I’m looking to buy a small, cheap, happy car to cruise around the outer reaches of Taiwan - those jewels inacessible by public transport, but also for short city trips. I’ve found info on the likely cost of the car, but I’ve no idea how much the hidden extras are likely to be. Stuff like tax, registration, insurance, annual mandatory servicing (if applicable).
If any of you wealthy folks have any info, it will be greatly appreciated.
Registration - negligible, done by the dealer usually, shouldn’t be more than a thousand, but I can’t remember anymore - anyone?
Tax - there’s road tax and the so-called fuel-tax, both depend on your vehicles size (cc), but together they usually don’t add up to anything you are probably used to
Insurance - depends on you, really. You can go for the cheapest coverage that will pay for next to nothing in case of a claim, that can be had for 2 or 3 thousand as far as I know
MOT, or road-test - a few hundred if I remember correctly, also negligible
Parking - can become costly in Taipei depending where you are, sometimes an aspect to consider
Gas - still cheap compared to Europe, US I’m not sure …
Traffic fines - can become an issue: speeding, red-lights, parking etc. - you better behave!
… plus the usual cost of maintaining a car like check-ups, repairs, tires etc. … Sorry, not many hard numbers here, but maybe an idea. 
Overall, from my experience, cheaper than in Europe. Maybe someone can breathe some flesh to these bones? Xpet.
I think this depends on the car in question, but I seem to remember paying somewhere in the neighborhood of NT$11K
For 2000cc, I think I paid several thousand NT$
Also depends on your car. If you want, you can get liability only for a few thousand. If you want the car itself to be insured, then it totally depends on the level of coverage you want. If you have an imported car, then this will skyrocket compared to if you have a Taiwanese built car. Note that even with the highest level of insurance, because the way that insurance is in Taiwan, you’ll only get a fraction of the fair market value of your car (usually around 60-75%) in event of a total loss.
I’d say you can get parking in most places of the city for NT$30-50 per hour.
At current rates, it’s about the same as US prices. Currently around US$2.70 per gallon for premium unleaded, although it is full serve.
I’d suggest investing in a radar detector, with all the speed cameras around.
Labor is ridiculously cheap compared to the US, and parts are cheap if they are for a Taiwanese built car, and about the same, or more expensive for imported cars.
When I got mine, there was at least $40,000 worth of “on road costs” added onto the already huge deposit.
…broke my bank a bit, at the time. Of course now, I’m totally broke. 
Why’s it so difficult to get a job nowadays???
(oops, way offtopic. should make a seperate thread)
The taxes go up quickly by engine size…
Owning a car here is more expensive than you think. For one thing, anything used as a rule has not been maintained as well as what you’re used to in your home country. Be prepared to change all fluids, and I mean everything, and would recommend changing the timing belt as well, unless the previous owner can provide proof that this has already been done. Expensive yes, but cheaper than throwing it and blowing your engine.
Remember also that when you puchase a used vehicle, you have to cough up for the taxes as well…At least from a dealer.
I pay 36,000NT a year in fuel and registration tax for my 3.2Liter Isuzu…Ouch! This is also one of the reasons used big American sedans are so cheap here, nobody wants to pay the taxes.
Check your sources, and realize that there are two car markets in Taiwan. One for those dumb enough to pay retail, and the other for those who know something about the local market…
Case in point; There is an ad for a 1989 Fiat Uno on this website for 50,000NT. I can find one for you for 13,000Nt, the price the government will pay to Bao-fai it. Do your research, and find a local to help you out.
If you are teaching English, source through your students parents. Many servicable vehicles go to the junkyard because they are worried about selling someone ‘an old car’. If you’re looking to drive on the cheap, then stick with a domestic vehicle. Toyota Corona, Ford Telstar are good choices. Avoid like the plague; Peugot, Opel, Fiat, Austin, Hyundai, old American boats and any van over 5-6 years old (rust). Many people look for used Honda civics here and they are reliable, but again body rust is a major issue. Also, look for cars with manual transmissions (far cheaper).
I saw a 1994 Toyota Corona for sale on Tealit for 60K…Not a bad price.
If you go through a dealer, remember that the price can be knocked down a great deal. Insist on taking the car to your mechanic for inspection, and if they refuse, WALK OFF THE LOT!
Good luck with your search, and happy driving whatever you end up with!
