The Best Cars to Buy for a Military Deployment to Europe

You did it. By some combination of fortune and fate, you scored orders to Europe -- a destination coveted by service members of every branch. No more dreary winters in the Midwest, no more fighting humidity and bugs in the Deep South, just mild weather, stunning architecture and world-class cuisine as far as the eye can see (unless you're going to the United Kingdom, in which case two out of three isn't bad).

There's more to Europe than sightseeing and culture, though; there's also a new world of cars for you to experience. This is your chance to experience vehicles that we don't have access to in the United States. I'm not talking about cars such as the ultra-rare Jaguar XJ220, either. These are totally obtainable on a service member's salary.

Since these cars aren't sold in the U.S., shopping for a deployment car can be tricky. You don't know what you don't know. We've got you covered, though, so allow us to be your concierge to the best cars to buy while you're stationed in Europe. When you scour the used-car listings at your new duty station, you'll know what to look for.

Ford Fiesta ST

I don't know how we got here, but somehow Ford determined that Americans hate small, sporty cars that don't require crippling amounts of debt to buy. The Ford Fiesta ST, which was absolutely delightful to drive, ceased to exist in the U.S. market in 2019, according to Car & Driver.

It's dead in Europe, too, as the gearheads at Jalopnik lament, but the Europeans got their Fiesta ST through 2023. That means your temporary overseas assignment could be the perfect opportunity to drive one of the last micro-hot hatches Ford ever produced.

So what's the big deal about a tiny Ford? The Fiesta ST came with a rev-happy, turbocharged engine, a manual transmission, a limited-slip differential to tame front-wheel-drive understeer and diminutive weight that created a surprisingly sporty driving experience. At the same time, the 1.6-liter engine didn't make enough power to get you into trouble, and you could expect excellent fuel efficiency. In fact, Car & Driver achieved 38 mpg during real-world driving in 2019.

The Fiesta has been a hot commodity for its entire 47-year history, according to the British publication Autocar. That means used examples should be easy to find, even if there's a run on the last remaining new models. Be prepared for inflated prices, though. You won't be the only one trying to experience the final days of the Fiesta ST.

Land Rover Defender

Can a Land Rover really be a bargain-basement deployment car? Yes! Older examples of the iconic Defender might be rare in the states, but they're a dime a dozen across much of Europe because Land Rover built the utilitarian Defender 90 (with two doors) and Defender 110 (with four doors) largely unchanged for decades.

Before you get too excited, these aren't the luxurious SUVs you see parked outside posh yoga studios in the U.S. There's no quilted leather, no infotainment system and barely any horsepower. What you get is a rugged off-roader that's proven its mettle in jungles and deserts across the former British Empire.

This is a deployment car for someone with a short commute, an appetite for weekend adventures and (hopefully) a knack for doing a little bit of do-it-yourself maintenance. Check out Over in the Rover on Instagram and compare how much time she spends driving versus wrenching to see what I mean.

Used Defenders typically look excellent; that's because the timelessly styled bodies are aluminum so they don't rust. There might be a nightmare of corrosion underneath, though, so be thorough in your pre-purchase inspection. These trucks are a labor of love, but I've never met someone who regretted driving one.

Mini Cooper

I shouldn't have to explain this pick because you should have already watched "The Italian Job" -- no, not that one; the real one. This is the Mini Cooper that made the modern version so popular.

Like the Land Rover Defender, Mini built this tiny hatchback for decades with minimal changes. That means you can get the style of the '60s with the (relative) reliability of the '90s. Buying one shouldn't break the bank, either.

Mini Coopers are popular everywhere, but they're especially adored in the U.K. There might be no better way to establish street cred with your British counterparts than to show up in a classic Mini. Don't forget, Enzo Ferrari himself was a Mini man.

Fiat Panda

What if the classic Mini Cooper were offered with four-wheel drive and more ground clearance? You might call such a thing hilarious, but the Italians call it a Fiat Panda.

According to the car publication Autoevolution, the Fiat Panda has been in production since 1981 and spans five model generations. During that time, it cemented its status as a practical, capable daily driver for the people.

The humble Panda isn't flashy or luxurious, no matter which year you choose, but it will be a loyal companion for your daily needs and weekend vacations anywhere in the world. It will pinch pennies at the pump and traverse roads that would force more expensive vehicles to turn back.

