Could do with some advice on car... OVERSEAS

[Mr Brooksy]

Hi all,

I am living in China, and have been here 2+ months, I'm missing my F6 something fierce!

Anyway the problem I have is, I am looking at buying a car here. The automotive world looks unbelievably different than in Oz! It's far more affected by marketing then back home. Eg, early when Buick arrived on the China car scene a friend of mine was a China manager of Panasonic etc and a friend of his had a Bentley something. Anyway this friend drove his Bentley into a high end restaurant and the parking assistants ran up to the Bentley insisting that they need to park it in case he scratched the brand new Buick...

Back to my problem. Back ground. I only have a certain budged that would allow me to buy a new crappy Chinese brand FWD rubbish box through to a 2nd hand mid to late 2000's Medium sized sedan from Germany.

A few things to remember,
I am 2m tall so anything in Aus smaller than a Falc or Commode I have to contort myself into the drivers seat to fit by 1) moving the seat back most of the way back to get my legs under the dash and move my big feet around the on the peddles etc 2) reclining the back like I am on a deck chair to get my head off the roof and see past the rear view mirror (being able to see past that thing is freaking hard even in a Falc in Commode!) 3) have enough telescope in the steering column to reach comfortably enough with the seat back so far reclined 4) and finally have some kind of view past A and B pillars.
I am a RWD or AWD person (dislike FWD, end of discussion).
Ihate A to B cars.
And finally I'd prefer to spend $ on another tank of fuel than take the freeway if time allows.

So my shortlist that I am considering:
2000 - 2004 BMW 5 series with big Kms, 3 series with respectable kms or possibly 2005 - 2006 3 series with 150K kms.
2003 - 2005 Audi A6 Quattro (hard to find as most are non Quattro) with 100K - 200K kms. They make a A4 and A6 in L version (longer wheel base).
2006 - 2008 Toyota Reiz (RWD and AWD version of the Camry and a basic version of the Lexus IS300 or IS250... Im not sure) 70K - 180K kms.
2002 - 2007 Ford Mondeo (if I MUST have FWD this is my preference having driven a few) 100K - 200K kms.

Im leaning toward the Toyota as its not as boring as all the Toyota's in Aus, with some good features etc. It is a decent size inside and out. And it also presents good modification options as it seems to be the car of choice here to do up that is a good step up from a little buzz boxes.

My heart says German, but with the older car, the much higher kms, BMW my05 electrical known issues and Audi engine oil issues plus higher prices just make them a heart choice not a head choice.

So, you'd think then that I have decided, but that's not the case. I'm still hoping that I can stumble on the perfect BMW... and the Toyota I know very little about apart from a bunch of internet page reviews!

I welcome thoughts and suggestions, and if anyone has more personal experience info on the Reiz (model X in Japan I think) that would be awesome.

Brooksy

[Mr Brooksy]

Oh and servicing seems to be an option not a necessity here... either that or no one tells their customers that its actually a requirement to keep the car running long term... not that long term is important in this culture.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Whatever is easier to offload once your time is up would be my first thought.

[Mr Brooksy]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

Whatever is easier to offload once your time is up would be my first thought.

Good point, not something that I had really given much thought. BMW's are worshiped in this part of China, so getting rid of it wouldn't much of a hassle I expect.

Audi, hmm, been watching well priced ones sit for the past 2 months. Not sure how sort after they are.

Toyota, been seeing them everywhere. Might be harder to sell for a decent price to compete.

Ford, not all that popular really, so that might be a problem.

[CyberWasp]

Get one of those old 3 Wheeler Cars that was on Top Gear when they were in China.

[Mr Brooksy]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

Get one of those old 3 Wheeler Cars that was on Top Gear when they were in China.

Bahahahaha!

Oh yes, that thing. I have never seen one on the actual road here. But lots of Trumpchi's!

[pottery beige]

you're doing it wrong

http://www.beijing-rental.net/car_type/Ferrari.html

oh yea was working OS and yea needed something to get around in

do it

[dirtyclevo]

chinese love bmw's for some reason. not really sure way.

you could always buy a knock off of ferrari with a mid 90's 2lt remanufactured lancer motor.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

Get one of those old 3 Wheeler Cars that was on Top Gear when they were in China.

Nah... safer to walk

[dirtyclevo]

I'm amazed why BMW, Volkswagen group, ford, GM, Toyota, Honda and basically every automobile manufacturer in the world doesn't sue these these stupid chinese companies for breach of intellectual property rights/ industrial property rights. its damn ignorant and arrogant.

you could throw kia in with that list to be sued. the koreans copy everything to.

