Car purchase

Car buying car - here are the posts with advice and tips about buying a car.

The real danger signs when buying a car

Posted 08/08/2026 by Terje Bjørnstad

Danger signals — Photo: Shutterstock AI Generator.

Many have expressed concerns that electric cars could become worthless after a short period of time, pointing to the lifespan of the batteries. It is true that a new car can become worthless overnight, but for completely different reasons.

When ordering a new car, it is especially gratifying to be able to acquire the latest model as early as possible – preferably before everyone else. A new model prolongs the new car feeling and makes the car more attractive when it is to be sold. The risk of getting a car with childhood diseases has always been present, but reputable car brands test their cars thoroughly before they go into production. Besides, you have a warranty and the Norwegian Purchase Act behind you, right?

It may be worth waiting.

Being among the first to order a new model is not recommended when it comes to electric cars. The transition to new technology has not gone equally well for all car manufacturers. Software bugs and electronics that cannot withstand heat, cold, frost and mud have caused problems. Most of the bugs are annoying – while others are life-threatening, such as uncontrolled acceleration, phantom braking and battery fires. Sometimes the cars have to be recalled, while other bugs are quietly fixed when the cars are in for service or through new software updates. Customers who got the first cars may feel like they have received so-called Monday cars.

Also car brands with a good reputation

Skoda has built a reputation over the past few decades for building great cars at reasonable prices. You can buy a new Skoda with confidence.

Then came the time when they were to develop their first electric car. It was built on the same platform as the Volkswagen ID.4 with the same engines and chassis. Skoda's own Research & Development department was set to develop its own brand-specific solutions. An electric car is like a computer that has to function every day in the rain and cold. This places new and strict requirements on testing to ensure quality. Unfortunately, the cars were sent to the market too early. The waiting lists were long. Many of the first customers who were delivered their new Skoda Enyaq also experienced emergency stops and long workshop visits. If they had waited a couple of years, the errors would have been corrected and the dealers would have had time to gain knowledge and experience.

35 workshop visits in four years for Skoda Enyaq (Motor.no)

The experience with Skoda is mentioned here as an example that even car brands with a good reputation can have problems when new technology is launched on the market. There were no warning signs.

Some chose to ignore the danger signs

There was no shortage of warning signs when Fisker opened up the possibility of ordering the Fisker Ocean in 2022 – one year before the first cars could be delivered. Henrik Fisker's first car project, as is well known, went bankrupt in 2013. In 2016, he established Fisker Inc to pursue a new car project – a brand new electric car model packed with features.

All the warning lights flashed red.

After producing 11000 cars, Henrik Fisker went bankrupt again, leaving 5000 car owners without any possibility of follow-up. 432 car owners in Norway lost their importer and dealer. Thanks to joint efforts around the world, the cars were saved from becoming worthless. Today, the cars are used daily, but they cannot be fully insured, pledged or disposed of under the Norwegian Purchase Act.

A brighter future for Fisker Ocean

The threat from China

Several industries in China are experiencing over-establishment – projects that spring up overnight and disappear just as quickly when they no longer generate profits – or the owners find higher profits in other projects. Most Norwegians have little knowledge of the car industry in China – which brands are good and which ones to avoid. Then it is easy to overlook the danger signals. Dealers are happy to tell you that the car brands are owned by corporations with inexhaustible capital reserves. That is true, but gigacorporations operate with several different car brands – or projects. China's state capitalism is merciless. The owners can stop unprofitable projects overnight without regard for employees and affected car owners.

We've written about before Hengchi – a car brand owned by the construction company Evergrande Group in China. In 2020, they announced that they would start production of 6 new electric car models in the luxury class. The project aimed to compete with Tesla. After producing 1700 cars and burning through an incredible 140 billion kroner, they went bankrupt due to a debt crisis in the parent company. 6000 employees were fired. Fortunately, no exports to Norway were ever established.

Car sharing that went bad

Would you pay 700.000 kroner for an electric Rolls Royce from a Chinese car brand that has never before been represented in any Western country?

2400 Norwegian car buyers were hardly aware of the risk they were taking when they chose Hongqi. The cars looked like they were built by Rolls Royce itself, but the quality has disappointed many owners. The air suspension failed on all the cars that were equipped with this. Problems with software and electronics have caused a lot of irritation. The problems are compounded by the fact that the importer in Norway is struggling to obtain parts from China. It is suggested that the car manufacturer on the other side of the globe is no longer prioritizing electric cars.

The importer does not trust the manufacturer… (Bilnytt.no)

Risk is a calculation where probability is multiplied by consequence.

The risk in this case is that the cars become useless or worthless – in both cases a financial loss. Probability = the danger signals. Consequence = price. Simply put, one can say that “the more you pay for the car, the more important the danger signals become”.

Taking a high risk when buying a car is not unwise as long as you are aware of the risk you are taking. Many people choose to take a higher risk because they believe that life is too short to drive boring cars. You can also take a higher risk if you see opportunities to make a good deal. Also, someone has to be the first to buy new models.

The danger signals

A persistently low number of registered cars is a warning sign. An overview of registered electric cars can be obtained through the website Elbilstatistikk.noThe number of registered cars does not include cars on waiting lists or in production or in shipping.

Ensures access to spare parts
The number of registered cars is important in assessing whether a car model can still be kept on the road even if the dealer, importer or manufacturer disappears. We saw this after the bankruptcy of Fisker Inc. When 5000 car owners wanted a network to support the software in their cars, a market was created for those who could offer a solution. Repair shops bought up cars to offer spare parts to future customers. A lower number of car owners could have made the situation more difficult.

Reveals any problems
A certain number of cars in the hands of regular car owners is necessary to be able to uncover and disseminate information about any problems with the cars. One could say that the first owners test the cars for subsequent owners.

Profitability
The number of registered cars also gives an indication of profitability. A low number of cars is a clear danger signal. Registration statistics provide, among other things, an overview of the number of cars so far this year. This can then be used to detect whether sales have stagnated. Dealers will never admit it, but there is a limit to how long they can sell cars at a loss.

The watch list

The watch list is based on the number of registered cars in total and so far this year (August 2026). The car brands mentioned here are so rare that there is a risk that they will be taken off sale early, or that one of the links in the chain will withdraw or disappear. The warnings are not related to whether the cars are good or bad.

(Chery) Exlantix
Exlantix is a newly launched car brand in Norway. The cars are easily recognizable along the road with their waterfall-shaped front ends. So far, only 124 cars have been registered (including dealer cars) since sales started last year. So far this year, only a negligible number have been sold. Will the car brand sell or flop in Norway? Red warning.

(Chery) Omoda and Jaecoo
Two brand new car brands under Chery with prices starting below the VAT threshold of 300.000 kroner. So far, only a couple of cars have been registered in Norway. Will the car brands gain a foothold? For now, red danger warning.

(Dongfeng) Box and Vigo
These are probably Norway's cheapest cars. Spacious and well-equipped for small cars, but small cars rarely achieve high sales in Norway. The mini-SUV Vigo was launched as a new model in Norway earlier this year. Currently yellow warning.

(Dongfeng) Voyah
The car brand has a stylish showroom in Klingenberggata, Oslo. This year it looks like the Norwegian company behind the car brand is only focusing on one model. Previous models have had microscopic distribution in Norway. The latest model, Voyah Courage, seems to be selling better than previous models. Yellow warning.

Ford F-150 Lightning
The American full-size pickup has been well received in Norway, but production was shut down last fall with no plans to resume. New cars are being sold from stock. Red alert.

Hongqi
This year, there have been very few registered Hongqi EHS5 cars and only a handful of EH7/EHS7. Red danger warning.

JAC
Despite active marketing, JAC has not gained a foothold in Norway with any of its models. Sales of the ES4/e-JS4 were not a success, and this year sales seem to have stopped. The small car JAC E30X was introduced a little over a year ago, and is one of Norway's cheapest cars. It is the best-selling model at the moment. The model program has recently been expanded with a pickup, called the T9, which currently only seems to have reached dealers. A preliminary yellow warning.

JAC e-S4 becomes new Moskvich

Lucid
Lucid has sold almost no cars in Norway. Only a handful so far this year. The car brand is still represented in Norway, but has gotten rid of its showroom in central Oslo. How long will they last? Red alert.

NIO/Firefly
NIO's first model in Norway, the ES8, has sold well, and several EL6s are running as taxis. But so far this year, sales seem to have fallen worryingly. Their new small car, the Firefly, has achieved limited popularity in Norway. This year, there is a yellow danger warning for NIO.

Collaboration makes strong

Developing electric platforms, advanced electronics and software requires large resources. Collaboration between different manufacturers creates production volume, quality, stability and continuity – factors that reduce danger signals for us car buyers. However, we have seen that major players in the automotive industry have admitted serious errors and received recalls, including when it comes to fire hazards in high-voltage batteries. Therefore, there is always a danger signal associated with brand new models, even if they come from reputable manufacturers such as BMW, Skoda or Volkswagen.

