Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ucfvgirl]

For your information:

I was in the process of buying a car when I was confronted with some information I wasn't too happy to hear. Here's what I was told it would cost me for my car: 900,000 for the car, 150,000 for inspection, 300,000 to 500,000 for insurance (however, because of the year and size of the car, I was told the insurance would be in the lower end). So let's just say the total is 1.45 million won.

Well, today after finding out all of the REAL information: 900,000 for the car, 100-150,000 for inspection, 80,000 for registration, 500,000 for insurance (and that's after a discount), and about a 70-125,000 service fee (to pay a middleman who is Korean to help me register the car). REAL Total: about 1.7 million won.

So for all of you out there, please do your research BEFORE you decide to get a car. And if you can help it, do it on your own, with the help of a Korean friend/coworker. Avoid using middlemen or dealers. It will prevent any surprises like I was faced with today. Oh yeah, I decided not to buy the car because I didn't like the fact that I was informed of all of the extra costs the DAY BEFORE I was supposed to purchase the vehicle.

[VanIslander]

[peppermint]

DAMN insurance is cheap there! I bought a car last week, and have to pay $1200.00

[JongnoGuru]

[Gideon]

INSURANCE??

I own a 2001 Hyundai Tuscani GTS Super.. And the insurance on this car is very expensive by korean standards. I pay 1.4 mil / yr for coverage. Sure its a 2 dr sports car but damn thats fairly high for car insurance in korea.

BUT..

Back home the insurance would almost double for the same model and year, so i cant really complain except for the gas prices!!

Before, i owned a Hyundai Scoupe 2dr, first generation sports car and the insurance ran me 700,000.. not bad at all.. Now Hyundai's 3rd gen model costs a lot more, not only in terms of insurance but gas (80,000 fill tank) up from my scoupe (40,000).

Anyone looking to purchase a new model vehicle in korea should reconsider unless your on the long term plan. Although the upside to having a vehicle, at least for me is all about personal space. I enjoy commuting in my car where i dont have to put up with crowded subways trains, smells of kimchi and soju the night before, buses, taxis, ajumas constantly bumping into you as if you dont exist, people running for the subway every morning ( why run when they come every 2 minutes - makes no sense to me).. ect.... i could turn this into a rant but i'll stop now.

[JongnoGuru]

[SuperHero]

[Gideon]

Yes i must agree that at times driving can be stressful, which is one of the reasons why i shouldnt have bought the my car.. for example the other day..

It was a nice sunny afternoon, just before rush hour.. I'm stopped at the traffic lights waiting for the green left turn arrow, got the tunes on and the sunroof open, windows down to let in a breeze. My day is going pretty good up UNTIL the light changed to green arrow..

NOTE: There are 2 lanes for left turning. Next to me is a Sorento (SUV)

I proceeded to make the left turn at a prudent speed when this %#%$HOLE!! of a driver in the Sorento decides half way threw the turn to move into my lane without even looking.. He cuts me off and forces me into the oncomming traffic lane. I lay on the horn and he doesnt even acknowledge my presence.

So what do i do?? Hes got me really pissed!!

I decide its time to light up the GTS SUPER and tach it to 7000 Rpms pull out in front of him, which by no choice um in the oncomming traffic lane for about 3 seconds.. enough time to lay smoke and let him know what hes done..

Btw.. it was an male, because at the next set of lights i get out of the car and yell at him.. course he thinks um a total lunatic.. oh well .. um sure he #%$# himself when he saw me comming..

Ok ok ok... i know i have road rage.. its a bad thing especially in this place..

[I-am-me]

I got a car a few months ago. Cost me $900 plus registration fee. Insurace runs about $600 yr. for old 91 kia. I didnt pay any middle man a cent. Got mine from car dealer outside of air force base.. korean guy lived in american and knows we dont like to be screwed over. I too didnt really want to have a car. Everyday is a nightmare to park around my apartment. Yes....the koreans will make a left hand turn from two lanes over and not even notice you are there. Best thing though is to follow the taxis and buses and just go through the red lights. Gets me to work a minute faster.

[Hyeon Een]

[ucfvgirl]

All I wanted to do with my post was to ensure that others don't end up with the same situation that I had.

I live on a VERY tight budget here because I have student loans to pay. So, yes, the amount could be considered NOT THAT BIG OF DEAL and if I didn't have my loans to pay, then I would probably feel the same way. But when you are expecting one thing and are completely prepared for that and all of a sudden you are told something else, it is a little hard to swallow.

I am not trying to rant and rave. I am just trying to spread the word to other foreigners to become FULLY aware of all the obsticles that might come when you try to buy a car. I have decided to wait until I return from my vacation in Canada to buy a vehicle. I am lucky in that I don't have to commute very far to my work. I just wanted a vehicle for weekend exploration/camping trips, trips to COSTCO, other grocery shopping and to visit other parks in my area. I now have a dog and it would be nice to take him out to places that are not accessible without a car.

I appreciate everyone's comments and suggestions. I realize I should have looked into everything further and like I said, a lesson was learned.

[randomwhiteman]

Gideon, kind of off topic, but what do you think of the Tuscani. I'm moving over in about a week, and I'm getting a Tuscani while I'm over there. Not exactly the compact I'm used to in the US, but figured it would be a better option then the SUVs guys at work over there were trying to sell me on (I pretty much get my choice of just about any car over there, but pay the same flat fee regardless of the model I get.)

[milf]

900,000 for a car? What kind of car is that? That's way too cheap.

Isn't the average like 20 million to 50 million?

[I-am-me]

Let me get this straight....she is in korea paying off stucent loans...she takes a vacation to canada...then she complains about car expenses. What am I missing here? I really hope thhis girl is saving for her future somewhere along the line.

[JongnoGuru]