Most Maltese afford car and computer

GiovDeMartino@E Psaila

May 30th 2009, 20:06

Taraw kif lili HADD ma jmerini?

E. Psaila

May 30th 2009, 18:37

- GiovDeMartino@AGC et al

I'm sorry imma dawk il-problemi ghalik jew il-problem li l-partit tieghek johrog biex jghatti l-problemi vera. Mur staqsi lil min tilef ix-xoghol jekk jigix jaqa u jqum mir-ritratt tal-president. U staqsi lil min ma jistax ihallas il-kontijiet tad-dawl u l-ilma li siehbek Gonzo ghogbu jgholli kif rahas iz-zejt. U l-party ta JPO ma nahsibx li jitqiex bhala problema zghira, jien inqisu lil hemm minn party. Dan huwa ezempju car ta' l-arroganza tal-gvern li jar li hadd ma jista ghalih...u biex naghlaq...triq wahda ghandna bil-hofor???...jew triq wahda ghandna tajba???

M.Pule'

May 30th 2009, 17:29

I suggest that Messrs. A.Zammit & R.Sammut remove their red specs before judging others.
Yes, in Malta most of the population live well. Those who opt to look for better opportunities abroad do so ONLY because 5 years ago we voted YES to EU.

Chantelle Mifsud

May 30th 2009, 16:56

yeah, pls . yes you can buy a computer even with a 25€ a month , with no interests. even a car if you want , take a loan stay at home eat noodles , and you can afford to buy a car.

Than I ll ask how many can afford to keep the car?
car is like having a family . to buy you can take a loan, or try to save money , instead of buying certain things.

S. Calleja

May 30th 2009, 16:48

Had the title of this article been "Some Maltese do not afford car and computer", it would have conveyed the gist of the message better without changing the underlying logic.

L Aquilina

May 30th 2009, 15:55

Has anyone bothered to check how stressed the local population is????? Traffic jams everywhere, tower cranes hovering over our skyline, rat race competition for everything in a tiny box of an island...the noise pollution is totally unbearable, and yet we have to put up with it day in day out, small wonder our pressure is rising and it has little to do with salt consumed.

J Micallef

May 30th 2009, 15:42

Wow - before most Maltese afforded their own house - now they can only afford a car and a pc? Considering a pc's price has hit rock bottom in the last years, and a car could be a 10 year old one, that does not seem much! Besides, there are so many problems to solve - like illegal immigration, the deficit, the cost of living vis-a-vis the ridicule wages, the lack of respect from people vested with power (both at work and in parliament), the ever-increasing criminality, etc, etc and what we end up discussing is a disco (with which I totally disagree), the Bollywood director, a Cirkewwa pavement! Is our mission to ridicule ourselves and our country?

GiovDeMartino@AGC et al

May 30th 2009, 15:17

Iva lili QATT HADD ma jmerini kelma wahda? Il-passat oxxen tal-lejber, il-gid li haw minkejja l-problemi kollha li hemm barra...ir-ritratt tal-President, il-licenzja ta' karozza fuq kemmuna, il-party ta' JPO, xi bozza mahrtuqa, xi triq kollha hofor, xi arroganza ta' xi hadd li ma qallikx 'grazzi", xi play iccensurata, in-nmuqqas ta' parking, ecc DAWN huma l-problemi taghna. Eccezzjonijiet jezistu. Imma ahna mhux f'dinja qeghdin?

stephen m bugeja

May 30th 2009, 11:07

i hate surveys- they dont paint a proper picture of real life. i can afford the car i have which is 10 years old , but not a new one , i can afford a computer as i took out a 1000 euro loan with a student grant on my sons name.
real life can never be survyed as there are times when i can afford a meal out then a bill comes along and then i cant . what i would have liked to see was how many people have a bank loan they can actually afford on one main wage and not paying it off on their unregistered 2 and 3rd jobs. please correct me if im wrong but 3percent of out population is 13500, that is minor- probably most asked couldnt afford it because they spent too much on cigerettes and gambling - but hey thats just my opinion ! i cant affrod a new car because i have one job and a house loan and i live my life hopefully to the fullest enjoing my children and wifes company.