In 1965, an American sedan such as a chevy, black, bench seat, 6 cylinder, stick could be imported, driven for two years, and then sold for twice what you paid for it! 
[quote=“Michael J Botti”]The taxes go up quickly by engine size…
[/quote]
…especially over 1.8 liters. And the taxes go up most every year, but some years <1.8 stays the same…
The used angle? Buy local made, Ford, Yuelong, Sanyang (local Honda) and the cars are simple, service is cheap and so are parts. Toyotas are very reliable, but parts are more expensive. When the value of a vehicle comes down to about the NT$50k mark, people tend to stop paying the taxes or getting them inspected. Finally they give them away to anyone who’s willing to pay the back-taxes and fines. Check carefully what’s owed on the car at the DVLC. If you buy from a dealer you will get ripped off. Simple as that. Either the car will be junk, or it will be too expensive. Look out for flood damaged cars, and those with perfect bodywork draped over a twisted chassis, but they have a thousand tricks. If you know an honest mechanic then take him to look at prospects. The dealers pull stunts that will fool the punters, but not the pros.
If your car is more than 3 years old it’s not worth getting full comprehensive insurance. If it’s over 5 years old it’s probably only worth having 3rd-party insurance.
If you live in Taipei you’re either going to have to pay (thru the nose) for parking, or learn the game of parking in the narrow alleys for free. Of course there are another 4 million cheapskates competing with you for those spaces. The sneakiest and most thick-skinned win. In this game having a car that’s already dented and scratched is a great advantage 
I forgot to add the most important part…
FIND A GOOD MECHANIC !!!
One of the most frustrating things about living in Taiwan is the lack of decent mechanics. Labor costs here are rising, but the quality of service is not. Don’t assume for a second that an English speaking mechanic is any more qualified…
Most mechanics in Taiwan are trained on the appprentice system…Kids fresh out of Jr. High School start with the ‘shit work’ and then work up over time. If the ‘Master’ is shoddy, then he simply passes down his mediocraty to the next generation. They’ll pass judgement on your car’s condition as if from the hand of god, and then forget to put half the bolts back.
There are some talented wrenchers out there, but they are few and far between. Pick yours carefully as he’ll have a major impact on your car ownership pleasure.
Good luck.
Amen on that one. You know when they put the badges of a dozen different car makers on the sign outside? That doesn’t mean they know how to fix them. Those are ‘kills’ claimed
Thanks for the info.
It looks like around NT$20,000 or so bolted on to the price for these expenses.
I’ve got some leads on halfway decent second hand cars from friends.
Not sure how easy it is to find a decent mechanic though. I suspect asking around will do the trick.
Thanks to all.
If you were down here in Tai\chung I’d hook you up with a good wrench in a heartbeat.
We have a 1988 Honda civic (a little rusty and ugly, but the engine runs well)! We pay 7,000 for license tax and 5,000 for the gax tax. I think the insurance was only 1-2,000. The car came with a good mechanic who had been servicing the car for several years. Aside from regular oil changes/check-ups (NT$1,500), emmissions checks (once every 6 months for old cars… NT$450), gas, the only other costs have been minor repairs (always cheap). We live outside of the city - so parking isn’t a problem and we have found that if we want to drive into town for dinner or a movie or something that the cost of parking for a few hours is always cheaper than taking taxis in and out of town. Parking could be a nightmare though if you live in the city or work in the city and park downtown.
FYI: the car will be up for grabs in two short months!! 
BFM, can you help me find it? I need an honest car mechanic who offers good quality, reasonably-priced service.
Can anyone recommend a good car mechanic in Tai/chung?
Thanks. 
Edit: Oh dear, I see it’s a wench/wrench joke. Nevermind. Well, anyway, wench, wrench, whatever; I’ll take anything at this stage.
Trying to get your nuts tightened, Mr Wolf?
Try this for some hidden costs:
http://WWW.HUBCAPCAFE.COM/ocs/pages01/vett6001.htm
I am restoring one like this except the interior is turquoise. Doing ALL the work myself but still scared to add up all the bucks I’ve spent. 
Sweet…
I did a frame up restoration on my 1970 Z-28 about 24 years ago…Can’t even imagine what it would be worth today. I think my cousin in LA takes top honors for the ultimate muscle car restore though…He’s got a 1970 Challenger 440 six-pack convertible.
Love to see some pics of your restore…Good luck.