Shanghai Expat

Lifestyle Recommendations - Cost of car + driver
chiukee - Aug 21, 2006 - 04:24 AM
Post subject: Cost of car + driver
Hi,
I've been offered a car + driver for my relocation. The company pays for $800, anything on top I'll have to pay for. Does anyone know how much on top I'm likely to pay? I assume we'll be average users, I'll go to work and my wife'd take our son to school. Hope someone can give us a hint. Thanks.
CoffeeHawk_0 - Aug 21, 2006 - 06:31 AM
Post subject:
start looking up websites. anything over 8 hours a day gets expensive real fast. you may only be able to get a simple, small car, which may mean not the best class of drivers. my company did not pay enough relative to my work schedule, but i was able to just take the cash and arrange transpotation as needed (so I do not have the links anymore to driver/car websites). make sure to ask about over time, and, i have heard most places no longer include gas in the monthly fee since it has become so expensive, ask about that. hopefully you can find a school that has a bus.
fu2u2 - Aug 21, 2006 - 03:17 PM
Post subject:
The best I have got is 6,300 for GL8 hire of car 24/7 and a driver 2,200 from 07:40-19:00 5 days per week. I have the car for my own use at the weekend. All insurances are covered . The only extra is petrol + parking and any overtime. Which is 10rmb per hour monday - friday 20 rmb per hour sat and sun and 30 rmb per hour during national holidays.
ducas.stephane - Aug 21, 2006 - 03:29 PM
Post subject:
Browse this website: www.expatrent.com for car rental.
summerchimez - Aug 21, 2006 - 04:15 PM
Post subject:
I am also contemplating about whether to(1) get a car + hire a driver.(2) rent a car with a driver (3)a part time driver with his own car.
I am not particular abt the model of the car, but more abt comfort and safety. I use the car for work(to and fro) everyday, some marketing and errands on alternative days and outings on wkends.
Anyone has some advice which is more economical ?('cos i am paying it myself). Are there other options available too?
horsemandk - Aug 21, 2006 - 11:19 PM
Post subject:
My advice:

Buy a car
Hire a driver, that should cost you around 1.500 - 2.000 a month and overtime is usually 3,-/hour and they can work 7 days a week if you need it.

By doing this you have a car, which you can sell if and when you leave. Just calculate on the price they offer you and deduct the salary, then you will see that you can buy a very nice car in 2-3 years for the rental money!
MartialArt - Aug 22, 2006 - 12:11 AM
Post subject:
My advice:
rent a car with driver
Considering the cost of insurance,car maintenance,road maintenance tax,parking fee,expensive car plate and all the procedures when buying a car, renting a car could be a good choice.
chinababy - Aug 22, 2006 - 07:54 AM
Post subject:
i have heard there is no over time pay to drivers, so they don't answer calls outside their working hours. As my husband once tried to call the driver at night to ask him come to the airport to pick up 6am next morning. But he did not answer the phone and my husband ended up taking taxi home.
Shanghairealtor - Aug 24, 2006 - 11:21 PM
Post subject:
Recommend a website to rent a car: www.carrenting.cn/en/index.html
frenchlover1999 - Aug 24, 2006 - 11:27 PM
Post subject:
I onced received an ad from a French brand proposing car + driver at around 10k RMB/month for a long term contract, with option to buy after 2 or whatever years. For a large car. You may want to investigate that.
maofeng.rentcar - Aug 25, 2006 - 11:05 AM
Post subject:
chinababy wrote:
i have heard there is no over time pay to drivers, so they don't answer calls outside their working hours. As my husband once tried to call the driver at night to ask him come to the airport to pick up 6am next morning. But he did not answer the phone and my husband ended up taking taxi home.

Its almost true
MartialArt - Aug 27, 2006 - 03:32 PM
Post subject:
Normally driver works 5 days a week,8hours a day. Most of time, they are willing to work overtime at least one day per wee if they get overtime pay.
dfoo - Aug 27, 2006 - 04:52 PM
Post subject:
If the driver refuses to answer the phone, fire his lazy ass and get a new one who will do what you want! What's the issue?
dido - Aug 27, 2006 - 06:25 PM
Post subject:
We have been renting a car and hire a driver, and here is the cost:

- Rental of Car (Audi) : RMB11,800
- Up to 3800km
- Basic pay for driver : RMB500
- Allow up to 192hours
- Overtime: Mon-Sat RMB10/hr and Sun RMB15/hr