Here is the list of cooperating car manufacturers – either in the form of ownership or technological/business cooperation. These are together (or individually) so well established in Norway that there is no need to issue any hazard warning.

BMW
BYD
Geely/Volvo/Polestar/Zeekr
Hyundai/KIA
Mercedes-Benz
Renault/Nissan/Mitsubishi
SAIC/MG/Maxus
Ssangyoung/KGM
Stellantis/Peugeot/Citroen/Opel/Fiat/Toyota
Tesla
Toyota/Lexus/Subaru/Suzuki
Volkswagen Group/Audi/Seat/Porsche/Ford Europe
Xiaopeng/Xpeng

Car brands with small market shares

The following car brands do not pose any danger in terms of the number of registered cars. They are expected to sell more than 1000 cars this year. Although the factories and dealers are large and well-established, each car brand represents a very low market share. Therefore, it may be worthwhile to look up news in the media before entering a purchasing phase. This applies to the following car brands:

(Changan) Deepal
Deepal is a new car brand in Norway that has been selling cars since the summer of 2025. Over 1000 cars registered so far this year. That's good for a previously completely unknown car brand.

(Mercedes-Benz/Geely) Smart
Smart is owned by Mercedes-Benz and Geely with equal shares, and is imported to Norway by Bertel O. Steen. All cars are manufactured in China. The best-selling model in Norway is the Smart #5.

(BMW/GWM-Spotlight Automotive) Mini
The Mini Cooper E/SE and Aceman E/SE are currently produced in China, while the Mini Countryman is produced in Germany. Mini has solid owners behind it through Spotlight Automotive owned by BMW and Great Wall Motor, but is a small car brand on the Norwegian market.

Mazda
Mazda launched its first electric family car in February 2025. Their first model, the MX-30, was a small car with a short range – a typical number 2 car. Sales of the Mazda 6e have been good, but Mazda only has a small market share in Norway.

Seres
Seres is a small car manufacturer with a good dealer network behind it. There are more than 1000 cars registered in Norway, but without new models there is a risk that sales could fall.

The role of negotiators

In the event of problems within the warranty period, the dealer (seller) is responsible for repairing the damage or arranging compensation in the form of another car or money. Even if the manufacturer disappears, the dealer and possibly the importer are still responsible for fulfilling the warranty obligations. If the dealer disappears, the warranty also disappears. Therefore, it may be advantageous to deal with one of the large dealer chains. But in any case, it is not a desirable situation to end up in.

After Chevrolet pulled out of Norway, the car brand was left without a brand dealer. The owner of a Chevrolet Spark discovered that the airbag warning light was on. He had the control unit replaced, but the workshop lacked the codes needed to configure the unit – codes that only authorized dealers had. The error meant that the then 6-year-old car could not be approved for EU use. The case was discussed in TV2 Broome288 Chevrolet Sparks were registered in Norway.

Disagree with the warning signs? Use the comments section!

See

New car, but not electric

Posted 15/09/2025 by Terje Bjørnstad

bmw x1 — Engine in BMW X1 xDrive30. Photo: BMW Press.

In our example, hybrid and petrol cars are almost 50% more expensive than their electric counterparts due to taxes. However, you can buy 3-year-old hybrid and petrol cars for the same price as new equivalent electric cars. In Germany, customers can choose their own fuel option.

Norway is different

It is difficult to explain Norwegian tax policy to people who do not live in Norway. When foreign friends comment on the high proportion of electric cars in Norway, I just nod to state that “that is just the way it is”. It is difficult to understand that a car with a hybrid drivetrain receives a tax surcharge of 60% while the same car with an electric drivetrain is almost tax-free. The large proportion of electric cars in Norway is of course the result of political control – not free choice. If someone – against all odds – wanted to buy a new petrol or diesel car, it is not certain that they will find any, either in the showrooms or in the price lists.

A limited selection

It is not only in Norway that petrol and diesel-powered models are being removed from the price lists. As car manufacturers prioritize electric models, models that use other fuel sources may disappear to free up production capacity for new electric models. Volvo, for example, has phased out the production of cars with diesel engines. Ford has ended production of the Fiesta and Focus to make room for electric models. This could prove to be a fateful choice. In Germany, sales of electric cars fell drastically in 2024 after the German authorities removed financial support for buyers of zero-emission vehicles just before the turn of the year. BMW and Mercedes-Benz have therefore chosen a different course. Although they have developed new series of electric cars, they still offer all powertrains in their model programs – even for newly developed models.

BMW X1 xDrive20d diesel car. Photo: Best Auto Photo / Shutterstock.com

BMW a good example

On BMW's Norwegian website you will find an almost complete model range with powertrains also for fossil fuels. I have selected the iX1 and X1 models as examples to illustrate prices and availability. BMW's third generation of the X1 (U11) was launched in June 2022 as a 2023 model year. The new model received a completely new exterior design with more interior space and a completely new digital dashboard, as well as improved powertrains. In the fall of 2022, the iX1 was launched as a separate model with an electric drivetrain. But from the outside, the new X1 and iX1 are completely identical except for parts in the front, the pattern in the grille, charging hatches and fuel filling.

BMW iX1

The BMW iX1 xDrive30 has 4-wheel drive, 313 hp and a 64,8 kWh battery pack. The iX1 is also available in a slightly more affordable version with only front-wheel drive. The eDrive20 has 204 hp and the same battery pack.

BMW X1

The BMW X1 can be ordered as a plug-in hybrid or with a single petrol engine – and in Germany also as a diesel. The sDrive18i is the most affordable variant with a 1.5-liter, 3-cylinder turbo petrol engine with 136 hp and front-wheel drive. In the slightly more expensive plug-in hybrid variant xDrive25e, the 1.5 engine and an electric motor operate over the rear wheels together in an electronically controlled 4-wheel drive. Total output is 245 hp. In electric mode, the car can travel 77 km (WLTP). The hybrid variant xDrive30e has a more powerful electric motor that together with the petrol engine produces 326 hp.

The prices

BMW with electric drivetrain:
iX1 eDrive20: 515.520
iX1 xDrive30: 527.979 (of which 19.000 are taxes)

BMW with plug-in hybrid drive:
X1 xDrive25e: 722.400 (of which 282.000 are taxes)
X1 xDrive30e: 751.300 (of which 288.000 are taxes)

BMW with petrol engine:
X1 sDrive18i: 629.800

All prices apply to fully registered basic variants. Most people will choose one or more additional equipment packages.

Source: bmw.no

The plug-in hybrid car X1 xDrive30e costs 223.000 kroner more than the electric iX1 xDrive30. The price difference is only taxes to the treasury. In Germany, the prices of the iX1 and X1 are quite similar.

Price examples in Germany:
iX1 xDrive30: 645.086 (€55.900)
X1 xDrive25: 588.500 (€51.000)
X1 xDrive30: 617.390 (€53.500)

Source: bmw.de

BMW X1 xDrive23d interior. Photo: BMW press.

Prices after 3 years

As several fossil fuel car models are no longer imported into the country, several car dealers are reporting increased demand for used gasoline and diesel cars. Looking at used car prices, you can buy a 3-year-old BMW X1 for about the same price as a brand new BMW iX1.

I have searched for a 2023 BMW X1 xDrive25e for sale with less than 50.000 km. The model year is important here because cars produced from June 2022 are of the same type (U11) as the current model year. With low mileage, the cars in this search can be perceived as new.

Average prices (<50.000 km):
2023 sDrive18i: 525.000 (based on 2 cars).
2023 xDrive25e M-Sport: 579.000 (based on 7 cars out of a total of 145 registered in Norway).

Source: Finn.no

All 2023 models have equipment packages. M-Sports packages cost from 50.000. This means that you can buy an almost new BMW X1 plug-in hybrid with 4-wheel drive for the same price as a similarly new iX1 electric car. It's a sensible solution.

You don't save much by importing a newer used BMW X1 from Germany. But as fewer and fewer gasoline and diesel cars are sold here, it may be necessary to import cars from Germany to meet demand.

A significantly less expensive alternative

Used car prices drop when a model is replaced by a new one. The 2022 model year is an older version of the X1 (F48). The outgoing model with the xDrive25e drivetrain has a smaller high-voltage battery, the electric motor has less power. Total output is 220 hp and the range in electric mode is 49 km (WLTP). In a car with low mileage, you can still get a great car for far less money.

Average price (<50.000 km):
2022 xdrive25e (20 cars) 370.000.

Source: Finn.no

List of "non-electric" car models

All prices are from the prices stated on the car manufacturer's or car importer's websites. Additional costs may apply. Several car dealers are now selling stocked hybrid, petrol and diesel cars that will no longer be marketed in Norway.

