Local News: Price drops after close of COE bidding on 18 August

COE prices for passenger cars fell by as much as $3,104 as demand for new cars weaken. Cat A COE saw the biggest drop, closing at $29,000 from $32,104 the last round. The COEs for cars above 1,600cc went for $42,810, a slight drop from $43,334. Open cat COEs, which can be used to register both Cat A and Cat B passenger cars saw a slight increase to $43,501, a rise of $600 from the last round.

OneShift Editorial Team

20 Aug 2010

With prices falling in the two passenger car categories, car buyers will certainly find more affordable deals this weekend. Here are the models that suffered from the biggest price cuts after this week’s COE results were announced:

Mercedes-Benz E500 Cabriolet (A) - $375,888 (-$11,200)
The range topping E-Class Cabriolet has the honour of registering the biggest price fall this week thanks to a whopping $11.200 sticker price. While the lower end E-Class Cabriolet models like the E250 and E350 prove to have adequate performance, those who want more go will definitely go for this V8 model. Moreover, one can enjoy the sonorous V8 with the top down in the E-Class cabriolet.

Daihatsu Sirion 1.5 Sports - $62,800 (-$4,000)
The Sirion is also available as a Toyota and a Perodua. It’s a capable and practical small hatchback but despite a $4,000 price cut this week, it’s a little hard to justify when the Polo 1.4 here is similarly priced right up to the nearest dollar.

Mitsubishi Lancer EX 1.5 Sports - $79,888 ( -$4,000)
The Lancer EX has proved to be extremely popular with the saloon buying crowd since it was launched more than three years ago thanks to its edgy and for some, racy looks. Entry-level models of the Lancer EX get a 1.5-litre four that makes 109bhp. At just under $80k, you do get a lot of car for your money in this unfavrourable COE climate.

Volkswagen Golf Sport - $118,300 (-$3,500)
What more do we have to say about our 2009 Car of the Year. The Golf Sport has a small heart but it manages to pump out 160bhp thanks to the extra boost supplied by both the supercharger and turbocharger. Coupled with the 7-speed DSG box, it’s performance is near hot hatch standard. Prices are down below the $120k mark this week thanks to a reduction of $3,500. Want a safe, rapid and practical family car? The Golf Sport will definitely answer all your needs.

Fiat Bravo Multiair T-Jet Dynamic 1.4 - $110,900 (-$3,000)
The Bravo is still a breath of fresh air in the styling department despite being around for a few years now. The front is lifted straight from the Grande Punto but the curvy rear end, with distinctive tail lamp lenses is both distinctive and handsome. The T-Jet model is the one to have thanks to the 150bhp 1.4-litre turbo motor and this week, the T-Jet is offered at$3k more affordable than previously. A capable alternative to the base 1.4 TSI Golf.

Volkswagen Polo 1.4 - $62,800 (-$3,000)
The Polo has transformed the supermini scene since it was launched last November. Some buyers had to wait several months before getting the keys to the Polo they signed up for. It’s not hard to see the appeal of the Polo – it is priced competitively against Japanese models while offering the solid safety and (somewhat) looks of a Golf and the efficiency of the 7-speed DSG gearbox. At the same price as the Sirion mentioned previously, the choice is simply quite clear.

Other than the abovementioned models, car buyers will also save on Fiat and other Volkswagen models like the Jetta and Touran in Cat A.

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