sure to compare several offers and don’t be tempted by the one that seems to be the cheapest at first glance. Often additional costs for essential insurances, extra drivers or equipment are hidden in the small print.

Car sharing

carsharing offers a certain charm of the new. Especially in larger cities or metropolises in europe you can quickly find interesting offers for part-time use of one of many shared cars. And if you assume that a car is going to be sitting around in an urban environment for most of the day anyway, you’ll quickly realize how many advantages there are to paying for a car only for the time it’s in use.

example? In amsterdam, for example, you can use car2go. Register, validate, drive – this is the simple three step process. You register online or via a free app, scan your driver’s license, find a free car via the app, start the rental via app and drive off. The highlight – the first trip is free of charge. Like parking by the way. Otherwise you can pay per minute, hour or day. If you like to improvise and try out new things, you can experience the European capitals in a completely different way.

Hitchhiking

Hitchhiking is another way to get around europe by car. And you get to know a lot of people in the process.

Who says that you have to drive the car yourself on the way through europe?? How about hitchhiking, old-fashionedly called hitchhiking or car hitchhiking?. A form of transport that in times of increasing individual traffic has been increasingly displaced by it, but is now experiencing a small renaissance.

As a hitchhiker you should have three main requirements: be open-minded, have plenty of time and be able to say no. even if you might associate hitchhiking with cliches like romantic, adventurous and dangerous, hitchhiking is primarily one thing: different. And on every route.

A good preparation is half the battle. if you want to hitchhike longer distances, you should definitely have maps (digital or analog), a cell phone (plus powerbank), good permanent pens and of course a lot of time in your luggage.

as a rule of thumb, if you want to cover a distance of 500 kilometers, you should allow about three days for the trip. Be sure to check the laws in the countries you plan to visit, as there are different regulations for hitchhiking.

Long-distance hitchhikers have the best chance at rest areas and parking lots along the highway. Many cars are guaranteed here, and you will have the opportunity to speak directly to the drivers. you don’t just have to hold up the sign with your destination – you can go directly to the people and present yourself that way. A good portion of self-confidence will help you enormously. Always be polite and respectful. Because you expect to be treated the same way.

it’s the mix that makes it

You see, there is no one best way to travel through europe by car. Maybe you just combine the different possibilities – you take the train for the longest part to your starting point, then use a car sharing or even a bikesharing service in the city, then change to a rental car for a longer distance and hitchhike on the way home. Now you have to decide. You have the choice.

you have more questions about traveling? Then write us your questions in the comments.

According to the market research company BBE automotive, young and classic car enthusiasts had exactly 2.418.775 youngtimers between 20 and 29 years of age and 675.005 classic cars with a proud age of more than 30 years registered in germany.

But when does a car actually become a youngtimer, how long does it retain this status and when does my car become a classic car?? Is the difference between youngtimers and oldtimers determined by connoisseurs on the basis of their appearance or is the official distinction between classic cars based on their age, type of use and classification?? You can find out more about when we start talking about youngtimers and when we start talking about oldtimers in our guide.

This guide article provides general information on the subject of oldtimers and youngtimers. You can find more detailed product information on the classic car insurance product page.

Table of contents

youngtimer and oldtimer are taxed the same way.

Classic cars – when does a vehicle receive the popular classic status??

When does a car become a youngtimer?
A youngtimer is a car that has reached the age of 20 years.

When does a car become a classic car?
If the date of the first registration of a vehicle is a proud 30 years ago, the car is called a classic car.

When does a motorcycle become a classic car??
Motorcycles are also considered to be oldtimers when they reach 30 years of age.

What is the difference between oldtimers and youngtimers??

There is no difference between youngtimer and vintage vehicles only in the date of their first registration. In addition to age, there is a difference between oldtimers and youngtimers in the way they are used and their classification. Basically, youngtimer cars have to fulfill far fewer requirements than oldtimers in order to be classified and registered as such.

Year of manufacture and age of the vehicles

When a car reaches the age of 20 years, it is called a youngtimer. From the age of 30, the car loses its youngtimer status and has real oldtimer potential. The decisive factor for this classification as old and youngtimer is the age of the vehicle date of first registration, not necessarily the year of construction. This is considered the cut-off date and must be at least 20 years in the past for a youngtimer and at least 30 years in the past for a classic car.

As of 2019, vehicles that were first registered for road use in 2004 can therefore be classified as youngtimers. All vehicles that were on the road as early as 1989 qualify for classic car status. By the way, not only cars but also motorcycles fall under this categorization.

