For a developing country.....

[Henry T]

we do have bloody ridiculous car prices. Thanks to the @#$% high taxes.

Here are some examples of more down to earth models and their local prices. USD price are in brackets and rounded up. Exchange rate is RM3.50 = USD1.00

What are your equivalent?

1) BMW 325i - RM300,000 (85,700)
2) Honda Civic 2.0 - RM128,000 (36,570)
3) Ford Focus 2.0 - RM125,000 (35,710)
4) Mitsu Evo9 - RM288,000 (82,285)

I won't bother about Ferrari and Porche prices. I'm afraid it'll scare the hell out of you.

[SLRdude]

BMW 328i -------------- USD 32.000 MSRP (325i is no longer sold in US)

Hoda Civic ------------- USD 14.810 MSRP

Ford Focus -------------- USD 13.715 MSRP

Mitsubishi Evo ------------ USD 28.679 MSRP


Cars are pretty cheap here in the USA.

[Henry T]

Originally Posted by comatox

BMW 328i -------------- USD 32.000 MSRP (325i is no longer sold in US)

Hoda Civic ------------- USD 14.810 MSRP

Ford Focus -------------- USD 13.715 MSRP

Mitsubishi Evo ------------ USD 28.679 MSRP


Cars are pretty cheap here in the USA.

Wow! what a big difference. Our Government is bent on making paupers out of us.

Now you understand why I don't buy more Rolexes.

[Blue Bull]

BMW 335i,four door,manual @R415000 thats $59285.

BTW,BMW 3 series,all righthand drive models and a very large part of the lefthand drive models,are manufactured in South Africa.

[greenfan]

Prices in Greece...

BMW 325i 64.700

Honda Civic Type R 2.0 44.0000

Ford Focus 2.0 30.600

Mitsubishi Evo 67.500

...all in dollars

[leopardprey]

Henry T,

I am possibly thinking of moving to Malaysia and buying a house/condo there under Malaysia's "Malaysia, My Second Home" program. One nice thing about this program, is under it Expats are exempt from the tax on purchasing any new vehicle.

But, I will probably still look for an older Land Rover, Toyota Land Cruiser, or Jeep to buy.

[Gedanken]

Looks pretty pricey, Henry, but all you gotta do is drive south for an hour and it'll put everything into perspective.

[Henry T]

Originally Posted by Gedanken

Looks pretty pricey, Henry, but all you gotta do is drive south for an hour and it'll put everything into perspective.

Yes, Singapore, but people there don't buy cars with Malaysian Ringgit. In absolute terms or by purchasing power, right now, they are better off. No doubt, recently, property prices there have gone through the roof.

We are suffering more due to low purchasing power of the RM. The strastropheric prices (in absolute terms) is another nail.

The only consolation is good watch prices, but for many, one watch is enough for a lifetime.

[Henry T]

Originally Posted by leopardprey

Henry T,

I am possibly thinking of moving to Malaysia and buying a house/condo there under Malaysia's "Malaysia, My Second Home" program. One nice thing about this program, is under it Expats are exempt from the tax on purchasing any new vehicle.

But, I will probably still look for an older Land Rover, Toyota Land Cruiser, or Jeep to buy.

Hi Chad,

You are most welcome to settle here. Malaysia, like everywhere else, have its good and bad. You just have to balance the pluses and minuses.

There are plenty of new or pre-owned LRs or Toyota Land Cruisers around, but I only see a handful of Jeeps mainly own by enthusiasts.

Sans the tax (for certain models) you only have to pay about one third of the price for a new one. Why not buy a new one which comes with warranty and all the other perks?

[leopardprey]

Henry,

There are some things I dislike about Malaysia (Such as the lack of Religious Freedom for Malaysian citizens). And I can not freely own firearms.

But, I will say that I found the Malaysian people to be some of the most friendly people out of any Asian country I have visited. Very impressed with the English Language Skills/education level of Malaysians. Also was impressed by what an orgainized and clean country it is. Kuala Lumbar makes most alrge cities in the USA look third world! Great food in Malaysia as well. Also, the way the government extends out a hand and warm welcome to tourist and Expats is a welcome change. I definately plan on going to Malaysia again for a long stay. Many areas to explore and adventures to have there. It is kind of funny, how so many tourist go hit Thailand to the North, but avoid Malaysia. When Malaysia is much more friendly, safe, has better beaches, more national parks, and is cleaner.

[wandyprawira]

I think Indonesia is not making that much of a difference in terms of car prices. Tax for luxurious vehicles is rocketing here.

[Henry T]

Originally Posted by wandyprawira

I think Indonesia is not making that much of a difference in terms of car prices. Tax for luxurious vehicles is rocketing here.

We do not classify automobiles under luxurious or non-luxurious basis.

There are classified as:
1) CBU (ASEAN)
2) CKD (ASEAN)
3) CBU (non-ASEAN)
4) CKD (non-ASEAN)

For automobiles, the Govt also apply non-tariff barriers (NTBs) such as AP (approved permit) which limits the importation of CBUs and excise duty which rams up the price. This is making our trade partners very unhappy especially those in ASEAN who are all (including Malaysia) signatories to AFTA (ASEAN Free Trade Agreement).

We have lowered the import duties to comply with AFTA (belatedly), but we have very quickly compensated with NTBs like excise duty which our ASEAN partners say is unfair. I agree with them. They are threatening to retaliate.

[wandyprawira]

Originally Posted by Henry T

We do not classify automobiles under luxurious or non-luxurious basis.

There are classified as:
1) CBU (ASEAN)
2) CKD (ASEAN)
3) CBU (non-ASEAN)
4) CKD (non-ASEAN)

For automobiles, the Govt also apply non-tariff barriers (NTBs) such as AP (approved permit) which limits the importation of CBUs and excise duty which rams up the price. This is making our trade partners very unhappy especially those in ASEAN who are all (including Malaysia) signatories to AFTA (ASEAN Free Trade Agreement).

We have lowered the import duties to comply with AFTA (belatedly), but we have very quickly compensated with NTBs like excise duty which our ASEAN partners say is unfair. I agree with them. They are threatening to retaliate.

Oh yes, we do have those classification you mentioned too, plus the luxurious classification and another tax scheme based on the size of engine displacement. The engine displacement tax category quickly rams up after 1.6L, which explains why most of the cheaper models cars here is only 1.5L engined made locally or CBU imports from ASEAN countries.

The bottom line is that we got very basic car here with the same price equivalent to buy a full option decent car in US or OZ.

[Henry T]

Originally Posted by leopardprey

Henry,

..... And I can not freely own firearms.

I'm afraid you'll have to forget about those toys.

But you can freely own as many watches as you like.

[leopardprey]

But, I did find out there are several gun clubs in KL. YOu can go there and rent out the guns for target/skeet shooting if you join the Club. It is also possible to purchase or bring over your own firearm (several Expats at the Club have done this), but you have to keep it locked at the Club. Can not keep on your person or in your residence.

That is one thing I do like about America. Freedom of Religion and the Right to Bear Arms. Two of the most fundemental rights a person can have, especially the first.

But, if I do decide to reside in Asia, will probably still spend a good portion of the year back in the USA as well.

As for Firearms, most of the places in Asia I have lived I have owned firearms, either legally or unofficially for work related activities.