I Bought a Used Car in China

Driving in any country that I visit is always something worth doing.  I come away from each experience more knowledgeable and more skillful for my next time behind the wheel.  Driving in China is not nearly as bad as the reputation.  Sure, the countryside and smaller cities are in need of infrastructure improvements and the specific driving culture that exists is different than any other country.  But, with very little practical experience you begin to understand the unofficial rules of the roads and the flow.

Still, after living here for 4 years, I hadn’t purchased a vehicle.  Instead, I simply relied on public transportation (which is very good) and the convenience/affordability of my electric scooter.  But, after a lot of research, I finally got down to business and went car shopping over the course of about a month. 

Foreigners who own/drive cars in China.

Most foreigners who live and work in China do so in the major cities where public transportation is truly world class.  There’s no need for a vehicle.  Also, in the 1^st tier cities, they limit the number of vehicles allowed to be registered by lottery or waiting lists.  Fees and other costs of ownership can make having a car not worth the expense.  But, if you live in a smaller city, owning a car can be a luxury or just a weekend toy.  The process of getting a Chinese Driver’s license and then buying/registering a car can be a nightmare if you don’t have excellent Chinese language skills.  Indeed, ever for the locals it can be quite confusing. 

Purchasing a ride is seen as a long-term commitment to remain in the country.  It shows the locals and other foreigners you’re a stable individual.  It also opens up the country in ways you cannot imagine as you’ll now have the freedom to explore certain parts of the cities, countryside and mountainous regions that most tourists or expats don’t have the ability to do. 

Used Car Markets:

Just like in the west, when looking to buy a used car you can go to private individual who advertise their rides on various websites and apps, or even just park on the side of the road with a “for sale” sign in the window.  Another major source of used car sales in China are the 4S shops (mechanics) who source their cars from various places, sort them out, and then park them in front of their shops to sell.  The inventory at these shops is truly a hit or a miss.  The cars are usually older models, are parked for long periods of time and don’t particularly show well.    Mechanically, you would think they are a solid choice given the seller, but it’s unknown which parts have been swapped out for inferior versions or which cars have been raided as parts bins for other customers.  Shop at your own risk. 

Then there are the giant used car markets.  These are both indoor and outdoor and usually consist of a number of different vendors selling their inventory in a concentrated area.  It’s a great way to walk around, shop, and compare.  One of them that I went to was surrounded by 4S shops each with their own units and also the other government infrastructure needed to transfer ownership, insurance, plates, police inspections, etc.   It was more of a one stop shop.

Some of the models that I was considering were:

The first model that I seriously considered was one built by FAW Group (First Automobile Works) which is a state-owned company out of Jilin.  It’s considered one of the “Big Four” automakers and I found this very clean compact SUV within my price range.  It was clean.  However, a few days later when I came back to put a deposit down on it, the car had been sold…. My loss on this one. 

The next manufacturer I was considering was Geely.  This is a massive company that has been growing extremely fast by acquiring a number of world class brands including Volvo and Lotus.  Yes, Volvo and Lotus are owned by a Chinese company.  And, they have incorporated and blended a lot of the engineering and design ques together and made quite an appealing lineup of vehicles.  Their reputation is gaining popularity in China and will soon be a major player in the overseas markets.

Next was the Baojun brand.  This is a new company; a partnership between General Motors in America, SAIC Motors in China.  These are mass produced and high value product that is mostly marketed in the 2^nd and 3^rd tier cities of China to a younger and often first-time-owner crowd.  They have a long list of products that have been developed in a very short amount of time and or generally known as a solid choice in the 2^nd hand market. 

Chery, another state-owned manufacture out of Anhui is a popular value choice for the Chinese consumer.  They made waves in 2012 by inking a joint venture partnership with Range Rover/Jaguar to start producing those vehicles in local plants.  The biggest criticism in recent years has been the design ques that seem to match other world brands, but their latest offerings tend to have a design all their own.

My Choice:

The 2012 Great Wall Haval H6.  I passed by this vehicle a few times because their resale value is higher than some of the other offerings.  After inspecting and driving it, I quickly saw why.  Aside from their reputation throughout the world as a good value and relative solidity, the comfort and convenience of the design won me over in no time.  Along with my skilled negotiating partner, we were able to get to the price down to something that was very agreeable and later that day I drove off the lot with a smile from ear to ear. 

Buying a car in China is not a necessity, it’s a luxury.  So, if you’re interested in doing this remember to take your time to find the right vehicle that fits your needs and your budget.  As with many things in the middle kingdom, the choices can seem infinite.  Remember to breathe, be patient and go with the flow.