A.gauci Cunningham

May 30th 2009, 08:22

Most of you commentators here are a terrible insult to the thousands of workers who work in tourism and who have a huge question mark above their heads and less money in their pockets, the thousands who are on a 4 day week and the thousands who are unemployed. Is Malta in hell? Of course not....Is Gonzi to blame for everything? Definitely not. But please for those like DeMartino who are so insensitive to reality I ask them to get out of their PN bubble and see, touch and experience the realities we are facing today.

charles zammit

May 30th 2009, 00:30

it would have been interesting if eurostat have enlightened us who are the real owners of cars in malta...is it joe the plummer or th;e financial institutions....

Joe Fenech

May 29th 2009, 22:44

This doesn't make sense. IN the top EU countries (France ,UK, Germany, etc) people keep their car for not more than 5 years while we keep ours for 25 years!

Joe Fenech

May 29th 2009, 22:41

Paul Barthet:
" About the survey: Yes we can fool ourselves to think that we're better than the average European. Obviously no one ever asks where we are getting all the money from, and that if we had to divide the national debt per capita that would make €10,000 debt per person. The sad truth is that this "living beyond our means" is short lived."

SPOT ON Mr Barthet!

Joe Fenech

May 29th 2009, 22:40

Joss Galea:

I wasn't picturing YOU Mrs Galea - but, let's admit it: many people live their life that way.

"I am a 30 year old happily married mother of one! My income is spent on nappies, food and loans, and yet I don't think that I have anything to grumble about my standard of living."

I appreciate the fact that you can get buy with this (am not being sarcastic Mrs Galea), but I expect other things too (especially since I've already been through that!) : I like to go to top quality theatre and concerts, holidays, be in nature, go to a good restaurant, etc. Malta does not offer this.

As to life for children in Malta - how many **quality** activities does Malta offer to kids?: theatre, puppetry, music activities (not the poor local singing but PROPER music), science activities...

Nothing personal Mrs Galea. I wasn't slating Malta either. It's just that it's limited and one doesn't always see it.

Paul Barthet

May 29th 2009, 21:02

Some Spanish friends came to Malta last year. Apart from the state of the art roads and the beautiful concrete scenery, they made a short comment about the cars: "what is it with your cars ? It's like going back to the 80's!" I love talking to foreigners. They are defenitely not blue or red. They are eye openers. The plain truth is that we have an ageing car fleet on our roads. I bought a new car 3 years ago. I would never buy a new car again, not on these roads. I regret what I did 3 years ago. About the survey: Yes we can fool ourselves to think that we're better than the average European. Obviously no one ever asks where we are getting all the money from, and that if we had to divide the national debt per capita that would make €10,000 debt per person. The sad truth is that this "living beyond our means" is short lived.

E.Psaila

May 29th 2009, 17:59

Interesting 3% do not affrord a car and 4% do not afford a computer. The problem is that a car costs thousands of Euro while you can buy a good computer with hundreds of euro so how come some (1%) cannot afford a computer but can afford a car????

carmel zammit

May 29th 2009, 17:44

dak ir rapport gie ppuplikat biex il gvern ikun jista jnehhi parti mill health services u jamillhom bi hlas ghax jghid li l poplu malti jaffordja ihallas la hawn tal lussu kollu u l familja ghanda l cumputers biex ikunu jistu jixtru minn fuq l ebay bhal meta jistennew is sales kieku jistu anke l ikel jixtru meta titkelmu fuq lussu tkunu tweggu lil minn hu bla xoghol jew gie redundant qabel iz zmien jew qieghed jahdem gimgha mnaqsa +il familji taghom ghal karrozzi sirna pajjiz tas second hands

A. Zammit

May 29th 2009, 16:27

@ R. Gatt: What has this government give us, apart from more taxes and less money in the pocket. Why did not the PN make an enquiry to what happened in the 80's and why did he promote those police officers who 'bullied' you? Maybe you are not aware that there is a rise with people who are jobless? Your bill came at -6 Euros? You really are unique then, unless you are not one of those evading taxes and doing whatever he likes, while we have to see pastazati from MEPA. But you do whatever you like because it's your government. That's why you speak of the 80's and not what is happening today. Pitiful!

