Differences Belgium / US: Part 2: Cars

Today I'll try to compare cars from the "Old" with the "New" Continent.

In Europe you will normally get around 9% off the official sale price. In the United States I think the same discount can be taken off the MSRP. I will add 1000.00 dollar for every U.S. car which is the amount that has to paid for destination and handling charges. All U.S. cars have sales tax included, I have taken 8% as a reasonable average. In Belgium, when cars are registered for the first time by their owner, you have to pay a special tax (BIV). This tax was NOT taken into account but was added between brackets after the European sales price.

Prices below are the result of the following formula:

*US MSRP - 9% discount + $ 1000 handling and destination charge + 8% sales tax

*(EU MSRP - 9% discount) * 1.35 conversion to $

All figures are in dollars (1 euro = $ 1.35). All cars run regular gasoline (no diesel)

1. Smaller cars:
New Continent: Mini Cooper 1.6l, 118 hp, Manual: $ 19608
Old Continent: Mini Cooper 1.6l, 118 hp, Manual: $ 23346 (+ $668)

2. Medium Size Family cars:
New Continent: Audi A4 2.0 TFSI, 2.0l, 200 hp: $ 29060
Old Continent: Audi A4 2.0 TFSI 2.0l, 200 hp: $ 40500 (+ $3345)

New Continent: Volkswagen Passat 2.0l turbo, 200 hp, tiptronic: $ 25112
Old Continent: Volkswagen Passat 2.0l turbo, 200 hp, tiptronic: $ 44091 (+ $3345)

3. Luxury cars:
New Continent: Lexus GS 430 4.3l, 283 hp: $ 71398
Old Continent: Lexus GS 430 4.3l, 283 hp: $ 64868 (+ $6691)

New Continent: Mercedes-Benz: E Class, E350, 3.5l, 268hp: $ 51934
Old Continent: Mercedes-Benz: E Class, E350, 3.5l, 268hp: $ 63841 (+ $6691)

New Continent: Cadillac STS, V6 3.6l, 255hp, 5A, Standard: $ 43819
Old Continent: Cadillac STS, V6 3.6l, 255hp, 5A, Elegance: $ 70534 (+ $6691)


4. Convertibles
New Continent: Audi A4 Convertible, 3.2 Fsi, 255 hp, 4WD: $ 47599
Old Continent: Audi A4 Convertible, 3.2 Fsi, 255 hp, 4WD: $ 61034 (+ $6691)

New Continent: Volvo C70, t5 2.5l, turbo, 220hp, 6 manual: $ 39811
Old Continent: Volvo C70, t5 2.5l, turbo, 220hp, 6 manual: $ 52451 (+ $6691)

5. Sport cars:
New Continent: BMW M6, 5.0l, 507hp: $ 99270
Old Continent: BMW M6, 5.0l, 507hp: $ 149738 (+ $6691)

New Continent: Chevrolet Corvette 7.0l, v8, 512hp: $ 70437
Old Continent: Chevrolet Corvette 7.0l, v8, 512hp: $ 103355 (+ $6691)

6. SUV's:
New Continent: Nissan Murano 3.6l, 243hp SL: $ 30111
Old Continent: Nissan Murano 3.6l, 243hp: $ 58817 (+ $6691)

New Continent: Volvo XC90 3.2, 235hp: $ 36883
Old Continent: Volvo XC90 3.2, 235hp: $ 68243(Momentum) (+ $6691)


Take into account that a gallon of gas costs $ 7.19 over here ... looks like this is the second victory for the United States. Most European people drive small cars, which are not sold in the United States. A comparison of small cars with similar engines, hence, is almost impossible to do.

Score card after: supermarket and cars
United States 2 - 0 Belgium

I'll be back tomorrow with another one.