Discussion
After 3 years of trying (and many posts on the PH Asia forum!) I received an offer to relocate to KL. I am just awaiting the confirmed offer but touch wood all is going ahead for a move in August
Firstly a big thanks to everyone on here who helped out, particularly Berw for his endless advice by email and job searching for me
We are at the moment just looking for quotes on removal companies. We aren't taking any big furniture over just odd bits and pieces. Does anyone have any recommendations of companies to use? I have been told Seven Seas is reliable
Secondly, I know from my trip back every year to visit family that cars are expensive. I've been offered a decent amount of money by my company for shipping which far outweighs the quotes we been getting so far so tempted to bring the car over. it's only a 2005 Mk5 Golf diesel but more for the idea of selling it (due to inflated prices over there) rather than using it. Is it going to be more hassle than its worth?
Firstly a big thanks to everyone on here who helped out, particularly Berw for his endless advice by email and job searching for me
We are at the moment just looking for quotes on removal companies. We aren't taking any big furniture over just odd bits and pieces. Does anyone have any recommendations of companies to use? I have been told Seven Seas is reliable
Secondly, I know from my trip back every year to visit family that cars are expensive. I've been offered a decent amount of money by my company for shipping which far outweighs the quotes we been getting so far so tempted to bring the car over. it's only a 2005 Mk5 Golf diesel but more for the idea of selling it (due to inflated prices over there) rather than using it. Is it going to be more hassle than its worth?
Congratulations look forward to meet you. Look for a good packer in the UK, it's all you can control shaping and forward agent will be their choice. Forget bringing the car you need an approval permit and then pay duty not worth it, you can get cars here for reasonable cost, just need to think outside the box, a bit, new BMW type things are expensive but that is not the real issue the big problem is they can not service them as they don't invest due to low volume.
Car wise you need to think outside the box, e.g. don't even look at a 2005 golf, Istoo bought an E28 535m for not a lot and Nick bought an E30 323 when they where here. You need to remember a few things, 1 there is no major rust issue, 2 mechanics cost around 7 pound an hour, 3 petrol is cheap. So the buying considerations are different to the UK, big old cars are affordable, E34 for example, and old s class mercs are give way, many will have been owned by royalty and in great condition.
Also try not to drive to work, so only lease driving. If you want new the peradua is good and pick ups are a great buy.
Also try not to drive to work, so only lease driving. If you want new the peradua is good and pick ups are a great buy.
Thanks guys for comments.
The OH is looking at a new Toyota Innova or similar which seems fine to me which gives me free reign on my choice. I am thinking something V6 or V8 saloon so happy for suggestions
Looks like i'll be selling the Golf here then which is fine. Was just an idea to see if it could be sold in KL
Regarding driving in I understand the concerns on traffic, we will be staying on Kuchai Lama for first few months to get settled before finding somewhere to buy and my office is in Sentral so although traffic at Mid Valley it's not a hugely long run to be stuck in it for.
The OH is looking at a new Toyota Innova or similar which seems fine to me which gives me free reign on my choice. I am thinking something V6 or V8 saloon so happy for suggestions
Looks like i'll be selling the Golf here then which is fine. Was just an idea to see if it could be sold in KL
Regarding driving in I understand the concerns on traffic, we will be staying on Kuchai Lama for first few months to get settled before finding somewhere to buy and my office is in Sentral so although traffic at Mid Valley it's not a hugely long run to be stuck in it for.
The trouble with cars over here is they seem to have been blinged up to the max. After market wheels are the norm rather than the exception so finding an unmolested example is tricky. I'd always try and buy a car from a recommended source, mudah seems to be filled with a whole world of junk and outdated adverts, I may have just had bad luck though?
I have just bought a 1990 Merc C Class for RM 5000 (about a grand) from a mate, and it's lovely. Find a decent mercedes specialist and you're sorted, if they can't get the part they make it.
I also have a Perodua Kembara as a cheap run around, not glamorous, fast or good looking but it costs 10 quid to fill up with petrol and despite my best efforts seems impossible to break.
Loads of friends have new Mitsubishi pick-ups and the dealers seem to offer quite good deals on these.
I have just bought a 1990 Merc C Class for RM 5000 (about a grand) from a mate, and it's lovely. Find a decent mercedes specialist and you're sorted, if they can't get the part they make it.
I also have a Perodua Kembara as a cheap run around, not glamorous, fast or good looking but it costs 10 quid to fill up with petrol and despite my best efforts seems impossible to break.
