Car Hire/Rental and Buying a Car in Kuala Lumpur

To hire a Car :

Best rates and reliability of cars is a tie between Avis and Hertz. They even have pick up locations in KL downtown and not just the airport. Hertz are also known as Simedarby rentals.


Hertz
Hertz/Simedarby
Jalan Raja Chulan
Lot G01A-02A, Ground Floor, Wisma MPL
Kuala Lumpur
Phone: 60 3 20262497
Hours of Operation: Mon-Sat 0800-1830, Sun 0800-1330
LRT station
Raja Chulan, JLN Sultan Ismail
Feb 2013: Hundai rental 125 ringgit per day

Car hire for Lower

Avis Kuala Lumpur
AVIS, Renaissance Hotel, JLN Ampang, next to Monorail Bukit Nanas
May 2011: cost 520 ringgit for 4 days equals 130 ringgit per day =£26/ $43


To Buy a car:

Motor Trader
Car List

Expats tend to:
1. buy a second hand foreign car from any one of the second hand car dealers
2. buy a new Malaysian made car such as the Perodua Myvi.

Imported cars in Malaysia are extremely expensive. Malaysia produces its own cars such as Proton, Perodua and Naza which are more affordable. Some expats steer clear of the Malaysian made cars for fear of safety and quality whilst other expats are very happy especially with the small Perodua Myvi.
Click link below to see the Perodua Myvi.
http://www.sgcarmart.com/new_cars/newcars_photos.php?CarCode=10678

Second hand Hondas tend to be quite popular.  A new Honda costs 115,000 ringgit upwards (approximately: $39,000 US).
A second hand Honda can cost anything between 37,000 Malaysian ringgit to 100,000 ringgit.

Compare the cost of living in different countries, click below:
http://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/comparison/kuala-lumpur/dubai

I did my driving licence from scratch here in KL. The process was smooth but required as usual a theory test, driving lessons and a practical test. I now have a probationary licence that allows me to drive around for the next 2 years. After that I can qualify to have a full licence. This is the system here.

As a learned driver you can convert your licence to a Malaysian licence at Putra Jaya, the administrative capital in KL but the rules keep changing. You may or may not have to sit a test.

Some reciprocal countries can use their licence for a couple of months or for as long as it is valid before having to convert. UK licence is one of these.
Please look at the links below for more information.

Converting your drivers licence:
 http://www.mm2h.gov.my/pdf/mm2h11.pdf
http://www.expatliving-malaysia.com/expat/expat.php?num=10

Getting a brand new licence:  http://expatriateabroad.blogspot.com/2011/02/learning-to-drive-in-kl.html

How many expensive, luxury cars are there in KL?

Kuala Lumpur must be one of the few countries in the world where you are guaranteed to see at least 1 expensive luxury car on the road every day. I don't mean a rented luxury car that is only taken out as a treat but actual people driving their own Porsche, Ferrari etc around town. They also come in all sorts of colours that you wouldn't see in Europe for example. The amazing thing is not only the sheer number of these cars but also the fact that they cost 3 times more than they do abroad due to import taxation!

Check out what I mean below:

Language Lessons in Kuala Lumpur

Bahasa Malaysia is taught at the YMCA in Kuala Lumpur. They are based near Sentral Station and they also offer other language courses such as Spanish, French and German. Unfortunately, they do not offer Italian lessons which I am still looking for.
So don't be bored at home, get out there and learn a new language!
More info:
95 Jalan Padang Belia
off Jalan Tun Sambanthan
50470 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-22741439
http://www.ymcakl.com/

You can also learn german via the Goethe-Institut. For more information click here:
Goethe Institute Kuala Lumpur
Oh and I have now found Italian Lessons via Ringo: Ringo Language Centre

Mosquito Control in Kuala Lumpur.

I had guests staying over from Europe about 4 months ago. One afternoon we were all sat on the balcony chatting away and enjoying the afternoon. One of my friends saw a car in the distance and shouted: "Gosh, that car's engine is smoking and the driver isn't stopping, the whole thing could explode any minute!"
We all stood up to take a look at what she was pointing at and just caught sight of the car as it turned the corner of the building next door. There was definitely, a huge cloud of smoke frothing in it's wake. We all braced ourselves, clenching our face muscles in anticipation of an explosion. Nothing! The deep droning of the car on fire just kept sounding behind the neighbouring building. "Why doesn't the guy stop the engine and get out of the car?" asked my other friend. We all numbly shook our heads as the droning started to get louder. Then the car re-appeared from behind the building and I burst into a fit of laughter. "What are you laughing at? What's going on?!"
"Look!" I said. "It's a rentokill car!"
"And, so what?"
I calmed my friends down and explained to them this phenomenon they had just witnessed which is unknown in Europe.
"The car is not on fire it is fogging against Mosquitoes!"

Fogging is repeated once a month in residential areas to control mosquito infestations in Kuala Lumpur.
See photo below: