So... what car do you guys drive when not flying?

[Pukka]

There is some huge differences in costs between countries.

I can not see why such huge differences.

Transport and LCT and Duty should not double the cost of any product between countries.

When I moved here it was 0.4 £\$ now it's 0.7 The line they use is that they don't reduce the prices as they want to protect the guys residual value who bought a car 5 years ago, but its gone a bit too far now, they might add a lot of toys to the 4 series but I doubt it

 

[Pukka]

The usual excuse is Australia's car safety requirements along with the reseller network costing more in aus. But both are mainly convenient excuses...

Reseller network costing more !!! I live next to a guy that owns a large Ford garage and he says sometimes he only makes $500 on a new car most of the cash is in the servicing

 

[Simo]

Reseller network costing more !!! I live next to a guy that owns a large Ford garage and he says sometimes he only makes $500 on a new car most of the cash is in the servicing

That is the line they use all the time that they only make a few dollars on the new car.

When I purchased my new car there was a $7k difference between dealers. Yes I was trading a car but that is a huge difference and then once I purchased the car the other dealer rang me and I told him the deal and he then meet the price but it was too late as it was ordered.

 

[Pukka]

That is the line they use all the time that they only make a few dollars on the new car.

When I purchased my new car there was a $7k difference between dealers. Yes I was trading a car but that is a huge difference and then once I purchased the car the other dealer rang me and I told him the deal and he then meet the price but it was too late as it was ordered.

Well he is Russian so u don't trust him

 

[Pukka]

Sorry I don't trust him

 

[Simo]

Reseller network costing more !!! I live next to a guy that owns a large Ford garage and he says sometimes he only makes $500 on a new car most of the cash is in the servicing

There would also be probably volume rebates and the like.

I get volume rebates once I get certain targets and I would envisage car dealers would be similar as well.

 

[Pukka]

There would also be probably volume rebates and the like.

I get volume rebates once I get certain targets and I would envisage car dealers would be similar as well.

Well what is hardly surprising is that Porsche Mercedes BMW etc cant send enough cars down here fast enough, there used to be long waiting lists but not any more. Maybe they like getting twice as much for the same product

 

[Alanslegal]

Think about owning a car in Singapore .... SGD$150K (~AUD$115k) for a Toyota Corolla !

http://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/5-cars-buy-overseas-cost-160000476.html

 

[Pukka]

Think about owning a car in Singapore .... SGD$150K (~AUD$115k) for a Toyota Corolla !

http://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/5-cars-buy-overseas-cost-160000476.html

Ouch!

Looks like America gets the best prices

 

[bossreggie]

Well what is hardly surprising is that Porsche Mercedes BMW etc cant send enough cars down here fast enough, there used to be long waiting lists but not any more. Maybe they like getting twice as much for the same product

As an ex dealer. I can tell you that Mercedes-Benz have a 7.5% margin. That's on the list price. (Excluding GST and LCT) We used to be able to retain most of that margin, but then the "factory" really started pushing for volume. It was then when they started advertising discounts on the cars.

We do get some big incentives so there really can be quite a big difference in pricing at different times of the year.

The best way to get the very best deal is to be honest with the dealer. So many times customers come in and lie to try and get a better deal.

The reality is. The dealer wants to make as much as he can. A customer wants to pay as little as they can. It's all about honest negotiation. If a car is old stock, or in a not so popular colour you may get it cheaper.

A broker will only save you time. Not money. The broker charges the dealer a brokerage fee, so if you went direct to the dealer, they wouldn't have to pay it.

 

[mella2007]

I no longer can drive (it's been 2 years now) which is quite distressing for such an independant person due to eye issues. We gave one of our cars away so only have the one now (Holden...some new model). I'd like us to get a Merc or BMW but Mr Mella is quite happy with the Holden.

 

[The Rok]

I have a new Passat, Mrs Rok has a Polo 77TSI. She loves her car, I'm bored with mine. As I now work a lot away from home I'm happy to trade both in for a Golf R, but she is not so keen.

I had a couple of Golf R's and loved them!

