Hyundai dealers a joke in Calgary

I'm looking at a 2007 Hyundai Santa-Fe and like most Canadians are
finding that the retail prices in Canada are outrageous compared to
the US prices. You might think they would address that with the 2008
pricing... Well guess what? The top end 2008 model is now $1000 more
than last year. Sure you get a couple of useless googaws, like a
plastic rear spoiler - woohee!

Ok, so maybe they offer some other usefull functions in Canada that
make the price difference palatable. Well, I'd like to take it for a
half day test drive (like most dealers allow) but no way - 20 minutes
max with a salesman. How am I supposed to make a considered purchase
of a $40,000 item in 20 minutes?

They recommend renting one if you want a real test drive. Well guess
what Hyundai? I'll rent one to test drive, and then buy in the US.

Sionara you greedy Canadian car dealers.

wrote in message

> I'm looking at a 2007 Hyundai Santa-Fe and like most Canadians are
> finding that the retail prices in Canada are outrageous compared to
> the US prices. You might think they would address that with the 2008
> pricing... Well guess what? The top end 2008 model is now $1000 more
> than last year. Sure you get a couple of useless googaws, like a
> plastic rear spoiler - woohee!
>
> Ok, so maybe they offer some other usefull functions in Canada that
> make the price difference palatable. Well, I'd like to take it for a
> half day test drive (like most dealers allow) but no way - 20 minutes
> max with a salesman. How am I supposed to make a considered purchase
> of a $40,000 item in 20 minutes?
>
> They recommend renting one if you want a real test drive. Well guess
> what Hyundai? I'll rent one to test drive, and then buy in the US.
>
> Sionara you greedy Canadian car dealers.

Really!? Just priced one on www.kbb.com with every option possible. The
MSRP came to $31,430US plus taxes, etc. Actually it would have been $30,430
with the $1000 rebate.

I know the taxes are higher in Canada but even applying a 17% tax brings it
to "only" about $36,800. Last I looked, the CN$ and US$ were almost equal.
Is the 17% tax in the ballpark?