Buy a Volvo, drive the Nurburgring
So your spouse wants a station wagon, but you want to keep your dignity? Well, there could be an agreeable compromise. For only $3,500 over the cost of a new V70, the two of you could be flying to Sweden to pick up the new estate from the factory at a VIP delivery complete with Swedish meatballs. "So," you ask, "How are meatballs, no matter how tasty, supposed to keep my sports car driving dignity intact?"
Imagine that fragile ego of yours driving the family's brand new kid-carrier down the Autobahn at a speed greater than what you'll ever reach picking Junior up at school. Still not impressed? Tough crowd. Ok, what if your blast down the Autobahn was on your way to Nurburgring, where you'll lunch in the Fahrsicherheitszentrum before driving classes? Once you've had your way with the famous track, you're free to either have your Volvo shipped back to the States and continue your vacation, or keep the car to travel Germany in style. Five nights in "premium hotels" in Germany are included in the $3,500 price.
Luxury hotels? High speeds on international roads and raceways? Meatballs? If you're the least bit interested, you should hurry down to your local Volvo dealer. There are only 20 spots open and there's a good chance you're already too late.
[Source: Volvo]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
G. Snyder 1:57PM (1/17/2007)
Volvo has been doing this for years and years. They have different packages at different times - but they are usually all 'good deals' (that is, as long as you were going to buy and planning a trip anyway). I have seen the difference over the car be much less than $3,500 as well.
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Jason 2:00PM (1/17/2007)
While I am a fan of European delivery programs, I don't think that Volvo's offers the best value. This is especially true by looking at the other Swedish automaker, Saab.
Saab offers Eurporean delivery at a DISCOUNT (of about $3000) below retail AND then give you $2000 towards travel expenses.
Plus they make a better car IMHO... Here is the URL: http://www.saabusa.com/saabjsp/europeandelivery/
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Jaguar 2:10PM (1/17/2007)
BMW has a Euro delivery program as well. Seems like they get around some taxes or fees or soemthing by having you pick up the car in Europe. It basicly works out that you get free planed tickets for two to Europe as well as a "free" rental car while your there. It's a great deal if you're ordering a car at a good time to take a vacation.
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James 2:21PM (1/17/2007)
I wonder how many Volvo drivers will need to have body work repairs done on their vehicle before they bring it back to the states? I can see the BMW drivers zooming around the track (probably at speeds much lower then the locals), but I have a hard time seeing the Volvo driver doing so without a high level of "off-roading".
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bd 2:24PM (1/17/2007)
I'm sure that you poke fun of the wagon as a matter of editorial expressionism. However, I consider the sports wagon to be ultimate in functionality vs performance. The M5 Wagon, S6 Wagon, WRX Wagon and now this Volvo V70 are all highly capable 'Ring carvers.
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Sue Esponte 2:54PM (1/17/2007)
Whoa #2, I think you're a bit misinformed. Volvo's OSD program is one of the best values in the business. Among other niceties, Buyers receive:
• Approximately 8% savings off U.S. MSRP;
• Roundtrip tickets for 2 to Europe;
• One free hotel night in Gothenburg, Sweden;
• Fifteen day European Car Insurance coverage (incl. temp registration);
• Delivery at the Factory Delivery Center in Gothenburg, Sweden (which includes a complimentary lunch);
• A tour of the Volvo factory and either a visit to the Volvo Cars Safety Center or the Volvo Museum;
• Complimentary home shipment services valid for 6 months; and
• U.S. Customs Duty, port clearance fees and inland transportation to a U.S. Volvo retailer.
I know many people who have taken advantage of Volvo's OSD program and no one has been the least bit dissatisfied. The only reason I didn't when I bought my R was due to bad timing.
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G. Snyder 2:46PM (1/17/2007)
As I said, this is the promotion right now, but they change all the time. Usually the car is discounted considerably and other stuff is thrown in. This is not the best value I have seen. Contrary to the second post, I find Volvo's program to be one of the best overall.
