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Just got quoted for my new premium this year. Still have by NCDs in full but my premium is even higher than last year's, despite the depreciating car value. You guys encountered this? Read in the papers the premiums will be higher but did not it to be higher than last year...

Hi there guys, went to the showroom yesterday. was looking at the Sylphy at first then the latio sports premium was recommended to me. good price now. Sylphy going for S$59 XXX and latio sports premium going for $52 xxx with bodykit and lots of freebies.and interest at 1.99%. Now i am lost.can some1 driving either one hightlight the good and sad site on the above ride pls. thanks.

Business Times - 18 Oct 2008 Sales of premium cars and sports models hit the brakes By SAMUEL EE WHEN you are wealthy and worried about the current economic mess, you're more than likely to immediately stop buying more jewellery, wine futures and yes, that new car too. Sales of high-end cars have plunged since the start of this month, with the lowest point being last weekend when some distributors of upmarket Continental cars reported zero bookings over the normally busy Saturday and Sunday period. 'After a week of non-stop news about bank bailouts and hundred-billion-dollar rescue plans, last weekend's order book was zero,' said an executive with a premium dealership. He explained that prospective buyers usually shop around for a car during the week, before coming in over the weekend to put down a deposit. He said the last time he encountered zero weekend sales was during the Sars epidemic. The executive was not alone. At least two other European franchises also did not manage to record any sales over last weekend. All those interviewed spoke on condition that both they and the brands they represent are not named. At one high-end sports car dealership, this month's orders have so far plunged by 50 per cent, according to a source. 'Generally, it's the cars which are in the $250,000 to $300,000 range that get hit first because they are mainly bought by people who got a big bonus or a promotion, what some would call the marginal owners,' he said. ( can afford such expensive cars are consider marginal ) The sports models in his showroom cost between a quarter and three-quarters of a million dollars. He said sales of the more expensive models have also slowed down but not by as much. 'Those who buy $300,000 to $500,000 cars can lose 50 per cent of their stock portfolio but generally, they are still cash-rich,' said the source. 'So thank God there haven't been any cancellations.' But he added that most well-heeled customers such as these may not want to buy anything for now. 'Maybe they are preoccupied with waiting for an opportunity to make more money with whatever assets they have left,' he speculated. A manager of a premium marque agrees. 'We had a lot of showroom traffic last week but no one was signing on the dotted line. That means the product is still attractive, our advertising and marketing are still effective, but people are not willing to commit to a purchase yet. It's like the property market - they still have cash but are waiting to pick up a good bargain,' he said. Another factor is tightening credit, added the manager. 'In a very weak market, most finance companies become more cautious with loans. They may not reject an application outright, but they will reduce the loan quantum from 80 or 90 per cent to 50 to 60 per cent if there is the slightest question about your credit standing,' he said. Before the current credit crunch, local sports car sales had been on an uptrend. Last year, luxury sports cars - defined as those costing $200,000 or more - jumped 97 per cent from the previous year. In 2007, 659 units were sold by authorised distributors, that is, non-parallel importers - up 97 per cent from 334 units in 2006. Driving sales in this luxury band were mainly models in the $250,000 to $350,000 price bracket, such as the Porsche Cayman, BMW 6 Series and M3, and Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class. Together, the 659 units made up less than one per cent of the 81,493 passenger cars sold by authorised distributors in 2007 but they were more profitable than other volume models. Still, the jury is out on how badly the high-end car market will be hit this year. One observer said expensive models such as Bentley, Lamborghini, Ferrari and some Porsche models - all of which start from above $700,000 each - are pre-ordered three to four months ahead of time. He said: 'You won't see demand tapering off yet because there will still be deliveries. So up to December, it won't be an issue. But going forward, there is bound to be some reduction. If we're lucky, it will be 20 per cent down. If we're not, it could be 60 to 70 per cent. It's anybody's guess.'

Is it true the premium for normal car & OPC not much difference? I thought there would be significant difference since the road exposure for OPC is much less.

