I know North American pricing details are likely still months away but I'm sure many of us North of the border are curious to see if Audi uses the introduction of B8 models to correct the current price disparities created by the US dollar's spectacular decline over the past 4 years.

I noticed BMW did just that with their new 3 series. They've gone from an over 40% price premium in the previous lineup converting USD to CAD to only around 25% now. The USD currently trades at about 1.18 CAD so that's not too bad. For example the 40.8k USD 335i is selling for 51.6k CAD(26.5%) and cheaper models are charging even less of a premium.

Currently Canadian Audis are ridiculously overpriced in comparison to their US counterparts. A 47.5k USD S4 sells for 70.4k CAD(59.7k USD!). They haven't yet adjusted for the USD losing 25% of its value in 4 years, but a whole new lineup would be the perfect time to do so(just like BMW).

A year ago I was in the market for an RS4. When US pricing came out at 66k I felt that was a reasonable price and wanted one. I'm sure I wasn't the only Canadian that was shocked by the outrageous 94.2k CAD sticker. A 14k USD premium for living a few miles North rather than South of the border? I passed as I'm sure many others did.

Now I'm seriously considering getting an S5 when they arrive later this year. I'm glad to see BMW is coming out with the 335xi coupe around the same time as it will be a close 2nd on my shopping list. Not sure if Infiniti will offer AWD on it's new G coupe but that would be another option. I'm more than willing to pay a premium over 335xi pricing to get an S5 but as with the RS4 I won't be paying an additional 10-15k over US prices. Let's hope Audi adjusts to the new times if it hopes to sell any kind of volume on these new models up here.

Thanks for reading my long post, comments always welcomed.

Gold

...hope I'm wrong, but I haven't seen anything to contradict my impression thus far.

so, you are paying almost European prices?

Having said that, I've heard of people successfully getting their car from U.S.

And then even if you were to get around that, there are warranty issues. Most manufacturers will threaten not to honor the warranty unless you have legitimately immigrated or you might have to travel to your US dealer to get the service done.

BTW 5 years ago the roles were reversed. Americans were coming up here to buy cheaper cars(USD was at 1.5-1.6 CAD then). Manufacturers threatened Canadian dealers with pulling their concession if they kept selling to Americans, warranties were said to not apply, etc. I believe that's when all these restrictions were put in place. Price fixing at its finest.:)

Gold

states here. Someone in California can't go to Nevada (No sales tax) make a vehicle purchase and expect not pay California sales tax when they bring it back over. The loop hole is to have an address in Nevada and keep Nevada plates on it, just don't get pulled over in California for anything...

Not sure exactly what you are refering to. I know Nevada residents pay sales tax on their car purchases, perhaps there are loopholes for out of state buyers?

Gold