There is a price difference if you rent directly compare to rental by your company. We are light user, our total cost is about RMB12,500. Hope this info is useful to u.
travelinshanghai - Aug 27, 2006 - 07:28 PM
Post subject: Re: Cost of car + driver
hi this is david

would you please give more detail so i can quote the price because we are in this business you can send me email at travelinshanghai@gmail.com thanks
maofeng.rentcar - Aug 27, 2006 - 09:34 PM
Post subject:
[Commercial Post Deleted]
chiukee - Aug 28, 2006 - 04:00 AM
Post subject:
Hi Dido,
just wanted to thank you because your info was just what I was looking for. I just wanted to make sure that we would not have to pay a large amount from our private funds for the priviliege of having a VW Santana + driver. We were considering taking the $800/month and using it on taxis, but it sounds if we don't go mad on travelling then it should work out alright Smile
maba - Aug 31, 2006 - 10:11 AM
Post subject:
Fu2U2,
Hey..your rental seemed quite good...could you let me know the company and its contact number/ email?
asdjason - Jan 29, 2008 - 01:43 AM
Post subject:
You should avoid lilywang and david definitely.
samcy - Jan 29, 2008 - 02:51 PM
Post subject:
Got a car paid by company two weeks after arriving Shanghai.
Got a Shanghai driving licence shortly after that.
Have been dring for a few months without problem.

It is not that difficult to drive and more economical and convenient compare to hiring a car + driver.

However, that is pertaining to my circumstances, the locaton of my house, my ability to navigate and familiarize with driving culture in Shanghai. It can be quite a culture shock initially.
SnappySammy - Jan 30, 2008 - 09:39 AM
Post subject:
it's very easy to drive. The hard part is trying to figure what the other cars are going to do. To me either there are no rules or they make them up as they go along.
I use a car and driver, in the city. the Metro is much faster then anything else. It"s also a great place to meet people.
MartialArt - Feb 01, 2008 - 08:17 AM
Post subject:
Hiring a car with driver is always much easier then self driving,when u see those crazy taxi drivers everywhere in SH.
zanderion - Feb 01, 2008 - 12:48 PM
Post subject:
Hey guys,

I'm thinking of buying a car soon.
What's the tax rate on new cars? Thanks!
Does the engine capacity matter? I'm looking at a 2000 CC car.

ps. I have googled and asked around but have received several different numbers ranging from 12 to 20%!
MartialArt - Feb 01, 2008 - 01:32 PM
Post subject:
Zanderion, you should go directly to the 4S shop. The tax rate is about 10% of the car price. 2000CC car is no problem. You could choose Passat, Ford Mondeo. But forget the Honda.
rxg - Feb 01, 2008 - 01:57 PM
Post subject:
It cost about 1000o RMB for a car and a driver . The cheapest type of car - a Santana 3000 similare to to taxi. (renting from a car comany). This is about 12 hours 7AM -7PM.

Anything after 7 PM on a weekday is 10 RMB per hour
Sat is 20 per extra hour
Sunday is 30 RMB per hour.

There is a milage linitation on a two year deal.
Tolls and gas is extra.
MartialArt - Feb 01, 2008 - 02:08 PM
Post subject:
10000 RMB you could get a VW Passat or other same level car and driver. And public holidays is also 30 RMB per extra hour. Normally the mileage limitation range from 3000km-4000km per month. They will offer a new car if commited to 2 year contract. Recommend a email from ASD car rental co for more info, shanghai.rental@gmail.com.
zanderion - Feb 01, 2008 - 06:41 PM
Post subject:
Hi Martial,

What's a 4S shop?

I have just been informed that China's VAT is 17%.
And if the car is manufactured in China... then there's no import tax to be paid.
So I guess I only have to worry about the VAT and the Shanghai plate if I'm buying an Audi that's built in China.
disconbobulated - Feb 01, 2008 - 09:06 PM
Post subject:
I just got a car and driver for 30rmb...........a really good issue!
bougie - Feb 01, 2008 - 09:09 PM
Post subject:
Can use it several times when you got to the shitter / squater ..
maneo - Feb 02, 2008 - 09:01 PM
Post subject:
Glossy pages just don't have the right feel, if you know what I mean.

SnappySammy wrote:
it's very easy to drive. The hard part is trying to figure what the other cars are going to do. To me either there are no rules or they make them up as they go along.
I use a car and driver, in the city. the Metro is much faster then anything else. It"s also a great place to meet people.

Yes, there are rules -- 2 of them:
1) Don't hit anything.
2) Watch for the cameras (damn technology leakage).

I preferred to drive myself. Don't care if they know the city better.
Just don't like the feeling of not being in control when someone else is at the wheel.
Driving in SH like being in a video game.
Gimme the controls, dammit.

