kobayashiGT Internal Moderator November 9, 2020 Share November 9, 2020 11 hours ago, keechiu said: hi all. I'm looking to buy a COE car. my budget is $40 to $45. I don't mind getting a car with a few years COE left and then renew it for another 5 or 10 years depending on the durability of the car etc. I was hoping to get advice as to which car I should purchase and what should I be wary of. If you were me, which of these 5 cars would you consider buying. If you have a preference out of these 5 cars I've listed below, please also state what changes I need to do to the car and the rough pricing for them at the workshop. If you feel that there is another COE car either Audi, BMW or Lexus on sgcarmart that I should look at instead, please provide the link. I am open to suggestions. Thank you all. 1) Audi A4 2.0A TFSI (COE till 10/2024) https://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.php?ID=914799 2) Audi A3 Sedan 1.4A TFSI Ambiente https://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.php?ID=933358 3) Lexus IS250 https://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.php?ID=940232&DL=1000 4) BMW 3 Series 320i (COE till 12/2023) https://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.php?ID=936256&DL=2349 5) BMW 5 Series 523i XL (COE till 10/2022) @$29,999 https://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.php?ID=942128&DL=3804 @RogerNg_185295 @Victor68 @MarkHotchner @Qaz20 @bearbearbear @No_worries @Hamburger @Blueray @Samlimlp @Rickster @CloudWan @Passion @M3ngl4ng @inlinesix @Bjory @Fatfatpanda @littlecar @kobayashiGT I would rather get a Mercedes. The realiability is much better than the bimmers and audi. https://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.php?ID=937928&DL=1000 It may look dated inside, but I think the exterior is a classic. ↡ Advertisement 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesc Hypersonic November 9, 2020 Share November 9, 2020 I would say only buy from jamesc good quality used cars but I dare not in case people say I bias. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickster 5th Gear November 9, 2020 Share November 9, 2020 I don't have any experience nor done any research about premium brand COE cars. However, my brother is driving a 11 yr old C200 and it's apparently quite reliable, no major problems (eg. engine, gearbox, suspension, ECU etc) other than wear and tear. Seen lots of COE C-class (vs audis, BMWs or Volvos) on local roads, so I guess, to a certain extent, indicate a car that is built to last. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
inlinesix Supersonic November 9, 2020 Share November 9, 2020 6 hours ago, awhtc said: The reason why these previous luxury cars have similar depreciation as Toyota and Honda cars are because they cost a lot to maintain and repair as they age. Once the electronics break, you are in a big trouble. From personal experience? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qinglong 1st Gear November 9, 2020 Share November 9, 2020 driving a legacy 12 yr old car, no problems, usual servicing always bear in mind the jap servicing and maintenance is always cheaper than conti 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brass 6th Gear November 9, 2020 Share November 9, 2020 (edited) 7 hours ago, kobayashiGT said: I would rather get a Mercedes. The realiability is much better than the bimmers and audi. https://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.php?ID=937928&DL=1000 It may look dated inside, but I think the exterior is a classic. For COE cars of that vintage, I think all of them are for Roberts, and the price of the 3 series, is a mere ok. The A3 at that age has the dsg which is worrying. But of all choices here, it is the most decent. That Merc is nice but old. Nevertheless, its a good choice if a the seller is fine letting it go at 2k less. Would you consider a Camry? (TS) Edited November 9, 2020 by Brass Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceecookie 5th Gear November 9, 2020 Share November 9, 2020 (edited) If u want a COE car with no headache then go for COE Toyota Altis or Wish. Those are nearly indestructible 😂 Edited November 9, 2020 by Ceecookie 3 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lala81 Hypersonic November 9, 2020 Share November 9, 2020 Lol am i the only one who maybe assuming that this is not with 3 zeroes behind ? Quote 20 hours ago hi all. I'm looking to buy a COE car. my budget is $40 to $45. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sdf4786k Twincharged November 9, 2020 Share November 9, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, Rickster said: I don't have any experience nor done any research about premium brand COE cars. However, my brother is driving a 11 yr old C200 and it's apparently quite reliable, no major problems (eg. engine, gearbox, suspension, ECU etc) other than wear and tear. Seen lots of COE C-class (vs audis, BMWs or Volvos) on local roads, so I guess, to a certain extent, indicate a car that is built to last. the 7 geartronic ones is less problematic. the 5 speed still have electrical gitches as well as gearbox issue and ECU failure Edited November 9, 2020 by Sdf4786k Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toeknee_33 Turbocharged November 9, 2020 Share November 9, 2020 (edited) I suggest TS should set and use an annual ownership costs (Depre + RoadTax + Expected Repair/Maintenance + Expected FC) instead of saying the budget is $40k-$45k. The choice is too wide - from a run-of-the-mill Camry to a future classic like a 30-year old MB 230CE. Say TS needs a COE spacious premium saloon, my choice would be a MB W212 E200 or E250. At about $7-8k depre, its safe, solid, well-made and relatively reliable. And using the 3-pointed star as a gunsight as you drive down the road...its very satisfying 😁 If it doesnt have to be a COE car, I would advise TS not to go there as a 1st time car owner. Buy a 5-7 year old Mazda 6 or similar large Jap/Korean car and take it from there. Speak with your car owning friends and continue to do research online and visit enough used car dealers to gain experience. Edited November 9, 2020 by Toeknee_33 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volvobrick Supersonic November 9, 2020 Share November 9, 2020 https://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.php?ID=934549&DL=2171 Or get one like the above (a little above the budget) and if trouble free, top up and extend COE 4 years later. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comage 5th Gear November 9, 2020 Share November 9, 2020 If you die-die have to pick from the list of 5 cars you shortlisted, I would go for the Audi A3: - It's only got 1 prior owner When buying used cars, you do not want a "village bicycle/whore" car (i.e. > 1 owner) that's been driven and abused by every guy out there before it lands into your hands. Buying a used car with a high number of prior owners also usually indicates a potential problem with the car (that's why the prior owner had to let go of the car). It's worse if the car has been a PHV before (abused with excessively high mileage and very little care for maintenance) But, aside from the above, if you want to get a COE car (> 10 years) - it's not as easy/simple as getting a PARF car - there are a ton of other things to watch out for in terms of worn parts that needs to be replaced within the first 1-2 months of taking over the car. For a Japanese car, these costs could easily come up to $2-4k within the first 2 months. For a conti car, it could go well into the 5-digit range. If you're prepared to fork out all this extra money for maintenance of wear-and-tear parts, then go for it. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mockngbrd Supersonic November 9, 2020 Share November 9, 2020 Buy buy buy!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
awhtc 6th Gear November 9, 2020 Share November 9, 2020 6 hours ago, inlinesix said: From personal experience? You can just check out SgCarMart on the depreciation of a Japanese COE car e.g. Honda Jazz versus a continental COE car e.g. BMW 3-series. There are quite a lot of listings with $6k+ depreciation each. However, note that the BMW 3 series was probably nearly 3x the price of the Honda Jazz when new. Cars are a mode of point A to B transport for me only, and I only trust Toyota and Honda rather than BMW, Audi and Mercedes. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueray Hypersonic November 9, 2020 Share November 9, 2020 4 hours ago, Ceecookie said: If u want a COE car with no headache then go for COE Toyota Altis or Wish. Those are nearly indestructible 😂 Honda Civic and Honda Stream too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
inlinesix Supersonic November 9, 2020 Share November 9, 2020 39 minutes ago, awhtc said: You can just check out SgCarMart on the depreciation of a Japanese COE car e.g. Honda Jazz versus a continental COE car e.g. BMW 3-series. There are quite a lot of listings with $6k+ depreciation each. However, note that the BMW 3 series was probably nearly 3x the price of the Honda Jazz when new. Cars are a mode of point A to B transport for me only, and I only trust Toyota and Honda rather than BMW, Audi and Mercedes. It could be these 3 series had been abused by previous owner. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naughty9795 2nd Gear November 10, 2020 Share November 10, 2020 23 hours ago, kobayashiGT said: I would rather get a Mercedes. The realiability is much better than the bimmers and audi. https://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.php?ID=937928&DL=1000 It may look dated inside, but I think the exterior is a classic. 20 yo😅 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ct3833 Supersonic November 10, 2020 Share November 10, 2020 16 hours ago, Ceecookie said: If u want a COE car with no headache then go for COE Toyota Altis or Wish. Those are nearly indestructible 😂 I always say those cars are so simple and basic that there is nothing to breakdown. ↡ Advertisement Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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