Korean Job Discussion Forums

[indramayu]

I'm thinking of buying a small second-hand car (like a Matiz) in Korea -- 3 1-3 years old. Here are a few research questions.

1) Have others bought second-hand cars in Korea?
2) Do many people buy second-hand cars? Who buys more (Koreans or foreigners?
3) Is there a pretty good market for them (selling/buying)?
4) Is the market big enough that there's enough quality second-hand cars (not just really beat-up, accident cars)?
5) What's repairing them like? Are there enough mechanics in Seoul (independent and the official garage (for example, Hyundai service centre)? What's the price of spare parts, tow trucks, etc.?
6) Where are the places to buy second-hand cars in or around Seoul?
7) Are there online second-hand car markets?

Thanks. Im

[ntchimy]

1 2 3. Yes. I did. Since it's Korea the number of Korean who buy and sell second hand cars is big, and the market is big. You can see places that just store and sell second hand cars, they are huge.
4. For sure, you just need to buy from reliable person/source, it's expensive to buy from shop but less a/s risk and cheap to buy from person with more A/S risk. You can choose to buy a rather new one like 1-5 years old and then use it some years before you sell it off (the price of car usually reduces about $1000 every year used) or to buy an old cheap one like under $2000 to use and discard it later (beware of repairing fee).
5. There're places for repairing almost everywhere.
6. Usually Encar store and other places do not locate in downtown Seoul but Gyeonggi.
7. Try www.encar.com and choose English. I bought my car at Encar Daegu last year, usually about $500 more expensive but you can trust the car profile.

[indramayu]

(1) Who is the Encar Agent? He does charge 10%.
(2) Is there one place which holds most of the Encar cars OR are they spread all over Seoul? I'm wondering if I can visit a place to see the cars myself.
(3) How can I search to NOT include options (leather seats, sunroof, etc.)
(4) What mileage would you recommend for a 3-year-old car? 2-year-old?

[quanglam]

Take a look here, http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?p=2683048#2683048