Local News: Price drops after close of COE bidding on 23 Dec

With the slight fall in COE prices in this week’s bidding exercise, you’d expect price cuts from most or all of the distributors this weekend. Here are the cars that ‘suffered’ from the biggest price drops after the last round of COE bidding:

OneShift Editorial Team

29 Dec 2009

Volvo S40 2.0 -$6,400
With a sticker price of just under $103k, the entry-level S40 is the most affordable Volvo saloon you can buy. For your money, you get a four-door saloon from a prestige Swedish brand, a nicely crafted interior, unparalleled safety features and an efficient twin clutch gearbox. There are downsides though – the engine can sound a bit gruff and the interior is short of space at the rear but at $6,400 cheaper than a couple of weeks ago, who can complain?

Toyota Corolla Altis 1.8 -$6,000
The Altis needs no introduction at all. The COE price for Cat B might have dropped by a token amount this round but Borneo Motors has slashed the price if the 1.8-litre Altis by $6,000. The Altis 1.8 not only offers more performance but also lots more standard equipment than the 1.6 - like HID headlamps and more.
Nissan Teana 250XV, 350XV -$4,000
Nissan’s Camry rival is a superb choice for those who prefer to relax and waft along instead of driving hurriedly. The Teana’s smooth ride, seamless CVT transmission and wonderfully refined V6 motors all combine to make it one of the smoothest operators in the business. V6 engined Teanas see a $4,000 price slash this round so it’s a good time to get one over the four-cylinfder model.

Suzuki SX4 1.6 -$3,100
The SX4 is Suzuki’s compact hatch with SUV looks crossover model. The stylish little hatch has WRC pedigree and makes for a decent drive as well. The SX4 is a worthwhile $3,100 more affordable after the last round of COE bidding, making it a really tempting buy indeed.

Suzuki Swift 1.3 GL -$3,100
The Swift might have been around since 2004 but its cutesy looks still draw many fans and car buyers alike. The base 1.3 model is a frugal little number and offers decent performance for what it is. A new model might be due in a year or two’s time but the current generation Swift still makes for a very good compact hatchback.

In addition to the above mentioned models, you can also look forward to price drops on the Toyota Fortuner, Prius, RAV4, Alphard, Previa as well as the Nissan Elgrand, Murano and more Suzuki models.

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