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Sign up with Google Sign up with FacebookQ: Would you even consider purchasing a vehicle here considering all the terrible driving?
Nope. I ride my bicycle daily, that is enough to get my adrenalin fix. Like most of us, I have been a few places,,,, I have never seen the likes of Chinese roadways. I am a simple-minded idiot,,,, I ask my Chinese acquaintances why people drive that way, endangering others. I get a totally blank look. Show them a news story of driver mowing down three kids due to speeding at night with no headlights. blank look. I try to explain it could have been them or a loved one killed by reckless driver. blank look.
I give up.
never, ever.
before i came to china, i always thought the people in my country are crazy enough in driving.. but not anymore, here's worse. would always take the back seat when im on a cab and when im on a bus, well, just pray i would never stumble..
I kind of want a car, though bumper cars and inverted coasters always seemed like they would go better together...
Absolutely, I want to get myself a big-ass monster-truck and just drive over everything in my path. Like that guy in Jeepers Creepers, hurtling down the highway raising hell, killing all in his path and eating the remains. If you can't beat 'em.....eat 'em!
So remember kiddies, 'Always use the Green Cross Code, because I might be there when you cross the road.'
(Yeh, ok, that 'Green Cross Code' reference was just for the over 30s Brits. Wouldn't mean a thing to the rest of you)
I bought a car in China. Drove it most every day for 6 years. Never a scratch, ticket or anything. It is just a matter of defensive driving. You have to know what is happening around you at all times and assume that every driver is about to do something really, really stupid.
I've had my car for more than 1.5 years now. I've had a few close calls + one little fender bender in a parking garage (dude decided backing up without looking was a good idea). I'm still quite happy I bought it.
It really depends on where you live in China, and what your commute requirements are. For me, I live in small town on the outskirts of a 3rd/4th tier city. It's a least a 10-15 minute walk to get to the nearest bus stop from where I live, and then it's a fight to get on the bus, especially on the weekends (may even have to wait for the next bus or the next....). Also, most of the buses stop running at 6pm, with the last bus line stopping at 8pm, at which point you're relegated to getting a taxi (more waiting, hope it's not raining!).
I think if I lived in a city with better and more convenient public transportation, then I wouldn't want the car. But I don't...so I'm happy to have it and pay the extra expenses that come with it (insurance, gas, traffic violations, car washes @ 10 rmb a pop, LOL).
And like John said, you need to have your head on a swivel and have 100% awareness at all times. Driving here is a very intense experience!
yep, got a few motorbikes kicking around., never anything bad yet. it depends on how you drive, if you drive while doing your make up you will probably crash. if you keep an eye out for people doing stupid things, you will be safe.
I think I would buy a motorcycle, but not a car, too crowded here.
will buy a small used car by the end of the year...woudn't spend more than 40k...sick of riding on the bus, not a fan of motorcycles
I have been driving all around Guangzhou for over 2 years. I bought a second-hand Citroen for 20K. Never had a problem, breakdown, accident or even violation yet. Once you get the hang of it, driving here is quite fun. Just be careful when you return to your home country for a visit with your new driving habits. My parents about had a heart attack last time I visited the States.
One more thing, don't even think about driving without a Chinese license. 15 days in the slammer if caught and in the event of an accident your insurance will refuse to pay.
Wow 20K is cheap...how did you get to buy it? I have to get my license again when I go home this summer...had an American one before but it expired...then switch it for a Chinese one here (I know I gotta do the signs' test here as well)
Jesl:
I found it off 58.gz.com from a private seller, I just called the guy and went to check out the car. I also took it to a mechanic. After that, paid an agent a couple hundred to handle the license change over.
Have driven before in China, recently and a few years ago.
I made it number 1 rule not to ever drive here again recently,although i miss having a car, but its just not worth the risk.
First the legal system is not up with the play to protect a driver, in the case of an accident, they always point there finger at the driver and blame them, no matter what happened or who's to blame. Oh and the foreigner of course wouldnt know how to drive in china, they would think also! "Pay money if you run over someone and kill them, and pay a lottt of money! no pay money", "put you in a chinese jail .. Good fun a chinese prison, not!!
Jesl:
That is why I have a dash-cam and bought several million in additional liability insurance. You do have to protect yourself, but the idea that the foreigner is always at fault is wrong (in most cases). One of my friends got into an accident, the cops sided with him.
I would never ever consider driving a car here.
I was already a bad driver back home; if I ever drove here, I think I wouldn't last 5 minutes on the road before I had another accident.