The cost of a Mustang in The Netherlands

[OzzieRoss]

Let's spare some thoughts for our brethren in The Netherlands!

A new Mustang GT (no ecoboost available) starts at EU 131,900. That's an eye watering USD 147,233. If you wonder why they're so expensive, the answer is tax, as in government take. Without the two main tax components ("BTW" & "BPM"), a GT would start at EU 45,337 (USD 50,607). The Dark Horse starts at EU 145,400 (USD 162,303), including taxes.



https://www.autovisie.nl/nieuws/prijs-ford-mustang-dit-kost-het-om-een-v8-te-rijden-in-nederland/

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[broncoboy22]

Dannnnggg that sucks. Also might as well get the DH is you’re spending that much already

 

[smurfslayer]

they haven’t overthrown said government… Why, exactly?

that‘s absurd.

 

[Gregs24]

Let's spare some thoughts for our brethren in The Netherlands!

A new Mustang GT (no ecoboost available) starts at EU 131,900. That's an eye watering USD 147,233. If you wonder why they're so expensive, the answer is tax, as in government take. Without the two main tax components ("BTW" & "BPM"), a GT would start at EU 45,337 (USD 50,607). The Dark Horse starts at EU 145,400 (USD 162,303), including taxes.



https://www.autovisie.nl/nieuws/prijs-ford-mustang-dit-kost-het-om-een-v8-te-rijden-in-nederland/

Pretty much the same in France too

 

[Gregs24]

they haven’t overthrown said government… Why, exactly?

that‘s absurd.

Because the majority agree with the policies - it's called democracy! Nobody agrees with every policy or law but in a civilised society we abide by them until they are changed by an elected body. When you start overthrowing governments because your Mustang is expensive there are more problems than the price of a Mustang, you are rapidly approaching anarchy!

I wouldn't like it either, but I don't live there so it doesn't affect me.

 

[OzzieRoss]

Pretty much the same in France too

But not in the country in between, being Belgium

 

[Gregs24]

But not in the country in between, being Belgium

Indeed, they are all different countries with their own regulations

 

[Skye]

I see the issue as less of, "Dood, the Man is really screwing me over with these taxes!", and more of, "You can own a car if you want, but we'd rather have people use public transportation."

Culture and location are factors.

While the Netherlands might have gearheads pursuing their passions, I suspect they will be in the minority.

Most EUR cities and countries are pretty dense in how things are built. Maneuvering any vehicle like ours (or larger) can be challenging at best. Family physical properties are often smaller. Duplexes, apartments and street parking are much more common. Things are generally more expensive. Public transportation systems more well-established.

The Netherlands and similar countries (Sweden, Norway, etc.) regularly rate high in "Happiness" indexes and surveys. It's not all peaches and cream, I'm sure. Each country has their own issues. But it's the path the majority of their citizens chose to take.

https://worldhappiness.report/ed/20...se-in-between/#ranking-of-happiness-2021-2023

 

[smurfslayer]

Because the majority agree with the policies - it's called democracy! Nobody agrees with every policy or law but in a civilised society we abide by them until they are changed by an elected body. When you start overthrowing governments because your Mustang is expensive there are more problems than the price of a Mustang, you are rapidly approaching anarchy!

I wouldn't like it either, but I don't live there so it doesn't affect me.

I was not aware there were European countries with direct majority rule - so you're saying the citizenry vote on every issue - democracy? Or is it a form of socialist republic - constitutional or otherwise? Before anyone cries about the 'socialist' word, pretty much all of the practicing republics are, even the US. When the tax money pool is used to provide general and targeted demographic benefits, it's in very general terms socialist. In small doses; elder care, etc. it can serve a good purpose. But once that ball starts rolling down the hill, it becomes a very serious game of 'well, if we can help the elderly, we can help the poor. if we can help the elderly and poor, we can help the homeless. if we can help the elderly, poor and homeless, we can help red heads. if we can help elderly, poor, homeless and red heads, what about brunettes?'.

So no, nobody should be launching a civil war over a Mustang. OTOH, when you're paying a near 80%(?) tax on something, how broad is this effect? is it targeted, tariffed, or just taxed? is the quality of life benefit worth giving over what you earn? I can't answer for them. But I can marvel at the human capacity for tolerance.

 

[Gregs24]

I was not aware there were European countries with direct majority rule - so you're saying the citizenry vote on every issue - democracy? Or is it a form of socialist republic - constitutional or otherwise? Before anyone cries about the 'socialist' word, pretty much all of the practicing republics are, even the US. When the tax money pool is used to provide general and targeted demographic benefits, it's in very general terms socialist. In small doses; elder care, etc. it can serve a good purpose. But once that ball starts rolling down the hill, it becomes a very serious game of 'well, if we can help the elderly, we can help the poor. if we can help the elderly and poor, we can help the homeless. if we can help the elderly, poor and homeless, we can help red heads. if we can help elderly, poor, homeless and red heads, what about brunettes?'.

So no, nobody should be launching a civil war over a Mustang. OTOH, when you're paying a near 80%(?) tax on something, how broad is this effect? is it targeted, tariffed, or just taxed? is the quality of life benefit worth giving over what you earn? I can't answer for them. But I can marvel at the human capacity for tolerance.

Your opinion is noted

 

[MAT1955]

@Skye .... yeah, it's called socialism. I lived in Europe for four years. The socialistic ideas are drummed into them their entire lives, particularly in their schools, while we in North America are taught to achieve and excel, not follow along like a bunch of sheep. My Dutch friend, a pharmacist, left Holland as he couldn't even change the color of the front door of his house without city permission. They can't fart without a permit. That said, there were some really big Mustang clubs in European countries I visited. At least Germany has that Autobahn with those awesome stretches of unrestricted speed.

 

[Gregs24]

@Skye .... yeah, it's called socialism. I lived in Europe for four years. The socialistic ideas are drummed into them their entire lives, particularly in their schools, while we in North America are taught to achieve and excel, not follow along like a bunch of sheep. My Dutch friend, a pharmacist, left Holland as he couldn't even change the color of the front door of his house without city permission. They can't fart without a permit. That said, there were some really big Mustang clubs in European countries I visited. At least Germany has that Autobahn with those awesome stretches of unrestricted speed.

Complete rubbish

I've lived in Europe my whole life and do not recognise your description. You do know that Holland has a right wing government now?

Achieve and excel - well there are plenty of European countries, including Holland, that exceed the USA. Go figure

The World’s Most Productive Countries in 2022 | Zendesk

 

[Wiley Marmot]

I lived and worked in Israel from June '04 to Mar '06. A number of my Israeli friends and associates were quite proud of their "free" health care and college. They also complained bitterly every payday about how little of their wages ended up in "their" hands. As a guest in their country; I always nodded my head and made some polite neutral commentary (I worked on a sensitive diplomatic project). I couldn't help but think; despite the free college; Israel apparently didn't teach either math or economics!

Quite a few products that were/are available in the US were available there; generally marked up 50-100% of the US MSRP! Don't recall any Ford dealerships, but there was a multi brand dealership in Jerusalem that sold and serviced Chevrolets (we took our armored Suburbans there for service/repair). There was a Harley dealership NE of Tel Aviv; went there a couple of times to buy Harley of Israel t shirts for various Harley riding relatives/friends. The dealership owner told me their value added tax (sure looked like a sales tax to me) on the Harley's was 100%.

 

[Gregs24]

I lived and worked in Israel from June '04 to Mar '06. A number of my Israeli friends and associates were quite proud of their "free" health care and college. They also complained bitterly every payday about how little of their wages ended up in "their" hands. As a guest in their country; I always nodded my head and made come polite neutral commentary (I worked on a sensitive diplomatic project). I couldn't help but think; despite the free college; Israel apparently didn't teach either math or economics!

Quite a few products that were/are available in the US were available there; generally marked up 50-100% of the US MSRP! Don't recall any Ford dealerships, but there was a multi brand dealership in Jerusalem that sold and serviced Chevrolets (we took our armored Suburbans there for service/repair). There was a Harley dealership NE of Tel Aviv; went there a couple of times to buy Harley of Israel t shirts for various Harley riding relatives/friends. The dealership owner told me their value added tax (sure looked like a sales tax to me) on the Harley's was 100%.

It is really difficult to work out price differences on products. There are so many factors; import duties, transport costs, different types and rates of taxes etc etc. There are plenty of items that are imported into the US that cost more than in the country they are made for the reasons above.

 

[Bikeman315]

I was not aware there were European countries with direct majority rule - so you're saying the citizenry vote on every issue - democracy? Or is it a form of socialist republic - constitutional or otherwise? Before anyone cries about the 'socialist' word, pretty much all of the practicing republics are, even the US. When the tax money pool is used to provide general and targeted demographic benefits, it's in very general terms socialist. In small doses; elder care, etc. it can serve a good purpose. But once that ball starts rolling down the hill, it becomes a very serious game of 'well, if we can help the elderly, we can help the poor. if we can help the elderly and poor, we can help the homeless. if we can help the elderly, poor and homeless, we can help red heads. if we can help elderly, poor, homeless and red heads, what about brunettes?'.

So no, nobody should be launching a civil war over a Mustang. OTOH, when you're paying a near 80%(?) tax on something, how broad is this effect? is it targeted, tariffed, or just taxed? is the quality of life benefit worth giving over what you earn? I can't answer for them. But I can marvel at the human capacity for tolerance.

My wife and I were in the Netherlands, specifically Amsterdam and Rotterdam this past April. Spent a lot of time with locals Including a friend whose family still lives there. All I can say that once we come out from under our collective rock our understanding of the rest of the world becomes a lot clearer. Yes, we live in a wonderful country, but there are others that do what we do as well, or better, than us. The Dutch, in general, live high quality lives with many benefits we here in the US do not have (coffee shops anyone? ). It’s certainly not perfect, nothing is, but it was most enjoyable to see it.

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