Tanzy

I would expect COE to continue to rise at least a few more months because the orders for cars have already been made and there is a backlog in demand for COE to register all these new cars.

PARF dropped from 80% to 65-55% OMV. 20% isn't that much actually. For example, Ford Focus price dropped by nearly $10,000 compared to 3 years ago. That's more than the 20% in PARF. Ford Focus OMV is about $14,000, so 20% is only $2800.

Based on what I have seen this year, the family 1600cc cars are all competitively priced relative to each other. I would say, these cars are a good buy now for the consumer. The prices have dropped compared to 3 years ago. There really isn't an expensive or overpriced car or cheap car, you pay for what you get. In other words, if you pay more, you often do get more with the car; pay less, get less. Simple. Problem is that the COE prices have been steadily rising due to demand from the many new cars being registered. Expect waits of 3-4 months for the new car in popular colours. If possible, bargain hard! If you can get >$1500 off on top of the sale price of the car, BUY IT! The worst time to buy car is when people get their bonus!

My friend working at HSBC, which handles all the loans coming from Borneo Motors, said that BM inform them middle of the month that they will be selling less cars because they have already met the quota. Based on commisions, those SE easily get >$10,000/month. I think BM is trying to not sell too many cars or else Toyota Japan will want more sales next year.

I smell a commercial post. Roidan's account will be suspended pending further investigation.

A!

Always consider the alternative! I ended up getting a car that wasn't on my initial list. One day, after test driving all the cars on the list thought I should see the alternative car and headed to the show room for a test drive. Took a spin in it and love it, so bought it.

If considering Camry, why not Accord or Mazda 6? If you push it a bit more you can get a Cefiro 230 or Nissan X-Trail which gives you lots of space and sporty look for $100K.

For the Japanese 1.6 cars you mentioned above, the prices don't vary very much between brands. It will be about $5000 difference and divided over 5 to 7 years, it isn't a lot. Space wise it is also insignificant as these new cars are maxed out on space already. Therefore, what you should consider is running cost like, fuel consumption, insurance, date of delivery, servicing cost, dealer service, ride and handling. I've test driven the Honda Civic VTI, although it is a fun car that is the fastest among the Japanese 1600cc, it has the worst ride of all! Not good if you have passengers like family. Test drive it with your family in the rear seat and ask them what it feels like and I am sure they will hate it back there. Subaru 1.6 TS is a four wheel drive car so you will have to ask yourself if you really need a 4WD car that does 0-100 at about a pathetic 13 seconds. The extra running gear will also impact fuel economy. It's a sporty LOOKING car which you can easily turn into a WR-Act if Motor Image has not thrown in the body kit for free. Other cars to consider will be Skoda, Seat, Chevrolet and Ford. All about the same price and have better comfort but slower than Japanese car. The Ford Focus is fast and has excellent handling, though slightly less pickup than lighter Japanese cars, Ford will give you a very sharp drive. If you like modifying your car, then definitely you will need a Japanese car.

hammy, Avoid using all CAPS in the future for the thread title. Thanks.

I didn't go for the sale too because of the long queue. Perhaps the CARnival at Marina South will be more interesting but it's a very hot day today.

Singapore Expo $10 for tickets I was there yesterday and thought it was very lame. Small and nothing much. The John Little sale next door was more happening and had more people. Really! The carpark rally was OK but it's free and open to public anyway.

Sounds like cyanobacteria. I guess the tank must be overstocked and have very little water movement.

You might want to add one or two more extra bulkheads but seal them up temporarily so that you can add other pumps to the sump in the future. For example, you might want to add a chiller pump or secondary return.

WoW! Old thread from Jan 15 2003.

That looks like hemorrhoids a.k.a. piles.

I'm not familiar with this so can someone list all the auspicious numbers so I can avoid competing unecessarily with the towkays out there for the numbers?

Is it me or is is really very smokey today?

No. My mother drives an Audi A4.

I've place the downpayment for the car yesterday so looks like I won't be able to get an Alfa for the 5 years. Local VW and Audi forum

Are the mods done by Autovox LTA legal? AC Snitchzer seems to be semi legal if fitted by PML. I'm interested because there's a 3 year old A4 in the driverway. Would love to bodykit it but won't be dropping the springs.

The S80 T6 is one good coffin rocket! 0-100 in 7.2 sec and 380nM of torque. All twin turbo goodness to beat most unmodded cars on the expressway in Swedish comfort. I love driving my father's S80 but it is old and COE was very high when he bought it so it has been exported.

I don't think there's a Audi forum but I did find BMW Singapore forum and Volvo and Saab forum. Lots of modding and tuning going on in there.

Thanks for the tips! Are 25 and 50 considered as common numbers?

I am back. For a while.