R. Gatt

May 29th 2009, 15:51

@ A Zammit - The 70ies and 80ies are the last place you should go to. Your ministers might have given us a little social welfare, but they took from us a lot more than that. Our dignity for one by offering us to work in trenches in some military corp. Or having to wait in Beltissebh to talk to some secretary to a minister and plead for a job. the best jobs given not to whoever deserved it but to people who followed the Labour Party. How about sitting for an exam to join BOV or MID MED or some other parastatal institution and told that the results are not for public viewing. Our lands that where being taken over by ministers or friends of their's to develop into apartements. Ministers who from being an employee in Malta Drydocks, as soon as they became ministers, their bank accounts started overflowing. I could go on all day. Most of all our FREEDOM that was being nibbled away every day. We even had a voteless prime minister who was acually playing with the idea of suspending democracy. I did receive the bill and it came to - €6.

A. Zammit

May 29th 2009, 15:48

@ M Pule': Just say that to people leaving the island for a better future (Doctors, Nurses and other professionals) and then illuminate us with your talk!

Andre Cilia

May 29th 2009, 14:19

@R Ferriggi

Just make the simple difference between NEEDING a car and just wanting to change one for the sake of changing it. A 15 year old car is usually still in a very good shape, had you said 30 years I would have simply shut up. At least I think that this survey is about those NEEDING a car but not affording it, not those who would like to change it so that they have a car which is better than the neighbour's...

R. Sammut

May 29th 2009, 13:51

Mr Pule, that is maybe we are having professionals like Doctors, Nurses, IT People et al leaving the country to work abroad, because abroad is worse than here! Take off those blue specs will you!

Marcello Cauchi

May 29th 2009, 13:45

You know, all of you describe wealth as how much cars you own, and how many times you go out a month to a restaurant, and how bug your house is ..... All we are doing is trying to keep up our standard of living with our European neighbours
What you all leave out, and what this survey does not even touch is what is the birth rate of the Maltese, how many people are postponing having a baby due to financial reasons!!! compared to the standard European. In my opinion that would describe the wealthyness of one
Maltese!!!

C. Farrugia

May 29th 2009, 12:54

@ Joseph E Briffa

For your info: with surcharge and all, my utility bills have gone up by at least 50, and NOT 20%. Secondly my last estimate covering 3.5 months or so, was higher than my previous actual bill for SIX months!! And we are expected to pay that?! I am also being penalized for owning an older car which I take great care of (obviously because I don't afford a new one!) And those are NOT the only increases Mr Briffa. Gonzi has himself admitted his concern that the rising cost of living in Malta is approx. 6 times higher than other EU countries!

And in conclusion: if 180 Euros is nothing to you (because you might be of higher class, with a big pay packet and maybe no family to feed), it can be a LOT for many families, added on to all other rising expenses: myself included. Perhaps you want to fork it out for me?

One final suggestion in your own words: "Why can't you think a bit before rushing to print?"

Joe Micallef

May 29th 2009, 12:43

Galea

Just to understand with whom you are comparing Gonzi, who is competent?

M. Zarb

May 29th 2009, 12:25

That's odd. When I last compared cars in Malta with cars you see abroad, there's one fundamental difference.

In one place, EVERYONE has a brand-new shiny car. Even if it's second hand, it's still recent (ie: 2000s model).

In the other place, most cars are rather old; cheaper.

The study really fails to impress - 'afford car and computer' isn't quantified! Yes, many people can afford to spend €200 on a broken-down Fiat, and many people can spend €100 on an MS-DOS computer!! What exactly defines 'car and computer'? Where was the line drawn? I'd like to see more details.

n mifsud

May 29th 2009, 12:16

vera li mhux nghixu fil genna, imma lanqas ahna fl-infern ta !!!! tal PL qed jghidu li qedin nghixu fil faqar umbad xi 3 darbiet fis sena jaghmlulek xi gabra u jheggu in nies biex jaghtu id donazjonijiet ghal partit !!!! barra il coffee mornings li jaghmlu!!! hekk ikunu in nies li jghixu fil faqar....come on get a life u imxu b'mohhkom.

