A car is one of the first major commitment most newly employed malaysians get themselves into. Of course, not a big a commitment as your girlfriend. Besides, nobody waits till they're employed anyway!
Usually, the first car will be a proton, or lately due to the amazing job done by Toyot..i mean, Perodua, the Myvi or any other perodua variant seems to be really popular as well. ( For some reason, the cars REALLY resemble toyota in every aspect! what a coincidence!) and people make fun of inspira being a copycat.
Alright, sorry, deviated, back to the topic now. Cars are not cheap. Buying a Toyota may cost about RM70,000 being the cheapest, a Honda cost RM 90,000. Way too expensive for new employees. So, what do we do? We can opt for secondhand cars. A 15 year old toyota corolla cost rm 22,000. Sounds like a better deal? Does this mean, a fresh graduate who just found a job can only drive a 15 year old car?
NOPEZ! because, we have, PROTON and PERODUA! This 2 companies enable us to buy cars at a MUCH, MUCH cheaper price. Simple because unlike foreign cars, they do not have to pay the import duty. How much would they cost ? Lets take a look.
The new Saga FLX. Now available from RM 38598!
Or the much smaller, cheaper version of Perodua, now available from RM 24900 !
This, is the type of cars most of us can afford now. Seems like sensible price, doesn't it ? Still can't afford it ? No worries, Loans available up to 9 years :D
Is that a good bargain, or what ? Lets fly across the ocean, and visit other countries :)
What do people from other countries drive, for 20,000 worth of their money.
US:
Or, the UK
FORD KUGA, at 22,000 GBP
Sure, you can argue and say, its in their currency. Would be totally different price once we convert them.
A Proton Gen-2 is sold in Malaysia for RM 58000.
A Proton Gen-2 is sold in UK for 9000 pounds.
Convert that, we have our national car sold in UK for RM 45,000.
Why do we pay, RM 13,000 more, for our own national car ??
Did anyone ever pondered that ?
Lets be a bit more critical.
Lets buy a Toyota Prius.
Rm 140,000 in malaysia.
Fresh Graduate pay = RM 2500
RM 140,000 / RM 2500 = 56
You will buy a car that is worth 56 times your pay.
Toyota Prius in UK = GBP 21000
Fresh Graduate Pay = GBP 1800
21000 / 1800 = 11
Or, People in UK buy the same car, for 11 times worth their fresh grad pay!
While we get a Toyota Prius for 56 times the value of our pay, some white bloke in UK can drive this for 56 times worth their pay.
So, is the car you just bought worth the price?
Go figure.
