If you’re in the market for a used car, you will definitely want to check out the Motor-East EOY WAREHOUSE SALE!
Browse through their wide range of brands and models and pick a car that suits your needs.
With flexible financing, guaranteed quality, attractive trade-in deals and discounts up to $11,000*, what are you waiting for!
Visit them at bit.ly/2U7hL2V now to get more information about their end of year warehouse sale. Promotion ends on the 30th of November 2020. Limited units available.
The updated list of vehicles that will be available is:
Attrage
Axio Hybrid
Grace Hybrid
Mazda 3
Prius Hybrid
Shuttle
Shuttle Hybrid
Sienta
Sienta Hybrid
Ssangyong Stavic
Ssangyong Tivoli
Ssanyong XLV
Vezel Hybrid
Vios
Here are some of the cars on sale:
Motor-East Pte Ltd
31 West Coast Highway Lot 23 West Coast Car Mart S(117864)
Tel: 67772200
As you may know, petrol prices in Singapore remain unchanged despite the plunge in oil prices. According to Bloomberg, a barrel of West Texas Intermediate crude was at a record low of US$1.69 last Monday (April 20). While, Brent crude was at US$25.92 compared to the US$74 usual price 12 months ago.
If you are happy with the performance of your usual petrol, that is great! You can stay loyal to that brand. However, unsatisfied customers may still search for another brand. To save money during tough economic crisis, will mixing other brands of petrol harm your car?
A short answer – it will not. Usually, any commercially available gasoline that passes industry standards would suffice for almost any gasoline-powered vehicle. Putting a higher-octane petrol into your car will neither help nor hurt your car’s performance despite the variations among engines.
The answer may vary from person to person, even among drivers who own the same vehicular models. You see, some people are strictly following the required octane fuel that their vehicles need. This is often due to the engine incompatibility with additive packages in premium fuels. Nonetheless, the brand that will give you the best fuel economy for your driving habits is the best one for your car.
To determine this, you need to monitor your fuel consumption over two to four full tanks. How often do you have to refill your car’s petrol on a monthly basis? Throughout this time, make the conscious effort to note down any driving conditions that you may encounter. The objective is to establish an average of your fuel consumption. The next step is to factor the cost per liter of your chosen fuel and switch to the other brand. Consider significant differences between the two.
Image Credits: unsplash.com
For safety purposes, please do not let your fuel run down the manufacturer’s recommended rating for your car. Check your owner’s manual thoroughly beforehand to cover all your bases. At the end of the day, it is all about choosing the petrol that will best suit your car and your needs. Most of the time, brands have very little to do with it.
UNIQUE SELLING POINT: A dashboard camera has the ability to record any unforeseen events.
PRODUCT PRICE RANGE: Quality dashboard cameras can cost you hundreds of dollars. However, the cheapest one I saw was S$10 in Lazada.
The dashboard camera, better known as dash cam, is an on-board camera that continuously records the view of the vehicle’s exterior or interior. It can be attached in many spots including on the dashboard or on the windshield. Due to its suction cup or adhesive mount, dash cams are movable. Find a spot that will not obstruct your view while you drive.
Image Credits: Paul Townsend via flicker.com/creativecommons
Dash cams are useful for a variety of reasons. Firstly, it allows you to keep track of the exact location of your vehicle and the route it has taken. Secondly, it is your first line of defense when claiming insurance. It can record suspicious activities while you are parking or driving. Imagine capturing a video of a perpetrator vandalizing your car in the mall’s parking lot! A newbie driver will surely benefit from this feature.
2. PARKING SENSORS
UNIQUE SELLING POINT: Parking sensors covers your blind spots by detecting the obstacles while you park.
PRODUCT PRICE RANGE: The company Singtech produces parking sensors that go for as low as S$15 and as high as S$90. Each product has its own special features.
I have to admit! As a novice driver, parking is the area that I lack strength on. It is challenging for me to measure the approximate distances of each stationary car without having the help of a guide or a sensor. I am referring to the trusty parking sensors. These are proximity sensors for road vehicles, which are designed to alert its drivers of the obstacles ahead.
Whether you are choosing an electromagnetic or an ultrasonic device, a parking sensor is one of the optional car accessories that you must consider. You see, even veteran drivers have a lapse in judgement in difficult parking spaces. Having an SUV fit through a narrow space through parallel parking is another challenge! I cannot stress how large cars can benefit from installing said sensors. Preventing an accident or two can make your life easier.
3. BLUETOOTH CAR KIT
UNIQUE SELLING POINT: Bluetooth car kits provide a wireless mode of communication and entertainment throughout your journey.
PRODUCT PRICE RANGE: Bluetooth car kits are sold as low as S$8 at Lazada. While, premium quality devices are sold for S$80 and above.
