Buying a used car - what is to be considered

[make_batik_great_again]

Thanks again for the advice and the discussion here some months ago. I thought I share my experiences after more than 6 months with the new car...maybe it is helpful for other expats who consider the purchase of a car here in Indonesia for the first time later.

In the end, we decided for a Daihatsu Sigra X. 1.2 litres. For us, so far, it seems to be the perfect decision. We did not regret so far. Since we have a child, we use the car for three people most of the time. Enough space for baggage or if you want to buy food/drinks in stock for a few weeks or so

Also mountainous area is no problem with three people (despite only 1.2 litres). Not tried yet with more people Flat area with 5-7 people is also no problem.

Regarding wear and tear I cannot tell much yet, since it has only been a little bit more than 6 months so far.

I think for people who do not have very high expectations on a car, Sigra X is a good solution.

 

[Bad_azz]

Thanks again for the advice and the discussion here some months ago. I thought I share my experiences after more than 6 months with the new car...maybe it is helpful for other expats who consider the purchase of a car here in Indonesia for the first time later.

In the end, we decided for a Daihatsu Sigra X. 1.2 litres. For us, so far, it seems to be the perfect decision. We did not regret so far. Since we have a child, we use the car for three people most of the time. Enough space for baggage or if you want to buy food/drinks in stock for a few weeks or so

Also mountainous area is no problem with three people (despite only 1.2 litres). Not tried yet with more people Flat area with 5-7 people is also no problem.

Regarding wear and tear I cannot tell much yet, since it has only been a little bit more than 6 months so far.

I think for people who do not have very high expectations on a car, Sigra X is a good solution.

The Sigra, I believe is exactly the same as the Toyota Calya, which is the car we had first here, it was ok. (They make them in exactly the same factory with the same parts.)
The downside for me (after a while with the Calya):
I found the gears to be sticky and being tall, I found visibility a bit awkward, with my head just about touching the roof.
But yep, an ok car, nice enough,functional, economical but prone to stalling doing hill-starts - a lot! & I say that as someone who has been driving for 40 years.
- I have the Rush now and found it far superior to the Calya, a smoother ride, automatic trans, more headroom, lots of space for my monthly shopping trips for items including 20kg dog food sacks- but double the price to buy and that is an important factor to consider when on a tight budget.

*sorry, I just reread my previous post & it was a bit repetitive.
Anyway, glad you are enjoying the car.

 

[jstar]

Unlike other parts of the world where Daihatsu is more autonomous and has its own unique models, in Indonesia Daihatsu is mostly a cheaper version of Toyota. Obviously the badge engineering can work both ways, so a Daihatsu-design also becomes a Toyota or vice versa.

The moment you realize that, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to go for a Toyota if there is a Daihatsu version available. Unless you’re into gengsi of course. The residual value of both brands are similar in the long term but if you plan to sell after 6 months to a year -which is amazingly stupid in the rest of the world but what can be very smart in RI- the Toyota is a bit of a better choice. Also if you want to take your car to Sulawesi or Bali for instance.

So, don’t take a Raize but go for a Rocky. Take a Terios instead of a Rush. Have a Sigra instead of a Calya. Buy a Xenia if you want an Avanza. Or do whatever you want.

The big trend for online taxi’s as Grab and Go, are the Sigra and Calya. They are much cheaper than the Avanza and Xenia and really not that much smaller. They’re also 7-seaters (well, 5 adults + 2 kids is more realistic) and only slightly smaller. For elderly people they‘re sometimes even better since the seats and entrance are a tiny bit lower so they don’t have to climb in and out.

As in the rest of the world, the ‘MPV being replaced by a SUV’ is also a trend in RI. In fact that means the same technology with less inside space and a seemingly off-road ready exterior, thus making the image more manly. Examples are the Rush and Terios which in fact are practically the same as the Avanza or Xenia. All Japanese brands do the same of course, look at Nissan, Honda and Mitsubishi, they all have ‘cross’ versions. That is something to consider; you will pay extra for the looks only.

With the macet and chaos here I would never go for a manual but would select an automatic anytime. It will keep you from having a numb leg.

 

[nardo]

Yes , we are hoping to get a new Roxy (Rocky) 1.0 turbo Auto... Further to Jstara's post ...The Toyota Raice is the same car as the Daihatsu Roxy (that is how it's pronounced in Indonesia) and funnily enough it is the more expensive Toyota that is the rebadged... I have had both the Avanza and the Xenia previously. Both the same car but rebadged also, the difference being the Avanza was imported and the Xenia assembled in Indonesia from imported parts and imo, suprisingly, much better value and quality! Used cars in Indonesia hold their value very well. In fact they are sometimes more expensive used! It pays to shop around, some dealers are offering exceptional discounts...

 

[make_batik_great_again]

It pays to shop around, some dealers are offering exceptional discounts...

Yes, and it can also make sense to shop around in other areas of Indonesia We ordered our car for example in Bali although we live on Lombok. Saved us around 30 million IDR. Even if we consider the costs for the flight to Bali and the ferry costs for taking our car back to Lombok we saved a lot in the end.

 

[jstar]

My brother in law always buys his cars (e.g. Hilux and RX) in Jakarta and gets them to Sulawesi. In the end it is cheaper but don’t forget the number plate (STNK) is region specific and needs to be changed which requires some administrative work (and money) also.

 

[fastpitch17]

My brother in law always buys his cars (e.g. Hilux and RX) in Jakarta and gets them to Sulawesi. In the end it is cheaper but don’t forget the number plate (STNK) is region specific and needs to be changed which requires some administrative work (and money) also.

Probably why half the cars bought used never change registrations from the previous owners. With the automatic ticketing program, guess who gets ticketed? Not the current owner.

 

[BliGundul]

Which means fussy, not to be patronising or anything

...nor condescending, perish the thought.

 

[Helpful Herbert]

Probably why half the cars bought used never change registrations from the previous owners. With the automatic ticketing program, guess who gets ticketed? Not the current owner.

Although the current owner will need to pay it if the old owner doesn't because the STNK cannot be extended without paying off any ticketing fines. Or to put it differently they add it to the cost of the STNK extension.

 

[mas_dam]

The big trend for online taxi’s as Grab and Go, are the Sigra and Calya. They are much cheaper than the Avanza and Xenia and really not that much smaller. They’re also 7-seaters (well, 5 adults + 2 kids is more realistic) and only slightly smaller. For elderly people they‘re sometimes even better since the seats and entrance are a tiny bit lower so they don’t have to climb in and out.

Sigra and Calya are indeed the dominant models on Grab/Gojek.
Another trend is the usage of very small cars: Daihatsu-Ayla / Toyota-Agya. Depending on your preferred seating position these are quite uncomfortbale because the back seats cannot recline/are very upright.

It also rarely happens to get a driver using Daihatsu Luxio minivan. It's a very large car but surprisingly uncomfortable seating position in the back due to elevated leg room/low seating position.

The All New Avanza is very comfy!