(Older) 2nd hand cars

[HeikkiL]

Thinking about getting a 2nd hand car for the rainy work trip days, and was specially interested in older (well older in local way, at least) W124 Mercedes' (early '90s) or later W210, that seem to come with decent price tags. It wouldn't be our only car (Mrs uses our '17 Mitsu Outlander Sport, so that is to use when reliability needed) and would be just as much a hobby / therapy vehicle as a personal transport. Still most of the days the scooter would be the No. 1 means of office-and-back transport anyway, so km would be very low.

And the question is... How does the insurance etc. issues go with older cars? Is it possible to get full cover insurance or at least some kind? What are the drawbacks (not counting the need of service & parts - remember the 'hobby' part!)? Or do I just grow up, buy one of those Karimuns and forget the 'hobby' part?

 

[Smallworld]

I wanted to go via that route of having 2nd hand car but I quickly realized that some cars here are so much maybe not used as simply abused. If you still want to buy, better buy 2nd hand car from a family member, friend... ect. Low-mileage means nothing in Indonesia if you consider massive traffics here.

I've seen some cheap "made in china" cars in Bandung price starting around 100 jt. It is a good start... new + plenty of things can break = good for your hobby.
Insurance is not compulsory here... and you should not have any problems to get full comprehensive one for your car.

 

[HeikkiL]

I've seen some cheap "made in china" cars in Bandung price starting around 100 jt. It is a good start... new + plenty of things can break = good for your hobby.

Somehow 'cheap car made in China' does NOT sound very desirable hobby object at all... There is hobby and there is masochism.

 

[waarmstrong]

Buying a 25 year old Mercedes as a reliable 2nd car/weekly driver strikes me as ill advised. Take the same money and buy the latest model year/fewest kilometers Avanza/Zenia you can buy for the same money.

 

[nosox]

well, as a guy who spent 10 years and thousands of dollars on a 20 yr old Jaguar, I'd recommend some thing a bit newer.... unless you are intent on following this "hobby".

 

[steveandpenny]

And a hobby like that can bankrupt you lol. Mercedes parts are crazy expensive. A freind had to pay 800 dollars for a fuel pump. Idiot wanted to keep it orginal

 

[Smallworld]

Somehow 'cheap car made in China' does NOT sound very desirable hobby object at all... There is hobby and there is masochism.

Don't worry you can always engrave made in german on the place of made in china, change few labels/symbols here and there and .... no one will know, right? And it is new, with the intoxicating smell of new plastic. Besides you said for reliability you have outlander. ....and it is only half the price of 30 old Merc.
On top of it you will gain tremendous experience:
You will get fluent in reading blueprints of the car's design, become master of gluing and welding. Rocket scientist will become your nickname. Became well know individual in their service center and other benkels extending your circle of friends. After a while you will notice you can speak fluently Chinese. You will be a well know actor in all sort of drama movies since you can "cry on demand" after countless bills, bank account checking and car breakdowns. With Nordic appearance and countless fixes on the car your physique will shape to reassemble Thor. With one hammer in your hand you will learn some blacksmith skills to undo all the bends and dents in the overcrowded streets of Indonesia making a car accident a non existent problem. Waiting in a traffic will be a pleasure as you can fix this and that on the fly in slow moving traffic.

 

[HeikkiL]

well, as a guy who spent 10 years and thousands of dollars on a 20 yr old Jaguar, I'd recommend some thing a bit newer.... unless you are intent on following this "hobby".

Been there, done that - had a couple 15-20 year old Jags back in Finland (as well as half-a-dozen Mercs with similar age) so it's not totally unknown world. Heck, had more problems with my brand-new Chevy-Daewoo than any of the Mercs.

Jags, however.. Well let's say not dreaming about those anymore.

 

[HeikkiL]

Take the same money and buy the latest model year/fewest kilometers Avanza/Zenia you can buy for the same money.

Avanza/Xenia? If I want a ride with those ones I'll order a Go-Car or Grab!

Well more seriously speaking we already have a reliable, comfortable and spacious family vehicle, most days I go to work with scooter anyway (and distance is around 5 km), so use of 2nd car is absolutely minimum; maximum once per week. See it more as a therapeutic black hole that can suck me away from everyday issues for an hour or two...

 

[brian@bekasi]

Well more seriously speaking we already have a reliable, comfortable and spacious family vehicle, most days I go to work with scooter anyway (and distance is around 5 km), so use of 2nd car is absolutely minimum; maximum once per week. See it more as a therapeutic black hole that can suck me away from everyday issues for an hour or two...

If it makes you happy and you can afford it, why not!

