Here is a German seven-seater people-mover with just one Singaporean inside, who wonders whether living in a car is feasible, and remotely comfortable. For this story to have any chance of “success”, I’ll need a sizeable vehicle – an MPV, something like the Volkswagen Sharan. It currently costs $218,000, which is enough for a brand-new three-room flat in Bukit Merah after deducting the usual Government grants, assuming this twentysomething singleton qualifies in the first place (HDB “prefers” newly married couples, lah).
By the time I pay off that 25-year housing loan, I’d be in my 50s. Therefore, signing on the dotted line would be daunting, and I might have to give up my ride in order to service the mortgage and still have enough left over from my pathetic salary for essentials and everyday expenses. As a car enthusiast, that’ll be a hard pill to swallow.
But a flat is an asset that’s likely to appreciate in value, whereas a car is a depreciating liability, so ditching the sunroof, head unit and all for a roof over my head is a no-brainer.
However, a petrolhead forced to abandon his personal transport would lose some social skills (no more car club meet-ups) and some motor skills (no more gears to change and steering wheel to steer). He’ll be a lesser man, unless he could get a “motorhome” of his own.
Which is where I come in. With this VW MPV, I’ll demonstrate (or maybe give a negative demonstration of) living in a car in Singapore, without breaking the law, troubling the relevant town council or losing one’s sanity.
Turning a vehicle interior into a bachelor pad is easy enough. I’ll put in a soft mattress, fat pillows, thin blankets and maybe a colourful bean bag. Plug in a lava lamp and hang a small disco ball. Play chill-out tunes on a battery-powered music player. Install an in-car cinema certified to “Gold Village” standards. Cruise on the information highway with a laptop and smartphone, tethered for Internet access.
As for sustenance, I’ll add a cooler box for my favourite drinks and a few airtight containers for snacks. Square meals are enjoyed at nearby kopitiams, which can also provide takeouts if I wish to makan in the Sharan. Best of all, there are no dishes to do!
When I crave for home-cooked food, I can just drive over to my parents’ place. I got plenty of seats for communal dining in my little “rental” parked downstairs.
This abode is nomadic, able to motor from one locale to another, wherever there’s residential potential. My “#00-00 Studio@Sharan” apartment might be at East Coast Park from Monday to Wednesday, at West Coast Park from Wednesday to Friday and at some quiet carpark over the weekend. It could even cross the Causeway and temporarily occupy a patch of freehold land (with a Temporary Occupation Permit in hand, of course).
In my experience at least, a boxy MPV makes a decent alternative to a shoebox flat, but in either case, living in a box is not exactly living it up.
HDB VERSUS MPV
NEW PUBLIC FLAT NEW PRIVATE CAR
Leasehold 99 years “COE-hold” 10 years
Liable for property tax Liable for road tax
Eligible for housing grants Ineligible for “hosing” grants
Can use CPF funds Cannot use CPF funds
5% cash downpayment 50% cash downpayment
Up to 30 years to repay loan Up to five years to repay loan
Comes without air-con Comes with air-con
Unfurnished and unpainted Furnished and painted
Includes a big bunch of keys Includes one spare key
