[MashinBenzin]

In Singapore for a couple of weeks, as usual dumbstruck by their car prices (due to taxation).

Luckily, it's possible to pick up a Passat or Superb for about £71k in the current offers! (One sing dollar is about 57p)

God knows what the two 488s parked outside my hotel must have cost.

On the other hand, a subway ride is costing me less than 50p and a half hour taxi journey comes in around £15.

[Wills2]

You have to bid for a certificate of entitlement as well on top of the car purchase which for an open category can be 50k?

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by Wills2

You have to bid for a certificate of entitlement as well on top of the car purchase which for an open category can be 50k?

Yep that's right. And there is also some kind of ten year rule - maybe that's the certificate applying to the car.

Pretty much all the ex-pats I know out here don't bother with a car, but a couple of local guys in my team do as they are still necessary with a young family (nursery drop offs etc.). They can't get their heads around us being able to lease a perceived-luxury BMW/Aldi for 300 quid a month. That,weekly, will apparently get them in a Toyota.

Good for them though...it gives them a much more sympathetic view on watch prices than your average Brit and they all want a decent one and consider it worthwhile. None of this 'same as a £20 Casio' view.

[sahajesh]

HK is the same - lots of people, not much space and car ownership is for the rich.

[chris-c]

Does the pay make up for it?

[mikeoz]

They do have a very good public transport system that actually works.

[chris-c]

Well I suppose that makes up for it. We would probably only have one car if public transport in the UK wasn't so shit and expensive

[225]

Having lived in Disney land Asia for a number of years a car is a nice to have and with kids is easily doable with a 1.6 whatever..
It however does make you realise just how much cash the people ragging lambos around the small island really do have!

[teaston]

Originally Posted by 225

Having lived in Disney land Asia for a number of years a car is a nice to have and with kids is easily doable with a 1.6 whatever..
It however does make you realise just how much cash the people ragging lambos around the small island really do have!

How can you live in Disneyland?!

[225]

Originally Posted by teaston

How can you live in Disneyland?!

Singapore is well know for expats as Disney land Asia. I.e it has no relation to anywhere else in Asia.

[Drek]

Apparently I can pick up a 64 plate equivalent G63 (LHD) for about £20k. Even if I factor in the decreased value for LHD and the shipping costs it could be a tidy profit..

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by Drek

Apparently I can pick up a 64 plate equivalent G63 (LHD) for about £20k. Even if I factor in the decreased value for LHD and the shipping costs it could be a tidy profit..

What about the taxes on entry?

[1 AKY]

And they drive on the left in predominantly RHD cars

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by chris-c

Well I suppose that makes up for it. We would probably only have one car if public transport in the UK wasn't so shit and expensive

And the fact that Singapore is less than 1/2 the size of London, means that a car isn't really needed.

[Drek]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

What about the taxes on entry?

I don't know in all honesty, we're still trying to work the costs out and see if it's viable what with any potential taxes and paperwork. I'm also allowed to import one tax-free vehicle so on a brand new BMW I could get up to 35% off but would need to keep it here for a year. Nigeria doesn't allow RHD cars on its roads so it can't be registered or used but we think it can still be imported.

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by 225

Singapore is well know for expats as Disney land Asia. I.e it has no relation to anywhere else in Asia.

It's a very good description. 14 hour flight back to reality for me today. Can't say I am looking forward to Chavland, Disneyland preferable in many ways.