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Sue Esponte 3:51PM (1/17/2007)
The $3,500 fee is NOT for OSD. It is a separate Driving School tour you can purchase to integrate into your overseas delivery of ANY Volvo...not just a V70. Unfortunately, its limited to 20 people. Essentially, the $3,500 gets you into a DRIVING SCHOOL at the Nurburgring and includes 5 nights of accomodations, food, etc. Like it or not, that's a deal!
Check it out for yourself: http://www.volvocars.us/NR/rdonlyres/A81CF00F-404B-42E2-9658-F99657EAF829/42310/PDF_Nurburgring_LR.pdf
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Fabulo 3:42PM (1/17/2007)
It sounds like a pretty cool trip nonetheless. Sweden is a nice place to visit. I'm not sure how much sense it makes to bundle buying a car and an european vacation, but still, some may be attracted to it.
It's better than a guitar in my opinion.
I'll save my spare change and get a more desirable piece of overpriced automotive icon: an Audi RS4.
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Erik 4:28PM (1/17/2007)
Wow - that sounds awesome! Well, except for the Volvo part.
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Rob 4:26PM (1/17/2007)
Whoa #7, BMW's program offers a lot of the same, without some of the freebies:
* My 335i was almost $3,000 cheaper.
* BMW Financial made my second lease payment for me.
* No round trip tickets, but BMW has a deal where you get your companion fare for free if you purchase one round trip ticket from Lufthansa.
* No free hotel stays.
* Fifteen days of complimentary insurance and vehicle registration with a $150 deductible on the insurance.
* Delivery at the Munich-Freiman delivery center and a complimentary lunch or breakfast, and they'll give you sandwiches or other food to take with you if you'd like.
* You can schedule a tour of the factory, if you wish.
* All Customs duties and redelivery are included with the destination fee, which is the same you'd pay at a dealership in the US if you took the car home immediately.
* A bunch of drop off locations throughout Europe.
I picked up my 335i in Munich on 12/19/2006 and dropped it off at the port in Amsterdam on 12/28/2006, and I'm just waiting redelivery. (My car is currently on the MV Sirius Leader, bound for Port Hueneme, CA)
I'm totally happy with the experience, but the trick is to make sure that you have an extra car, as I won't have my car in my possession until nearly the end of February.
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proud like cow 8:00PM (1/17/2007)
my family did this, we picked up our volvo 850 wagon in europe and drove it around on vacation before it was shipped back and was waiting for us when we got back. great experience, would recomend it to anyone.
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Tommy 4:51PM (1/17/2007)
#11 Erik - you're a moron
Volvo's one of the best cars out there
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Erik 5:22PM (1/17/2007)
Tommy - not everyone shares your personal opinion. If insulting me helps you justify your purchase, however, I don't mind.
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RICK Z. 5:47PM (1/17/2007)
I am also intrigued by European Delivery programs. One problem...in every Mercedes I've driven, the manual specifically states not to exceed 55 mph for the first 500 miles...good luck on the Autobahn at 55!
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Rob 8:05PM (1/17/2007)
#14: BMW told me not to exceed 4500 rpm for the first 1200 miles. That means I couldn't go above 132 mph in my 335i Coupe. :)
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proud like cow 8:07PM (1/17/2007)
erik, volvos are great cars. they routinly last well over 150,000 miles. they are very solid and reliable cars that hold up very well, are extremely safe, are practical and functional with good resale value.
it might not be a evo or type r or what ever they hell you are into but volvos are great cars.
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Gerry 11:31PM (1/17/2007)
You could put Tyra Banks totally naked on the hood and let me do what I want with her--I still wouldn't buy a new Volvo.
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Volvo S40 11:53PM (1/17/2007)
This is sweet, I remember when they did this when the S40 T5 came out..
www.s40forums.com
Volvo For Life!
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MikeInNC 9:15AM (1/18/2007)
Some of you nay sayers should go drive an S60 R or a new S40 T5 AWD. They made a believer out of me and I've owned 6 BMW's. Be sure to look at the brochures for the Shadow Line trim package.
-Mike
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