M Micallef

May 29th 2009, 12:14

So let me get this right....
97% afford a car but 7% could not afford to pay utility bills and the an other 3% could not afford rent or mortgages!!! Now it's either some people have the wrong priorities or this statistic is VERY flawed. On the other hand there are lies, damned lies and statistics!

A. Zammit

May 29th 2009, 12:01

@ Michael Pule': Say this to those that are paying loans and those who are jobless or who cannot afford going out!

Joss Galea

May 29th 2009, 11:59

@Joe Fenech,
You judged me by picturing me as a young university drunk student, who spends her time in Paceville and Sliema and Bugibb. I am a 30 year old happily married mother of one! My income is spent on nappies, food and loans, and yet I don't think that I have anything to grumble about my standard of living.

You should run for the elections as you think you have the solutin for everything!

Michael Pule'

May 29th 2009, 11:51

When we go abroad, we soon realize that our standard of living is very high. Thank God we do not have such crime & almost everybody affords a VERY decent living. If you visit a bar or a restaurant in any part of the island, you will immediately notice many Maltese enjoying themselves by eating out frequently. The usual armchair critics who see nothing good in Malta should come to their senses and admit that yes, we afford cars, computers & internet, going abroad, beautiful clothes, frequent hair dressing, and a lot of gambling.

r ferriggi

May 29th 2009, 11:51

to Mr R Gatt

i am not an expert no.

i have only worked hard for the last 30 years. thats all. with normal to low wages.

after all,,,, many here are speaking from some cushy podium,,,, probably with some financial backing of some sort. good luck to them but there is another reality.

are people dying of hunger? no, of course not.

but do you realise that there are many families on this island who have to postpone buying a computer for their children until they are in better circumstances? or who wish to change their 15 year old car but cannot?? i know a few.

A. Zammit

May 29th 2009, 11:46

@ Joss Galea: So how come we have a great number of people (Doctors, nurses et al) leaving the country to work abroad?

@ R. Gatt: Maybe you did not receive the bills yet? And are you refering to the same 80's ministers that gave us the social welfare (leave, sick leave, bonus, children's allowance, houses) we have today? Oh maybe you forgot that your PN voted agains these social welfare we benefit from today. We are now dependent on a Prime Minister that nowadays does not even know what he wants, let alone give us what we need!

Joe Fenech

May 29th 2009, 11:43

Joss Galea:

That is if high standard of living means walking up and down ad nauseam Sliema and Bugibba seafronts, spending your weekend drinking in Paceville or having a pizza, having to go to a university that cultivates non-creative cloned professionals, having to be bombarded by the likes of 'Who's Everybody' and our atrociously incompetent politicians...

I'm not saying foreign countries are heaven, but Malta is still a tiny country with limited economical, spiritual, cultural and intellectual resources.

Joss Galea

May 29th 2009, 10:54

I wonder how some people never went to live outside Malta. As you think it's hell you should leave. I've lived abroad and believe me the standard of living here is very good!!!

R. Gatt

May 29th 2009, 09:42

Yes r.ferriggi and I'm sure you're an expert on the subject. Why is it a joke? Is it because you don't like what's in it? Is it 'cause it was not done by PL? The survey confirms that we live a good life, not a perfect one but we live well. Long gone are the days when we had to depend on a minister to give us our daily earnings. I suggest you pass it on to your doomonger leader.

Galea. L

May 29th 2009, 09:08

Peter Bonnici
I never had a problem in changing my car in the 70's and 80's Bonnici and hell is now not in those times. As for close mindedness kieku l-gemel jara hotobtu jaqa' u jmut zoptu Bonnici. As for Dr KMB and the workers for whom we are still paying you must be living in Nirvana. Hasn't your PN government been in power since 1987? Why didn't it remedy the situation you allegedly imply was caused by Dr KMB? Because these are BLATANT LIES Bonnici, that's why.

c. camilleri What was STOLEN from the people must be given back to the people whoever they are camilleri whether you and Gonzi like it or not.

Joe Micallef Gonzi huwa hati ta' dak li qieghed jigri f'Malta minhabba l-inkompetenza tieghu.