BMW 320i xDrive (petrol) 773.281
BMW 330e 799.400
BMW 320d xDrive Touring 880.281
BMW 330e Touring 819.199
BMW 520d xDrive 958.419
BMW 520d xDrive Touring 973.000
BMW 530e 960.799
BMW 530e Touring 976.000
BMW 530e xDrive Touring 1.016.400
BMW X1 sDrive18i (petrol) 629.800
BMW X1 xDrive25e 722.400
BMW X1 xDrive30e 751.300
BMW X1 M35i xDrive (petrol) 1.004.700
BMW X2 M35i xDrive (petrol) 1.042.428
BMW X5 xDrive50e 1.312.600

Honda Jazz Elegance e:Hev Hybrid 334.400
Honda CR-V Advance Tech Plug-in Hybrid 694.500 (New model from 2023)

Mazda2 Hybrid 360.900
Mazda CX-30 Mild hybrid 497.800
Mazda CX-60 761.800 PHEV
Mazda CX-80 847.800 PHEV

Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain Plug-in diesel 1.073.900
Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 de 4MATIC 1.365.900 (promotion)

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 744.900 (New model from 2025)

Suzuki Swift 4×4 Hybrid 364.900
Suzuki S-Cross and Vitara are only sold from stock.

Volvo XC60 T6 Plus Edition 1.006.900
Volvo XC90 T8 Plus 1.254.500

volvo xc60 — XC60 Recharge T8, Silver Dawn. Photo: Volvo.

The purpose of this post is to provide advice and inspiration to those who want to opt out of electric cars. The car blog “Terjes Biler” is a forum for all types of cars.

See

German decline in electric cars — Discontinuation of German environmental bonus sends car market into turmoil

Broom 03.06.2025 People want gasoline and diesel

A little about leasing

Posted 29/08/2025 by Terje Bjørnstad

lease — Photo: Bartolomiej Pietrzyk / Shutterstock

After electric cars under 500.000 were exempted from VAT, leasing has become more attractive to private individuals. Although the costs are the same whether you lease or finance with a loan, many people are dissatisfied after trying leasing. Here are some tips along the way.

Leasing vs. loan financing

When you lease a car, the leasing company is the owner. The lessee therefore does not have unlimited control over the car. For example, you cannot freely use it abroad.

The monthly rent is determined in the same way as the installment amounts in a bank loan. With leasing, you only pay down a restgreen, while bank loans are paid down to zero. When the bank loan is paid off, you can use the car as equity when buying a new car. You can't do that with leasing. But then the total amount with leasing is also lower than with loan financing.

Many car dealerships display the monthly payment in large print and hide information about any initial rent, fees and other caveats on underlying pages – often written in small print. Be especially aware of the following:

Promotional rate?
During sales campaigns, low interest rates are often offered, which provide very favorable monthly payments. Promotional interest rates throughout the entire leasing period are excellent, but if the promotional interest rate is time-limited, the nominal interest rate may end up at the market rate, which is between 8 and 9% pa for car loans without equity.

Fixed or floating interest rate?
Fixed interest rates provide predictable monthly rent. With variable interest rates, the monthly rent can be adjusted when interest rates change. In the case of a variable interest rate lease, you should make sure that the monthly rent is calculated at an interest rate that matches the market interest rate for car loans – that is, that the stated monthly rent is not a hidden lure.

Additional equipment?
Specific leasing offers from dealers should apply to a ready-to-drive car. However, it is not certain that winter wheels, charging cable and paint surcharges are included. Most dealers can also offer a service agreement and insurance as part of the lease.

Starting rent – or not?

Some call it a deposit or down payment . In reality, it is an initial rent – a lump sum. Leases with an initial rent give the leasing company greater security, which can result in lower interest rates – in the same way that banks are willing to lower the loan interest rate when you provide equity. But be aware that the initial rent is unsecured if the leasing company goes bankrupt. The amount will also be lost if the leasing agreement is cancelled.

What is more important: mobility or a car?

Leasing is well suited to meet a need for mobility, for example related to changes in job, place of residence and family situation. However, if you are planning to acquire a dream car, you should not choose leasing. Expensive and special cars are less suitable for leasing because there may be uncertainty related to the residual value. In addition, it can be painful to have to return – or renegotiate the purchase or re-lease of such a car when the leasing period is over. One of the advantages of leasing is that you can acquire a car without tying up capital that you would rather use for other purposes, such as purchasing a home. In that case, it may be worthwhile to lease a simple and affordable car.

Low-cost leasing

Let's follow the idea of prioritizing mobility at the lowest possible cost. A car for under 3000 kroner per month without an initial lease is a low-threshold offer for anyone who suddenly needs a car. It's not much more than what a monthly pass between Drammen and Oslo would cost. You can then either choose a new car in the lowest price range, or re-lease a slightly larger car. Alternatively, you can take over an existing leasing contract.

Leasing of ny car.

It is possible to lease a new car for less than 3000 kroner a month without an initial lease, although the selection is quite small. These may be stocked, discontinued models that the car dealer wants to get rid of – but that is of course perfectly OK.

The advantages of leasing new cars are the following:

Low service costs (renter is obliged to follow the car's service schedule).
The car is covered by a new car warranty.
Clear car maintenance with monthly rent, insurance and service.
You get a car with the latest gadgets and technology.

JAC E30X Nordic Edition, 374 km range

Monthly amount: 2990
Starting rent: 0
Source: rsabil.no

Recommended price: 259000. Included: Delivery costs, winter wheels, paint surcharge, charging cable. Fee: 4995. Number of months: 36. Number of km: 30000. Interest: Fixed. Total amount: 112629. Leasing company: Drivalia. The above offer is an example taken from the specified source. Terjes Biler reserves the right to errors in both the original source material and our reproduction of the offer.

Dongfeng Nammi Box, 310 km range.

Surprisingly good legroom in the back of the Nammi Box

Monthly amount: 2995
Starting rent: 0
Source: Motor Forum's website and advertisement on Finn.no.

Recommended price: 225820. Included: Winter wheels, white color. Fee: 4790. Number of months: 60. Number of km: 50000. Interest: Floating - promotional interest. Total amount: 184501. Leasing company: DNB. The above offer is an example taken from the sources indicated. Terjes Biler reserves the right to errors in both the original source material and our reproduction of the offer.

Re-leasing of used bil

Some leasing companies offer re-leasing of used cars that have been returned after a three-year lease. They appear as new with relatively low mileage. If you assume a new 3-year lease, you can expect the following:

Service costs may require replacement of wear parts and new tires.
The leasing period may extend beyond the car's new car warranty. Additional insurance should be considered.

Re-leasing 3-year-old leased cars is unlikely to bring any surprises, but leasing older cars with high mileage without a warranty is risky business. Unfortunately, several popular electric car models are plagued with known faults that can lead to long-term downtime and high costs.

2022 Citroen E-C4, 357 km range

The trunk has a flat compartment under the cover.

Monthly amount: 2986
Starting rent: 0
Source: Autoco Bærum – Finn.no.

Estimated price: 220000. Included: Winter wheels. Fee: 4990. Number of months: 36. Number of km: 36000. Interest: Estimated floating interest. Total amount: 112486. Leasing company: unknown. The above offer is an example taken from the specified source. Terjes Biler reserves the right to errors in both the original source material and our reproduction of the offer.

Take over existing leasing agreement

Leasing companies allow debtor change – that is, allowing another person to take over an existing lease agreement. The new tenant can take over the agreement once the person has been credit-assessed and has paid a debtor change fee – normally between 4000 and 6000 kroner.

Points to consider when taking over an existing leasing agreement:

You commit to a shorter leasing period and a lower total amount.
You can extend the number of months and mileage for an additional fee.
A share of any initial rent accrues to the seller.
Monthly rent and fees are paid to the leasing company.
Require a condition report!

A tenant who breaks the lease agreement loses any initial rent and may be charged a high fee – equivalent to 6 months’ rent. The seller therefore has everything to gain by getting another person to take over the agreement. The parties cannot change the monthly rent, but it is possible to negotiate how large a proportion of any initial rent to pay. Initial rent and monthly rent must be seen as a whole.

If the car is not brand new, it may be easier for the parties to reach an agreement if the seller can present a condition report carried out by the same brand workshop to which the car is to be returned at the end of the lease period. The buyer should not take the duty of inspection lightly. Any damage should either be repaired at the seller's expense before takeover, offset against any initial rent, or paid to the buyer upon takeover. Unless the car is a particularly attractive one, the person interested in taking over an existing lease is in a favorable negotiating position.

The final showdown

When the car is returned, the workshop where the car is delivered goes through the car to uncover faults and damage that cannot be considered normal wear and tear. This is the Achilles heel of leasing. Here, many – especially corporate customers – have experienced being invoiced with unreasonable amounts. What is considered normal wear and tear is based on judgment. Things that often appear afterwards are rust on brake discs, damage to tires, stone chips and scratches on the windshield, moisture in the headlights and taillights. In total, this can amount to tens of thousands of kroner. It can It pays to obtain an independent condition report before delivery.

The leasing offers in the post are taken from external sources and are only (good) examples. For the record: Terje's cars is a car blog. We type about cars, but doesn't sell any.

Leasing calculator

You can simulate leasing yourself in the calculator. Loan with residual value from Smart money to check the reasonableness of a leasing offer. Interest rates for car loans without equity are between 8 and 9% pa

See

Lease and rental – made for electric cars.

new car under 300000 — New car for under 300.000 kr?

