What is the best car/SUV/MPV for Jakarta?

[David A Webb]

Hello,

I'm trying to work out what kind of car the buy. I have been in Jakarta for six months and now understand a bit about the traffic etc. I'm trying to figure out is what suits best - lots of traffic ie. lots of sitting in the car, likely to hire a driver due to parking being a pain, may drive on weekends, may do some touring... I originally was going to get a BMW X3 or X5, but now I'm not so sure... Beemers are about enjoying the drive, and if I have a driver then that wont be so applicable... so perhaps a car with a good rear seat, cappuccino maker and minibar!

Anyways, any suggestions?

[jstar]

I'm trying to work out what kind of car the buy.

Couple of considerations:

• how long will you stay (resale value)?
• is your budget in the lower X5 range?
• high ground clearance and high point of gravity does not go well with a good driving experience (SUV=ship), you need to determine whether the 'safer' higher seating position is worth giving up the freude am fahren.
• sedans have better rear seats, how tall are you?
• does you heart break when you see (yet another) scratch?
• do you have kids?
• will you take a driver (very important)?

The Beemer has quite a 'hard drive', suspension wise. For the bad road surfaces not ideal. Of course the ground clearance of the X isn't bad. As you mentioned already, it is also a real driver's car and crawling in JKT traffic with a driver doesn't match that.

Having said that, probably the X5 is closest to a sedan in 'feel'. A Q5 would come in close second. And then the Lexus RX/Toyota Harrier with the (European) LandCruiser. Probably a X3 will have the best resale value.

Some bigger sedans that might make sense are the A6, Accord and the Camry.

[indobased]

you could take the opportunity and get an overview at the motorshow starting tomorrow until 30 September (http://www.indonesianmotorshow.com/2012/)

[KillItWithFire]

I like the BMW X6 M, the Porsche Cayenne, and the Audi Q5 myself.

[jstar]

I like the BMW X6 M, the Porsche Cayenne, and the Audi Q5 myself.

But a car with 555 hp and costing 2,4 billion rupiah might be somewhat overkill...

[waarmstrong]

Money spent for a BMW for Jakarta driving is largely wasted, unless, of course, its not really the driving that motivates the purchase.

[KillItWithFire]

But a car with 555 hp and costing 2,4 billion rupiah might be somewhat overkill...

Yeah. I see a few Range Rover Evoques out on the road but super expensive here as well.

[waarmstrong]

That's one good thing about living in America's heartland -- money spent on a fast car is not wasted, except maybe during winter.

[Michelle O'Brien]

That's one good thing about living in America's heartland -- money spent on a fast car is not wasted, except maybe during winter.

Yes it would break my heart to see someone else driving my "pride and joy" and watching it get dinged up. It is hard to balance safety vs driving pleasure here because of course the better "driving" cars are the safer and more beautiful cars! I cannot wait to ditch our tinpot, no-airbags ..."thing"....for a safer model of car!

[PhilippeD]

Seriously, If I had a driver and need to be stuck many hour in the traffic every day, I would search for something in which I can stretch my arm.

I don't really know what BMW or Mercedes offer in Indonesia
But I would search for something like that the Toyota Alphard









If I drive myself? That would be an absolutely different answer!