Joseph E Briffa

May 29th 2009, 09:03

@C Farrugia..what's this fuss about the 'exorbitant' utility tariffs? The increase is a mere 20% or so..in absolute terms it's an extra Eur180 a year for the average family household half a Euro a day......is this the exorbitant increase? And don't forget that the needy families -some 30 000 households - have been exempt from this increase. Why can't you think a bit before rushing to print?

Ernest Vella

May 29th 2009, 06:51

Dawn li jgorru bl-oghli tad-dawl u l-ilma jidher li jaffordjawh computer ghax ma jinqalghux min quddiemu!!! L-oghli tad-dawl xorta mhux accettabli imma lanqas li qeghdin f'xifer l-irdum ghalkemm mhux f'genna ta' l-art.

Jekk tisimghu naqr'ohra s-Super One jew in-Net tibdew temmnu kollox...ifthu mohhkom u rragunaw bih...ghax kollox jiswa u dak li mhux etern mhu xejn...min irid jifhem, ha jifhem

Joe Fenech

May 29th 2009, 01:21

The Maltese, whether they afford it or not, HAVE TO have a car because public transport - a basic service - is absolute rubbish!

Let's hope that with the new government plans for public transport we get it right.

Can we also make sure that buses/mini-buses don't have those Madonnas , holy pictures, Elvises, stupid slogans and tacky decorations? Let's for once be a bit pro and "smart" (have we forgotten this one Gonz?).

C. Farrugia

May 28th 2009, 22:01

Yes....most Maltese afford a car and computer...but it might not be for long. With the Elec. tariffs, tax increases, and cost of living 6 times higher compared to other EU countries...we might soon have to start walking everywhere again, and dump the computer for recycling!

E. Compagno

May 28th 2009, 20:16

People should take into account that since the VRT, many cars have been scrapped at they are simply not worth repairing in the end, forcing owners to find the means to buy a newer car. (Only to reduce it to a shambles on our bad roads anyway).

Also, what about the cost of running a car? Of servicing it? And what is a computer worth without an i-net connection?

To keep both these basic "luxuries", most families must cut down from else where. Sometimes even from food, as one can not do without a car to be able to work, thanks to our unreliable bus service.

Peter Bonnici

May 28th 2009, 18:50

@ Galea L. As always, your infinite wisdom never ceases to amaze us. I honestly have never read / heard anyone as closed-minded as yourself.
Malta is not paradise, that we know. But it never was believe me. People who can remember the 70's and 80's might even tell you it was closer to hell then . But surely you cannot compare the lifestyle we live now, to what we had then. Remember, we could not even choose the car/engine capacity we wanted? Remember when cars were imported by quota? So you needed to bribe a minister or even a car salesman to jump the queue? otherwise you had to wait 18 months or more for delivery?
And did you ever hear banks announce forecasts in the 70's and 80's? They were confiscated and state-owned remember? and served only to provide jobs for the boys !!
And do you expect a foreign compaby, that provides hi-tech products to car industry under pressure like Germany's not to feel the heat?
Do you suggest that the goverment takes on all laid-off workers like KMB had done, and which we still pay for?
You seriously have no idea how the world works.

J abela

May 28th 2009, 18:02

@C. Sapiano
@GiovDeMartino

Good for you. However seems like you're living in a different Malta then the others do. Seems like the phrase "hbieb tal-hbieb" rings a bell!.

c. camilleri

May 28th 2009, 17:56

@paul borg. It seems that you are unaware of the queue at the Milend to register for refund of Vat. Amongst them was Joseph Muscat who wants his vat back on the 60,000 euros he paid for his car. No wonder that labour guys who campaigned so much against Europe are up in the queue for the gravy yard of Brussels.

Joe Micallef

May 28th 2009, 17:29

@ Galea

Veru kollu htija ta dan il-gvern din ir-ricessjoni mondiali.

Between us I was told that someone so Gonzi campaigning in Via Vento convincing people not to buy Opels. Other even insisted that he was outside the Lingotto as well.

But what I couldn't believe is that he had borrowed the sandwich placard used by Sharon Ellul Bonici when she was campaigning against the 6th chair in Ireland!