New car for under 300.000 kr?

Posted 23/02/2025 by Terje Bjørnstad

If the goals of electrifying the car fleet are to be achieved, the automotive industry must offer smaller and more affordable cars. The problem is that range requires heavy batteries that do not fit in small cars. This means that range and payload may have to be sacrificed. Let's take a closer look at the cars advertised for under 300.000 NOK!

Make and model	Price	Real price *)	Battery	Row- expanse
Dongfeng Nammi Box	199.900	220.000	31,4 kw	200 km
Dongfeng Nammi Box	217.900	238.000	43,3 kw	310 km
JAC E30X Pure 40	219.900	253.000	41,0 kw	281 km
Mazda MX-30 Exclusive	226.400	255.000	35,5 kw	200 km
Hyundai Inster SR Advanced	231.000	270.000	42,0 kw	327 km
Citroen ë-C3 YOU	234.000	260.000	44,0 kw	320 km
Mazda MX-30 Makito	238.400	267.000	35,3 kw	200 km
Renault R5 E-Tech Evolution	249.900	275.000	40,0 kw	311 km
Hyundai Inster LR Advanced	251.000	290.000	49,0 kw	370 km
JAC E30X Nordic 50	259.900	299.000	51,5 kw	374 km
Citroen ë-C3 MAX	264.900	290.000	44,0 kw	320 km
Hyundai Inster LR Exclusive	271.000	310.000	49,0 kw	370 km
MG MG4	279.900	305.000	49,0 kw	350 km
Renault R5 E-Tech Techno	279.900	308.000	40,0 kw	308 km
MG MG4 Luxury	299.900	325.000	64,0 kw	450 km
Renault R5 Techno LR	299.900	325.000	52,0 kw	411 km
Skoda Elroq 50	299.900	326.852	52,0 kw	374 km
BYD Dolphin Comfort	299.000	333.000	60,0 kw	427 km

*) Real price

When a new car is in a showroom, the price is often higher than the list price quoted by the importer. The surcharge may be related to preparation and shippingUnless otherwise stated in small print, the stated list price shall cover delivery in Oslo. Shipping to other locations in the country may incur an additional charge.

Another common markup is winter wheels. This often comes up as an add-on when you sign a contract. Because of course you need winter wheels! But not at just any price. A winter wheel package for the cars in this overview does not have to cost more than 25.000 kroner.

You can't ignore any costs for preparation, shipping, and winter tires, especially when considering cars in the lower price range, as they can account for as much as 15 percent of the purchase price.

If you buy a car online, all costs, such as these, are visible before you order – not when you are sitting with a car salesman and can feel “trapped”. But if you have bought any cars before, you know that this is normal. It should be added that the cars in this overview are well equipped from the factory, especially cars from the Far East.

BYD Dolphin

It is only the simplest implementation – Comfort – which creeps under 300.000 NOK. If you add a Type2 charging cable and winter wheels, the price ends up between 330 and 340.000 NOK. It is above the limit that we set, but in this class, the BYD Dolphin offers plenty of space and a long range half a class above the other cars in the comparison.

Description	Dolphin Comfort
Advertised price	299.000
Preparation, local shipping	10-15.000 *)
Paint surcharge	optional
Type2 Charging Cable	3.600
Winter wheels	19.500
	333-338.000

*) Estimated delivery to the Oslo area as "Local shipping and preparation are additional." Prices may vary by delivery location.

Facts

Total length: 429 cm
Wheelbase: 270 cm
Luggage compartment: 345 litres
Number of seats: 5
Max payload: 335 kg
Battery capacity: 60 kWh
Range WLTP: 427 km
AC charger: 11 kW
Fast charging: 88 kW
Preheating of batteries? No
Heat pump? Yes

Citroen ë-C3

Stellantis has several small cars in its model range, including Opel Corsa-e og Peugeot e-208, – but they cost more than 300.000 kroner. New Citroen ë-C3 is a car in the same size class (the B-class) – but in a completely different price range. It will soon be joined by Fiat Grande Panda which is built on the same platform with the same battery pack. Please note that the Citroen ë-C3 takes a maximum of 7,4 kW from AC chargers, but it can be upgraded to 11 kW as an optional extra for 5.900 kr.

Citroen offers 2 versions of the ë-C3 for under 300.000 kr. The most affordable car – YOU – has the same battery, drivetrain and basic safety as the more expensive one MAX, but the two cars have different equipment levels. The price supplement covers LED lights, a rearview camera, cruise control, audio, automatic climate control, a wireless mobile phone charger, upgraded seats and more, and is well worth the price.

Description	ë-C3 YOU	ë-C3 MAX
Advertised price	234.900	264.900
Preparation, local shipping	0*)	0*)
Paint surcharge	optional	optional
Type2 Charging Cable	including	including
Winter wheels	25.000 **)	25.000 **)
	260-265.000	290-295.000

*) Price stated for delivery to Oslo. Prices will vary depending on delivery location.
**) Estimated price winter wheel package.

Facts

Total length: 402 cm
Wheelbase: 254 cm
Luggage compartment: 310 litres
Number of seats: 5
Max payload: 419 kg
Battery capacity: 44 kWh
Range WLTP: 320 km
AC charger: 7,4 kW (upgradeable to 11 kW three-phase)
Fast charging: 100 kW
Preheating of batteries? No
Heat pump? No

Dongfeng Nammi Box

This is Norway's most affordable electric car - registered as a passenger car - not a motorcycle. Nammi Box is a bit of a strange name for a car, but Dongfeng represents several car brands, including the prestige brand Voyah. The new car brand is therefore Norway's cheapest, but has surprisingly good space in the cabin thanks to the long wheelbase. The interior design also looks very good. Please note that the payload is quite low for a 5-seater – only 300 kg in addition to the driver (75 kg). Incidentally, the rear seat backrest can be folded down – but only in one piece – not divisible.

Nammi Box comes in 2 versions. The cheapest has a range of only 200 km, which is barely in line with today's standards. It is worth paying 18.000 to get 310 km of range.

Description	Candy Box 200km	Candy Box 310km
Advertised price	199.900	217.900
Preparation, local shipping	10-15.000 *)	10-15.000 *)
Paint surcharge	ukjent	ukjent
Type2 Charging Cable	ukjent	ukjent
Winter wheels	20.000 **)	20.000 **)
	~ 220.000	~ 238.000

*) Estimated price as "Local transport and delivery costs apply". Prices may vary elsewhere.
**) Estimated price for winter wheels.

Facts

Total length: 403 cm
Wheelbase: 266 cm
Luggage compartment: 326 litres
Number of seats: 5
Max payload: 300 kg
Battery capacity: 31,4/42,3 kWh
Range WLTP: 200/310 km
AC charger: 11 kW
Fast charging: 77/88 kW
Preheating batteries? unknown
Heat pump? No

Hyundai Inster

With a total length of 3,83 meters and 4 seats, Hyundai Inster a car that falls into the so-called A-class, i.e. a class below the other cars discussed here. It is the maximum payload that limits the number of people, but the shape of the car makes good use of the space and makes it stand out from the crowd of new cars.

Description	Inster SR Advanced	Inster LR Advanced	Inster LR Exclusive
Advertised price	231.000	251.000	271.000
Preparation, local shipping	13.900*)	13.900*)	13.900*)
Paint surcharge	optional	optional	optional
Type2 Charging Cable	including	including	including
Winter wheels	25.000 **)	25.000 **)	25.000 **)
	~ 270.000	~ 290.000	~ 310.000

*) The stated price is assumed to be for delivery in Oslo. Other prices may apply elsewhere in the country.
**) Estimated price for winter wheels.

Facts

Total length: 383 cm
Wheelbase: 258 cm
Luggage compartment: 280 liters (Advanced), 348-352 liters (Exclusive)
Number of seats: 4
Max payload: 247 kg
Battery capacity: 42 (Standard Range), 49 (Long Range)
Range WLTP: 327 km (SR), 370 km (LR Advanced), 360 km (LR Exclusive)
AC charger: 11 kW
Fast charging: 73 kW (Standard Range), 85,3 kW (Long Range)
Preheating of batteries? Yes
Heat pump? Yes

JAC E30X

The JAC E30X is available in 3 versions, Pure 40, Pure 50 og Nordic Edition 50The cars with the largest batteries will probably be the most popular. Here you get cars that are very well equipped, even the most affordable ones.

Description	E30X Pure 40/th>	E30X Nordic Edition 50
Advertised price	219.900	259.900
Preparation, local shipping	10-15.000 *)	10-15.000 *)
Paint surcharge	optional	5.900
Type2 Charging Cable	ukjent	ukjent
Winter wheels	22.900	22.900
	253-258.000	299-304.000

*) Estimated delivery to the Oslo area as "Local shipping and preparation are additional." Prices may vary by delivery location.