Am looking at the new face lifted SLK as my free and easy weekend car. Haven't decide whether to get the 200, 280 or the 3s yet. Must go look see first. Just a quick question. Can any kind soul advice me what the insurance will be like per annum if I'm in my late 30s? Thanks in advance

luxury train facilities (japan)

hi guys as above if i am involved in an accident, and i am at fault, by how much would my premium shhot up lets will it be doubled if assuming total cost to repair would be about 5k

Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/sin.../359026/1/.html More premium bus services offered to meet rising ridership By Hoe Yeen Nie/ Imelda Saad, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 08 July 2008 1816 hrs SINGAPORE: More premium bus services have been added with over 40 running on Singapore roads. These are more exclusive bus services that run certain routes to the city for a higher fare. Response has been encouraging. SMRT, which runs nine services, has seen a steady increase in ridership numbers. In particular, the number of paseengers on its service 530 from River Valley and service 531 from Simei to the Central Business District (CBD) area has nearly doubled since they were introduced in August 2007. This has prompted the transport operator to add another two evening service trips to service 531 to meet demand. With Monday's increase in downtown Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) rates, some drivers may be enticed to give up their cars for this mode of transport. Channel NewsAsia's reporters Hoe Yeen Nie and Imelda Saad put it to the test, travelling from central Singapore to Suntec city. Ms Hoe waited at Hume Avenue, just off Upper Bukit Timah Road, for the 7.40am premium bus service to Suntec City. Meanwhile, Ms Saad drove all the way to Suntec, starting her journey at the same time. The normal feeder bus service from Upper Bukit Timah Road takes passengers to Bukit Batok MRT station, but they will need to change trains at the Jurong East interchange to get into the CBD. The whole journey takes them over an hour and many commuters are put off by the morning crowds on the trains. Thus, many prefer the comfort and ease of the premium bus service and it is also cheaper than a taxi. Ms Saad, who was travelling by car said that traffic was smooth from Bukit Timah, along the PIE into the city, but she had to go through two gantries. Parking was also a breeze. The whole journey by car took about 30 minutes, while it took 45 minutes by the premium bus service. The cost of travelling by car from Hume Avenue to Suntec City came up to S$25.40 - S$21.40 for ten hours of parking, S$2.50 for fuel and S$1.50 for ERP charges. In comparison, taking a premium bus service costs S$6.60 on average. - CNA/vm

Fares for premium bus service to go up due to higher fuel costs COMMUTERS on premium bus services will soon have to pay more in bus fares, with bus operators here hit by higher fuel prices. SBS Transit, which runs the majority of premium bus services, has been given the go-ahead by the Public Transport Council (PTC) to raise fares by 30 to 60 cents on its 40 premium services, up to a maximum of $3.60 per trip. Details on when the fare hike will kick in are being worked out. Currently, SBS Transit's premium bus services charge $2.70 to $3.60 per trip. The operator's premium services make up more than half of 76 such services islandwide. Fuel costs for SBS Transit have risen by more than 52 per cent in the first quarter of this year, compared to last year, said a company spokesman. Its rival SMRT has also raised fares for premium service 531 from $3 to $4. Fares on its remaining five services, and three others operated by its subsidiary Bus-Plus, remain the same. Besides the two transport giants, smaller players in the premium service market have also applied to raise fares. Among them are the Singapore School Transport Association (SSTA), which runs five premium services at $2.50 per trip, and Bus Hub, which operates two services charging $4 and $5 respectively. Both hope to raise their fares by 50 cents to a dollar. The PTC, which approves bus fare increases, said guidelines require premium bus fares to be at least 1.5 times the equivalent fare of basic public transport services. Once these guidelines are met, the PTC 'generally would not object to changes in premium bus services fares as operators make their own commerical assessments and risks to adjust their service pricing,' said the council. Commuters, while acknowledging higher fuel costs, said they will consider other travel options if fares become too costly. The premium bus service market has grown steadily over the past few months as part of a Government push to get more Singaporeans to switch from driving to public transport. SBS Transit said ridership on its premium services has been growing gradually and most of the seats are full on some services. It will roll out six new premium services on Monday.

Sorry for post in Chinese, will try to translate some of it: 小型车拥车证成价　最后一刻才突破一元 李静仪 (2008-05-08) 　　市场对新车需求疲弱，导致三大汽车组别的拥车证最低成功标价连续第二期全面下跌，跌幅比上一期还要激烈。 　　其中，中小型汽车组（A组）成价昨天更是

1. Whether it is Value for money to the rich ones or just simply your favourite premium brand, tell us why you vote for it? 2. IMHO, the Two Bs (BMW and Benz) are certainly very successful global premium brands, what do you think that make them more successful than the rest? 3. Jaguar has been taken over by TATA, do you think it will diminish its brand appeal? 4. Why do people think safey, think Volvo? Are we saying the safety features of the rest are not as good as Volvo? 5. Saab has recently won the car of the year 08 by car buyers' guide. Do you think it has what it takes to beat the rest in term of popularity? 6. Audi, probably one that produced an A4 2.0L with just 130bhp. Do you think its new TC A4 will prove us wrong? Thank you very much. Regards,

Any bros can offer a slight idea what's the deduction we'r talking about? looking to downgrade my picnic and get another OPC ride. currently have another m3sp normal plate.

