Advice needed please

Buy some decent local car which is in warranty.
You can check in expat group

As long as you are prepared to pay high price for vehicle in Malaysia and sell at a loss then it will probably work.

Just worry the best places to visit are probably not on the peninsular. Access to Langkawi by ferry is possible and Penang by bridge.

If you plan to go to Thailand read up on the insurance and import process, plus land border crossing rules and length of stay. Similarly if you go to Singapore they have some rules.

Carlist or Mudah are places to source vehicles

Wait until after Ramadan to commence the trip

An International Driving Permit is probably a good idea to have.

Do some indepth research because tourist and travel information is a bit sparse and its easy to miss the interesting places and just see the monotony

Hi Gravitas, Are cars expensive in Malaysia ? Are they cheaper in Thailand or where would you suggest I buy ? Thanks

The type of car you mention are expensive because they are mostly imported. Local makes and locally assembled cars are not taxed so highly, so even though there are some international makes, these particular models are more reasonably priced than others that have to be imported. Check the two sources mentioned above for pricing. http://www.motortrader.com.my/news/tag/ckd/

The resale issues are that of local purchasing power and who is going to be buying particular models once they are several years old, when loans will get them a brand new model and the prestige that goes with it. Ask about car purchase rules and prices in Thailand on that Forum

First, to answer the basic question, yes you can buy and own a vehicle.

Second, im curious, what address are you planning to use on the registration? You need a Malaysian address.

Third, if you are buying new, yes Thailand would be much cheaper because their import tax is less but im not sure you are allowed to buy. Ask in the Thailand forum.

Reselling may be a problem in any place, you need time and the ability to offer a lower price. The prices in Malaysia, how can I put this....nobody wants to pay high tax so they wait for some other schmuck to buy new and look for a deal on secondhand in which the seller is willing to cut the price and absorb the tax himself. But that seller also wants his high price returned because he paid so much for tax and now the tug of war sets in. I did an end run around the entire problem by buying such an old car that there was no tug of war left in anyone. So if you wanted secondhand, you could buy an old Harrier in which other people have already bitten each other to pieces. If new and you dont care about money, walk in to any dealer, buy, and take a good sized loss by selling it back to the same dealer at the end of your adventures and walk out.

Oh...last thing...whichever place you buy you can travel with it to the next place. You just need to insure the vehicle in the new place and pay attention to the maximum time the vehicle is allowed to be there before Customs tax sets in. Its 90 days in Malaysia, for example. What else....dont know...im tired tonight and cant think.

Hi Bill, my name is Ridwan and libe in KL. Its safe to buy a car in Malaysia but u shud have a malaysian friend for a better deal negotiation to buy a car. You are the tourist and u shud have a malaysian friend is better when in Malaysia to avoid anu used car dealer may cheating u. Whatapps me, i will help and assist u. ***

Thank you. I will have to try to figure out what to do about the address part of it. Maybe the Malaysian consulate here in NZ can help with that question

The Malaysian consulate may be able to offer a longer, pre-arranged, social visit pass so you dont have to enter and remain on tourist 90 day entries. This could be really helpful.

I know this is also possible by pre-arrangement with the Thai authorities, as I have friends who always spend 4 months over the Christmas period in Thailand. (This would get you over the border crossings issues as well).

One other thought, do be aware when and where monsoons will occur, such as East Coast Malaysia November to March. The islands off the east coast are also closed for tourism during this time.  Likewise the Thai monsoon is around July to October and tourist facilities close down e.g. no boats available for hire.

Ok noted. Yes very good..seek an advice from Malaysia embassy is better. Feel free to whatapps me when u in KL..i buy u a ****. Tk care mate

So it is a month later now. I came, bought a 2009 Proton Saga done 80k, and have been driving it for a couple of weeks. Got yrs road tax,,full insurance including glass, and car drives all good. Have been cruising around south of KL, went down by highway 5 and up a different road able to go where and when I want. Went down a few side roads as well. Thanks to all that gave advice. Regards Bill