Sports Cars

Honda Civic Type R - $11,566 ($108,000 - $96,434)
Subaru Impreza WRX 2.5 - $26,879 ($85,388 - $58,509)
Mazda RX8 - $31,349 ($121,488 - $90,139)
Volkswagen Golf GTi - $36,574 ($128,900 - $92,326)
Audi TT 2.0T - $36,690 ($195,000 - $158,310)
Porsche Cayman S - ($254,233 cost)
BMW 630Ci - ($201,063 cost)
Maserati Quattroporte - $82,776 ($380,000 - $297,224)
Ferrari F430 - ($471,647 cost)

Civic looks like a good deal. Try to get the rest second hand.

S300 vs 730i

BMW 730Li - $65,850 ($288,800 - $222,950)
Mercedes S300 - $83,733 ($295,888 - $212,155)

It's less obscene than it used to be. Still, don't be a fool.

Civic 2.0 vs Sylphy 2.0 vs Lancer 2.0

Lancer 2.0 - $10,744 ($68,988 - $58,244)
Civic 2.0 - $15,725 ($84,800 - $69,075)
Sylphy 2.0 - $22,166 ($87,500 - $65,334)

Seems like the Lancer wins.

Small Executive Sedans

Jaguar X-Type 2.1 - $30,270 ($135,000 - $104,730)
Lexus IS250 - $40,415 ($145,000 - $104,585)
Mercedes C200K - ($119,244 cost)
BMW 320i - ($121,251 cost)

Large Executive Sedans

Volvo S60 2.0T - $35,641 ($137,000 - $101,359)
BMW 523i - $40,094 ($183,800 - $143,706)
Audi A6 2.0T - $41,078 ($180,300 - $139,222)
Mercedes E200K - $44,085 ($179,888 - $135,803)
Lexus GS300 - $44,920 ($183,000 - $138,080)

All these cars are comparable except for the Lexus, which has a bigger engine. The 'steal' here has to be the Volvo, which is so much cheaper. However, percentage profit would be obscene.

Medium Family Sedans

Kia Cerato A - $8,389 ($52,999 - $44,610)
Hyundai Avante - $10,339 ($61,398 - $51,059)
Daihatsu Materia - ($51,929 cost)
Toyota Corolla - $12,594 ($64,988 - $52,394)

Which Large Japanese Saloon To Buy?

Here's the latest figures from LTA: Dealer's profit (list price - cost price)

Honda Accord 2.4 - $3,939 ($94,000 - $90,061)
Honda Accord 2.0 - $9,286 ($90,000 - $80,714)
Toyota Camry 2.0 - $14,902 ($95,988 - $81,086)
Hyundai Sonata 2.0 - $16,082 ($72,398 - $56,316)
Toyota Camry 2.4 - $18,251 ($103,988 - $85,737)
Nissan Cefiro 2.0 - $18,287 ($91,000 - $72,713)
Nissan Cefiro 2.3 - $18,829 ($96,000 - $77,171)

What I don't understand is why the Cefiro costs so much less than the Accord.

Another Senseless Shooting In USA

They should have one of these every week until the people there wake up and demand gun control. Stupid news article didn't even mention the issue.

New Ford Mondeo

My first impression of the new Ford Mondeo was that it had a resemblance to the Aston Martin, or maybe the new Jaguar XF. Nice.

The Wisdom Of Ostentation

I really do not begrudge people the pleasure of owning a luxury car. However, borrowing money to buy one is misguided (to put it mildly). In fact, they are doing a great public service in the form of taxes (ARF) paid.

With the silly money being made in this property boom, luxury cars may be a good way for people to blow their wealth without causing inflation in other sectors of the economy. And it would be good for all Singaporeans (taxes lah). Taxes pay our ministers, pay for civil servants, pay for infrastructure, add to our reserves, pay for NSS/ ERS etc.

So, buying luxury cars is a good thing. Don't be jealous of that guy behind the wheel of a Ferrari, be happy for him. And grateful.

But coming back to the title, ostentation is bad. If you truly enjoy the dynamic abilities of a BMW, go for it. If you're buying a Merc to pick up chicks, go for it. If you're trying to make up for lack of looks... erm. Life isn't fair, but you shouldn't rub it in other people's faces. Don't flaunt it.

Look at that, I'm rambling. Bottom line, I'm trying to put a positive spin on luxury cars.

Forza Motorsport 2

I really can't wait for FM2 to come out. 303 cars to own and modify to your heart's desire. This game will really justify my refusal to waste money on a luxury car. Why bother blowing so much money on a 911 (or whatever is your poison) when you can have your pick in this game? And push it (them) to the limit, and beyond.

Imagine, the $100k you 'save' by buying an Accord, Camry or Cefiro (all decent cars) instead of a mundane Merc (1.8L?!) or a more dynamic BMW, could fuel a buying spree that would boggle your mind. A new handphone every year? No problem. Holidays 3-4 times a year? No problem. In fact, you'd have to force yourself to spend $10k a year.

Even then, you'd still get to drive Ferraris (F430, F40, F50, Enzo...), Porsches (various 911s, GT...), Lamborghinis, Paganis, Aston Martins... even the Subaru Impreza WRX S204 (but I think that one only comes with the collector's edition)! Modify various components, apply thousands of layers of decals, race against other people online (a humbling experience, that).

The furthest I would go is perhaps the Lexus GS300. But knowing the profit margin the dealer makes, causes me to think again. I hate giving away money. In case you didn't know, of all the 2L cars sold in March, the one with the lowest percentage dealer margin - Honda Accord 2.4. And the margin goes up to insane levels for the bigger Mercs and BMs, $80k-$90k. Don't believe me? Check out LTA's website.

Check out the pic. Almost like real life.

Speeding Van

I was driving along the AYE at about 3am today, going about 80kph in the middle lane. Suddenly a gray Vito (I think) blew past me in the right lane. He must have been going at least 100kph.

I figured the poor chap was in a hurry to earn money. Some people do struggle to put food on the table. Then I wondered how he would manage without a driver's licence. Even worse, in jail after killing someone in an accident. Oh well, as long as I'm not the victim.

On a lighter note, this a screenshot from the upcoming Forza Motorsport 2 for Xbox 360. It looks almost real...

Gallardos Galore

I was at Ministry Of Sound on Friday, 190107, where I saw 19 Lamborghini Gallardos. Quite an amazing sight.

I confess to feeling slightly envious but I'm certain I'll never spend so much money on a car. The insurance on each car alone is more than $9000!

I don't think I'd buy something like that unless I had more than $50 million. :)