You can't even buy a packet of large fries at McDonald's for that kind of money. But never mind. Who cares about the fries when now you have the option to buy a lot more cars that were previously out of your budget? We take a look at the top ten cars we would buy with a S$2 COE.
In no particular order, here are our top ten choices:
In no particular order, here are our top ten choices:
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI DSG 7-speed - S$75,700
It's one of the few cars on our roads with seven real gears instead of a desperate continuously variable transmission (CVT).
And with 122 bhp and 200 Nm, it doesn't sound like much, but the engineers have set up the gears brilliantly.
It feels rather sprightly and will still return jaw-dropping mileage figures - enough to get the Japanese cars worried.
2008/2009 Mazda RX-8 - Price not announced
Producing 215 bhp - closely matching the field from 2.0-litre-plus engines - from its 1,308 cc, the Mazda RX-8 always gets people giggling when they think of how such a powerful car has made it under the COE Category A bracket.
The twin rotary engine is silky smooth with a good aural note and fans love it for having one of the stiffest chassis around. It's plenty of fun and hardly misses out on practicality.
2009 Honda Jazz - S$57,600 (1.3 LX) up to S$66,000 (1.5 Skyroof)
With sharp lines and corners, its aesthetics might receive many differing opinions. But there's no denying that the Honda Jazz is one of the best Japanese hatches around and now, with its lovely skyroof, its appeal has just increased.
Now that the COE price for this car has dropped by S$10,453, this could be a good buy for those who've always thought that the Jazz's price was slightly on the high side.
Renault Clio 1.6 - S$64,900
The new Clio doesn't disappoint. If you've got realistic expectations, that is. It handles well, just like a French hatch normally would. On top of that, it scored impressively for the EuroNCAP test.
Packing some cool looks, remarkable safety and relatively attractive pricing, the Renault Clio 1.6 makes one of the more interesting top ten buys with that not-to-be-missed S$2 COE.
Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart Version R - S$70,988 (1.5 Turbo Auto) up to S$75,888 (1.5 Turbo Recaro Auto)
One of the faster cars in its class and boasting arguably good value for money, the Colt Ralliart Version R is an object of desire for many. It still could have used a shorter name, though. And a better gearbox, too.
But if you can live with the guilt of driving a car like this with its CVT, this is something worth considering.
Suzuki Swift Sport - S$55,500 (Manual) and S$56,500 (Auto)
The Suzuki Swift Sport needs no introduction. Under the bonnet is a 1,586cc four-cylinder engine punching out 125bhp and 140Nm.
It accelerates from standstill to 100km/h in just 8.9 seconds and can still return some decent fuel economy when you need it to. Passenger space is a little reminder of why it weighs just 1,100kg though.
Citroen C3 - S$55,988
Now here's a car full of character. The C3 pretty much looks like nothing else in its class. It's bubbly, rather upright and has lots of personality.
In addition, the 1.6-litre engine and supremely competent chassis give this compact that magic carpet ride that the French excel at. And for a really great price too.
Honda City - S$58,300 (1.5 Auto) up to S$60,800 (1.5 LX)
It might be a basic-level car, but the 2009 Honda City is very well spec-ed. And don't for a moment think that just because it is "basic-level" that it will be shoddily built, because it isn't. The interior fit and finish is remarkable and it comes with paddle-shifters and even rear-airconditioning.
Hyundai i30 - S$52,999
The Hyundai i30 is one of the most underrated cars in Singapore. We hate that it isn't outselling other Japanese choices, because Hyundai, with this car, has managed to overcome its fuel consumption deficiencies, and is actually very fun to drive. We're dead serious!
Volkswagen Touran Sport - S$85,300 There's a very good reason why we like this car. We like it because it strikes a great balance between performance, practicality and fuel economy. Utilising VW's superb 1.4-litre supercharged and turbocharged engine, with the Touran Sport, moms can get the kids to school even if they woke up when classes have started.
