Tax Free 4X4?

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I'm looking for a 4x4 for my MM2H tax free vehicle.  I wanted a small 4 wheel drive that I could take off-road, but a couple of people have told me that the 4x4s assembled in Malaysia are all quite big.  Of the vehicles I'm aware of, I'm most interested in the Toyota Fortuner, and have one or two questions you may be able to help with.  (If you know of anything smaller, please let me know.)

1. Petrol vs. diesel?  I will not be doing a huge amount of driving and have been advised to purchase a petrol-fueled car.

2.  Recommended dealer?  It's a jungle out there and I'm worried about getting ripped off in some way.   

3.  When a dealer gives me the tax-free price, am I likely to be able to get a lower price if I bargain?   

4.  Why is it so hard to arrange a test drive?  A dealer told me there are not enough new cars to go around, so several dealers share one vehicle.  There's always a waiting list for a test drive, which can be up to a week.  Is this really how it works here?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

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How about the Perodua Nautica? ( http://www.perodua.com.my/nautica/main.html ) actually build by Toyota in Japan and the 4x4 version of the Toyota Rush. Smaller and cheaper to run than the Fortuner which is a HUGE truck and drives accordingly.

If you want tax free and not assembled in Malaysia, you can also look at the pick-up trucks. (For example the Toyota Hilux double cab is basically same as the Fortuner and cost about 96,000 MYR) They are not taxed like regular cars and it gives you more vehicles to look at.

If you don't do much mileage, a petrol is supposed to be more cost effective than diesel.

Before you commit to buy, check the annual road tax in relation to CCs of engine.
http://malaysia.kurnia.com/Insurance/Calculators/VehicleRoadTax/Default.aspx

Since the tax levied on purchase price goes to the government and not dealer he doesn't care if you buy tax free or not (he might charge you some for the extra paperwork), so yes, you can negotiate with the dealer on the basic price of the vehicle. Lots depend on how many cars in stock and demand.

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Thanks, Steph.  To qualify under MM2H rules, the vehicle has to be assembled in Malaysia, (unless I import a car from abroad).  The tax on the Fortuner is enormous...list price RM177,000, tax free price RM105,000.  The Hilux is actually  a wee bit longer than the Fortuner.  I know the Fortuner is a big rig, but I don't think there's anything else within the limitations of assembled in Malaysia.  I want to visit Orang Asli villages and have been advised that only a "real" 4-wheel drive will do to get me to out-of-the-way places.

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If you opt for the Hilux the tax benefit is RM6,000 ish

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As I said, you can buy a new 4x4 pick up truck that is not assembled in Malaysia without the ±75% import duties etc. You don't have to deal with the MM2H rules when buying a pick up truck. This means no 2 month wait ...

Nissan builds one for 105,000 on the road for the most luxurious one and 95,000 for the basic model.
http://www.nissan.com.my/vehicles/Navara/M_Navara/gallery/gallery.html

Isuzu has a 3.0 L model for 90,000 on the road. http://www.isuzu.net.my/model_dc3000_price.php

Mitsubishi has a 3.2 L model for 102,000 otr
http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com.my/showroom-triton-prices.php

Mazda has a 3.0 L for 88,260 without insurance (my guess about 92,000 otr)
http://www.mazda.com.my/bt50/prices.aspx

Ssangyong has one too, but no prices on website but supposed to be under 100,000 (according to some the most comfortable too)
http://www.ssangyong.com.my/content_actyon.asp

And if you want a "real" 4x4 you can always buys the Landrover Defender Double Cab ... no prices given on that one, but probably expensive ...

http://www.landrovermalaysia.com.my/vehicles/defender/models/double_cab_pick_up.htm

However if you want a SUV-type 4x4 assembled in Malaysia, you are indeed stuck with the Fortuner ...

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Hi Guys,

I am not sure about pick-ups and 4 cabs but be careful before being taken in by this tax free malarkey. I got my CRV about a year ago and I thought I might ask the revenue guys (the Malaysian ones) about how it works when you want to sell the vehicle. They told me that an assessor would check the value of the vehice and then decide how much tax was to be repaid. If your vehicle is in good condition then after three years you may have to repay 60-80% of the tax.
I asked if there was a scale for this and they said that the assessor makes it up on the spot.

Things may have changed, it would be worth checking with Ministry of Tourism. It would interesting to hear from anyone that has sold a tax free vehicle.

Bob

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I think I saw a posting on the forum from someone who actually sold...but I can't locate it