Replying to Avatar Disturbia

in Malaysia, cars are barely affordable but an absolute necessity because of lack of last mile in our public transport system. the average monthly individual income in 2023 is MYR4300 (about 915 USD per month or 10980 USD per annum) while the most basic new car (model/brand : Saga Proton) cost MYR43000 (about 9150 USD). That means Malaysia need to fork more than 2/3 of their annual salary to buy a car. unfortunately, a lot of Malaysian regard car as a status symbol. Many consider buying a honda a necessity and willing to pay about 25% or more of their monthly salary for car installment.

how about your country?
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Low Information Voter 2y ago

Here in Australia, the cheapest new car is about 1/4 the average income. So much easier for us to buy a car.

But the yearly registration fees, taxes and compulsory insurance here are much higher than in Malaysia, or even the USA. The cost of maintainence and repair is more expensive still. And the cost of government inspections of a car after you repair it before you can drive it on the road again... Too much. Cheaper to buy another car.

If you live in a rural area here, you must have a car - the distances are so much more than in Malaysia, it can be 50 km to the nearest supermarket, and there are no minibus services.

But I now live in a city with good public transport and bicycle paths. My e-bike can get me anywhere nearly as quickly as my car.

I haven't been to Malaysia in many years, but my impression of even KL is that it is designed for road traffic only. Even in the city centre, the footpaths are not useful for walking far.

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Disturbia 2y ago

all you said is true 🥲😞