Hi
This is my first post so I am sorry if it is the wrong area or place.

We are emigrating to Switzerland in October to open a chalet in Crans Montana.

I can't decide where to buy the vehicles. We need a 9 seater mini van and an estate car, possibly a Toyota Hi-ace and Subaru Forester or something similar.

I can get both as a left hand drive in the UK. I know that after 2 years I will have to pay duty etc.

I know I will need to have my Permis B before I can buy a car in Switzerland.

It seems very messy if I drive the car I have now from the UK in October and then buy 2 vehicles in Switzerland. This will mean I have 3 cars at the chalet for the winter and will then have to drive the British one back in May / June 2009.

Maybe I should just buy the estate in the UK and the Van when I am in Valais? Do you have any thoughts or suggestions on this?

With the poor exchange rate maybe UK is looking better?

On a technical note - if I have winter tyres on a 4x4 do I need snow chains?

If I don't have a 4x4 but have winter tyres would I need chains in the snow like you have had this weekend?

Anyway that's my first post. Love the site. Very useful.

Welcome Gary!

lot's of questions there, search the forum for buying cars and you will find plenty of advice. the consensus seems to be, buy here.

A good 4x4 with snow tyres will cope most places here in snow, in some bad weather areas I think the police insist you have them. We're halfway up a ski mountain resort and have never had need for them. The roads are always kept pretty clear.

Tricky one..normally advice would be, buy the cars over here. The second hand car market in Switzerland is a lot cheaper than the UK, and "unfashionable cars" like Japanese and Korean cars are really cheap.
Don't bring a RHD car over here, its a pain to drive and insure + you will never sell it unless you drive it back to England.

have a look at http://www.autoscout.ch it will give you an idea of car prices.

The exchange rate the moment is bad, which will affect your decision. I think you have to own the car for 6 months or you pay import duty on it..search the forum for import car..there are a lot of threads dealing with the subject.

I would have snow chains (and do have) with me at all times...never used em yet though, my winter tyres are fine and cope with most road conditions. The Swiss are a lot better at clearing their roads than the British authorities, so buy em but don't expect to use them.