Type of use of classic cars

Owners who take their classic cars to a large classic car meeting to show off their magnificent vehicle and meet like-minded people usually cause a stir in road traffic and attract a few glances. Because it does not happen too often that an oldie meets us on the way home. There is also a reason for this: if oldtimers are registered as such with a special license plate, the vehicles are subject to certain conditions regarding their use.

classic cars are not intended for everyday driving. In addition to trips to oldtimer meetings and oldtimer rallies, classic cars with red classic car license plates are finding their way out of the garage for test drives and to get to the workshop.

Fewer people are likely to look around for a youngtimer because, like newer cars, they can also be used in everyday life and we therefore encounter them more often. With increasing age, however, youngtimers will also become more conspicuous at some point in time.

Collector’s value of youngtimers vs. Official status as a classic car

In contrast to oldtimers, youngtimers have only a collector’s value and are therefore, at least at an age between 20 and 30 years, not subject to any special requirements to get a registration. Because an official youngtimer registration does not exist. In order to leave the vehicle registration office with a classic car registration, however, some requirements must be met.

But when does a car qualify as a classic car again?? Not every old car may be officially classified as a classic car. Some cars are over 30 years old, but do not meet the appropriate criteria for their owners to proudly call them oldtimers. Because to get a vehicle registration as a classic car, there are strict requirements. Among the requirements:

Passed classic car inspection
Original condition resp. True to original
Passed main inspection
Use for the preservation of "motor vehicle cultural heritage

The original condition of your classic car or the original contemporary condition after a classic car restoration must be checked by an expert, depending on the value of the vehicle.

Do you want a classic car with a market value from 10.000 with helvetia, a self-assessment with detailed photos is sufficient. Acceptance by a valuer is not required. With a value of up to 80.000 € a short assessment is due regarding the worthiness of preservation, which can be done for example by classicdata. If the market value of the oldtimer exceeds 80.000 €, a detailed full appraisal by an expert must be carried out.

Apart from the originality, the last due main inspection must have been passed. Special requirements for oldtimers compared to youngtimers are with regard to the use of the vehicle. While youngtimers can be used in everyday life, as long as they are not insured at a classic car rate, classic cars should serve the preservation of "motor vehicle cultural heritage" and should therefore only be exported on special occasions. These include, for example, classic car meetings and classic car rallies, but also trips to the workshop for necessary repairs and test drives.

If you want to acquire another car, this is with high cost connected. Most people therefore resort to a car financing back. But there is also the possibility to buy or rent a car take over, which is already financed by the previous owner. However, there are a few things to keep in mind so you don’t overpay.

It is not always easy to find the right car for you. Often dream car associated with high costs, which then usually still have to be financed or leased. Away from the complete funding there is also the possibility that an already existing contract is taken over – provided the right contractual partner is found here. The contractual partner must subsequently agree to all further steps so that such a contract overwritten may be.

Everything must be set out in writing

If you want to buy a car already financed, this must first be done with the responsible bank or the car dealership, through which the financing will be arranged. Only if a written confirmation of the bank is present, one should get involved in the purchase. This consent in professional circles also referred to as release and can usually be very uncomplicated may be obtained, provided that all parties are in agreement. In this write the bank – the release – should state exactly how much is left to pay. Often, a higher final installment is due, which is residual value and the still to be paid monthly amounts is composed.

An info-video about all the documents needed for a car registration

Was the release issued, the contract be transferred to the new buyer. After the settle the remaining sum he should then also be considered the owner of the vehicle. The vehicle title must therefore be sent to the new buyer by the bank after payment. With many offers this holds the vehicle registration document to the end.

After signing the contract, the buyer has two options to secure his dream car for the long term.

The payment of the installments

In this case, the new buyer takes over the normal monthly rates, previously agreed with the old buyer. New negotiations usually can not be done here, so the new buyer should agree with the monthly rates.

The payment of the total sum

In this case, the buyer waives the payment of the monthly installments and directly repays the entire outstanding sum. Thus no further interest accrues and the vehicle title goes directly into the hands of the new owner.

As a matter of principle, it should be carefully weighed up what kind of step is made. If the necessary money is already in possession, the pay the total sum in any case preferable!

Accurate review of the offer

Before one financing of a cars if you take over, you should check the offer carefully. It may be that the car is no longer worth as much as the to settling total.

a detailed personal inspection of the car and possible flaws is also essential if you do not want to pay too much. If the financing sum more than the actual value of the car, you can discuss with the previous owner the agreement meet, that he difference amount paid. However, even this must necessarily in writing held and this is only in the rarest cases pulled through by the previous owner. Most of the time, the previous owner wants to get rid of his vehicle as quickly and easily as possible, so that additional payments usually not well received.