Question: Should I buy a clunker?

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Hi Folks,

    Okay situation is this. I've decided against bringing a car with me and also mostly (but not completely) decided against the MM2H 'incentive' of buying a purely Malaysian build or assembled car from the MM2H list. Given that I don't really see the need to own a sporty (or even new) model of car and given the sheer awfulness of the standard of driving around Penang, I was giving serious thought to buying a clunker.

    Something like Scott's 1983 Mercedes 230E. Good air-conditioning and good engineering a must, but unlikely to get broken into or stolen (and even if it did no big deal as in Penang it's easy to get repaired).

    Apart from the fact that it's not very charismatic, any reason why not?

    Any issues, suggestions or recommendations?

Regards,
KoLF

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hi,

Merc 230 road tax RM700, but Merc 200 road tax RM300.

Charismatic ? It's not the car it's the driver.   

The dealers for this 12 Jan ad are in Green Lane, Penang : http://www.mudah.my/Mercedes+Benz+200+2+0+Auto-13301284.htm

Or something less old : http://www.mudah.my/Mercedes+Benz+E+190+Auto+Rm16+000-13377895.htm

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I am thinking the same thing, however my mate who has spent a long tim in  KL says getting the new car on the cheap through MM2H is about the only benefit to doing MM2H.  He suggested a new Honda Civic for about 80k.   I would not want to attract unwanted attention to myself or my family though

The times I have been in Penang I was surprised at the lack of newer cars on the rd,  unlike in HK or Singapore where people show off as much as they can by buying a brand new 7 series BMW just to get from Midlevels to central, about 700 metres.

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hi,

Singapore has a 10-year rule for scrapping cars. If I remember correctly no-one is forced to scrap but it's an offer folks can't refuse.

In Malaysia, as far as I know, the only downside to owning an older car is that you'll need to get insurance from the Common Pool. It's because insurance companies, such as Kurnia, don't want to know.

A decent 1983 merc will cost around RM8,000 - RM10,000. Add RM2,000 for general servicing and replacements (brakes, steering bits, engine mount checks, clean-out fuel tank, etc) and another RM800 for new tyres.

You'll need about RM1,000 to replace the air-con, and maybe take the heater out. Don't bother with trying to get the air-con fixed. Believe me I know on this, and it cost.

3rd party insurance will be around RM200. No need for fire, theft etc as who cares.

The inside can be tidied-up to an extent. You can get new seat covers, and carpets for around RM1,500 and change.

You'll have a solid car with a nice long bonnet that is the impact zone rather than your knees. And a decent sized boot, and a car that tends to get a bit of leeway when edging forward - who cares if it gets a dent here or there.

Reversing into a coconut tree does some damage but doesn't spoil the lines.   

Why 1983. Well it's the dividing year between the newer "black" engines with fuel injection and the earlier carb engines. It just seems to be a tipping point. And pre-1980 (?) mercs (with the vertical lights) have a "Dixon of Dock Green" look.

Evening all.