Loads of friends have new Mitsubishi pick-ups and the dealers seem to offer quite good deals on these.
Regarding the after market stuff .... .If it is something imported, its a good chance it came in on steel wheels, with cloth interior and the most basic body trim / spec inside, to keep the value down, so as to keep the import duty down. Then all the extra bits are added afterwards locally sourced, so that the dealer can maximize value.
There is also the (lack of??) taste factor that runs strong in SE Asia
RE the Mitsu Triton's - i run one up here in thailand, despite my best efforts, it seems pretty much bullet proof (touches wood, grabs lucky rabbits foot, looks out for a black cat etc etc)
There is also the (lack of??) taste factor that runs strong in SE Asia
RE the Mitsu Triton's - i run one up here in thailand, despite my best efforts, it seems pretty much bullet proof (touches wood, grabs lucky rabbits foot, looks out for a black cat etc etc)
Thanks for replies guys
Berw: She is looking at a new Toyota Innova. We need 7 seats for the kids (One is four and the twins are due in October) and also to cart around the mother in law who will be helping out with the new borns. We had one when out there last year for 6 months and for the mileage on it seemed solid and troubled free. We had an Alza for a while which was again 7 seater but the ride was awful and just generally didn't feel well built and would last half as long as the Toyota
Tom: Thanks. Agreed it's a bit of a minefield with the cars of Mudah. I've never seen so many tastefully modified Subarus. I know from our many trips over there the modified Wiras were in abundance but was shocked how many Scoobys were for sale.
I was trying to think outside the box and maybe a Toyota X (bigger engine subtle styling) or S2000/GT86/350z. Thought s2000 as nobody would want a convertible (would buy the aftermarket hardtop if I went this route) but can't find any for sale. The GT86 still commands 150kRM so can't justify this and the 350z seems hard to escape the modified ones with the Veilside bodykits
I had a quote off a few firms for removals. Including packing this end and un loading KL end all inclusive for a 500cu ft container it was ~£3k. Seem reasonable?
John: Pickup sounds a good idea if I can't get my small revvy car or big V8 saloon on budget. Lots of new (2006 onward) 7 series for sale for sub 80kRM. I know they have issues and big bills here on UK. Is this negated by low start price and the labour being cheaper?
Berw: She is looking at a new Toyota Innova. We need 7 seats for the kids (One is four and the twins are due in October) and also to cart around the mother in law who will be helping out with the new borns. We had one when out there last year for 6 months and for the mileage on it seemed solid and troubled free. We had an Alza for a while which was again 7 seater but the ride was awful and just generally didn't feel well built and would last half as long as the Toyota
Tom: Thanks. Agreed it's a bit of a minefield with the cars of Mudah. I've never seen so many tastefully modified Subarus. I know from our many trips over there the modified Wiras were in abundance but was shocked how many Scoobys were for sale.
I was trying to think outside the box and maybe a Toyota X (bigger engine subtle styling) or S2000/GT86/350z. Thought s2000 as nobody would want a convertible (would buy the aftermarket hardtop if I went this route) but can't find any for sale. The GT86 still commands 150kRM so can't justify this and the 350z seems hard to escape the modified ones with the Veilside bodykits
I had a quote off a few firms for removals. Including packing this end and un loading KL end all inclusive for a 500cu ft container it was ~£3k. Seem reasonable?
John: Pickup sounds a good idea if I can't get my small revvy car or big V8 saloon on budget. Lots of new (2006 onward) 7 series for sale for sub 80kRM. I know they have issues and big bills here on UK. Is this negated by low start price and the labour being cheaper?
3sixty said:
Pickup sounds a good idea if I can't get my small revvy car or big V8 saloon on budget. Lots of new (2006 onward) 7 series for sale for sub 80kRM. I know they have issues and big bills here on UK. Is this negated by low start price and the labour being cheaper?
I think you'd be better off with a bigger engined saloon rather than a small revvy car. It may be different further up north but all of my driving is on big old wide dual carriageways where you just want to get to 'cruising' speed as quickly as possible!?Definitely don't discount a convertible and I wouldn't bother with a hard-top. You'll be in the minority but there's nothing better than a blast of fresh air on the way home from work, especially after spending all day suffocated by air-conditioning.
