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Should I buy a car?
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linky123



Joined: 12 Feb 2009

PostPosted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 2:53 pm    Post subject: Should I buy a car? Reply with quote

I just found out that I didn't need to bring the key deposit money to Korea. I was offered a job that pays hourly wages that ranges from 3.4mil to 4 mil a month but they didn't offer housing so, I assumed I had to bring like $5000 for key deposit and $1000 for living expense until the first pay. When I was offered a contract it specifically mentioned that the institute will shoulder the key money.

Now, I'm thinking about buying a used car. Can someone tell me the pros and cons of having an automobile in Korea?


Last edited by linky123 on Wed Feb 25, 2009 2:59 pm; edited 1 time in total
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pidgin



Joined: 31 Jul 2005
Location: Seoul

PostPosted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 2:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

pros: convenience and comfort in travel.

cons: upkeep and associated expenses


same as anywhere really.
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caniff



Joined: 03 Feb 2004
Location: All over the map

PostPosted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 3:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think it depends on where you live. I've had a car for a few years, and when I lived in Ilsan (suburbs of Seoul) I drove it alot and was happy to have it.

I've lived in Seoul for the last two years, however, and mostly it just sits. Public transportation here is often less hassle and cheaper. If I didn't already have it, I wouldn't bother buying one.
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pidgin



Joined: 31 Jul 2005
Location: Seoul

PostPosted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 3:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

caniff wrote:
I've lived in Seoul for the last two years, however, and mostly it just sits. Public transportation here is often less hassle and cheaper.


Yes but still nice for those weekends and holidays no?

I like the idea of driving overnight for hols (leave at 2~3am ish) to avoid the crunches. Hard to find decent public trans at those hours. Also, I like being able to return whenever the feeling comes over me, rather than per the ticket I bought, or when the station is open.

I guess all these things are obvious, but...
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caniff



Joined: 03 Feb 2004
Location: All over the map

PostPosted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 3:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

pidgin wrote:
caniff wrote:
I've lived in Seoul for the last two years, however, and mostly it just sits. Public transportation here is often less hassle and cheaper.


Yes but still nice for those weekends and holidays no?



Yeah, those are really the only times I drive it, and only then if I'm going out of the city or shopping for alot of stuff.
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pidgin



Joined: 31 Jul 2005
Location: Seoul

PostPosted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 3:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well, you are correct in it being dependent on where you live at any rate.

In Seoul, it's worth consideration, but its value / necessity are debatable.

In the burbs, it's useful and practical.

In the sticks, it's invaluable.
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michaelambling



Joined: 31 Dec 2008
Location: Paradise

PostPosted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 5:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Seoul is spread out with wide streets like L.A., making it good for having a car. But it has a subway, rendering a car unnecessary.

A car would be nice for weekly or bimonthly shopping trips, but the expenses outweigh the economic benefits, so it'd be more for convenience than thrift.

Outside of Seoul, it depends where you live. Out in the boonies, I have a car because I'm 15km from the closest "city". The battery died in it last week, and I've been going a little crazy stuck out here since.
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Rusty Shackleford



Joined: 08 May 2008

PostPosted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 4:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Depends. If money isn't an issue you should go nuts. You will be glad you have it on a few occasions. But you have to look at what price you would pay for those few occasions. If it's less than the price of the car, you have to ask if it's worthwhile. Overall travelling within Korea on public transport is very cheap. I taxi everywhere and still spend less a week than I would with a car, just on fuel. Let alone taxes and insurance. And trying to find a place to park the thing. Depends.
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nuorange



Joined: 20 Jul 2007

PostPosted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 4:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You can rent a car for pretty cheap - as little as 40,000 for a day for a compact. If you're only going to be here for a year, you may be better off renting a car for the trips you want to do, especially if you live in a major city.
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Jeff's Cigarettes



Joined: 27 Mar 2007

PostPosted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 5:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I don't want a car but might get a 400cc for around town (I live in the rural Everland valley). Why? When I go to Gangnam by 5002 bus out of Everland I get there in 30 - 40 minutes from the bus lane while passing a parking lot that is the highway. Probably takes 2+ hours to make the same trip by car. And, I only pay 1,600w. The bus stop is a 2 minute walk from my door. I love the Korean countryside!
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OiGirl



Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Location: Hoke-y-gun

PostPosted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 5:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Great for big shopping and trips out of town. Also, my husband's work, our church, and one school I teach at are all 1 hour+ by multiple buses, 30-40 minutes by car.
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bobbybigfoot



Joined: 05 May 2007
Location: Seoul

PostPosted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 6:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I vote No! Hell NO!

I'm so glad I don't have a car. Returned mine to the dealership the day before I left for Korea, getting close to two years ago now, and haven't looked back since. I don't worry about oil changes, gas prices, insurance, tread wear, brakes etc...

Why would I want to drive on the streets of Seoul anyhow? Why do that to myself? Nonstop congestion, lunatic drivers, stress. No thanks. Seoul has a fantastic subway system, decent buses. With a little planning, you can get anywhere you need to go.
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pidgin



Joined: 31 Jul 2005
Location: Seoul

PostPosted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 10:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

^ The OP has said nothing about Seoul Wink
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RokofKangnam



Joined: 20 Sep 2005
Location: Between a ROK and a Hard Place

PostPosted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 11:17 pm    Post subject: Re: Should I buy a car? Reply with quote

linky123 wrote:
I just found out that I didn't need to bring the key deposit money to Korea. I was offered a job that pays hourly wages that ranges from 3.4mil to 4 mil a month but they didn't offer housing so, I assumed I had to bring like $5000 for key deposit and $1000 for living expense until the first pay. When I was offered a contract it specifically mentioned that the institute will shoulder the key money.

Now, I'm thinking about buying a used car. Can someone tell me the pros and cons of having an automobile in Korea?


Nice gig, they got any more openings ?

Cool
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madxkilla



Joined: 26 Apr 2007

PostPosted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 11:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

i have a car and am glad i got one..
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