If you're looking for the most cost-effective way to scratch the itch of forbidden automobiles, this is the car for you.

Volkswagen Scirocco R

If you want to be the envy of every Volkswagen fanboy in the U.S., treat yourself to the beautiful Scirocco R while you're stationed in Europe.

The Scirocco (and its top-spec R variant) is built on the same basic architecture as the American Golf, but with a sleek body that prioritizes aesthetics over cargo space. One lucky writer over at Car & Driver got to test one in 2013, and he heaped praise on the Scirocco R. Compared to the all-wheel-drive Golf R sold in the states, the front-wheel-drive Scirocco R accelerates quicker, tops out at 157 mph instead of 127 mph, and handles better in the corners.

So by sacrificing a little bit of cargo space, you get a car that performs better in every other way. Make sure to snap as many glamour shots as possible for those of us who can never own one.

Renault Twingo

Renault will sell you a brand-new Twingo in 2024. It's a remarkably cheap car, starting at €17,000, but you can save even more money by picking up a first-generation example that made the Twingo a fixture of every major European city.

This funky little hatchback features quirky features such as a sliding rear seat, gauges mounted on top of the dashboard, and a tiny size that dares you to seek out the smallest parking space available. Engine options include a sensible 1.0-liter or a power-hungry, 1.2-liter monster that, according to the automotive site MotoReviewer, was capable of churning out a positively vulgar 74 horsepower -- mon Dieu!

Is the Twingo fast, spacious or even good? No, no and probably not really. But it is hilarious, and you can buy one for a slice of cheese and yesterday's half-eaten baguette. At least the French will think you're cool.

Peugeot 205 GTi

I've gone on record making the case that the Volkswagen GTI is the perfect car for NCOs. In fact, it's one of the best all-around cars ever produced. But there's a very real possibility that there's a cooler GTI out there. Or should I say GTi?

In the heyday of hatchbacks (the 1980s), France stood toe to toe with Germany. It was a different time. Back then, Peugeot wasn't a hilarious punchline; it was a fantastic car company that gave enthusiasts twitchy sports cars disguised as sensible econo-boxes.

The Peugeot 205 GTi hails from a time when lightness came standard. Because it weighs less than 1,900 pounds (according to Autoevolution), 105 horsepower is more than enough to fire you down a country road and all the way to a top speed of 118 mph. It doesn't need sophisticated suspension or fat tires, because there simply isn't that much mass to manage. There are two engines available, but the smaller 1.6-liter makes nearly as much power as the 1.9-liter and revs much quicker. It's the discerning buyer's choice.

This isn't a stat-sheet racer. It's a car that you have to drive to appreciate, and you'll smile from ear to ear every time you let the engine sing to redline and snatch another gear from the manual transmission. If you bring it home with you, there's always the option of selling it on Bring a Trailer.

Why Can't I Buy These in the US?

For foreign automakers, getting a car approved for sale in the U.S. is an expensive endeavor. On top of that, selling to Americans isn't profitable without the necessary support network of dealerships, service centers and parts availability. In many cases, the juice simply isn't worth the squeeze.

And don't think that you can just bypass the system by shipping one over yourself. If that were possible, it would pose a threat to American car manufacturers that have to spend huge amounts of money to meet U.S. safety and emissions requirements. Unless you have very special circumstances to justify importing a new car that isn't sold in the U.S., it isn't going to happen.

Is There Any Way to Bring My Deployment Car Home?

Certain automakers might not have a viable path to licensing dealerships and selling their cars in the U.S., but that doesn't mean their cars are banned. With a few rare exceptions, the best way to get a European-market car stateside is to shop the used listings -- specifically, cars that are more than 25 years old.

Japanese domestic market (JDM) enthusiasts have known this trick for decades. That's why coveted sports cars such as the Nissan Skyline and so many generations of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo seem to come out of nowhere -- at premium prices, no less. Naturally, if you end up getting orders there, we have you covered.

Once a car is 25 years old, it's no longer considered a threat to U.S. manufacturers (and the associated lobbyists) so nobody cares whether you import it. At that age, any car's safety and emissions features are likely to be obsolete, so that's not a concern, either.

To import your European Union car into the U.S., you'll have to pay for shipping and deal with some paperwork. You can jump through these hoops on your own or hire an import service. Once the car is stateside, you'll need this paperwork to register it at your DMV. Keep in mind that some states are more enlightened than others when it comes to this kind of thing.

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