Which car would be better in Finland?

[CaribbeanGirl]

THAAAAANKS so much for all the feedback everyone! It's REALLY helpful!!!

So I think I will sell my car here for $6000 or $7000 dollars and just add a few extra thousands to buy one there... I am REALLY used to having a car. Living in the USA I have always lived in cities where a car is necessary but I also want to have to to travel outside of the city on weekends, etc...

So I I buy let's say an 10,000 euros car.... How much taxes, would I have to pay on it?

I have also seen they lease cars... Are long term leases there worth it? What would it cost more or less for a decent car? Do they lease to foreigners?

[Tiwaz]

Engine heater is not necessary on modern cars. Any decently maintained modern car will start (yes a 1993 Renault will not work in -25 unless very well maintained). I have (and have had) multiple cars and none of them have engine heaters (edit: lie one had it but I never plugged it in). Never had any problem and since my balcony overlooks the parking area of the apartment I look how many plug their cars in: Only the granddad does it and none of the other do (electricity points only work from 06.00 to 09.00 anyways so what if it is -25 at 13.00).

A lot of stuff is not necessary, but having a heater (and one inside too) spares your car a lot of wear and tear, not to mention being merciful on your battery.

Cold start is rather nasty for the engine. Battery has to work harder too, which means you have to drive longer period before it has regained it's charge.
And since it is bigger strain, your batteries are going to give up earlier requiring replacement more often.

Something might not be necessary, but it can be extremely wise to do.

[Pursuivant]

OK, so you are coming here to work? When you get yourself settled you might look into if they have a "company car" scheme, in other words a leasing scheme. You pay up the wazoo but on the other hand you have a spanking brand new car under you.

As for the taxation, there is a road tax, if its a non-petrol car you get an extra tax on top, for newer cars you pay more. The insurance depends on the engine and the county you live in, but in general not much difference between different companies. Usually you can get a deal through your bank.

[kharnynb]

Count on not having much change from 1000 euros on yearly costs.

Where in helsinki you live matters a lot for parking etc.
kallio for example is hopeless for parking, whereas arabia usually has decent parking.
For 10k you can buy a decent newish secondhand car.

[CaribbeanGirl]

Count on not having much change from 1000 euros on yearly costs.

Where in helsinki you live matters a lot for parking etc.
kallio for example is hopeless for parking, whereas arabia usually has decent parking.
For 10k you can buy a decent newish secondhand car.

Is the 1000 euros including insurance, yearly registrations and other fees besides parking? If so, that is not bad at all!! I currently pay $158 dollars a month for full coverage insurance on the Audi do that's about $2000 dollars a year with the yearly registration fees, etc.

Once I get there I think I will be in temporary housing/hotel until I decide where I want to live. Different topic I know, but What neighborhood areas are good and are they any I should stay away from?!

[kharnynb]

that would include basic insurance, tax and yearly registration.

There's no real places to stay away from as you'd have in other mayor cities.
Where to live depends more on your wishes and budget.

General, The "western" side of helsinki is better than the "eastern" side.
Rentals inside the real center are usually tiny and expensive.

Depending on where you work, it might even be better to look at espoo/vantaa if you prefer bigger or cheaper living space.