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Considering that there is nothing "special" about this car, I personally won't pay more than invoice + about $1,000 for one of these, minus any applicable incentives (even at launch). Just because it is "new" is no justification (at least for me) to pay any more than that. Considering there will be 40,000+ of these on the road within a year, being one of the "first" to have one means nothing. If I have to, I'll extend my existing F15 lease the full 6 months (currently up early October) until a dealer is willing to discount appropriately. If they are still sticking to MSRP-type pricing, I'll go elsewhere. Fact is, the G05 is a bit over-priced as it stands. It is only a 2-row SUV. A really nicely equipped Audi Q7 is 81K (Prestige, Titanium Optic Package, 4-wheel steering/Air Suspension, Luxury Package, Driver's Assistance Package, Cold Weather Package) and the Q7 has a useable third row and more cargo space, hence it should cost more. A similar X5 40i is about 79K (MSport, Luxury Seating Package, Extended Leather, 4-wheel steering, Premium package, Executive package, Driving Assistance Plus, Integral Active Steering, Air Suspension (with 3rd row, since that is stupidly the only way to get the Air Suspension on a 40i MSport as of now), Harmon Kardon audio, Heated Steering wheel/armrests, technically need to add the leather wrapped dash and alcantara headliner to make it as close to previously spec'd Q7 as well which pushes the X5 price to more like 80K. But again, the X5 is a smaller vehicle. I know that my build is pretty loaded, but for me, the value starts to come into question. A Volvo XC90 T8 Hybrid Inscription model loaded up is only around 80-82K (with the amazing B+W sound system) list as well, and that is a bigger vehicle too. Plus the T8 gets you a $5,002 tax credit for its hybrid powertrain.
If the X5 has a tremendous advantage in how it drives (unlikely considering how good the T8 with air-suspension and especially the Q7 with air-suspension drive and the fact that we can't get the Dynamic Handling Package on the 40i) I could forgive the skewed "value" of the new X5. But the logical part of me always has to consider the competition when determining what any object is worth.
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