to buy or not to buy now...

[Vulcanl]

Even,

"...2:30-3:00pm and it's p!ssing down as usual..... now try to get a cab to take you to Jurong.

The problem is, let's say.... i take the little one to school, have a breakfast appointment with a client, need to go to the bank, get back to the office to tidy up some stuff then have a sales or service visit in Pasir Panjang, Tuas or Sembawang..."

1. You are using an extreme situation to justify an irrational purchase (a car).  It's kind of like Americans who live in urban areas purchasing SUVs..."just in case it snows really hard one day" 
2. Most residents don't own a car here and somehow they get on happily, even in situations more extreme than the one you describe above
3.  Taxis are not as scarce as you state

"...Few people live above an MRT/Bus Interchange..."

You don't have to live directly above major transport links....just close to them - and savvy renters/homeowners do just this

"..., work 9hrs in an office, don't need to go anywhere else and live completely dull existences. The car takes me everywhere i need to go in a reasonable time, including easily over to Malaysia, and I can get far more accomplished in a single day..."

I disagree.  Most residents here don't need to leave the island on a regular basis, and most residents anywhere in the World do live pretty dull existences!!

Even the rare scenario that you have attempted to concoct does not make the purchase and maintenance of car a sensible decision here.

[Vulcanl]

No Hassle,

"...No bloke. Not welfare at all. It's called being paid what you are worth. Something you SHOULD understand..."

What if I have decided that I don't NEED to earn what 'I am worth' and instead can be perfectly happy with less than market rate? 

Have you considered that in accepting the car as compensation you are short-changing yourself, given that is next to impossible to obtain full utility out of the car?

[to vulcan]

As usual you are being ridiculously dogmatic and happy to claim the whole world is wrong except you.

Most locals don't have cars because they can't afford one, same with condos.

Whether it represents value to an individual depends on their circumstances not your blinkered view that the size that fits you should fit everyone else.

[No Hassle]

What if I have decided that I don't NEED to earn what 'I am worth' and instead can be perfectly happy with less than market rate? 

Have you considered that in accepting the car as compensation you are short-changing yourself, given that is next to impossible to obtain full utility out of the car?

Question 1: Your issue, not mine. Live with it but don't expect me to do the same.

For Question 2: Not at all. Love the convenience and use it when and how I choose.

In all, life is great.

[Vulcanl]

"...As usual you are being ridiculously dogmatic and happy to claim the whole world is wrong except you..."

Am doing no such thing.  We are merely having a conversation and having a difference of opinion.  The end result will be that we have considered a new perspective and from that have been enriched.

"...Most locals don't have cars because they can't afford one, same with condos...'

This is a grand oversimplification that most foreigners make.  It is an incorrect assumption.

"...Whether it represents value to an individual depends on their circumstances not your blinkered view that the size that fits you should fit everyone else..."

Again, I do not agree.  There are absolute limits to all things on this Earth.

[Vulcanl]

No Hassle,

"...For Question 2: Not at all. Love the convenience and use it when and how I choose..."

So we are agreed!! A car is a 'convenience' and not a 'need.' 

"...In all, life is great..."

Indeed!!

[to vulcan]

"...As usual you are being ridiculously dogmatic and happy to claim the whole world is wrong except you..."

Am doing no such thing.  We are merely having a conversation and having a difference of opinion.  The end result will be that we have considered a new perspective and from that have been enriched.

"...Most locals don't have cars because they can't afford one, same with condos...'

This is a grand oversimplification that most foreigners make.  It is an incorrect assumption.

"...Whether it represents value to an individual depends on their circumstances not your blinkered view that the size that fits you should fit everyone else..."

Again, I do not agree.  There are absolute limits to all things on this Earth.

It was rather predictable you would disagree, that is because you are, once again, wrong.

As for most locals being able to afford cars and condos and just choose not to, I'd watch out for sniffer dogs if I were you.  Most can barely afford their HDBs and do so at the expense of ever accumulating a pension.

[Vulcanl]

to vulcan,

"...As for most locals being able to afford cars and condos and just choose not to, I'd watch out for sniffer dogs if I were you.  Most can barely afford their HDBs and do so at the expense of ever accumulating a pension...."

Is it really that difficult to imagine that Singaporeans (who could afford it) would willingly choose to forego car ownership?  There is really no room in your thinking for the possibility that most residents approach the situation logically and arrive at the conclusion that they just don't 'need' a car/private condo and thus don't buy one?

[Even]

Even the rare scenario that you have attempted to concoct does not make the purchase and maintenance of car a sensible decision here.

V,

It's not really such a rare case (I did that exact day last week, with a car) though I agree it's not everyday, just a lot. Singapore is built on trade so unless you're selling, buying, delivering or fixing there's not much else left to do here and that all requires transport.

If you see the road border between SG and JB you'll get the other reason for car ownership and then try to tell me that people are happy to stay? Travel/NATAS Expos are always packed out and the road borders at weekends can be crazy so perhaps it might just be you and those closest that are dull.

I have worked out that even though I do around 15-16,000kms per year and my car is certainly not the cheapest available (let's call it average) my total expenditure including purchase, sale, maintenance, insurance, petrol and parking is probably in the region of $55 per day.

My so called 'extreme case' as you called it would probably cost my in the region of $100 not including waiting time for taxis when it's p!ssing down. Definitely much less hassle.

[to vulcan]

Well you find it impossible to see anyone who places different values to you on things is anything but stupid.

Try practicing what you preach.

[Vulcanl]

to vulcan,

"....Well you find it impossible to see anyone who places different values to you on things is anything but stupid..."

I am not saying anyone is stupid...but people do stupid things sometimes (count me among them).  It does not make us bad people, and we shouldn't take things personally. 

We're just having a conversation here.

[Vulcanl]

Even,

I will admit that owning a vehicle for commercial purposes makes more sense than owning one for 'recreational' or 'personal' purposes.

[No Hassle,]

No Hassle,

"...For Question 2: Not at all. Love the convenience and use it when and how I choose..."

So we are agreed!! A car is a 'convenience' and not a 'need.' 

"...In all, life is great..."

Indeed!!

For me in my situation, it's a convenience, but a convenience that I'm not prepared to do without.

For others, it may be a need. Who know's ? Evryone's situation is different

[Even]

Even,

I will admit that owning a vehicle for commercial purposes makes more sense than owning one for 'recreational' or 'personal' purposes.

If I was any kind of guy I might ask if that was an apology for calling me stupid.

[Vulcanl]

Even,

See my reply #55 on this thread