Facts

Total length: 403 cm
Wheelbase: 262 cm
Luggage compartment: 310 litres
Number of seats: 5
Max payload: Unknown
Battery capacity: 41 (Pure 40), 51,5 (Nordic Edition 50)
Range WLTP: 281 km (Pure 40), 374 km (Nordic Edition 50)
AC charger: 11 kW
Fast charging: 64 kW (all versions)
Preheating batteries? Unknown
Heat pump? Yes

Mazda MX-30

The Mazda MX-30 has been on sale since 2020 and is the oldest of the cars in this company. It is larger than the other cars, but provides poor space utilization. Short range and relatively slow charging characteristics make this a typical car number 2 in the family. Mazda has occasionally been Norway's cheapest electric car, but in no way appears to be a cheap car. On the contrary. Here you find the same premium feeling as in Mazda's other models.

Description	MX-30 Exclusive	MX-30 Makito
Advertised price	226.400	238.400
Preparation, local shipping	0*)	0*)
Paint surcharge	optional	optional
Type2 Charging Cable	4.077	4.077
Winter wheels	25.000 **)	25.000 **)
	255-260.000	267-272.000

*) Price applies to delivery to Oslo. Prices will vary depending on delivery location.
**) Estimated price for winter wheels.

Facts

Total length: 439 cm
Wheelbase: 266 cm
Luggage compartment: 366 litres
Number of seats: 5
Max payload: 369 kg
Battery capacity: 39,5
Range WLTP: 200 km
AC charger: 6,6 kW
Fast charging: 50 kW
Preheating of batteries? Yes
Heat pump? Yes

MG MG4

Comfortable seats in the MG4. Only the driver's seat has height adjustment.

The MG MG4 in Luxury version scores well in terms of space, range and charging, but really falls outside the framework we have set at 300.000 NOK. The MG MG4, like the BYD Dolphin, is both half a class above the other cars discussed here.

Description	MG4 Standard	MG4 Luxury
Advertised price	279.900	299.900
Preparation, local shipping	0*)	0*)
Paint surcharge	optional	optional
Type2 Charging Cable	including	including
Winter wheels	25.000 **)	25.000 **)
	305-310.000	325-330.000

*) The stated price applies to delivery to Moss. Prices will vary depending on the delivery location.
**) Estimated price for winter wheels.

Facts

Total length: 429 cm
Wheelbase: 271 cm
Luggage compartment: 350 litres
Number of seats: 5
Max payload: 373 kg
Battery capacity: 49 kWh (Standard), 64 kWh (Luxury)
Range WLTP: 350 km (Standard), 450 km (Luxury)
AC charger: 6,6 kW (Standard), 11 kW (Luxury)
Fast charging: 88 kW (Standard), 140 kW (Luxury)
Preheating of batteries? Yes (Standard and Luxury)
Heat pump? No (Standard), Yes (Luxury)

Skoda Elroq

Skoda Elroq is the biggest surprise. The most affordable version with the smallest battery pack – Elroq 50 – creeps just under 300.000 kroner. With battery preheating and fast charging, the battery size will work well for all types of driving. And in terms of space, none of the other cars in this price range can compare.

Description	Elroq 50
Advertised price	299.900
Preparation, local shipping	including
Paint surcharge	optional
Type2 Charging Cable	including
Winter wheels	26.952
	326.852

*) recommended price 19 inch studless winter tires

Facts

Total length: 448 cm
Wheelbase: 276,5 cm
Luggage compartment: 470 litres
Number of seats: 5
Max payload: Unknown
Battery capacity: 52 kWh
Range WLTP: 374 km
AC charger: 11 kW
Fast charging: 145 kW
Preheating of batteries? Yes
Heat pump? Additional equipment (12.700 kr)

Renault R5 E-Tech

Rear seat with the driver's seat adjusted for an adult male.

The advertised price from 249.900 kr makes the Renault R5 a good buy, although the real price could be much higher as Renault offers additional equipment that is standard on its Chinese competitors. One additional package will be of great importance to many, namely Package parking, driving & safety assistance to 9.900 kr. Renault has been on the market since 2012 with its electric model Zoe and have shown that they can make good electric cars.

Description	R5 Evolution	R5 Techno SR	R5 Techno LR
Advertised price	249.900	279.900	299.900
Preparation, local shipping	0*)	0*)	0*)
Paint surcharge	optional	3.900	optional
Type2 Charging Cable	including	including	including
Winter wheels	25.000 **)	25.000 **)	25.000 **)
	275-280.000	308-313.000	325-330.000

*) The stated price applies to shipping and delivery to Oslo. Prices will vary depending on the delivery location.
**) Estimated price for winter wheels.

Facts

Total length: 392 cm
Wheelbase: 254 cm
Luggage compartment: 326 litres
Number of seats: 5
Max payload: 410 kg (Evolution), 388 kg (Techno SR), 386 kg (Techno LR)
Battery capacity: 40 kWh (Evolution and Techno SR), 52 kWh (Techno LR)
Range WLTP: 311 km (Evolution), 308 km (Techno SR), 411 (Techno LR)
AC charger: 11 kW (all versions)
Fast charging: 80 kW (Evolution and Techno SR), 100 kW (Techno LR)
Preheating of batteries? Yes (all versions)
Heat pump? No (Standard), Yes (all versions)

See

TV2 – Gives price for the car without paint

Liquidation of the German environmental bonus results in a decline in electric car sales

Posted 08/03/2024 by Terje Bjørnstad

For several years, electric car customers in Germany have been able to take advantage of a government environmental bonus. A week before Christmas, the scheme was removed with just 3 days' notice. This led to an immediate decline in sales of "affordable" electric cars such as the Fiat 500e and Opel Corsa e.

Environmental bonus that disappeared

Since 2016, German electric car customers have been able to benefit from government support for the purchase of zero-emission vehicles. The money was transferred to the customers as a bonus after the cars had been paid for and delivered. Several dealers calculated the bonus when they put a price tag on the cars. The rates for 2023 were €4.500 in environmental bonus for cars under €40.000 and €3.000 for cars between €40.000 to €60.000. Cars over €60.000 gave no payouts.

BAFA (Bundesamt für Wirtschaft und Ausfuhrkontrolle), which administered the support scheme, was forced to terminate the support scheme at short notice because there were no funds to continue - and a new state budget did not allow for the continuation of the scheme. One can therefore with good reason direct criticism at the politicians (SPD) - but what is really worthy of criticism in this case is the way in which BAFA discontinued the scheme. The liquidation took effect just 3 days after it was announced. Several tens of thousands of car customers who had ordered electric cars were affected.

The car manufacturers footed the bill

The liquidation was a slap in the face for those who had signed a contract but had not yet received their cars. No one imagined that the environmental bonus would disappear overnight. The consequences could have been serious had it not been for several car manufacturers choosing to cover the bonus for affected customers. Stellantis, Hyundai, KIA and Dacia are among the manufacturers that prevented customers who were waiting for cars from ending up in the dark.

Affects sales of small electric cars

In Germany, electric cars are far more expensive than cars that run on petrol or diesel. For example, you can buy Opel Corsa with petrol engine from €20, while prices for similarly equipped electric cars start at €300 without environmental bonus. For the same price you can get a well-equipped petrol engine Opel Grandland, which gives significantly more car for the money. In contrast to Norway, German car dealers still carry a full range of petrol and diesel-powered cars.

environmental bonus — 2024 Opel Corsa-e GS

Opel Corsa – an example

The Opel Corsa was the best-selling small car in Germany in 2023 with almost 54 cars, of which one in four ran on electricity, according to Stellantis. The Corsa-e then also ended up in 000th place among all electric cars sold.

In 2023, you could buy an Opel Corsa-e for just over €30 when the full "Umweltbonus" was deducted. in 000, the Corsa-e has, among other things, a new front - and in the GS version - an increase in power from 2024hp to 136hp, an increase in battery capacity from 156 kWh to 50 kWh and a range of up to 51 km. The price in Norway starts at NOK 405. If we add equipment such as an 344kW on-board charger, a technology package with adaptive LED lighting, navigation, a panoramic glass roof and additional paint, the price ends up at NOK 900 without winter tyres. In Germany, the same car costs NOK 11 (!).

It is worth remembering that if full value added tax were introduced on electric cars here at home, a well-equipped Opel Corsa-e would cost half a million kroner delivered with winter tyres.

It is thought-provoking that electric cars need government support in order for most people to be able to afford to buy them.

Facts

Figures based on registration statistics for new cars in Germany

Share of electric cars throughout 2023: 18,4%
Share of electric cars January 2024: 10,52%
Share of electric cars February 2024: 12,64%

Sales figures for two of the models which in 2023 received the full effect of the environmental bonus.

Month	Opel Corsa-e	Fiat 500-e
August 2023	3079	3193
September 2023	2175	1765
October 2023	899	1760
November 2023	1737	1730
December 2023 *)	2287	3001
January 2023	286	735
February	241	149

*) German environmental bonus for zero-emission vehicles ended on 17.12.2023/XNUMX/XNUMX

Source: goingelectric.de

16.03.2023
Several newspapers report that the Fiat factory has now cut down to one shift at the Mirafiori factory due to failing sales of the Fiat 500e. According to Stellantis, this is due to the loss of support schemes for electric cars.

