Do you need a new car? Is it worth the cost? Can the car be shipped from Barcelona? Does your child get car sick easily? If so, I would rule out mountain driving. What is the child going to get out of such a trip?

The car can be shipped from Barcelona. The convenience of having a car with a child is that we don't have to catch trains and can travel at our own pace. I recognize the difficulties of driving in Europe, including parking. The more i think about it, the more i see the downside.

We don't really need a new car.

What time of year would you do this? Switzerland is best seen in the winter or the summer. Stuff closes between seasons. And Switzerland is best seen by the superb public transportation. Some of the cutest small towns are off-limits to cars.

And if you do not purchase a car, what is your itinerary?

Just Spain. We would go in the summer because of the school schedules. We realize it is hot in Spain in the summer but we cannot travel during the shoulder season.

Then stick to Spain and rent a car for greater time efficiency.

We will probably do Audi European delivery some day, just not in 2013.

With Volvo paying the airfare, did you come close to breaking even on the exchange rate?

What? I was paying for the car in US $.

Not crazy at all...How much of a discount off sticker do you receive?

There is a large difference, you travelled to Sweden to collect an incredibly well made, reliable, well designed and safe car.

After owning 3 Audis, the same will not be said for your next trip.

Go back to Sweden, in short.

Correction: the drop-off is in Madrid. I am just so hooked on European delivery concept. I am dreaming about another ED experience with either Audi or BMW.

Audi discount is 3-5%off of MSRP, i.e. not much. BMW discount is 7% plus they offer a buy one get one free deal on Lufthansa.

Thats more than fair Tentek. When we bought our XC70, we got a huge discount off MSRP but when our A6 was like pulling teeth to get any discount. From somebody who knows harsh winters, an Audi is worth the price

If I ever get like a month plus to drive around Europe, thats the way I would go

FrankS, thanks for your encouragement. It is wise for us to wait a bit. I was mostly daydreaming. But I will definitely make it happen in not so distant future.

Thanks Tentek. I've always thought it would be fun to do that but I'm not sure how it's done.

belted_galloway, you forgot to add comfortable in your attribute list for the Volvo XC70. It's a great road trip car.

Upon further review, our next car will have to be a Prius. It is just such a practical car in the city for schlepping a kid around. 51 mpg and better rear seats than Volvo.

XC70

Along with all the other attributes detailed above it does ..... 52 mpg.

GO TO SWEDEN!!!!!!

I have just been to the dealer to pick up all the extras which make ours look identical to this one.

http://www.volvoxc.com/forums/showthread.php?11900-Side-scuff-plates&p=89277#post89277

World tour to rival The Rolling Stones, here we come!

Belted, when are you going? Have a fantastic time. We have very fond memories of Sweden and Denmark.

The other downside of Audi European delivery is that they require 19% of the MSRP value as a security deposit for the car as the VAT payment, which gets reimbursed to the customer upon the car drop-off. I am now completely abandoning the idea.

Tentek - don't go over to the dark side. Stick with Volvo! You helped me so much with my trip. Volvo does it right, both the OSD aspect and the car. Love my S40 - one of the last to make it stateside.

Tentek

To our frustration Volvo only offer the travel package through their US dealers.

However, Norwegian.com are offering seats for £70 return Manchester to Stockholm so we are just taking city break in February.

May just drive to Tuscany next summer.

Our friend's friend drove 200 miles in an A6 last week. The engine management warning light flashed but they were late for a meeting and continued. After 20 miles the engine ceased, ripping all the piston heads. End result is a bill for £12,000 and Audi are refusing to contribute as they argue the car should have been stopped immediately. Their car is 6 months old.

We had similar management system problems over two years, the car went back 3 times. Anyone shold conduct thorough google research on Audi models before they buy.