[XR Martin]

Get a Buick Park Avenue

[Mr Brooksy]

Originally Posted by pottery beige

you're doing it wrong

http://www.beijing-rental.net/car_type/Ferrari.html

oh yea was working OS and yea needed something to get around in

do it

Oh I knew there was another way... while I'm at it I should get one in velvet car wrap!

I'd hate to see what condition these things are in after a few years! Id say the motor would be stuffed beyond repair!

[Mr Brooksy]

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

Get a Buick Park Avenue

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Too far out of our financial reach. I could possibly get a VZ Statesman 2.8L... err not in the condition I have seen them advertised in.

I just read a forum post from the states in Japan about a guy looking at a Toyota Model X (read Chinese Reiz) vs BMW 5 series in the same year. 90% people say the Model X is actually better in almost every area apart from the status symbol o'meter.

[Mr Brooksy]

Originally Posted by dirtyclevo

chinese love bmw's for some reason. not really sure way.

you could always buy a knock off of ferrari with a mid 90's 2lt remanufactured lancer motor.

It's all about status and perception here. Mercs Im told here are banned for Gov officials because the represent a pay grade (re corruption) above what a Gov official should be seen to earn. I was also reading that they have very recently 'suggested' that all Gov officials should only drive Chinese manufactured cars. Wish our govco would have done the same...

[Mr Brooksy]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

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Nah... safer to walk

For those who have met me... this is perfect!!! So long as I remove the seats, cut the roof off and sit on a stool pushed up against the rear err... door?

[GTP534]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

Whatever is easier to offload once your time is up would be my first thought.

Having worked overseas for many years in Brunei, this ^^^^ is the best advice you can get.

I also found in Brunei (hot, humid climate) that Japanese built cars were generally more reliable than European cars and cheaper to maintain. It was a real problem getting a decent mechanic and dealers were woeful in that respect. I had a 1990 BMW 520i there and came to accept BMW stood for Bring More Worry! I bought it B$18,000 and sold it after 2 years for B$15,000 but spent about $5K on it in repairs in that time.

Not sure if that would apply in China but the best advice is as per Y_F said - something that's easy to offload when it's time to return home.

[Auslandau]

Everyone I know who lives in China, and every time I have been, gets driven in someone else cars ..... either privately or otherwise. They wouldn't dream of buying one ..... a scooter to get around locally ...... but cheaper and easier to have a part time driver? The cost of the car is cheapish but the price for a number plate can be excessive?

[Road_Warrior]

I thought there were restrictions on Laowai driving in China?

Get a Volkswagen Santana 2000!

Do they still have those horrible blue 3 wheeled trucks with the single cylinder diesel over there? ******* things.

[CyberWasp]

I still say the 3 Wheelers are the go.
When you are finished there you can import it back here, drop in a Ford V8 add rear wheelie bars and you are set

[Mr Brooksy]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

I thought there were restrictions on Laowai driving in China?

Get a Volkswagen Santana 2000!

Do they still have those horrible blue 3 wheeled trucks with the single cylinder diesel over there? ******* things.

As far as I know, no restrictions of driving. Just need to have prove you have a licence in the country of origin, then you can do a test to obtain a Chinese one.

Santana! Their all used as Taxi's in Nanjing. Not sure their are any left for little ol me.

Yeah saw one on the freeway near Shanghai International Feb 2013 while our taxi driver flew by at 140ish kmh and he was doing maybe 15kmh.

[Crazy Dazz]

Wow
I have lived in Indonesia and Viet Nam, and would never have dreamt of owning a car in either place. Even in "rural" Viet Nam, driving the company Rangers between town and site was hair-raising.
In Indo, our cars were all leased from local intermediaries and had no company markings, as otherwise you become a target for accident scammers.

The traffic would have driven me homicidal if I was driving, and why go through that when you can hire a full-time driver for a few dollars.

What are the roads like in China? Your average saloon would never survive the "roads" where I was.

[Mr Brooksy]

The roads here cover the complete range. From silky smooth new freeways, to what can best be described as gravel tracks. There are more Porsche SUV's and AMGs here than you see Commodore Taxis on the streets of Sydney!

The traffic is at times crazy at best. But I'm up for the challenge, and I find it hard to explore on a bus or train... As I have always done, I want to do it myself, don't want a driver, don't want to go from A to B. I want to take the wheel and drive to wherever the road takes me.

[Mr Brooksy]

In an attempt to get back on track I thought some pics of the Reiz wouldn't go astray seeing that you guys (like I) have never seen one. I don't like the flipping headlights... too many tear drops IMO.

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by Mr Brooksy

The roads here cover the complete range. From silky smooth new freeways, to what can best be described as gravel tracks. There are more Porsche SUV's and AMGs here than you see Commodore Taxis on the streets of Sydney!

The traffic is at times crazy at best. But I'm up for the challenge, and I find it hard to explore on a bus or train... As I have always done, I want to do it myself, don't want a driver, don't want to go from A to B. I want to take the wheel and drive to wherever the road takes me.

