If you were ever thinking of buying a car in Taiwan, don't. Because of import taxes, cars in Taiwan cost twice what they cost in the rest of the world. That doesn't stop the streets being filled with cars though. It also means that cars here are even more of a status symbol.
In regards to luxury cars, there are the normal BMWs and Benz's. However BMW is by far the most revered here, all others are considered inferior. When it comes to super cars, the only choice really is Ferrari. On weekends you can't go around without seeing some F430s. It seems like before then Porsche was the brand of choice, and now other companies like Aston Martin have arrived here.
One way to get around the high cost of new cars, is to get a used car, especially when it comes to luxury and super cars. Because of this around town there are quite a few used car shops for sports cars and super cars. They all have the feel of being financed by organized crime and yet still run as a legitimate business. Meaning the cars aren't stolen, but just only organized crime has enough money to back such an expensive business. I could be completely off base though, as I said, it's just the feeling I get.
Who actually buys these expensive cars? Well for all the people I've met who own these cars, most of them always seem to be dentists. They seem to be the one group that has both the disposable income and the free time to actually enjoy these cars. I have known some quite rich businessmen who have a great collection of cars in their private garage, but they rarely take them out. Other rich people usually just buy luxury sedans as Taiwan doesn't really have any place to drive super cars.
What does it mean for me? Well after learning chinese I'll be enrolling in dentistry school so one day I can get my GTR. Actually it's reasons like this that I fight very hard for women's equality in Taiwan, so one day there can be a female dentist and I can seduce her and drive her sports car. I'm such a caring person.