The recent amendments in the Road Traffic Act entail a wider scope of restrictions on the usage of mobile devices while driving. Any driver caught holding hand-held equipment can be found guilty of committing an offense. The market has thought of a solution to combat this. Said solution is by using a hands-free connection such as Bluetooth.
With modern technology, Bluetooth provides a standard for wireless communication. It allows its users to talk while on the move without having to hold a physical equipment. This feature is worth investing on especially if you are fond of navigating through the city while listening to music or while answering important phone calls.
As I search the web for credible and affordable Bluetooth car kits, I found the brands Kinivo and Jabra. Kinivo (available in Amazon for US$35.99 or about S$50) gets power from the car’s cigarette lighter and connects to your radio through an auxiliary jack. It allows you to manage your playlist and acts as a speakerphone during calls. Thanks to its built-in microphone!
Let us move on to the user-friendly Jabra Drive. Jabra Drive’s voice-guided instructions tell you how to connect to your mobile phone. This Bluetooth car kit allows you to use the dedicated control buttons to answer calls. Furthermore, it lets you play your tunes too. It retails for a whopping S$98!
Image Credits: pixabay.com
Sometimes, a car’s extra features depend on the individual’s preferences. Are there any car accessory that we missed? Let us know in the comment section below.
Having a teenage driver is a breathtaking experience that can keep Singaporean parents awake at night. It is normal to worry about the safety of your child on the open road where anything can happen. Who am I kidding? Even my parents are terrified that I am driving as a young adult.
If you do not want to pay for increased insurance premiums or medical fees, here are three mistakes that you need to avoid…
MISTAKE #1: SETTING AN EARLY BLASTOFF
Ah, the teenage brain! How does one begin to describe the wiring of the “teenage brain”? For starters, it is marked by the significant to the rewards prompted by taking risks. Researchers from the University of Texas found that teenage brains were craving for adrenaline-fueled rewards. This explains why they lean toward extreme activities. The teenage brain may be harmful when mixed with the ability to drive a vehicle.
The minimum age to acquire a Qualified Driving Licence in Singapore is 18 years old. Just because your beloved can start driving at 18, does not mean that he or she needs to be behind the wheels at a young age! Having your teenager wait makes a financial sense. Time may not only give your child maturity, but it may also reduce your car insurance premium.
MISTAKE #2: PURCHASING A NEW RIDE
Most Singaporean parents want to give the best for their children. The idea of buying a shiny ride for your newly licensed driver may have crossed your mind as a devoted parent. You might rationalize your purchase by thinking that a brand new car is safer and more advanced. However, an expensive car costs more to insure. Not to mention, you are handing the responsibility to a fairly experienced driver. Are you brave enough to tackle these risks?
Let me highlight the total cost of owning a car (i.e., excluding miscellaneous, maintenance, parking, and petroleum fees). 10 years of owning a car may cost you about S$138,723. This whopping amount includes the Certificate of Entitlement, Total Car Loan Value, Road Tax, COE and PARF Rebate, and Car Insurance.
Consider purchasing a used car as a training ground for your teen. This will teach him or her the value of saving up. Isn’t it more thrilling to drive an impressive car with the money that you worked hard for?
MISTAKE #3: FAILING TO ENFORCE THE LAWS
As I said a while ago, the teenage brain is wired to embrace adrenaline-fueled situations and rewards. This factor may increase the risk of breaking the traffic laws and getting into vehicular accidents. Teenage drivers generally face greater restrictions than other drivers. The main restriction is the age limit.
Last year, a horrific accident involved an under-aged driver (i.e., aged 17) and a motorist at the junction of Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5 and Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park 2. The motorist was badly injured and his passenger died instantly. The teen driver suffered from emotional distress after realizing the gravity of his actions. He was even bullied online. Under the law, the penalty for hit-and-run accidents is a fine of up to S$3,000 or imprisonment of up to 12 months.
Image Credits: pixabay.com
Similar scenarios may be prevented with careful guidance from the parents. I am not saying that you are solely responsible for your young driver’s every move. But, you have a heavy influence on it. Start by educating your child about the traffic laws and by serving as a good role model of a responsible driver. Use foresight by enrolling your teen in a local driving school such as the Singapore Safety Driving Centre (SSDCL) or the Bukit Batok Driving Centre (BBDC). These institutions were registered for Basic Theory Test, Final Theory Test, and Practical Driving Test.
Given the legion of car models available in Singapore, settling on a final purchase decision is no easy feat. Indeed, it is both time-consuming and cumbersome to test-drive the myriad of cars to make an informed choice.
However, relying on time-honoured brands, word of mouth and (preferably independently produced) statistics could effectively pose as practical shortcuts to the lengthy decision-making process.
Additionally, the flowchart below serves to aid you in identifying the specific car attributes that fit your personal wants. Nonetheless, it is imperative to understand and assess yourself such that your behavioural, social and physical wants can be adequately supported by your financial ability.