 

[bossreggie]

I have nice cars because I'm a bl00dy car nut. To me it's like some people spending $30k on luggage. (I never would) They are not to impress anyone. I purchase cars for my own pleasure. In fact. When you drive top end cars a lot of people think you're a tosser anyways.

I also bought a Nissan Navara ute last year, which I loved driving. Although the blue tooth was rubbish. benmay can attest to that!

 

[hummel]

I have nice cars because I'm a bl00dy car nut. To me it's like some people spending $30k on luggage. (I never would) They are not to impress anyone. I purchase cars for my own pleasure. In fact. When you drive top end cars a lot of people think you're a tosser anyways.

I also bought a Nissan Navara ute last year, which I loved driving. Although the blue tooth was rubbish. benmay can attest to that!

Can't to see pics of the Veyron at the ring. Was there in July last year and only had a swift race car but can't wait to go back again!

 

[DeKa]

Can't to see pics of the Veyron at the ring. Was there in July last year and only had a swift race car but can't wait to go back again!

Veyron Boss!? I'd love to take an SLS AMG to the ring - they apparently do 7 mins 40 seconds which is pretty good. The 911 / GT-R both do 7 mins 24 seconds (ish)

 

[The Rok]

I've driven most Merc's, CL3AMG, CL65AMG and also a CLK63AMG Black Series, I still have pics of the CLK. Loved it, but not the bucket seats!

 

[coolumbla]

I have nice cars because I'm a bl00dy car nut. To me it's like some people spending $30k on luggage. (I never would) They are not to impress anyone. I purchase cars for my own pleasure. In fact. When you drive top end cars a lot of people think you're a tosser anyways.

I also bought a Nissan Navara ute last year, which I loved driving. Although the blue tooth was rubbish. benmay can attest to that!

my patrol ute is from before bluetooth!

 

[Keith009]

My A5 Coupe (which I've named Craig Post) is nearly a year old now and i really love it. In fact, one of the upsides of moving out to the burbs is getting to truly enjoy my car as opposed to a quick 5 mins drive home. It is such a smooth and refined cruiser yet fun to drive. Will keep it for another 2 years or at least till the next A5 is out. Hopefully also lots of nice competing offerings from the other marques then - if the CLA is a preview of the next C Class Coupe it may be a worthy contender, or the rumoured Lexus IS Coupe.

Craig turns a lot of heads despite being the base entry level model in the range albeit with lots of fruit such as the super soft and comfy cinnamon brown nappa leather sports seats. I got the 1.8T engine which is more than adequate power for me. It also handles really nicely in most situations and I particularly like giving tailgaters in cheap bogan cars the 2 fingers as i navigate a bend fine but they struggle at 20k under the speed limit. But I'll get Quattro or RWD next time, the disadvantages of FWD really shows when pushed hard such as the wheel spinning out revving hard from standstill.

 

[Pukka]

As an ex dealer. I can tell you that Mercedes-Benz have a 7.5% margin. That's on the list price. (Excluding GST and LCT) We used to be able to retain most of that margin, but then the "factory" really started pushing for volume. It was then when they started advertising discounts on the cars.

We do get some big incentives so there really can be quite a big difference in pricing at different times of the year.

The best way to get the very best deal is to be honest with the dealer. So many times customers come in and lie to try and get a better deal.

The reality is. The dealer wants to make as much as he can. A customer wants to pay as little as they can. It's all about honest negotiation. If a car is old stock, or in a not so popular colour you may get it cheaper.

A broker will only save you time. Not money. The broker charges the dealer a brokerage fee, so if you went direct to the dealer, they wouldn't have to pay it.

Well the wife now fancies a new BMW 4 series coupe, I know that BMW trots out the line that we need to protect our existing customers so we don't change prices due to currency fluctuations ( even 50% against GBP although if it had been the other way around I'm guessing prices would be up)

Well the 4 series is new so no existing customers to protect, will the pricing be good ? I'm guessing not

What's the price of a Veryon in Italy v Australia x 2 or 3 over here? I was looking at the price of a 335i conv in Aus and you can buy an Aston Martin in UK for the same money. I'd never move back to the UK but it frustrates me for sure

 

[The Rok]

The most exhilirating car I have ever driven!