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anonymous
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Q: Do you own a car/drive in China?

I have heard that it is very risky to drive in China because if you are in any kind of accident then you will automatically be blamed and it could cost you a lot of money. Do you feel this when you drive? 

10 years 10 weeks ago in  General  - China

 
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Comments (7)
Posts: 298

Governor

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I wouldn't own anything I can't move out of the country easily.

 

Anyway, expect that, in case of an accident, the winning party will be the one yelling the loudest. You will be on the losing side automatically because, as a foreigner, your party will be composed of only one individual, which is you, therefore you won't be the one yelling the loudest.

Yea, you guessed it, what actually happened won't matter even a little.

Robk:

Well not exactly... 

 

It works more like this:

 

1) The one of the loudest - usually wins

2) The one with the biggest support gang - most likely wins

3) The person with the connections - always wins

 

And that's how it is done. So, as a foreigner, you could get connections and achieve victory over the loud lynch mob... however... you will possibly owe a favor. . 

 

It's like the mafia... "There will come a time when I need you to do me a service..." Buy a dash cam is about equal to having connections or a little lower haha.

10 years 10 weeks ago
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Emperor

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I bought cars in China.  Never really had too much of an issue. I have learned to anticipate the dumb shit that they do.  Had one dude hit me. His fault, everything was good. Not a big deal. I think people demonize everything too much,if your  too scared to live your life then just go back home if its that uncomfortable for you. How can you leave the house when your afraid that every single thing is out to get the foreigner. 7 years in China and that is bunk.

 

Sure theres stories but then we blow them up the same way chinese blow up a story about a foreigner.

 

It seems like foreigners here live in fear. Its a sad existance if thats the case.

Cant  leave my shit  job cuz my visa, cant say anything or ill get deported, cant buy something cuz theyll just take it from me. Cant trust the banks, the police, the government.  Jeeze Louise.  Relax people. If shit goes down you can always go home or move on to somewhere else. So whats the point of being too scared to do anything? Most of the time bad things happen to people that are doing everything the right way anyways. Its called shit luck. Cant control it. So dont let it control your life.

 Ive met a fair number of foreigners who drive in China. I have yet to meet one who regretted it.

ironman510:

True, never regretted it.

10 years 10 weeks ago
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Robk:

I agree... even riding my motorcycle around. I would much prefer it over taking taxis or walking. 

 

One of the best moves I have ever made here in China was getting some motorized transportation. 

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Shifu

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I have driven in China for the past 3 years. Never had any issues. It makes life much better as I was miserable the 1st year I was here. Iphone with Google maps and a dash mount works in English and find my way around better than most Chinese. I have a dash mounted camera that records all the driving (my gf's idea) cost 400 rmb. Anything happens, we go to the video.

cooter:

I was gonna post my story, but it mimics yours in almost every detail, minus the dashcam.  I just received a GoPro for Christmas....gotta find the time to get it setup and mounted angel

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Shifu

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I've been driving here for the past 2 years, had a single accident that was recorded on my dash-cam, I left that part out until the police arrived and they had a chance to accuse me that it was my fault, they even switched into Cantonese so I couldn't understand but it was clear they were trying to blame me and persuade the police that I should pay a lot of money. Then I showed the police my camera and the woman who hit me went bright red!

The police sided with me and the woman had to hand over 1,500rmb for damages.

 

Moral of the story: Buy a dashcam.

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Pingang Bank car insurance will cover you for everything, Yes you'll be fine, you'll just become a better driver and better at anger management. Driving here for years, its no prod, just annoying stuff to adjust to, I still cant figure out why people blink their lights? lol

mike695ca:

or why the use their turning signal for changing lanes..... but not for when they are actually turning.

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No why?

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Dude, it's gonna cost you a lot of money even if you NEVER get into an accident.  First, there's the purchase price of the car.  Minimum NEW price will be 40,000 RMB (all-in with taxes and insurance).  Maybe you could find some used car for less....but that's gonna be a pretty risky buy unless it's from someone you know really well.  Then you gotta put fuel in the thing.  Gas is a bit more expensive here than where I come from ('Mericuh), but might be cheaper than in Europe?  I probably average 3-400 rmb in gas a month.  Annual renewal of the insurance policy hits me for about 3000 rmb every year.

 

All that money can buy a lot of bus and taxi rides, and still have a bunch left over for booze and hookers.  So don't buy a car if you're worried you will lose a bunch of money, because you WILL!  But for some, like me, it's definitely been worth it.

Scandinavian:

Yup. I did the math for car ownership vs. taxi for our needs. Insurance + gas + service is break-even compared to what we use on transport if my wife is good and just takes the bus a couple of times per week. 

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I went with the whole motorcycle thing instead. Cheaper, fuel only costs like 50 RMB every month or two... 

 

I bought a good one because its appearance is larger than normal, small cheap bikes. This way I am pretty much accepted in the bike lane or car lanes without cars acting like I should get in the bike lane or take up the entire bike lane like those jerks that drive their cars in it illegally.

 

On many occasions, I was happy I got a motorcycle and not a car because of this... oh look... rush hour traffic... I will just weave around them or head off into the bike lane etc.

 

Try getting a taxi during rush hour or when it rains... good luck... or even rush during while it is raining... next to impossible. Plus motorcycle registration is easy and so is getting the license. 

Hotwater:

Getting the license is easy? Not where I live.....I drive a car but would love a bike for playing around at weekends (or even foro riding to work which is what i did in the UK for 20 years) but can't get a license in Guangzhou, even though I've got a UK one that could be converted.

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