See

End of E-Auto Promotion 2024: That's what you need to know

Too early to phase out diesel cars?

Posted 20/07/2023 by Terje Bjørnstad

The supply of passenger cars with diesel engines has been greatly reduced - especially in electric car-friendly Norway, but also elsewhere, as car manufacturers stop making them. At the same time, it is reported that fossil-fuel cars are more in demand than electric cars on the used market, and that foreign buyers are now flocking to the used car halls. Is it too early to phase out diesel cars?

No shame in buying used

No one knows the reason for the increased demand for fossil-fuel cars. Some will argue that the electric car venture has been unsuccessful - that most people want to return to cars with thermal engines. Another, more likely reason is the poor economic outlook. People are preparing for higher housing interest rates and rising living costs and are choosing to get rid of expensive electric cars. On the used car market, families with children can benefit more from a Skoda Octavia station wagon with a diesel engine than a used Nissan Leaf, for example. It also has another effect, namely that you do not lose face or status by buying used. Everyone knows that the best purchases of fossil fuel cars are made on the used car market!

Volvo cuts diesel and employees

These days, Volvo Sweden has stopped accepting orders for new diesel cars - only stock cars are sold. At Norwegian Volvo dealers, the diesel models already disappeared two years ago. Sweden is not as well prepared for electric cars as Norway. On paper, it doesn't look too bad. Many large players have jumped on the charging wave, but have clearly not understood that the equipment requires maintenance. Unfortunately, it has become all too common to find charging stations out of service along Swedish roads. The newspapers wrote about it earlier this summer and we have also experienced the problems. It is worrying that Volvo prioritizes rechargeable cars before a well-functioning network of charging stations has been established. It is even worse - seen from Swedish eyes - that at the same time as Volvo is stopping the production of diesel cars, 1300 employees in Sweden are being fired.

Volvo's diesel cars will probably be in demand on the used market for a long time.

The sensible diesel cars

If you are looking for a brand new diesel car, there are few models to choose from. A review of the price lists confirms this impression. Among sensible family car models we find the following:

Skoda Octavia 2,0 TDI 150 hp and 200 hp 4×4
Skoda Superb 2,0 TDI 150 hp and 200 hp 4×4
Skoda Kodiaq 2,0 TDI 150 hp and 200 hp 4×4
Volkswagen T-Roc 2,0 TDI 150 hp
Peugeot 3008
Peugeot 5008

Some diesel models are no longer carried by Norwegian dealers, although they are still in production. This applies to, among other things, the following car models - safe used car purchases:

Volkswagen Tiguan 2,0 TDI 150 and 200 4Motion
Ford Focus 1,5 TDCI
Ford Kuga 1,5 TDCI

Ford Focus production is being phased out to free up capacity for Ford's new all-electric Explorer , which will compete with larger vehicles like the Volkswagen ID.4. Ford has no other model to fill the void left by the Focus.

Excluding diesel cars

German and British car manufacturers have not abandoned diesel, although the share of diesel cars has been greatly reduced compared to just a couple of years ago. One of the manufacturers that still has diesel engines in their model range is Tata-owned Jaguar and Land Rover . They have been collaborating with BMW since 2019 to develop new engines, and one of the series is diesel engines with mild hybrid. The 48V solution only supports starting, the start-stop function and other auxiliary functions. BMW offers the same engines in some of its diesel models from the 2020 model year. Volvo has also previously had mild hybrid versions with both diesel and petrol cars (B4 and B5), but these are no longer on sale. Other manufacturers that have diesel with mild hybrid are Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai/KIA. The Koreans have chosen to sell only rechargeable cars in Norway, but you can still buy the Hyundai Tucson and KIA Sorento 1,6 CRDI 4WD as a used car.

Conclusion

According to the Norwegian Road Traffic Information Council, diesel cars had a market share of only 2,4% of car sales in June this year. The low share is not just because people don't want to buy diesel. Much of the reason is that car manufacturers within the EU are working to adapt for 2035, when the ban on the sale of fossil cars is expected to come into effect. When French, German and Swedish car manufacturers stop production of non-rechargeable cars already now, there could be a shortage of cars for people who live in places with poorly developed charging facilities. There are many of them. If you are going to sell a nice diesel car in the next few years, you may be contacted by eager buyers from far away.

Wait! Hello! Bonjour! Guten Tag!

See

Charging complications in Sweden

With XPeng G3 electric car in Sweden. XPeng worked well, but Swedish charging stations are not much to brag about. If you are going to drive an electric car in Sweden, you should read this post. **See more**

e24.no – Weak krone is changing the Norwegian used car market
NRK.no – Europe is emptying Norway of used cars
Metalsupply.no – Volvo lays off 1300 jobs in Sweden

Car on the plain

Posted 20/06/2023 by Terje Bjørnstad

Last Sunday, the 9 largest car dealers invited everyone with a passion and interest in motoring and mobility to an open house. At some of these dealers we also find special supercars. Here are the highlights.

Lamborghini at Brooklands Motors

One of the highlights was the Norwegian premiere of the new Lamborghini Revuelto. What makes this model special is that it is the first Lamborghini with a hybrid drivetrain. But one should not imagine that this is an environmentally friendly car. The batteries are there to provide an optimal driving experience, 1015 hp, 725 Nm with three electric motors, two that distribute the power to the front wheels and one that controls the power at the rear from the V12 engine. The battery pack is 3,8 kwh, rechargeable, and estimated to give a maximum range of 10 km - but still enough to keep the over 1000 horses alive. When you study the lines of the Revuelto, there is nothing that bears the stamp of anything other than fun and driving pleasure. It looks really mischievous with super short rear overhangs and the exhaust straight out at face height for those driving behind.

In the premises of Lamborghini in Billingstad there were also two classics, a Miura and the Countach itself. Outside was an Urraco – very rare cars these days. When these models were produced, Lamborghini was in a far more turbulent existence than today. Today, the Volkswagen group is behind it with German engineers behind the scenes. The Miura was not a bad car, but it had its weaknesses which have been fixed over the years. The Miura is one of the world's most beautiful cars. The "eyebrows" made the model overly feminine for some, but they could be removed. The Countach is a symbol of a car that is uncompromisingly raw, but very impractical with no view to the rear when backing up, for example. I'm sure that today's Revuelto is equipped with a reversing camera.

Lamborghini Miura P400 S formerly owned by Frank Sinatra

Lambroghini Gallardo (series 1) on trestle

Bronco at RøhneSelmer

RøhneSelmer in Billingstad has extensive experience in organizing car meets - including Cars on the plain. We have been there several times together with veteran car owners. As usual, the barbecue was over the area and the families flocked to it. The draw for me was a green Ford Bronco Outer Banks parked at the entrance. inside, a beautiful Mustang mk1 Convertible graced the premises.

Ford Bronco 2,7 V6 EcoBoost flanked by RøhneSelmer's mascot

Ford Bronco's comeback

One would think that the Bronco model went into the grave after TV broadcasts of OJ Simpson's white Bronco fleeing from the police were shown. Before that, the model was known to flip over the smallest thing. Although all this happened in the USA, I have no faith that the Bronco will be a success in Norway. Today's Bronco is manufactured in Mexico and the 2,7 V6 EcoBoost engine has already gained a bad reputation due to several engine failures with early cars. The trailer weight is only 1250 kg and the price is close to NOK 1,9 million. The positive thing about the Bronco is its American heritage – firstly because of the name, which derives from the American watch horse – secondly that the model for the current Bronco model was designed around the same time as the Mustang mk1 – in the happy sixties.

Defender at Motorpool

The Land Rover Defender is also designed with clear similarities to earlier, legendary models. Land Rover can deliver cars with plug-in hybrid and mild hybrid drivetrains, which makes them quite affordable - if you can use such an expression for cars that cost over a million kroner. It seems many people are waiting for the all-electric Defender to arrive in 2025. Under Bil på sletta, representatives from the Norwegian Jaguar Club presented beautiful cars.

McLaren at Bymedhus

Many had made their way to Bymedhus. They sell exclusive and special cars in a high price range. Outside, among other things, was the large Rolls Royce SUV Cullinan – a car for people with floppy hats. I had more sense for a McLaren Artura standing in the doorway. This is a plug-in hybrid with a 3 hp 6-liter V585 engine and a 95 hp electric motor - which together produce 680 hp and can do 0-100 km/h in 2,9 seconds. They have one for sale for NOK 3,5 million. So one might ask how much it would have cost if it wasn't a rechargeable hybrid?

