OMG, no COE!

I was reading news online about my home and came across news that the COE prices have dipped slightly.  Back home, COE, or Certificate of Entitlement, is a highly sought after piece of paper that allows the bearer to buy a car.  Being a tiny dot of an island, the COE was devised by the government to limit car ownership and control the number of cars on the road.  Residents would have to bid for their right to buy a motor vehicle and the number of certificates are deliberately restricted.  Since first implemented in 1990, the prices of the COEs have increased, especially in the last 5 years.

As of yesterday, the price of a COE for a big car is SD$85,216, SD$58, 800 for small cars and SD$1,890 for motorcycles.  Those prices are only for the right to buy a car, so a Toyota Camry would cost SD$160,000.

It's such a coincidence for me to read the news and the discussion that ensued, which for most part consists of the citizens venting their anger and frustration at the government's handling of the situation.  It's a coincidence because just before I plonked myself down in front of the computer, I tagged along with Pete and his mum and sis to look at used cars.  His mum wanted to buy a car so we tagged along since Pete and his sister didn't want her to get ripped off or something.

She had already searched online for a car and found one that she liked.  Pete and his sister suggested going to used car dealerships to look at more cars, so that was what we did this afternoon.  And boy, coming from the land of COEs (my family car cost SD$90,000 for a Mazda 3), what an eye-opener for me.

We found Volvos, Audis, BMW, VW and Merc for just a fraction of what the COEs cost.  Yeah, they have probably been through multiple owners and some are really old but they are still serveable.  We went to three places and I found some nice ones that are hardly SD$20,000.  It's a pity I have no driver's license or I would also have bought one on the spot.

Public transport is rather good here.  The buses and trains are clean and on time.  There's more than enough buses and trains for the passengers (I only had to stand in the bus on only one occasion since I got here) and the commute is smooth and fast.  For now, I am happy just taking public transport.  But in future, maybe I could take some time to get that license and a car.  Comparing the prices here with those back home, I am really tempted to do so. 

Anyway, after looking at the cars, Pete's mum still opted to buy the car she first had her eye on.  It's '93 Mazda 626 with a detachable hitch at the back to harness a trailer to the car.  Although it is an old one, the interior was clean and looked well maintained.  As she drove us home, she said that she loves the feel of the car.  And I agree.  The maroon car suits her and the ride was smooth.  The best part, it costs just SEK7,000 or roughly SD$1,400.