10 March 2006

Sports Cars Belong to the Rich. Sometimes.

"Next year, I want a Ferrari!"


Here's a hilarious post by Moomooman (although he may not have intended it as such). I reproduce it here because it does reflect something about what I wrote about Singaporeans and the five C's. Moomooman writes about his brother-in-law's quest to drive fast cars and own pedigree dogs:
Year 2002.

My younger brother-in-law after just started work, bought a Honday Integra Type R for about $120000. For the uninitiated, it's just a 2-door Honda. For the initiated, Type R is probably an engine variation that only available via parrallel import.

However, back then my brother in law only earns about $2500 gross. After deducting for CPF, he took home about $2000. But his loan for the car was $1500. His annual insurance was about $5000.

His loan to the bank was rejected back then. And he actually ask me to help by being his GUARANTOR.

Nabeh. I myself drive a normal car and I must be the guarantor for someone else sports car.

I remember back then he basically skip meals and only eat at home. And he takes the MRT to work. YES... I repeat TAKES THE MRT TO WORK.

Of course, the then girlfriend was also helping with the car financing.

Year 2006

Late last year, he bought a new dog. It's one of those expensive looking dogs imported from Australia. I dunno the pedigree of the dog. To me, Dog is Dog. Just like vegetables are vegetables. He claimed to spend about $4000 to bring in the dog. It's one of those dogs that people will walk them around estates in Bukit Timah to show off.

Of course, again he ask me to help as under HDB laws, he is not supposed to keep that kind of dog. Bo bian lor, lend him my address to register.

He even named him after one super branded luxurious car. Not only that, he often sent him to dog competition, hopefully to win some top dog prize.

I guess my brother in law must be doing well lah. I mean every dog has his day.And so, he recently exported his Honda. With car prices plunging lately, he decided that it makes dollar sense to change his car, like what everyone else is doing.

So he recently placed a booking for a SUBARA WRX for $100,000. Over the weekend, he was still choosing a nice number for his car, thus paying $1000 to bid for it. Well, that is what rich people do sometimes. Buy a performance car and bid for unique number.

My father in law was questioning him about he need to buy such cars.

He replied in Hokkien, something along the line of "What to do, want a "ZAO CHIA" (running car), have to pay that kind of money".

I jokingly tell him that he should then buy a Nissan Sunny. Can also "ZAO" what, about 80km/hour. Somemore, he can buy 2 of them. One "Zao" on Saturday, rest on Sunday, the other one "zao" on Sunday. Or better still, both him and his wife can "zao" together.

Of course, such wisecracks are often not every popular with ah Beng. But that's me. My nephews in law hate me. And I dislike them to the core.

Anyway, yesterday my younger brother in law call me. I only just about received 2 calls from him in the last 4 years. Both on the same topic.

NABEH. His loan is rejected and he need me to be the guarantor.

7 comments:

Dr Oz bloke said...

haha! Yeah it's damn funny. But I guess that's what people do. At least his brother (in law: means works in law or brother-in-law?) has a passion and is happy.

In the end I realize living in Singapore is about spending money and buying things. I mean what can you do here? Ice skiing? Trekking?

sigh.

Gilbert Koh aka Mr Wang said...

Mr Wang lives in Singapore and some of his past & present interests which involve spending no or little money include:

blogging
swimming
running
yoga
meditation
chess
reading
playing the guitar
singing
writing poetry

Oh, and if you are bored in Singapore, there is always Malaysia, Thailand or Indonesia over a long weekend.

Anonymous said...

One is a fool for living beyond his means and if the other decides to be his guarantor, then he would've been the bigger fool. Bankrupts looking for a place to happen.

moomooman said...

Oopps... luckily I dun think my in laws has the intellectuals to find your blog or to think I'm related to them.

Heng ah.

Dr Oz bloke said...

"blogging
swimming
running
yoga
meditation
chess
reading
playing the guitar
singing
writing poetry"

Well Mr Wang, you're right. There are many things to do which are free.

No wonder Tampines GRC MP Sin Boon Ann said "It's interesting how many of you (old people) are still thinking about finding or sustaining employment. Why not retire early and enjoy life? If it's a case of finances, what are your expectations?"

He added: "I suspect in Singapore, our expectations are set by the pace of life. A lot of pleasures don't have to cost the sky. For me, it can be just bringing my family to the beach."


I guess you and he are right. I should do more of these "free" things and be happy.

Cheers!

moomooman said...

actually, I do agree with anonymous that I'm a bigger fool. I must admit that I lived with constant worry that he might not have the money to pay up after paying for MRT fares.

But 4 years have passed, and I think I can sleep better now.

Bernard Leong said...

The story is amusing. When I first come back half a year ago, I told myself that having a car is a liability even I earn twice the amount than those who have one. However, after getting crap from taxi drivers over the half year, I actually thought of a car. Still through some thinking, I have managed to convince myself out of getting it, and my gf actually thought that I don't need one too and advised against it. I should just stick to 50% peanut rule, i.e. when I am earning about 0.5 peanut, then I should consider a car.