Hey,
I was wondering; I am pcsing to Yongsan garrison within a month and is looking for a car to drive.
I've seen classified ads and other px postings ect...
I've over heard that I can purchase vehicles from lexus, bmw, benz, audi ect @ korean dealers that meets US specs and US price (mil price??).
If anyone has any info or been there and done that, it would be very appreciated!! (More thanks for detailed information!)

Thanks, have a good one!

All of the above. Come on over to Yongsan! IF you have the rank and necessary requirements to be authorized to drive in Korea, there are too many options to talk about. That is the question.
Lots of used cars at bargain prices, also. If you would have been authorized to ship a vehicle here at government expense, but chose not to, you will be able to have the government ship one back.

Yes, Im a CPT and so your saying there are all those options are available. THANKS! do you know where and how? do I just walk up to a dealer and say "I am a USFK member and want to purchase that Lex!"??

I'm not sure alot of Americans just walk down town and buy a NEW car from a dealer. I'm not saying it does not happen.

Do you really want to drive a new Lexus here? Have you been to Korea before? seen how they drive? I won't even bring my 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan over here.

Some people do have very expensive cars over here, I see them all the time, Lexus, BMX, Mercades (i've seen the S600 v12 on post) and the list goes on and on...

My advice to you is to get over here and actually see how they drive, and then decide. I do see very expensive cars for sale on the "for sale" board at Yongsan.

The reason most peole drive hoopties over here is because they don't have to worry about their new car getting dinged...

Just my opinion...

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They must find it difficult...

Those who have taken authority as the truth, rather than truth as the authority. --Gerald Massey

Shoot me an email to lonestarkorea@hotmail.com and I can send you a file my company put together that covers all ROK/vehicle related questions.

A "Hooptie" means an older pre-owned car, often already customized with dents. On an earlier tour, I bought a toyota for $800 and sold it a year late when we left for $800.

Generally, you won't be dealing on a new car at a Korean dealer. They are not geared for messing with the extra paperwork for you to purchase, and they can get much, much more profit from a Korean. Mr. Bill, a forum member, is a major used car dealer in Seoul. Check him out when you get in. Of course, lots of cars are parked all over Yongsan with signs priced to sell. Many people bring full sized cars from the US, not knowing that you may have to navigate tiny alleys and heavy traffic and a different style of driving.
A stick shift is a major pain in the butt when sitting in LA style pile ups for 4 hours to go 35 miles. US new cars, BMW and Volvo from AAFES are most popular with those who want to buy a new car. My years of experience say get a nice transportation car for a while, and buy the new one, if you must, just before you leave.

Yup, Mr. Joe pretty much summed it up.

Bill Downer -010-4555-6266- is pretty good and works out of the Yongsan area, and there's another guy who's been around for a while, Youngchan -011 9688 5573- (Korean-American) who works out of this huge used car market also near Yongsan where they have literally thousands of cars.

Definitely stay away from a new car till you leave and get the good deal from military new car sales. I'd also stay away from anything old and imported as any problems that occur are going to cost you big. Keep it Korean-made, you should be able to get something decent for $2k that you won't have to keep taking to mechanics for the duration of your tour, at least that's been my own experience after 6 cars/16 years here.

Good luck.

Just so you know...When you buy BMW's from Military sales (not on post) they get delivered to the states.

Is it true, that no matter how good of a deal you get on a car here, when you get to US you have to pay taxes on it for what would have cost you to buy in the states?

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First off...I meant to hit the "Quote" button not the "Thanks" one.

and second...You do have to pay the taxes..depending on the state. New Hampshire has no tax...but Cali will get you every time. It's about 10% for taxes and fees.

Here is the good news. If you buy a car from ENCS (Exchange New Car Sales) and take delivery of it here in Korea you have to pay no taxes...when you move to the states you might have to pay a pro-rated tax.