Ferrari and Maserati at Formula Automobile

Formula Automobile often has nice cars parked outside. When I'm nearby, I make sure to walk the dog there. I note several signs that say that Maserati's new SUV Grecale will be available as an electric car (Grecale Folgore) after the summer with a price tag of 1,4 million kroner. It's probably on many people's wish lists. I think Ferrari's hybrid models 296 and SF90 are interesting. If you look in through the rear window, you don't get any marked profile of either the V8 or V12. The engine in the Ferrari 286 is supposed to be a 3-liter twin turbo V6 with a 120-degree angle, which may not be as visual as it seems. The gasoline engine produces 663 hp. Together with the electric motor, the drivetrain produces a whopping 830 hp and a torque of 740. The car's weight is kept low, for a hybrid. The car in the pictures has a curb weight without a driver of only 1532 kg. The battery pack's capacity is 7,45 kWh. Like the Lamborghini Revuelto and McLaren Artura, the hybrid powertrain is designed primarily for performance and driving pleasure. A used Ferrari 296 GTB is advertised for sale at Bymedhus for 4,5 million kroner.

See

Car on the plain

Cars from Brazil

Posted 12/06/2023 by Terje Bjørnstad

brasil — Puma 4,1 GTB used import from Brazil

Cars from Brazil have long been a hidden treasure for Europe. But now that the world has shrunk, they're starting to appear on our shores too.

Lately I have seen several Brazilian cars at car shows in the South of France. So many that I suspect organized imports – and quite rightly, a local company brings Brazilian cars to France. There are air-cooled Volkswagens, Pumas and Willys Interlagos and more. The company has shown the cars at car shows and had a sales booth at "Roues Libres" in Perpignan. I thought that there must be a company closer to Norway that also brings in cars from Brazil. But no matter how much I searched, I couldn't find any. There are companies headquartered in Brazil that sell and organize shipping to European cities, but it can feel a bit unsafe considering that you might have to transfer a lot of money. One company that has actually delivered at least one car to Norway is Kombi Brazil . They mediate cars from different providers and take care of the paperwork and shipping. You can also ship a car you have bought yourself in Brazil. You can find a lot of great stuff on their websites.

Kombibrazil.com

Until then, I am posting a link to a company in France that does serious car imports from Brazil. Several of the cars in this post are cars that have been taken in via this company. They have Brazilian cars for sale from their own premises, but also offer the opportunity to take in specific cars under their control. I haven't asked myself, but it's not impossible that you can get a car transported to Drammen, or something like that, too?

Wheelbox 66 - import from Brazil

Volkswagen "Kombi"

1986 Volkswagen Estate 1600 Petrol/Ethanol 89.900 *1BRL (198.158 NOK)

T2 in overtime

Production of Volkswagen's legendary bus/van in the T2 series continued until 2013. From 2007, air-cooled engines were replaced by a more modern 1,4 liter engine. You can actually import an almost new T2 van with a distinctive black "pig nose" grill. The car in the main picture below is such a model. Incidentally, it is worth noting that the early T1 model was also produced overtime, and that the first cars in the T2 series only got a new front while the rear was still T1.

High price range

If you are going to have a fully restored T1 or T2 bus, the price is likely to be well over a million Norwegian kroner - no matter where in the world you are. Also in Brazil. In the pictures below, I have found two cars that are relatively reasonably priced at around NOK 200 (delivered in Brazil). Even with high prices, I think the "Kombi" represents the best buys for imports to Europe.

Volkswagen "Fusca"

Beautiful people's car that is reminiscent of the cars that were still produced in Brazil.

1985 Volkswagen Fusca BRL 160.000 (NOK 352985) *1

Produced in 1996

Volkswagen's Beetle was produced until model year 1996. This means that they are still in use, although most of the cars offered for sale are restored or special original cars. A flat "bubble" can easily exceed NOK 200 in Brazil.

Not identical to European cars

Brazilian public cars have body shapes that seem more nostalgic than cars built in Europe. Volkswagen in Brazil has largely developed its models in parallel with Germany. Brazil has also created its own models. An imported people's car can therefore have other characteristics.

Volkswagen "SP2"

A special Volkswagen

It looks very cool, is based on a chassis from Karmann-Ghia and produced by Volkswagen in Brazil between 1972 and 1976. It is relatively rare and the prices are high considering that this is far from being a sports car. In Norway, there are two copies of this model in the vehicle register, and two cars are said to be undergoing restoration.

Were underpowered

The 1700 engine in the Volkswagen SP was not the same engine that the parent company used in its Type 4 series 411/412. It is, however, about a 1600 engine from Variant bored up to 1700 with double Solex carburetors. The performance of 75 hp did not match the car's exterior. In retrospect, many owners will have upgraded their engines.

Puma

Puma 1600 GT

GT cars from Brazil

Puma is a completely Brazilian car brand that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The concept is a fiberglass body on a tubular steel frame in a sporty Gran Turismo design. Chassis and drivetrains were taken from other Brazilian car models. The first was from DKW-based Vemag, then Volkswagen from Karmann-Ghia. The main image in this post is of a Puma GTB 4,1 which is based on the Brazilian-built Chevrolet Opala (Opel Rekord C) fitted with an inline six. The GTB is also built in fibreglass.

Volkswagen-based cars

For Europeans, the Volkswagen-based cars are probably of greatest interest. Several models used chassis from the Karmann-Ghia model and Volkswagen's air-cooled 1600 engine with twin carburettors and sports exhaust system. At Puma, these models were marketed as GT, GTE and GTS 1600. The concept was still beautiful, sporty fiberglass bodies. The cars are as simple as their donor cars, and therefore not too complicated to renovate. There are several nicely refurbished cars for sale that can be kept on the road for many years to come.

Willys Interlagos

Alpine A108

Alpine produced cars in several places in the world, including Brazil. As far as I know, there was only this one model, the A108, which was produced under license by Willys in São Paulo named after the Interlagos race track . Like the A108, the drivetrain was taken from the Renault Dauphine – a fairly modest engine that gave an acceleration from 0-100 in about 14 seconds. The descendant of the Alpine A108 was the Renault 8-based A110 which came as a 1963 model, but production of the A108 continued until 1965. In Brazil, the model was produced until the 1968 model year.

High price range

Don't think that this little car made of fiberglass on a tubular steel frame with a tinny Renault drivetrain is being sold on the cheap. These are highly sought-after cars in our part of the world, since the A108 model was quite rare. I have been able to study a Willys Interlagos up close and can confirm that it maintains a high level of quality. It is also quite funny that a model like this was produced by a Jeep manufacturer. Did they produce other exotic models? No, the other model range from Willys in São Paulo consisted of only Jeeps in various variants.

Chevy Opala

1974 Chevrolet Opala 2,5 BRL 179 (NOK 700) *1

Do you recognize this one?

The Opel Rekord C was given a new life in São Paulo, Brazil, under the name Chevrolet Opala. The model was offered as a 4-door sedan, 3-door station wagon and as these beautiful 2-door coupé variants without door pillars. Understandably, they reign highest on the price scale. Both cars are around NOK 400 delivered to Brazil. The beige Opala SS is built up with new improved parts, based on a 000 liter engine. The burgundy red car also has a 2,5 liter engine. Now you'd think it was about "our" nice 2,5-cylinder Commodore engine, but it's instead an old 6-cylinder Chevrolet Nova engine that was modified by GM in Brazil and followed the Opala model all its life until with 4. Opala was also delivered with 1992 liter inline sixes - also those with roots in the 4,1s. Both engines could be converted to run on ethanol.

How could it live until 1992?

The answer is countless facelifts. Opala was a very nice car for a long time, and kept the lines with the Cola shape throughout its life. But new front and rear parts as well as new interior made the whole thing tip over towards the tasteless. A nice sedan variant costs about half the price of the coupes shown here. I follow several Opala fans on Instagram and understand that this is a model that evokes good memories for Brazilians, in the same way that Rekord C does for well-grown Norwegians. The burgundy Opala Coupé 2,5 Special has Luxo interior with full bench, the beautiful dashboard of the Rekord C and 3-speed automatic on the steering wheel. This is a car you can cruise calmly through the city to the tunes of The "Girl From Ipanema".

1978 Chevrolet Opala SS 2,5 BRL 180.000 (NOK 397.108) *1

See

Puma

From its base in Rio de Janeiro depicts *Curt Fauskanger* Brazilian car enthusiasm and the Brazilian car brand Puma. The Puma GT is a car that makes you want to own it at first sight. **See more**

Car abroad - long-term rental or ownership?

Posted 26/10/2022 by Terje Bjørnstad

Like many other Norwegians, we live abroad for part of the year. I wonder which car solution is best for a married couple with a dog. Buy, rent – or bring your Norwegian car?

The terrace door is open

It is 29 degrees outside despite the fact that it is the end of October. The restaurants still serve meals outdoors. We are not the only Scandinavians in this small French town. Most people here have a car. Some have bought their own car while others rent. There is no exact answer to what is best for everyone. It's about taste and pleasure, and not always as much about kroner and øre. I have collected some points that speak in favor and against different options.

Limitations of the stay abroad

There are rules for how long you can stay abroad without losing your rights in the Norwegian health system: A maximum of 12 consecutive months or 6 months per year during the last 2 years. In addition, the travel insurance limits the duration of the stay, depending on the agreement you have with your company. We have a maximum length of 10 weeks on our insurance.

- I recognize you!

