Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Who's Your Daddy?]

I am wondering if any of you have an imported car. I see some old ones on encar.com that are pretty cheap. But I'm wondering about the maintenance costs? Generally for my domestic car I find maintenance cheap, but what about the foreign cars?

If it matters I was looking at a U.S. car.

[IS-F]

If you're buying it new, usually dealers offer free or very cheap maintenance for a set period of time (or up to a certain amount of kms) which include check-ups, oil changes, a/c filter change, etc. Issues that arise with the engine are fixed free of charge as well. I think this goes for any new car, domestic or foreign. I bought my IS250 in 2007 and the service has been great in terms of maintenance and check ups.

I'm not sure about used cars though. I imagine that U.S. cars would be the same or only slightly more expensive to maintain than domestic models. I could be wrong though.

What kind of car are you looking to get?

[Who's Your Daddy?]

Something like this:

http://www.encar.com/dc/dc_cardetailview.do?carid=5529975

I like big cars, and I don't live in a big city (Seoul), so parking is okay:)

[IS-F]

[Underwaterbob]

You want to buy a Cadillac and you're worried about paying for maintenance? You remind me of the fishermen back home who have a brand new huge dodge in the driveway, a fancy new 4-wheeler in the back yard and a house that's falling apart.

Live within your means people.

[Who's Your Daddy?]

It's only 15K; it's definitely in my means. I already own my house here. Not everyone is new in Korea, some of us are well established.

[IS-F]

[supernick]

Find another ride, like a Ford 500 or a Taurus. You can find them for under 20 million.

Cadillacs and Lincons are expensive to maintain outside of Korea, too,

Keep in mind that your American import is to be fixed with American sized tools, and if you don't know, the rest of the world became metric a long time ago.

[Who's Your Daddy?]

Oh I like the Cadillac's and Lincolns. That sucks.

I didn't know they needed different tools for repair. Thanks for that info.

[supernick]

[dethe]

Had a ford here. Basic stuff was crazy expensive. Oil change was 160,000 vs Kia for 60,000. Seat motor was 800,000 or something. Got rid of the Ford and got a kia. Imports are nice cars but up keep is like 200% higher then a Korean car.

[eamo]

The Korean car market and servicing is set up so that it's much more sense to buy new Korean cars.

If you're after bang-for-buck then a new Korean car is the way to go.

Anything else will cost more. That's how Korea protects its car market.....you think they're gonna give good deals on non-Koreans cars here!

If you want a big sedan think about the new Equus or Genesis.......maybe the Kia K7 will do....

But I must admit, it would be cool to vroom around in a big imported car.......I just can't do that though because I know I'd be getting ripped off here, there and everywhere.

[AsiaESLbound]

[conyo]

My Harley is mostly metric. I have never had an issue...then again they sell my bike here too.

Most American cars in the past decade have been making the switch to metric bolts.

I believe the Caddy he is looking at has a Northstar V8 in a Front Wheel Drive layout. I would be concern about the trans. I think the vehicle was replaced by the DTS so I'm guessing it might be over 10 years.

[OiGirl]

There are mechanics that are certified for servicing of foreign cars. My former mechanic worked on Fords. I'd often have the only Hyundai in his shop.