More importantly, you can really seat seven passengers - the third row isn't just meant for dwarves or five-year-olds, adults can fit, too! On top of all that, it comes at a really attractive price.
It's one of the few cars on our roads with seven real gears instead of a desperate continuously variable transmission (CVT).
And with 122 bhp and 200 Nm, it doesn't sound like much, but the engineers have set up the gears brilliantly.
It feels rather sprightly and will still return jaw-dropping mileage figures - enough to get the Japanese cars worried.
2008/2009 Mazda RX-8 - Price not announced
Producing 215 bhp - closely matching the field from 2.0-litre-plus engines - from its 1,308 cc, the Mazda RX-8 always gets people giggling when they think of how such a powerful car has made it under the COE Category A bracket.
The twin rotary engine is silky smooth with a good aural note and fans love it for having one of the stiffest chassis around. It's plenty of fun and hardly misses out on practicality.
2009 Honda Jazz - S$57,600 (1.3 LX) up to S$66,000 (1.5 Skyroof)
With sharp lines and corners, its aesthetics might receive many differing opinions. But there's no denying that the Honda Jazz is one of the best Japanese hatches around and now, with its lovely skyroof, its appeal has just increased.
Now that the COE price for this car has dropped by S$10,453, this could be a good buy for those who've always thought that the Jazz's price was slightly on the high side.
Renault Clio 1.6 - S$64,900
The new Clio doesn't disappoint. If you've got realistic expectations, that is. It handles well, just like a French hatch normally would. On top of that, it scored impressively for the EuroNCAP test.
Packing some cool looks, remarkable safety and relatively attractive pricing, the Renault Clio 1.6 makes one of the more interesting top ten buys with that not-to-be-missed S$2 COE.
Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart Version R - S$70,988 (1.5 Turbo Auto) up to S$75,888 (1.5 Turbo Recaro Auto)
One of the faster cars in its class and boasting arguably good value for money, the Colt Ralliart Version R is an object of desire for many. It still could have used a shorter name, though. And a better gearbox, too.
But if you can live with the guilt of driving a car like this with its CVT, this is something worth considering.
Suzuki Swift Sport - S$55,500 (Manual) and S$56,500 (Auto)
The Suzuki Swift Sport needs no introduction. Under the bonnet is a 1,586cc four-cylinder engine punching out 125bhp and 140Nm.
It accelerates from standstill to 100km/h in just 8.9 seconds and can still return some decent fuel economy when you need it to. Passenger space is a little reminder of why it weighs just 1,100kg though.
Citroen C3 - S$55,988
Now here's a car full of character. The C3 pretty much looks like nothing else in its class. It's bubbly, rather upright and has lots of personality.
In addition, the 1.6-litre engine and supremely competent chassis give this compact that magic carpet ride that the French excel at. And for a really great price too.
Honda City - S$58,300 (1.5 Auto) up to S$60,800 (1.5 LX)
It might be a basic-level car, but the 2009 Honda City is very well spec-ed. And don't for a moment think that just because it is "basic-level" that it will be shoddily built, because it isn't. The interior fit and finish is remarkable and it comes with paddle-shifters and even rear-airconditioning.
Hyundai i30 - S$52,999
The Hyundai i30 is one of the most underrated cars in Singapore. We hate that it isn't outselling other Japanese choices, because Hyundai, with this car, has managed to overcome its fuel consumption deficiencies, and is actually very fun to drive. We're dead serious!
Volkswagen Touran Sport - S$85,300 There's a very good reason why we like this car. We like it because it strikes a great balance between performance, practicality and fuel economy. Utilising VW's superb 1.4-litre supercharged and turbocharged engine, with the Touran Sport, moms can get the kids to school even if they woke up when classes have started.
More importantly, you can really seat seven passengers - the third row isn't just meant for dwarves or five-year-olds, adults can fit, too! On top of all that, it comes at a really attractive price.