Galea. L

May 28th 2009, 17:10

p.s.
have a look at
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090528/local/central-bank-likely-to-further-revise-downwards-growth-projections

Galea. L

May 28th 2009, 17:09

Joseph E Briffa
How do you know they are brand new and not second hand cars from e.g. the UK bought at a much lower price? BMW X-type, Mercedeses, Audi A3s? Are you living in Malta or are you daydreaming Briffa? Just like the Italians when 4,400 Italian Lira were equivalent to 1 Malta lira saying €100 looks greater than if the sum was stated in Malta Liri Briffa.
Furthermore, as indicated by various posters,this survey is NOT relevant as ti is two years old.
Moreover, if we are having it so good, why are employers discharging workers, working 4 and 3 days instead of a full week, issuing calls for sacrifices etc. etc?

GiovDeMartino You're a member of the moaners club Demartino.

Graham Crocker

May 28th 2009, 17:04

how could this be lies. what with the VAT queues, the invasion of second hand cars from UK and of course who can forget the daily traffic jams?

And the cars on the road? Ehem .. Alfas and Kias are a far cry from Skodas and Yugos if you ask me.

Anthony Magri

May 28th 2009, 16:26

There are how many households on National Assitance?
How many couples of senior citizens living on non contributory Old Age Pension. How many living on their scanty NI. Pension.These are the least number of households that surely cannot afford a car, or private transport. Giving the number in percentage of the population or households, it would reveal the veracity of the survey of 3 % of people who cannot afford a car
Most probably the survey intended to say that taking into account the number of licenced vehicles it woul appear that only 3 % of the population would not afford a car. Most probably this is also far from the truth..

John Schembri

May 28th 2009, 16:15

What has this country come to when everything said has to be interpreted with a political lens. Where the blue say all is well, and the red paint doom and gloom. Does the man in the street have a brain of his own which is not politically coloured? The truth to me, and I care to think with my own mind, thank you very much, with no allegiance to any politician, is as follows.

We are better off than the 80s, but then again, so is most of Europe.
We have grown since the repressed 80s, but then again, heaven help us if we didn't.
With respect to recent years, our belt has tightened, even though some sectors are better off.
We have a party in power for too long, too many abuses, and no will to correct them.
There is no political accountability in this country, nobody ever resigns.
We are paying too much for many services and items which do not need to cost as much.
The cost of cars in this country is a huge percentage over what cars cost in the rest of Europe.
The government is intent on making people pay beyond their means.

c. camilleri

May 28th 2009, 16:04

@ the usual moaners. The most blind persons are those who do not want to see and the most deaf persons are those who do not want to hear. Continue with your litany of contempt to anything right. You still have four yrs to indulge in yr moaning.
.

Christian Mifsud

May 28th 2009, 15:39

This was in 2007 where we were in a good state financially but now thanks to our beloved Gonzi we hardly can make the ends meet with this cost of living and the huge electricity bills. The luxury cars are still something for the wealthy few

J Abela

May 28th 2009, 15:32

@ Giov De Martino
You've starting to repeat yourself and this is never a good sign.... especially when you live in cloud-cookoo-land and... try and make people buy into your fantasies. You clearly need help.

Frans Borg

May 28th 2009, 15:15

For those who are saying that food (from supermarkets) is the highest in Europe, it means that they have never been abroad. Income taxes in france, Belgium, Germany is up to 50%. Our Government has decreased the income tax for 3 consecutive years. Little by little but it goes down. What about those Maltese going abroad every year. They keep increasing constantly. And on and on and on ......

Now this report comes to light. It shows clearly that the Maltese have learnt to lead a good life. They are hard workers, but the lead a good life because they have the means. We haven't heard of any forecloseures like the US, thank God and not even of any mass lay offs. All in all, we have problems, like every other country, but surely Malta is not as bad as the MLP is trying to depict.

MLP has lost credibility. I hope Joe Muscat will try to restore it by being more objective, rational and less power hungry...

Max Waghorn

May 28th 2009, 14:19

And yet most Maltese business men always play the poor man's game, pull t'other Joe. t'is got bells on it me ol'babie. Max Waghorn (avon/somerset).