 

[Smallworld]

Been there, done that - had a couple 15-20 year old Jags back in Finland (as well as half-a-dozen Mercs with similar age) so it's not totally unknown world. Heck, had more problems with my brand-new Chevy-Daewoo than any of the Mercs.

Jags, however.. Well let's say not dreaming about those anymore.

I didn't know you have any experience. That is changing a lot. Yea.... I would say go for it, get a Merc. As for the insurance I have seen some simply don't want to insure cars above specific age. But it is still roadworthy and legal to drive here.

 

[waarmstrong]

Avanza/Xenia? If I want a ride with those ones I'll order a Go-Car or Grab!

Well more seriously speaking we already have a reliable, comfortable and spacious family vehicle, most days I go to work with scooter anyway (and distance is around 5 km), so use of 2nd car is absolutely minimum; maximum once per week. See it more as a therapeutic black hole that can suck me away from everyday issues for an hour or two...

Sorry, I suppose I should have surmised from the choice that you were looking for a hobby more than a transport value.

 

[beebop]

2nd hand cars are almost the same price as new cars here, especially when you count in the costs of the changing ownership process. Older 2nd hand cars are almost always shot to hell. They are mostly serviced only by "ganti oli", and nothing else.
My advice is buy new, unless you are an ex mechanic who can restore cars.

 

[waarmstrong]

Our experience with used cars is pretty much the opposite of Beebop's. Along with appearance and performance, service records more so that mileage seems to be the key. Regular service, especially oil change, records are available simply by providing the VIN number to the dealer. Of course, one has to find a car that has been serviced at the dealer, which is a hurdle, but not a high one.

Checking with the dealer is a good way to confirm that the odometer is registering correct mileage, as well.

(My comments are anecdotal only, based on the purchase of 3 used cars in Jakarta over the years. Our last was a new car purchase, in 2012, so perhaps things have changed.)

 

[HeikkiL]

My advice is buy new, unless you are an ex mechanic who can restore cars.

x We have a new Mitsu already
x Been tinkering with cars and motorcycles for 35 years. rebuilding several

Still the question wasn't about reliability / price etc. of older cars, but how easy is it to get insurance etc. Is there an age limit (car, not the driver, that is...) for full insurance cover?

 

[harryopal1]

While keeping an eye out for a good, old Mercedes maybe keep an eye out for a really poor condition Mercedes with an eye to strip it given the cost of new replacement parts.

 

[Teabag]

@HeikkiL Why do you want to buy and drive a German car in Indonesia ? Fact is, if you have major trouble with her, then no one can really help you due to the lack of knowledge. Maybe for the old cars this is not such an issue but I never would do that. Why not a 1 year old car from a cheaper brand ? The chance, that you have less trouble is big.

 

[HeikkiL]

Now I feel like Don Quijote vs.the windmills... Does anyone read any further than the title line?

@HeikkiL Why do you want to buy and drive a German car in Indonesia ? Fact is, if you have major trouble with her, then no one can really help you due to the lack of knowledge. Maybe for the old cars this is not such an issue but I never would do that. Why not a 1 year old car from a cheaper brand ? The chance, that you have less trouble is big.

• We have a new car; reliable, comfortable, roomy etc. etc. 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport (Made in Indonesia btw) for everyday driving. Also 90% of my work rides I do with a scooter (new, reliable, comfortable and Made in Indonesia).
• I have built-up / restored / fixed several W124, W210 and even two R170 Mercedes. Plus loads of other brands.
• The old, cr@p, money-eating behemoth (= imported car) would serve mainly as a hobby plus vehicle for Sunday drives.
• The question has been mainly about insurances, NOT about is an old Merc etc a good buy in Indonesia (because even I know it is not, but man has to have hobbies; some drink, some smoke, I do wrenching...).

Next one suggesting an Avanza will get a virtual eye-balling, not a written reply...

 

[Teabag]

Now I feel like Don Quijote vs.the windmills... Does anyone read any further than the title line?

@HeikkiL : Sorry, just wanted to bring up my message counter.... but hey, now I have read all the posts....

 

[waarmstrong]

x We have a new Mitsu already
x Been tinkering with cars and motorcycles for 35 years. rebuilding several

Still the question wasn't about reliability / price etc. of older cars, but how easy is it to get insurance etc. Is there an age limit (car, not the driver, that is...) for full insurance cover?

I found that auto insurance is a novelty in Indonesia. (You can easily confirm that by getting rear-ended by a local driver.I would be surprised if he or she had insurance.) Never had a really, really old car, but getting insurance was pretty easy and not very expensive. The annual premium was based of the value of the car. We always buy insurance including uninsured motorist coverage; kind of a necessity, especially for bules.