Firstly, you're going to be working in Brunei, correct?
Is this your first time working there?

Usually you'll have to get a work permit done then after that they'll give you a green color IC.
With the work permit and green IC you can go get a Bruneian Driving license.
Technically you can use a Malaysian driving license in Brunei but getting their driving license enables you to buy a car there.
Seriously cars there are dirt cheap.
I was stationed there for a few years I recall buying a car there because I didn't want to be restricted by the company car policy (they gimme a BMW).
So I looked around and found a 6 year old Mitsubishi Galant Jerung, if u dunno how it looks like click on the spoiler below, for about BND2800 nego to 2600 (at the time exchange rate roughly is x3) so it is like RM7800
Nowadays can't even buy a full spec Iphone with that kinda money.
Yeah, kinda joked with a friend then that I would trade my Iphone 7 for their used Kia Cerato 

Get a Brunei car, get a cheap insurance or 3rd party is enough.
Cars there so cheap if it is moderate to major accident just use the insurance to cover the 3rd party.
Don't care then go hunt for another car, you can always find ads online in FB or posted in supermarkets.
Depending on how much you're being paid there, for me BND2600 isn't alot for me due to expatriate status.
For Malaysian working there they should at least be giving you between BND1800-3000, so roughly it is like save up half salary for 2 months can get a car.

Don't bother getting a new car in Brunei, just get a used one.
Like a whore just pay, use, then dump.
Remember to open up a PRS account there so you can store funds in SGD/USD.
At the rate MYR is going if you're well paid there buying a Civic full spec is just 6 months of savings.
If you're from WM no point to buy a nice car to use for travel between Miri and Brunei.
Bring back to WM is troublesome, wanna sell over there not so easy to flip unless you drive all the way to Kuching coz areas surrounding Brunei is loaded with cheap cars from Brunei and Labuan.

Do not put up too many long term commitment in Brunei.
Work permit contracts are renewable bi-yearly.
If let's say you're going to renew it next month but this month due to petrol price or economy no good the Sultan say freeze all work permit to foreigners so locals got more jobs/funds outflow reduce.
If that happens can bang balls wait until dunno when they will approve your work permit.
Your HR will hold your passport every month to go to monthly stamping for extension but only can extend for a limited time or until pages run out then they might as you to leave.
If you got bank commitments, they may ask you for settlement before leaving.

For the uninitiated Brunei IC colors
Yellow = true citizen, same like our blue ic
Red = same status like our red ic, it is either those born in brunei but not both parents bruneian (they cannot apply for passport but can get travel pass on case by case basis) or PR status
Green = all import worker use this doesn't matter you're CEO or Road sweeper

Hello Sifus!, looking for a second hand / new car along these sorta specs.
1. Brand - Continental / Japanese (Thinking second hand BMW or Brand New Mazda CX-5)
2. Budget - RM150k - RM180k
3. New / Used
4. Model - Not too fussy, but would prefer a C-Segment car for small fam)
5. Transmission - Auto
6. Preferably NA but OK with turbocharged / PHEV too
7. Type - Prefer Sedans / SUVs
8. Remarks -

I've checked around for cars in my budget, and I've shortlisted either a 2017 BMW 330e or the new CX-5. These 2 seem to hit my need of being relatively fun to drive, and also comfortable for long-ish distance drives from KL to Penang, SG, etc.

Was thinking of the new Civic PHEV, but with the price not being released yet, it's pretty much a waiting game for me right now.

Also, only planning to buy the car probably early next year...would it be more beneficial to wait to mid 2023 instead to wait for prices to drop further?

Ya I'm worried about the battery too, but the 330e is cheaper than the 320i too..if the battery stops I basically have a heavier 320i right?  :confused:

Good point on the CX-5 too, thanks for the input 

Good point lol, I hope they move it back to GST...I'm tempted to book the Civic too, its super attractive and you're right, I love how the eHEV system works...I'm just abit kiasu, don't wanna lose my deposit if the price is too expensive lol

Not too fussy about luxury cars, just that the thought of getting a 3 series for 120k - 150k seems kinda worth it to me considering brand new 3 series is like 250k...someone took the huge hit on depreciation for me already 

1. Brand : Mazda CX-30 High or Hyundai Kona N-Line
2. Budget : RM170k OTR
3. New/Used/Unreg: New
4. Specs: Fully loaded!
5. Transmission: Not a CVT
6. NA or FI : No preference
7. Type : SUV / Compact SUV
8. Remarks.

Key things I'm looking for are reliability and safety / quality of life features which I thought the CX-30 (booked since May 2022) can provide. I've just test drove the Hyundai Kona N-Line and was quite impressed with its smooth transmission and suspension for city driving - I load in about 15k km a year or less as car is mostly for conservative city driving and the occasional trip from outstation trip from Selangor.

My question is, would the Kona be a better buy than the CX-30 or should I just stick to the CX-30? Am open to other models but I can't seem to think of anything else besides these 2 models for a relatively compact SUV with most features expected of cars today.