learningchapters:

OCBC 365 used to be good until they cut the rates... twice. I have been using POSB everyday card for the cashback.


Anyone knows what is the best card for cashback? I don't travel often, so not getting any cards for the miles.

If you use >$3k per month, then stanchart Manhattan card offers 3% cash back. But got cap at max $200 per quarter. Too complex and difficult to keep track in my opinion.

stanchart has a new unlimited cash back card that offers 1.5% cash back, i heard.


What is the best card for on-line purchases?

Apart from chromecast, i bought a screen mirroring box about 2.5-3 yr ago. It’s smaller than my wallet in size.


It was really useful. was able to stream video, photos, etc. from phone/tablet to the TV. Kids were happily enjoying watching 神雕侠侣 and 射雕英雄传 from youku streamed from my phone.

My father was also happily using it to show the photos he took during his trips, to my mother. He even asked me to bring it along when visiting relatives, so he can show it off…

Only later, when w bought those android box, then stopped using the screening box.

Funz:

Already decided on the car. Now just monitoring the COE. I still have 2 years left on my car, so still have a bit of time to wait and see.

OK. Then good.

Just hope for the best, or see whether the dealer will have any genuinely special promo then go in lor. The previous stats showed that 2019 will likely see another peak for COE premium. But of course things change all the time, so not sure if that will still hold - but I'll play safe and try to avoid the possibility...

Funz:

It is indeed frustrating. I am also looking to get a new car and was hoping that the COE will head south a little but it went up instead. Now just hanging on to see what happens in the next 2-3 bids. If still hover around this amount, then no choice, bite the bullet and buy.

Well, the harsh reality is that there are probably quite a few people out there who think exactly like you lor (I did too), and this is the other factor that will help the govt prop up the COE premium, complementing their \"keep it high through policy changes\" strategy.

Have you decided on which car to get if the price is right?

Anyway, if ever there is a significant drop of let's say $6k or more (which i seriously doubt), the trick is to quickly go book the car you want as early as possible. Get a guaranteed package if they have one. Note that within that 10 days or so (from new price released after bidding ended, till next bidding start), dealers can and are likely to adjust the prices according to demand. If there's a significant drop of, say $6k, they might reduce car price by maybe $3-4k (few will give the full $6k) initially. Then if by the first weekend lots of people chiong to book, they will likely up the price by $1-2k or more than once...

So it's important to decide on which car first. Then once the price/timing is right, go in first to get the best deal.

And it helps to find out from the various dealers what's their best pricing package like. Some will offer overtrade, some will impose a penalty/surcharge if you don't take their loans/insurance, etc. Add up all very complex and difficult to compare.

oliviachng:

any idea whether if it will ever become cheaper? they are changing the way it works because of the emission subsidies right?

Frankly i'm no longer sure. Every time there are signs that a sustainable down trend is likely, the govt will do something to break the hope...

I was pretty sure the premium would start going down bit by bit, and steadily from late 16 onwards, as all the indicators pointed to it. And I was even betting on it - when my previous car expired in Apr 16 (COE hasn't started to drop yet), i even decided to buy a 9-yr-old car to drive a year, confident that it's ok to pay for a car with high depreciation for one year only, in return for a chance to get a new car with lowered depreciation for 10 yr when COE drops.

And of course just as it might just starts to happen, Govt announced that they were relaxing the loan curb and that resulted in a large group of buyers who previously couldn't come up with the cash downpayment for a new car, to join the fray to get one! The results? COE went back up, with a new constant increased demand.

And from the fact that there was no big increase after Jan's motor show, which indicated lowered demands, it again hinted that COEs might drop again. Then govt had to take the unprecedented move to postpone COE bidding before the recent budget, frightening people (like me) to go book first, in case Govt would announce unfavourable measures (like cut quota), forcing further hikes.

Looks like the saying that Govt is heavily dependent on this lucrative COE premium payable, might have some legs...

gracie80:

CNY period tends to be the lowest for the entire year. that's what I've observed.

a lot of people are waiting for the price drop that may never come.

It has been a trend that many people hope to drive a new car during CNY, so the bids before that will likely be higher. Then during CNY, it could be possible that fewer people will go and book cars as they are busy with visiting, etc.

Then again, this Jan there was a motor show and by right there should have been some orders/backlog from it. It's strange that it didn't go up, so it might be a sign that people are holding back and hoping that COE might drop steadily. But if there's any significant drop of about more than $3-5k, people will rush in and that will provide a support to prevent further fall.

Haven’t been here recently, and looks like there’s been some discussions.


Nowadays, for old cars, the ‘value’ is quite ‘difficult to understand’. There are some owners with cars that are only 3 yr old (has 7 yr left), but dealers might offer only a few thousands above the scrap (PARF) value, which is ridiculous.

When you try to buy a 9 year-old car (1 yr left), you might have to fork out about $10k above the scrap value though, mainly due to uber/grab snapping up old cars to rent out.

At the end of 10 yr, you’re left with scrap value (Govt/LTA will refund you) and body value (ranging from $50 to a few thousands, depending on the car model) which the scrap firm will pay you.

The COE looks like it might go down steadily back in early Feb, after CNY, when after a longer-than-normal 3-wk, the bid prices were lower than expected - despite there being some backlog from orders collected during the Jan motor show.

Then of course LTA had to frighten everybody and delay the last bidding for 2 days, causing panic as prospective buyers worried that the budget announcement will result in quota/growth cut and other negative measures that will cause COE to shoot up. So that weekend saw lots of people going to book new cars, and sure enough, COE rebounded a bit…

I was one of those who was sitting on the fence, before taking the plunge and booking a new car, as my current car is expiring in June. Was spooked by the LTA delay, as well as the uncertainty of whether the bidding might drag the whole 3 mth and therefore cut too close to June, so took the safe bet and booked first. Quite surprised that the dealer secured the bid at the first go. Now will have to wait for the car to arrive in April.

With the budget turning out to be a false alarm, my take is that COE should resume dropping maybe in another 1-2 rounds. But Singaporeans will rush in to buy, should there be any big drop, thereby supporting the COE rates…

Let’s see what happens today…

Afternote: just realised there’s no bid today, as it’s been delayed by a week till next week…

This is bad…


Now to boycott disney, coke, and dunno what else will come along…

MrsKiasu:

Can I check if we need to do anything before the final service under warranty period?


Need to get a third party to help check the condition/parts of the car?

Wah, so extreme meh?
Don't really need lah. But if got whatever obvious problem, then better bring up immediately and don't wait.

I once told Borneo Motors that the leather seat for front passenger has hardened. They actually changed the leather of that seat!

ChiefKiasu:

Funz:

Yesterday while driving to work, I made an illegal U-turn. After turning, I went oops! 2 cars behind me making a right turn was a neighbourhood police patrol car. Nevermind, not their department so I was ok. Right after that, double oops. Right at the junction in front of me after I made that U-turn was a TP, but heng ah, he was busy booking pick-up.

Scarly he took a picture of you then how? Wait for another 3 days before you heave that sigh of relief hor...

If really never kanna summon, then can use half of the $150 (not sure exact amount) to go and buy 4D. That way, good chance can make some $$ to cover for future not-so-lucky situations.