Have to agree that the Metro seems faster.
It obviously is during rush hour.
However, the train change at Renmin Guangchang is not for the faint of heart.
MartialArt - Feb 05, 2008 - 09:26 PM
Post subject:
I meant the purchasing tax. If you are buying car personally instead of company, you only need to pay the purchasing tax which is about 8% of the car price.
And the car plate price is about RMB45,000.
zanderion wrote:
Hi Martial,

What's a 4S shop?

I have just been informed that China's VAT is 17%.
And if the car is manufactured in China... then there's no import tax to be paid.
So I guess I only have to worry about the VAT and the Shanghai plate if I'm buying an Audi that's built in China.
zanderion - Feb 06, 2008 - 03:26 AM
Post subject:
MartialArt wrote:
I meant the purchasing tax. If you are buying car personally instead of company, you only need to pay the purchasing tax which is about 8% of the car price.
And the car plate price is about RMB45,000.


MartialArt,

Thanks! That's some useful info that confirms what I've discovered very recently. Smile
MartialArt - Feb 06, 2008 - 11:34 AM
Post subject:
4S shop means: Sale, Spare part, Service and Survey. They only sell some specific car brand. For example, VW only sells volkswagon car;
NeilUK39 - Feb 06, 2008 - 03:02 PM
Post subject:
I rented a car and driver when i first came on a personal contract, my allowance at the time was 900USD, the cost for me was 8800rmb basic + Fuel + Overtime at 10rmb week and saturday and 20rmb sunday, this was for a chinese people carrier JAC model. Total cost on average was 12000rmb per month so about 600USD i had to pay myself. With the depriciation of the dollar against the yuan this obviousley became more expensive. My contract has now changed and happily the company pick up the tab. I would check the legal requirments of employing a driver on a personall contract as when this was checked by our company lawyers there was issues over liability insurance and the guy having a business lisence

I went to Suzhou on business last year and was stopped at the toll booth by highway police for over an hour there was an issue of legality of my personal contract so take care if you intend to travel outside of shanghai
asdjason - Mar 16, 2008 - 11:35 PM
Post subject:
800 usd could get cars the level as Santana. Browse one website for useful info:
www.carrenting.cn E-mail: asd.carrental@gmail.com
maneo - Mar 17, 2008 - 08:50 AM
Post subject:
Not really an independent reference, is this?

From the guy who wrote (Jan 29):
asdjason wrote:
You should avoid lilywang and david definitely.
SnappySammy - Mar 17, 2008 - 09:10 AM
Post subject:
maneo wrote:
Glossy pages just don't have the right feel, if you know what I mean.

SnappySammy wrote:
it's very easy to drive. The hard part is trying to figure what the other cars are going to do. To me either there are no rules or they make them up as they go along.
I use a car and driver, in the city. the Metro is much faster then anything else. It"s also a great place to meet people.

Yes, there are rules -- 2 of them:
1) Don't hit anything.
2) Watch for the cameras (damn technology leakage).

t.


1) Don't STOP if you hit anyone

2) Watch for camers(we always cover plate with cardboard when on highways.) so far so good
alaal - Mar 17, 2008 - 12:48 PM
Post subject:
SS - you always have good tips. I will try the cardboard myself.

I pay for my own car and driver. I purchased a car and hrie a driver. I drive on the wkds. I figured that after 3 years i will own my car and save tons of money. Worse case i can sell it for something and still save money.
karlmalone - Mar 25, 2008 - 09:43 PM
Post subject:
MartialArt wrote:
10000 RMB you could get a VW Passat or other same level car and driver. And public holidays is also 30 RMB per extra hour. Normally the mileage limitation range from 3000km-4000km per month. They will offer a new car if commited to 2 year contract. Recommend a email from ASD car rental co for more info, shanghai.rental@gmail.com.
Update on the car plate price, the average price for SH car plate is 23,000 rmb. And this month, it will be on Mar 29th. The estimated price is about 25,000- 30,000 rmb.
MartialArt - Apr 08, 2008 - 09:24 PM
Post subject:
The car plate price goes up on March, average price is 32169 RMB. Almost 70,000 people are chasing for 9300 car plates last month, which drives the price up quickly.
Sydney01 - Apr 17, 2008 - 12:21 PM
Post subject:
How does one bid for a Shanghai plate? Do you need a work permit/residence permit?
maneo - Apr 20, 2008 - 01:49 PM
Post subject:
If you happen to have a WOFE, best to try get it through the business.
All times are GMT + 8 Hours
Powered by MDForum 2.0.7 © 2003-2007 based on phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Team
and by MDTheme which uses Theme Graphics by Daz
and by Attachment-Mod 2.4.3