I agree with every word Tom has written, local cars are 'blinged' to hell and back, and buying a car from a known mate is great if you can, old Mercs and BMWs are good as they can be maintained. I had a Kambara for 8 years as a run around and replaced it with a Myvi lost 400 pound in the 8 years on the Kambara abd sold it to a work mate with no advertising.
There is a 7 seater Proton made, do not write it off, they can be maintained cheap and the air con is great, there are no problems with the running gear, the issue is around things like electric motors that are made locally, typically window, but also wipers. Remember your wife will have no problem with finance on
Also unusual cars can be bought cheap, I paid 70,000 for my Lotus Carlton, and 20 for my Elan plus 2, both of which could be taken back to the UK and sold at a profit. Istoo had a great E28 M535 when he was here, for a lot less than the UK price.
Don't expect service records, you need to buy on condition and viewing, you will also find that things like owners handbooks, first aid kits, jacks etc will be long gone and not in the sale. Rust is not usually a big issue on older cars.
There is a 7 seater Proton made, do not write it off, they can be maintained cheap and the air con is great, there are no problems with the running gear, the issue is around things like electric motors that are made locally, typically window, but also wipers. Remember your wife will have no problem with finance on
Also unusual cars can be bought cheap, I paid 70,000 for my Lotus Carlton, and 20 for my Elan plus 2, both of which could be taken back to the UK and sold at a profit. Istoo had a great E28 M535 when he was here, for a lot less than the UK price.
Don't expect service records, you need to buy on condition and viewing, you will also find that things like owners handbooks, first aid kits, jacks etc will be long gone and not in the sale. Rust is not usually a big issue on older cars.
Thanks again for advice guys
Tom: if I can find a convertible would be happy to. When I said 'small' engines I meant like my S2000 or 350z examples as opposed to the big v8 4 litre saloons
Berw: We had a Perodua Alza which is 7 seater which had done 50km and wasn't great. Ride was awful and with the bumps in suburban KL was horrible. May have been just a bad cared for example but the Toyota Innova we had after it had done more miles and was a lot better
Tom: if I can find a convertible would be happy to. When I said 'small' engines I meant like my S2000 or 350z examples as opposed to the big v8 4 litre saloons
Berw: We had a Perodua Alza which is 7 seater which had done 50km and wasn't great. Ride was awful and with the bumps in suburban KL was horrible. May have been just a bad cared for example but the Toyota Innova we had after it had done more miles and was a lot better
I agree on the Peradua, it is basically along wheel base Myvi and I can imagine they changed nothing to account for this, so same spring rates etc, but I believe the Proton 7 seater was purpose built so may be better.
Get the car purchase right for you first time, as it is not easy to sell cars here and upgrade, the HP offers on local cars over 8 years makes them very cheap on a monthly basis so people go that way, 50K proton over 8 years.
There's a great looking Midget on Mudah of you want a convertible? I bet it is rust free and will go for a lot less than the asking. There is also a Z4 at the moment for 27K which is a third of the normal price on these.
Get the car purchase right for you first time, as it is not easy to sell cars here and upgrade, the HP offers on local cars over 8 years makes them very cheap on a monthly basis so people go that way, 50K proton over 8 years.
There's a great looking Midget on Mudah of you want a convertible? I bet it is rust free and will go for a lot less than the asking. There is also a Z4 at the moment for 27K which is a third of the normal price on these.
The 7 seater is the Proton Exora, they're good cars by all accounts, nice inside for a Proton as well.
We opted for a Naza Ria for our family wagon, mainly because it's flipping massive, rides like it's on air and has leather, DVD and a V6 (although it's still pretty slow because it's so bloody heavy!) It's basically a rebranded Kia. They've got a bit of a bad rep for head gaskets going but I've kept a close eye on it and so far it's done 50,000 trouble free kilometres.
We opted for a Naza Ria for our family wagon, mainly because it's flipping massive, rides like it's on air and has leather, DVD and a V6 (although it's still pretty slow because it's so bloody heavy!) It's basically a rebranded Kia. They've got a bit of a bad rep for head gaskets going but I've kept a close eye on it and so far it's done 50,000 trouble free kilometres.
So called the guy about the Z4, seems he has a whole host of other cars for sale....
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1562673247296599?_...
Obviously something is dodgy but I can't work out what? Is it simply that the COE has expired? If something seems to good to be true and all that.....
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1562673247296599?_...
Obviously something is dodgy but I can't work out what? Is it simply that the COE has expired? If something seems to good to be true and all that.....
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