It's always nice to be recognized as a customer. The man at the car rental desk said they have thousands of visitors. Still, they recognized me. "I come here quite often ," I replied modestly. Regardless of the loyalty program the rental company has, renting a car is an expensive affair for private individuals. If you pool the rental price for a couple of years, you could buy a usable car.

Long-term rental or ownership?

Our holiday home is located 2 hours by car from Barcelona. We travel there twice a year, autumn and spring, and live there for 2 months at a time to make sure we keep our membership in Folketrygden. We have three obvious options: Fly and long-term car hire locally, buy a car locally or drive a car from Norway

Solution	: )	🙁
Flights and rental car	Waives responsibility for car while in Norway. Failure to follow up on maintenance.	Rental prices are variable and can be very high. Can be charged for damages and cleaning.
Buying a car abroad	Always have access to a car. Family and friends can borrow the same car.	Must bear all costs of owning a car. Costs are incurred regardless of the degree of use.
Drive a car from Norway	Eliminates costs for a local car. Can use a bigger and safer car.	Expensive and time-consuming car travel. Winter tire problem.

Parking

A prerequisite for buying a car abroad is that the car has its own parking space. If you do not have your own parking space, you must rent a garage or parking space to get your car off the street while you are in Norway. At the airport in Barcelona - and probably elsewhere too - you can rent parking on an annual basis near the airport. Renting year-round parking costs around NOK 10 per year.

EU controls

If you travel abroad a few times a year, you will probably be able to have your foreign car inspected by the EU while you are in the country. But you may also risk being prevented from travelling during the months when the inspection can be carried out. It is worse if you have taken your Norwegian car abroad for a long-term stay. You cannot have your Norwegian car inspected by the EU in Spain or France.

Covid

When countries close their borders, as in the case of the latest Covid pandemic, most people wish they didn't own a car abroad. After two years, it is not certain that the car will start. It must be serviced, and you get two years of loss in value on the purchase. Any gain from owning rather than renting can be eaten up if you are prevented from travelling.

New or old car

The costs of owning a car abroad can be reduced by buying a slightly older car. As long as you avoid the premium brands, a workshop stay does not cost as much as in Norway. The disadvantage of an older car is that small but annoying problems can easily appear after it has been standing for a few months. Not so dangerous if you can fix small things yourself and can leave the car for a couple of days. Bigger problem if the car is parked at the airport. The loss in value on a new car is relatively high, but is taken from reality. Being a foreigner is probably a disadvantage when selling locally.

Consider different rental arrangements

You can't expect any kind of discount when renting normally for a long time, but most car rental companies offer long-term rentals where you pay per month, for example from 4-6,000 kroner (Europcar, Sixt+). In addition, there may be an initial fee. You can now also take out a car subscription in Spain and France, for example via bipi . What is common to long-term rentals is that you have to book well in advance.

Avoid renting at peak

The prices at the rental car companies are controlled by demand. Renting a car during Easter week can therefore cost more than double the "normal" price. At the airport in Barcelona, prices can rise, for example, when FC Barcelona plays a big game at home. You can save a lot of money by checking the price picture week by week and avoid renting a car when the prices are at their peak. In practice, this means handing in the car before prices rise and picking up a new one when prices have fallen. Then you can become a "regular" at the counter 🙂

Share a car with others?

Given that you only spend a few months abroad each year, it can be a win-win for all parties to let others use (rent) the car when you cannot yourself. The person who owns the car can earn some of the car's maintenance. The car also benefits from regular use. Renting from acquaintances can be a nice supplement to long-term renting from car rental companies.

Drive yourself – with which tyres?

With today's flight prices, you save nothing by driving from Norway - on the contrary. But the trip can be a positive experience. Maybe you can choose different routes? One of the biggest problems is if you are going to stay abroad in autumn and spring. If you go down in August and return home in November, you may risk that it has become wintery at home in the meantime. You can also run the risk of getting into trouble in Germany where they have a winter tire mandate that applies in wintry driving conditions - generally between October and Easter.

Traveling with a dog

Dog as travel luggage has worked well for us (thanks to Norwegian). Without a dog, we could have taken the fast train on from Barcelona Sants, but unfortunately they do not accept our dog size on board. Then a car is the only alternative - but which companies accept dogs? Sixt does it. The company we used loyally in the past, Europcar, forbids dogs in their cars. Too bad, because Europcar's prices are cheaper. Hertz has a slightly unclear policy. They ban dogs on their low-cost company, Thrifty, while officially giving a conditional permission to bring dogs on Hertz - but according to customer feedback, customer service agents get the final say - and it's often "no". A dog makes owning a car more attractive than long-term renting.

Economic considerations

Take these considerations with a grain of salt! It is only intended as an indication of what a car abroad can cost. Insurance is not included in the overview.

Ordinary rental car
Per month based on a rental period of 2 months: NOK 13
Example is based on renting a Skoda Kamiq from Sixt in Barcelona in early 2023. Prices can vary enormously!

Long-term rental
Per month based on a rental period of 2 months: NOK 6
Assumed share of establishment costs: NOK 1
Example is based on long-term rental of Skoda Kamiq from Sixt+ in Barcelona in early 2023. The solution is in the initial phase for Barcelona.

Buy a new car for year-round use 12 months/year
Assumed loss in value per month: NOK 2
Estimated service cost per month: NOK 150
Estimated capital cost per month: NOK 600
Rent of garage/parking: NOK 1
The example is based on the purchase of a car for 240, assumed selling price after 000 years 5, 120% capital cost on Parking rental either in a local garage or agreed parking agreement near Barcelona El Prat.

Buy a new car that is only used 4 months/year
Assumed loss in value per month in use: NOK 6
Estimated service cost per month in use: NOK 450
Estimated capital cost per month in use: NOK 1
Rent of garage/parking: NOK 1
The example is based on the purchase of a car for 240, assumed selling price after 000 years 5, 120% capital cost on Parking rental either in a local garage or agreed parking agreement near Barcelona El Prat.

Buy an older car for year-round use 12 months/year
Assumed loss in value per month: NOK 1
Estimated service cost per month: NOK 300
Estimated capital cost per month: NOK 300
Rent of garage/parking: NOK 1
The example is based on the purchase of a car for 120, assumed selling price after 000 years 5, 60% capital cost on Parking rental either in a local garage or agreed parking agreement near Barcelona El Prat.

Buy an older car that is used for only 4 months/year
Assumed loss in value per month in use: NOK 3
Estimated service cost per month in use: NOK 900
Assumed capital cost per month in use: NOK 900
Rent of garage/parking: NOK 1
The example is based on the purchase of a car for 120, assumed selling price after 000 years 5, 60% capital cost on Parking rental either in a local garage or agreed parking agreement near Barcelona El Prat.

NAV is included

Holiday home and pensioner - or opportunity to work from abroad? Do you think 6 months per year is too little? Check this out!

Out of the last 2 years, you can stay abroad for up to 12 months without being deregistered from the National Insurance. That means less than 6 months on average per year.

Can you stay longer? What can happen? Who cares?

I have been told that NAV can identify you as the owner/part-owner of a home abroad. That is what can put you in the spotlight. Access to your bank account movements and flight history reveals the period of time you lived in the foreign house. As far as I know, there is no systematic check of people with houses abroad, but checks are occasionally carried out in connection with payments from NAV/Folketrygden. If it is discovered that the rules for residence abroad have been broken, you may risk losing social security or having to pay health expenses yourself.

It may be worth waiting.

Also car brands with a good reputation

Some chose to ignore the danger signs

The threat from China

The danger signals

The watch list

Collaboration makes strong

Car brands with small market shares

The role of negotiators

See

Norway is different

A limited selection

BMW a good example

BMW iX1

BMW X1

The prices

Prices after 3 years

A significantly less expensive alternative

List of "non-electric" car models

See

Leasing vs. loan financing

Starting rent – ​​or not?

What is more important: mobility or a car?

Low-cost leasing

Leasing of ny car.

JAC E30X Nordic Edition, 374 km range

Dongfeng Nammi Box, 310 km range.

Re-leasing of used bil

2022 Citroen E-C4, 357 km range

Take over existing leasing agreement

The final showdown

Leasing calculator

See

*) Real price

BYD Dolphin

Facts

Citroen ë-C3

Facts

Dongfeng Nammi Box

Facts

Hyundai Inster

Facts

JAC E30X

Facts

Mazda MX-30

Facts

MG MG4

Facts

Skoda Elroq

Facts

Renault R5 E-Tech

Facts

See

Environmental bonus that disappeared

The car manufacturers footed the bill

Affects sales of small electric cars

Opel Corsa – an example

Facts

See

No shame in buying used

Volvo cuts diesel and employees

The sensible diesel cars

Excluding diesel cars

Conclusion

See

Charging complications in Sweden

Lamborghini at Brooklands Motors

Bronco at RøhneSelmer

Ford Bronco's comeback

Defender at Motorpool

McLaren at Bymedhus

Ferrari and Maserati at Formula Automobile

See

Volkswagen "Kombi"

T2 in overtime

High price range

Volkswagen "Fusca"

Produced in 1996

Not identical to European cars

Volkswagen "SP2"

Starting rent – or not?