Buying a new family car

[bslee]

Its been my observation, its always the ROAD TAX factor which discourage higher engine cc ownership. Its never the fuel price but road tax policy.
That's where manufacturers are coerced to sell "bare minimum" engine capacity to appeal to one's budget. Malaysia is a land of non-progressive and pernicious taxation policies, not to mention antiquated mindset forming such pernicious policies to discourage such purchase.
They think that lower the price of cars = more cars on the road. They think that bigger fines for traffic offences = less road offences. They think that ban radar detector use = authorities easier to catch speed demons. ANTIQUATED!

[chookyan]

[QUOTE=bslee;593539]Its been my observation, its always the ROAD TAX factor which discourage higher engine cc ownership. Its never the fuel price but road tax policy.

Not forgetting the 'loading factor' for insurance.

[suriababes]

After more than a decade, finally it's time to have a new family car. What would be the best choice for a family of 5; for comfort and safety? What would consider a prudent budget for a car? X% of earning? Y% of saving?

why don't you consider the VW tiguan price is below rm180k. I drove my dad tiguan before and it's very practical, comfortable and great to drive. It's suit perfectly for families.

[suriababes]

Used to have a citroen zx. each 10 k service would cost more than 1k at their service center and that was many years ago. was thinking of vw but with such bad press not really sure if that is such a good idea now.

It's depend actually. Like my dad tiguan 9 months and drove around 7k miles. So far never heard any serious issue. Touch wood ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[cml]

There is a lot of postings on the net about the problems with the dsg gearbox and the difficulty of getting servicing appointments because the time is all booked up and if you are late in servicing, through no fault of your own your warranty is voided. They may have overcome it by now. Dont really know.

[Greenwich]

Sometimes, it is luck especially when the volume of the model is huge. The way I look at VW in malaysia is they are like the early days of Toyota when Toyota were the victim of their own success - can’t cope with service demand due to the unprecedented growth of their sales volume.

My sister-in-law is driving a Passat CC. She seems like not having any problem with the 7 speed DSG transmission.

[Greenwich]

Its been my observation, its always the ROAD TAX factor which discourage higher engine cc ownership. Its never the fuel price but road tax policy.

That's where manufacturers are coerced to sell "bare minimum" engine capacity to appeal to one's budget !

I think it is not the road tax factor. it is the engine cost factor which subsequently increases the overall vehicle price.

The extra road tax for vehicle with bigger engine ( I mean engine bigger than 1.8 liter) is not really a concern compare to the engine price.

[bslee]

I think it is not the road tax factor. it is the engine cost factor which subsequently increases the overall vehicle price.
The extra road tax for vehicle with bigger engine ( I mean engine bigger than 1.8 liter) is not really a concern compare to the engine price.

Sorry, but I tend to disagree with you. The road tax structure is already cast in stone for a long time. So its the manufacturer who have to work around this and market products that are profitable and sell well. Therefore, they would try to put in the lowest engine cc possible and still economical within that tax category and price they pay for. Back in the 80's say Ford had 2 engine cc for the Ford Laser and Telstar. 1.3l, 1.5l and 1.8l and 2.0l. The price difference wasn't great, fuel wasn't an issue. Obviously the bigger engine cc in the same body would offer better fuel economy due to better power to weight ratio. There were more takers for the 1.5l engine for that Laser model. Of course price can be different with different makes.
Currently, road tax up to 1600cc its BananaCurrency 90. 1300cc= 70, 1800cc=280, 2300cc=680, Loll Loyce at 5400cc = 13k whopper! Not mention company registered yet...your eyeballs pop out! Then insurance? Silly 3rd party oso RM200 or more.

Then comes the diesel car question. At current diesel prices, same with petrol, high engine cc, and high road tax and probably offset by better fuel consumption to equivalent petrol engine cc. Is paying current road tax amount and current diesel fuel price a wise acquisition and justified? other than its ability as a big transporter? Never forget that spare parts of diesel engines are more expensive, dread the overhaul due to diesel engines are stronger built than petrol counterpart. I think I recall the road tax for diesel cars was revised to much higher for some reason in the 90's at one October budget announcement, and diesel fuel price was quite low compared to petrol. It was to discourage something too..can't remember...so they punish people to fork out high road tax in this category. Thank your gahmen for this...even when diesel price is now high. 2000cc diesel road tax = 460, 2800cc = 1,590

[Greenwich]

.... Currently, road tax 1800cc=280, 2300cc=680, Loll Loyce at 5400cc = 13k whopper! Not mention company registered yet...your eyeballs pop out!

Exactly the point..

Put aside road tax of the 5400cc Rolls Royce

The difference between 1800cc and 2300cc petrol engine in yearly road tax is RM400 !!

Well, what is RM400 when compare with the vehicle price. Average fuel price for working people is around RM300-400 per month already.. !!

[cml]

because of potong we are stuck with crappy cars for a long long time. I think the amount of monies paid by the rakyat to support their inefficiencies are indeed very great.

[Jennylim]

Thanks guys, thanks for the responds/ info. Will be back.

[monicalee25]

There is a lot of postings on the net about the problems with the dsg gearbox and the difficulty of getting servicing appointments because the time is all booked up and if you are late in servicing, through no fault of your own your warranty is voided. They may have overcome it by now. Dont really know.

Yea, that's truth. That's why VGM has already come out a resolve for DSG. But still some posting is complain about the DSG issues is still persist. Hence, VGM has launched the biggest 4S dealership specially to improve after sale service and sent the full team master cert mechanic to Malaysia.

[cml]

It would take some convincing for new buyers to accept that things have indeed changed. Thats how it is.

[cml]

Just like toyota, even though they produce very dull cars their cars have a good reputation for reliability and anyone and everyone whos looking for a reliable car will buy a toyota and of late they are adding some flash to their car design ala the new camry, altis and vios. cannot just depend on reliability to sell cars. Just like vw cannot depend on the fact that their cars drive well or are german they can sell without good after sales service or good handling of customer complaints.

[Henry T]

This is the World’s Most Valuable Auto Brand. Toyota.

http://time.com/money/3897729/toyota...le-auto-brand/