I made my first post last night, so I guess it's time to introduce myself. My name is Tony and I live in Montreal, Canada.

I'm not actually a Volvo owner, but my mother (who lives with me) bought a 2007 C70 last July. While I have not been driving the car on a daily basis I *have* put a few hundred kilometers on it. She's off on cruises for a good portion of the year so there are lots of opportunities for me to slip an impromptu road trip into my schedule.

So, why a C70? Well, mom absolutely wanted a convertible but the usual soft-tops aren't all that suitable to the climate we have in these here parts, so I suggested she look into the Volvo. While I think she overpaid for it by a lot -- Volvo continues to sell cars in Canada at a 40% premium over American models with the same trim levels despite the currencies being roughly equal -- I rather like the C70. I wouldn't buy it for myself (the S40 T5 AWD is more my cup of tea), but it is an enjoyable car if you drive it properly. I wrote a review of the car, it's in the C70 forum for all to see.

One of my pet subjects is the amount of extra money that Canadians must pay over US customers for the exact same cars with the same trim. I think it's pretty scandalous and wrong, and unfortunately Volvo happens to be the manufacturer that most egregiously jacks up prices at the Canadian border, charging 40% extra while the Germans (Audi, BMW, Merc) only charge around 27% extra. I just don't think that's right and I wish Volvo would realize that.

That's about it for now...

 

Welcome to the forum.

It doesn't matter if you think it is right or wrong, it is the way it is and it isn't going to change. Your just going to have to deal with it or move to the U.S. and become a citizen.

 

Welcome. It will only change if either someone makes them change or stops buying their cars unfortunately.

 

Hi Tony,

Welcome to the forum.

If you lived in Japan, you'd appreciate Canadian auto market. A yellow 850 R, which is about US $4,000-$5,000 in value (Jim, am I right?), was for sale at over US $10,000 here in Japan a couple of months ago[8D]. In general, you pay approx 30-50% premium for European & American cars in Japan. Where does the extra money go to? Of course, into the government in the form of import tax. However, Volvo seems to be an exception, as other used European cars depreciate faster than Volvos.

I would stay in Canada and not even think of Japan. I'm trying to get out as soon as I can. After spending 11+ years in the good old States, Japan is foreign to me[8D].


JPN

 

Come back to us JPN.

i agree car mark up is rediculous. but its hard to get around.