Originally Posted by Zacharias

I have heard the same thing from Marius, the guy who does some wrenching for me, who is originally from Romania.

When the fall of communism first allowed people from old soviet bloc countries to travel to western europe to buy cars, a Mercedes w123 was considered a real prize. Marius desperately wanted one but the crafty Germans of course instantly hiked their asking prices to respond to the demand, so he returned to Romania crestfallen with his distant second pick, an Audi 100 diesel.

In addition to safety checks and the bare fact that time has marched on, I also think that as wealth has emerged in these countries people have begun to respond like western consumers: newer, shinier things have more status appeal.