Leasing a car

[north]

Hi, I've heard wildly different amounts of the price of leasing a car in Singapore. Does anyone know (or can you point me to a thread -- I didn't find any ones on point) the accurate cost of a monthly car lease? I understand leasing companies give an all-in price (including any permits, insurance, etc.). Is this true? Thanks in advance.

[road.not.taken]

We lease a Lexus SUV, few years old from Citylimo/Comfort Delgro. Runs about $3000/month all in -- insurance, maintenance, etc...

[ScoobyDoes]

Friend has a Nissan Murano S$2,000 per month, all in.

[north]

Thanks! (I assume "all in" means whatever permits needed to have the car is included.) Wow it's expensive, but it might allow us to live in housing that's considerably more affordable, so it all (might) balance out...

[ScoobyDoes]

Leasing is always expensive. If you're here for a while there is little harm in buying a second hand car and looking after everything yourself, can work out at half the price.

[cbavasi]

i sent an email a couple months ago to a leasing agent and she sent me this:

Thanks for your interest in our services. We normally provide vehicles from our existing fleet for 9-12 months rental. You can visit www.gal.com.sg to have a view of our existing fleet of vehicles for rental. Base on information provided, we are pleased to quote the following:
1) Toyota Vios 1.5 - $1250 monthly before GST
2) Toyota Corolla Altis 1.6 - $1350 monthly before GST
3) Ford Laser 1.6 - $1250 monthly before GST
4) Subaru Impreza 1.6 - $1400 monthly before GST
5) Subaru Forestor 2.0T (SUV) - $1850 monthly before GST

Rates quoted are subject to changes without prior notice and include the following:
1. Unlimited mileage
2. Servicing and maintenance (wear and tear only), road tax and radio licence
3.. Air-condition and audio system (radio and CD)
4. Replacement vehicle (of same rental category) within Singapore as and when the above rental vehicle is required for repair or servicing
5. 24 hours breakdown and towing service within Singapore
6. Comprehensive insurance
7. Free pick-up and delivery service for changing of replacement and leased vehicle

The rates above are based on existing Government Legislations and before GST. In the event of any changes in Legislations and/or taxes not currently in force which is beyond the control of the Owner, the Hirer shall bear the resultant impact through revised rate. Collision Damage Waiver is available to reduce current excess/deductible.

Hope this helps a little bit.

[durain]

do you know what's the minimum period?

[sundaymorningstaple]

cbavasi,

Did you happen to find out if those rates were inclusive of insurance coverage for driving in Malaysia? Most low rate lease vehicles like that are not allowed or do not have insurance coverage for driving to malaysia. If you cannot take the car out of the country, one may as well just use public transport and save a bundle.

[north]

Thanks Cbavasi.

Scoobydoes -- if you buy a second hand car, do you have to buy a Certificate of Entitlement separately? I also read that there is a 150% tax on the value of cars to the gov't -- does this get paid on resales as well?

[micknlea]

cbavasi,

Did you happen to find out if those rates were inclusive of insurance coverage for driving in Malaysia? Most low rate lease vehicles like that are not allowed or do not have insurance coverage for driving to malaysia. If you cannot take the car out of the country, one may as well just use public transport and save a bundle.

Why? Not as though everyone drives to Malaysia every week. Public transport wouldn't work as well as having our lease car here did. We had a lease car for over 18months, not allowed to take it to Malaysia, but er, never needed to, so it was fine. Also found that if you go, hiring a cheap car there is an easy out anyway.

[durain]

i think sms is thinking of going to JB to stock up on sugar, cooking oil, petrol, rice and any other stuff subsided by the malaysian gov.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Malaysian immigration will take'em off'n you now. Cannot bring! Like Ciggies only it the leaving immigration that stops you.

Guess I need to actually use the tongue-in-cheek piccie with this crowd.

NB: I've owned three cars here also. Not leased. Finally got rid of the last two (same time) in '88 and used public transport ever since (& raised to fine kids at the same time). Sure a car used to be more convenient but with the crap on the highways now I'm not too sure. Saving a bundle wasn't tongue-in-cheek though. It's also easier on the HBP.

[ScoobyDoes]

Thanks Cbavasi.

Scoobydoes -- if you buy a second hand car, do you have to buy a Certificate of Entitlement separately? I also read that there is a 150% tax on the value of cars to the gov't -- does this get paid on resales as well?

If you see the second hand prices in the paper or at a dealer..... that's the price you pay. Nothing else apart from your insurance on top of sticker to drive off the lot.

Taxes are paid at initial point of sale.

CoE is 99% of the time sold included with the sale. The CoE lasts ten years and older cars will start to advertise when the CoE expires and some will include a new one for a further ten years.

[cbavasi]

I didn't ask about taking the car to Malaysia as that wasn't really why we wanted to lease. Adding in ERP, parking & gas it was more economical for me to take cabs and public transport and of course my real "ride" (stroller ) than to lease. But now 6 months later my oldest one is getting to big to push with the little one and after almost 3 taxi accidents in the past couple weeks we're starting to look into it again. (My 4 year old now says 'TEESUS' when the cabs stop suddenly - as a result of mommy... could have been worse tho... can think of a couple more appropriate words I could have used )
I think the minimum lease is 6 months - but they give you a better rate the longer you lease.

[micknlea]

We used to lease ours on a monthly basis. Cost was about $1200 for a Nissan Sunny all inclusive. Nothing special but it did the job.