ruru said:
per that logic a 1993 Santana should cost more than a 2009 Santana; because while there are lots of 2009 models there are relatively few from 1993.
That's what I mean, there is low supply which does explain why the prices are higher than you would expect. Not higher than new, as in rare classics, but higher than you would expect when compared with other countries.
On the subject of running non shanghai plates in shanghai, I did this for 2 years. This is how it works:
1 On entry to the city (highway toll road) you have to pay a small extra amount, I think its about 30 rmb. You get a number sticker with todays date to put in the windscreen.
2 If you stay more than about 10 days (which the cops can see from the number) then you should buy an extra tax thing for the month which costs about 150rmb. YOu do not have to display this though , so unless they stop you nobody will check. I never wanted to risk being stopped (too many illegal engine modifications on the car!) so I used to stick it to the windscreen, if you watch my tianma videos you can see a computer printout stuck to the screen, that is the receipt.
3 Annual inspection should theoretically be done in the place of registration, but I think it is possible to get it done remotely and provide documentation, only applies to cars 3 yrs and older though.
4. Not allowed to use elevated highways or yanan road tunnel during rush hour. Quite often enforced, I've seen people pulled over for this, if there is a copper up on there and you are in heavy traffic there is no way out. Because of where my office was this was not a big problem (close to the yangpu bridge, and you can use the bridges).
5. Apparently you get a lot more agro from the police in general because shanghainese think non shanghainese are peasants. I made a point of not having the glass tinted so they could see I was a foreigner, and therefore not considered a peasant, never had any hassle.
6. There is a theory that the various shanghai speed cameras wont bother to enforce offences by non shanghai registrations because of the paperwork. Certainly I never had a problem, but then you all know I don't like to drive too fast right?
7. Other shanghainese road users may treat you as a peasant, as might other shanghainese people you meet or want to do business with. This didn't really bother me, they thought I was nuts for driving a chery anyway, until they rod in it.
Cheers,
Gav