What are the prices like for an actual decent car? Can you get any concessions as an expat?
What about if you later export?

There are a few countries (ge Malaysia) that allow resident expats to buy a tax-free car (every two years?) In other countries, you can claim back all the taxes if and when you export the vehicle. If either of those apply, I'd be looking at a decent car to bring home with you.
On the other side, some countries (eg Viet Nam) allow expats to import their own car tax free. I was actually looking into importing "my" Prado into Viet Nam and then "giving" it to a local co-worker. However he was having trouble scraping together enough USD to "give" me.
(It's quite funny the weird **** we were bootlegging into the country, such as baby formula, nappies, and wine.)

I hear you about the driving. When I worked in Kal I preferred driving to flying. But I also hate cities, and really despise traffic.
In Viet Nam we lived about 50km from the Ha Noi airport (which is actually a fair way north of Ha Noi.) On a good day, we could do the trip in about 90 minutes. On a average day, about 3 hours.

[Mr Brooksy]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

What are the prices like for an actual decent car? Can you get any concessions as an expat?
What about if you later export?

There are a few countries (ge Malaysia) that allow resident expats to buy a tax-free car (every two years?) In other countries, you can claim back all the taxes if and when you export the vehicle. If either of those apply, I'd be looking at a decent car to bring home with you.
On the other side, some countries (eg Viet Nam) allow expats to import their own car tax free. I was actually looking into importing "my" Prado into Viet Nam and then "giving" it to a local co-worker. However he was having trouble scraping together enough USD to "give" me.
(It's quite funny the weird **** we were bootlegging into the country, such as baby formula, nappies, and wine.)

I hear you about the driving. When I worked in Kal I preferred driving to flying. But I also hate cities, and really despise traffic.
In Viet Nam we lived about 50km from the Ha Noi airport (which is actually a fair way north of Ha Noi.) On a good day, we could do the trip in about 90 minutes. On a average day, about 3 hours.

China is Left hand drive and we are right hand drive so its not really worth bringing it back. Also the ports and taxes and other "hidden costs" make the process not worth it. If I want a RHD from overseas like the Reiz I'd be looking at NZ (as Ive discovered there are a few over there) or other RHD countries in Asia.

Unfortunately the prices here for second hand is a little higher than the equivalent in Aus, due to the fact that even though they have one of the worlds fastest growing Used car markets, its only about 5 years of Used car dealing means that the prices are still inflated more than they should be. So my budget is $14K AUD and the 1st post gives you an idea as the the cars available at that price range. Eg Carsales have many BMW E90 3 series for that money in what looks like better nic, and slightly lower kms. Where as here, I've found 2! And they have 200,000km+ on them.

[Hulsty]

Having spent a little time over in China, the locals love locally made cars, cheap parts and easier to get them/fix the car. IMO stay with a chinese built Toyota/VW etc

[aussie muscle]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

I still say the 3 Wheelers are the go.
When you are finished there you can import it back here, drop in a Ford V8 add rear wheelie bars and you are set

well, whatever he gets, if he keeps it for 12 months, he can bring it back with him to Australia.

[Mr Brooksy]

In my carry on baggage!

[duaned]

Surprised you can't get a BF copy is Shenzhen!

[Mr Brooksy]

Still haven't been able to purchase due to visa restrictions. But getting closer.

Latest a research has got me a little undecided. Serious thoughts welcome.

1. Reiz is a better price for RWD sedan compared to the others. But having read some forums most complain of sloppy handling and gutless motor.
2. Audi Quatro is simply too rare and of our price range. Do not want anything FWD period.
3. 5 series still a good option, difference is we are prepared to spend more than before on a quality Euro like this. E60 model is the desire.
4. 3 series is an outside option. But huge concern is space for a giant like me (6 foot 6 inches). And the E90 seems to suffer from a range of electrical issues all round the world. More so than the 5 series E60 from what I have been able to understand from BMW forums.
5. Then there is the Buick Park Royal. Better known to us Aussies as the WM Holden Caprice. I'm quite interested. But don't know about about this car for a few reasons (and it seems there is not a lot of info out about the Chinese version); what's the differences (I read that they are shipped to China as kits and assembled in Foshan (closeish to where I live). They come in a range of 6cyl motors, the only one I know anything about is the range topping 3.6L we have in Aus. The rest is a mystery. It looks like a WM, but has quite different motors, very different interior colours and a little different external plastic designs that I'm aware of. Oh and the fuel economy of this thing is very very poor! But it will easily fit the family and a few friends in it.

For those who know me well, I really like to know as much as possible about my options before deciding. Any help would be welcome.

And no, no pocket cars. Lol.