Which shield U take. I w ntuc incomeshield w no ncd n some more want to increase the premium oso ask to upgrade n again more premium wtf. think of change policy. ntuc so ppl here do u take ntuc or aia, ge etc... (dono how many insu offer medishield) which policy to take any adv. i can take only 1 or more policy???

I was still driving my beloved Nissan Sunny EX_Saloon just yesterday.. This is what I drove back to my house today!! Haha.. Once back, changed rims which I had transferred from my Sunny and DIY respray gold.. Then Wash, Claybar, Dura #101, Dura #601, Dura #105.. Just finished and later going down to enjoy my new ride more..! I just love the purple/gold combi..

Hi. My car swerved and hit another car (SAAB) back door while avoiding a BMW that suddenly cut into my lane and ran off. I would like to know approximately how much will my HSBC insurance premium (0% NCD) currently at $1.5k and excess ($250) increase to after third party and I claim from it. Any bro with insurance policy experience please help. Will writing an email to the insurance company stating that it's not my fault that the accident happened and ask no increase in premium help? Thanks in advance.

Dear all, For those that missed this out .... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Aug 7, 2007 Car insurance premiums likely to increase Rise of 5% to 10% possible, as higher claims lead to underwriting losses By Lorna Tan, Finance Correspondent ST ILLUSTRATION: PAUL ERICA ROCA HIGHER premium rates for car insurance look almost certain, after the motor sector suffered a second consecutive quarter of losses. Rises could be between 5 and 10 per cent, according to one insurer, as the industry battles higher claims. Motor underwriting losses for the three months to June 30 totalled $27.8 million, against a profit of $3.6 million a year earlier. That brought the motor sector's six-month deficit to $42 million, against earnings of $14.5 million a year ago, according to the General Insurance Association of Singapore (GIA) yesterday. The losses came despite an 8.5 per cent rise in gross premiums in the first six months of the year to $391.9 million, from $361.2 million a year earlier. Last year, the motor insurance portfolio incurred an underwriting loss of $625,000. That was after two years of profits, which had led to a decline in premiums. But the past two quarters of red ink means the motor insurance sector will experience a 'significant loss' this year, a result unacceptable to GIA members, said the association's president Derek Teo. He said: 'We can see that both the frequency of claims and their severity are increasing on the motor account. As I have warned before, motor premium rates will have to rise and it is only a matter of time before they do so.' Market observers said major insurers such as AIG and NTUC Income are 'very likely' to increase premiums because of sustained losses. Both insurers have a combined motor market share of 48 per cent. An Income spokesman said the cooperative will raise car premiums by 5 to 10 per cent on average, to reflect its claims experience across the different segments. In the last six months, Income has seen a 'deterioration in its motor underwriting results, which is reflective of the industry's experience', he added. Income's motor market share grew to 24 per cent in the second quarter, from 20 per cent in the preceding three months. AXA Insurance Singapore - which accounts for 13 per cent of the motor insurance market - said it has made a profit on its portfolio so far this year. Chief executive Patrick Font said AXA has not moved motor prices significantly. The insurer's policy is to adjust pricing up and down continually. 'We ensure that each customer pays the right price when they come on board,' Mr Font said. The malaise in the motor sector is affecting the entire industry. In the first half of the year, underwriting profits for the general insurance industry slid to $87.5 million, from $108.7 million in the same period last year. This was despite a 14 per cent rise in gross premium income to $1.34 billion for the first six months of the year. The GIA attributed the decline in underwriting profit to 'a steep rise' in motor claims. Motor is the largest single class of general insurance in Singapore, accounting for almost 30 per cent of total premium income. On a brighter note, the long-term, money-losing class of Workmen's Compensation is showing signs of a turnaround. Gross premium income in the sector rose to $124.2 million for the first half of the year, from $94.6 million a year earlier. The overall underwriting loss for the first six months of this year fell to $5.1 million, from $8.1 million for the first half of last year. [email protected]

It's usual sunday and most wet markets are packed with peoples doing marketing for the week. No exception for parking spaces as most car parks are full and vehicles waiting for their turns. But this unique premium cab is one step better by occupying 2 lots in a MSCP off Lor 6, Toa Payoh. This so call "premium" cabs drivers are supposed to be good drivers with excellence records so as to project good image of SG to tourist but show its ugly side when comes side by side with fellow Singaporean. It was a very selfish act of the cab driver for occupying 2 lots knowning that sunday is a day where most marketing is done and car parks around the market are always full. This driver need to be send for a parking re-test. I purposely leave the taxi number on the picture so as any member of MCF who by profession, drives the same kind of taxi from the same company, please inform the driver of his selfish act on sunday at MSCP off Lor 6, Toa Payoh. (Lor 7 wet market)

What's your premium, with which company and what coverage?