Joe Micallef

May 28th 2009, 14:11

Evil conspiracy at its best! Trying to blow Dr. Mucat's bubble.

Does the survey say whether most Maltese can afford a Kia Sportage and an Alfa......that would be intolerable indhil barrani. VETO VETO VETO!

Joseph E Briffa

May 28th 2009, 14:07

I must point out that recently I have been noticing lots and lots of new cars on the road..mostly small Hyundai Getz, Yaris, Fiat Puntos, VW Polos..but they are brand new. I also noted a number of luxury cars - they look brand new - like BMW X-type, Mercedeses, Audi A3s, It seems to me that the Maltese have never had it so good - the supermarkets are chockful with shoppers piling up bills of Eur100 +. Most people are well dressed, bars are full of drinkers. Somebody said that these people might be having a bank loan for these cars: but one must not forget that Banks only make loans to people who can repay..in fact I believe that to get a car loan, the amount exceed one's annual income. So the money is there. The Maltese have over Eur5 billion in the two main banks and every time a loan is floated by the government or by private companies it is oversubscribed in a matter of hours. People must also settle their utility bills like they have always done, otherwise their energy supply will be terminated. Anyway here the increase was a mere 20% despite all the fuss.

Jos Vella

May 28th 2009, 13:36

These statistics mean nothing in my eyes. What political message are we trying to obtain?? It would have been more helpful if the statistics had to describe what type of cars are we talking about? Are they new cars or second hand cars were also included in the survey. the price for second hand cars starts at circa €700- (depending on the condition) which is roughly the same price of an average computer. I can smell a political motive here!!

g. scerri

May 28th 2009, 12:56

I wonder how many have borrowed heavily to keep up with the Joneses and what the rate of repossessions is.

mario gellel

May 28th 2009, 12:32

For Malta sake, what is 2007 survey gonna do good to us when we are in mid 2009 and the story is just the other way round? Today most families can hardly make it through the night(if u know what I mean).The second article below this one is true proof.

GiovDeMartino@ all moaners

May 28th 2009, 12:20

I have been saying and writing this for ages. There is no place like Malta and we have never had it so good. Thanks to the PN.

GiovDeMartino@ all moaners

May 28th 2009, 12:20

I have been saying and writing this fopr ages. There is no place like Malta and we have never had it so good. Thanks to the PN.

maria falzon

May 28th 2009, 12:15

If this news is making Maltese headlines, then we have really hit the bottom economically. Are a western country, or a third world one?

Chris Borg

May 28th 2009, 12:13

One must not forget the average age of cars on the maltese streets when considering these statistics.

It's not fair to put Malta in the same category as France, Italy and Slovenia when maltese cars stay on the streets 3 or 4 times as long.

Paul Borg

May 28th 2009, 12:01

May I ask if this article refers to New cars or Second Hand cars? And what about if the same survey is carried out this year, when the cost of living increased well beyond the EU average?

Noel Barry

May 28th 2009, 11:59

All we hear from the MLP is that Malta is sinking and everyone is begging. This report sums up everything and now I hope that all MLP bloggers will stop moaning and get on with their life.

M Cilia

May 28th 2009, 11:58

Let this be another PN (see, we're great!) vs PL (but this, but that) debate...

A. Saliba

May 28th 2009, 11:54

So there more Maltese people who can afford to buy a car than a computer?

Mark Portelli

May 28th 2009, 11:42

Basta ingergru

C. Sapiano

May 28th 2009, 11:40

This is a confirmation that we should not always grumble. Our standard of living is at least above average - and this in Europe. Imagine if we had to compare ourselves with many countries in Africa or South America...

r ferriggi

May 28th 2009, 11:32

this study/survey is a COMPLETE JOKE.

i have a 'normal' wage and i do not afford to buy a new car. or to rephrase,,,,, i nearly have to stop ALL OTHER SPENDING for a number of years to afford a decent one ( not a scrap second hand one).

another thing; you need to check out the age of a maltese car. here, cars last 5/10/15 years or more. foget changing it sooner.

these fake surveys should stop using wrong data.

may i add a statistic myself : food here is probably the HIGHEST in europe. go ask the Germans and the British who come here for holiday ( i am not referring to beer here!)