Singapore Visit

ipapilot · 01-19-2004, 06:22 PM

If there are any Pelican heads in Singapore who would be up for talking Porsche next Sunday or Monday, PM me to talk about getting together. It may take a couple days for me to get back with you, but I will. I think I will be staying at the Pan Pacific and would love to meet up for a few brews,
Brian

Joeaksa · 01-19-2004, 06:24 PM

Brian,

I went there earlier last year and really enjoyed it. Only bad part is that there is a real lack of any old cars! Seems that there was a push on years ago to get the older cars off of the road and it worked too well!

Joe

moazam · moazam's Garage

I won't be there but just some recommendations....

Make sure to go to Bugis Tower and eat at some of the restaurants in the basement. The crepes place there is real good.

There is another shopping center which has a Buddhist temple right in it, I don't remember if it is near Sim Lim, but the little vendors there have excellent Malay food.

If you like Indian/Pakistani food, go to Clarke Quay and eat at this place called "Bukhara".

ObPorscheTalk> I only saw about 2 Porsche 911s in Singapore, but I was only there for a week. Saw 2 Modenas and a super nice VW Beetle though.

moazam · moazam's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Joeaksa
Brian,

I went there earlier last year and really enjoyed it. Only bad part is that there is a real lack of any old cars! Seems that there was a push on years ago to get the older cars off of the road and it worked too well!

Joe

The law there is that you can't have a car older than 10 years.

If you want to keep a classic car you have to pay ALOT in fees. The folks over there with older Porsches and VWs must be very dedicated enthusiasts.

ipapilot · 01-20-2004, 05:16 AM

Joe and M, Thanks for the recommendations. I was not aware of the laws on older cars, but I guess that explains alot. I've been there several times in the past, but this coming Sunday I've got a 45hr layover. Most of my other layovers are around 24. Anyway, M, I've been to Clarke Quay before, visiting Hooter's of course, but will give the Indi/Paki place and the Bugis Tower a shot.
Thanks guys!
Brian

moazam · moazam's Garage

Here is a thread about a car I saw in Singapore while I was there....maybe you'll see it again.

It's a really amazing looking car..the person who owns it seems to have put in alot of work and he probably puts in even more money for licensing fees every year or so.

VW Bug with Porsche rims?

Joeaksa · 01-20-2004, 07:01 AM

Brian,

Who do you fly for? Atlas or one of the airlines? I was there for 4 days this past year (fly a corporate Challenger) and was really bummed as I had hoped to find some old Brit stuff there. Was able to find a old parts store that had lots of NOS stuff for my 69 Jag I am restoring but that was about it. Now trying to get a flight to Sydney for more bits!

There is a excellent Mortons steak house there, along with other places. You have to make it to Raffles for a drink of course....

Joe

singpilot · 01-20-2004, 02:13 PM

People think I sing.

The ID is from being based in Singapore for 2 years many years ago.

Lived on Yishun in a penthouse. Flew out of Seletar. Recognize some of te places mentioned here. Have fun down there.

Michael.

ipapilot · 01-20-2004, 04:44 PM

I fly a 757/767 for UPS. I'll be in and out of Singapore and Taipei for the next week and a half. I'm sitting in Narita at the moment. I've been to Singapore several times in the past few years, but never really had much of a layover. Unfortunately it doesn't sound like I will be running into too many Porsche lovers there...Oh well, guess I'll go to Raffles and cry in my Singapore Sling!

Joeaksa · 01-20-2004, 06:04 PM

Also some nice buys on silk and such in the markets!

JoeA

ThePuf · 01-20-2004, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by moazam
The law there is that you can't have a car older than 10 years.

That's not entirely correct. What happens is that when you buy a new car, you have to apply and buy a Certificate of Entitlement along with it. Only a certain number of COEs are available each month and you bid for it. Current COE prices are considered quite low at around US$15,000+(!!!)
These COEs are valid for 10 years. Upon expiry, you have the option of either scrapping the car, exporting it, or bidding for a new COE that is valid for another 10 years. At the end of that you can renew again if you want, at the prevailing COE rate.

You can renew the COE for 5 years only but this means that at the end of that period, the COE is no longer renewable and the car is scrapped/exported.

In terms of road tax, cars that are 11 years old pay 110% of normal tax. 12 years = 120% etc until a maximum of 150% of normal road tax. For comparison, tax on my 89 911 is around US$2,900 per year.

SO, yes the cost of owning an old car in Singapore is prohibitively expensive, but it doesn't stop some gearheads from following their dreams and bankrupting themselves!

As someone pointed out, it does mean that you don't see many old cars on the road, which is a shame.

I think I'll stop here

Puf

moazam · moazam's Garage

ThePuf, you guys are definitely hardcore.

I must say that we have it pretty easy/cheap here in USA, relatively speaking. Of course the food in Singapore was better.

ThePuf · 01-20-2004, 07:07 PM

Moazam,

How much do you pay for road tax, out of curiosity?

Puf