May i noe is it the same as normal cars?

Hi guys, I am just curious to know whether the recent stock market plunge will have any effect on COE premium. Next COE bidding closed on next Wednesday (22/08/07) Please vote and give reason why you think so. Thanks

maybe the comparison is wierd cos different category of tyres. but because of the inferior compund used in the Thai made model as claimed by users in other threads, will I get better performance from the Continental? size in question is 195/55/R15. Wet Grip is highest priority.

Dec 21, 9:53 AM EST Toyota launches new hatchback in Japan AP Photo/KOJI SASAHARA TOKYO (AP) -- Toyota Motor Corp. on Thursday launched an up-market hatchback in Japan targeting aging baby boomers, as the carmaker's president said domestic sales for 2006 "were slightly behind" sales for the previous year. The Blade hatchback, powered by a 2.4-liter engine, is its highest-class hatchback to date and carries a price tag of 2,247,000 yen (US$19,000) to 2,772,000 yen (US$23,460). The world's second-biggest automaker said the main targets of the Blade are those who have already finished raising their children - a rapidly growing consumer group in aging Japan. The model will be available only in Japan, according to the company. At the launch, Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe said domestic sales "were slightly behind" last year's unit sales. He said he would speak in more detail at a press conference scheduled for Friday. Analysts say Toyota is on track to surpass General Motors Corp. in the coming years to become the world's No. 1 automaker. Last month, Toyota announced plans to boost global sales to 9.8 million vehicles in 2008. GM sold 9.2 million vehicles worldwide in 2005, the second-largest volume it that company's history.

Hi Fellas, I am car noob and would like to seek second opinions on car selection before I buy (will be sometime this week I seek). Above are the 2 cars I shortlisted: Latio Premium sedan - Very nice and big interior - 10k cheaper - Not very nice exterior Civic -Power -Nice exterior -Better resale value (?) -$$$ Can the bros here give me some advise on which one to pick.. Thanks Much

BT 21/5 MOTORISTS face higher insurance premiums as insurers are suffering what they say are alarming losses. General Insurance Association president Derek Teo said yesterday: 'While there are some grounds for cautious optimism on some areas of our business in the first quarter of this year, the important motor account continues to produce underwriting losses at an alarming rate.' The GIA issued its quarterly report card on Friday, showing a 7.65 per cent rise in gross premiums in the first quarter. The gross premium income of GIA's 29 member companies was $670.66 million, against $623.02 million in the first quarter of 2006. But rising claims and expenses caused a fall in underwriting profits by 9.4 per cent or $54.5 million. Motor insurance, the largest single class of general insurance here, saw gross premium income stay flat at $195.7 million. But underwriting performance turned from a profit of $11 million in the first quarter of 2006 to a $13 million loss. 'We advise motor policyholders that our industry can no longer sustain these kinds of escalating losses in a market which is such a key component in our business. Motor insurance premiums have been too low for a considerable period and these unsustainable losses must be corrected. 'Singapore motorists can expect to pay more to insure their vehicles from now on.' GIA data showed that net incurred claims among its members climbed 14 per cent. Management expenses also rose by 10.9 per cent. In the fire segment, gross premium income fell by 6.4 per cent to $97.4 million. Underwriting profit was flat at $9.8 million. Workers compensation saw an 18 per cent jump in gross premium income to $60.7 million. Losses on the account were reduced from $4.4 million to just $182,000. There were some bright spots for some classes of insurance. In the marine hull sector, gross premium income was up at $18.3 million, and underwriting profit jumped 193 per cent to $6.6 million. Personal accident insurance recorded a gross premium income of $73.9 million, a 23 per cent rise. Underwriting profits doubled from $10.5 million to $21.1 million.

hi all, i managed to clock 18km/l last week travelling frm east to west everyday. my ride is 2006 august latio premium. usually get 15-16km/l with 70hw/30city. hopefully can get better after 15k km servicing with fuly syn oil.