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Millimetre perfect: Swiss bus driver shows what Alpine parking is all about

Switzerland’s yellow post buses are as much a part of the country’s landscape as snow-capped mountains and herds of healthy cows.

Published: 6 September 2018 19:37 CEST

Millimetre perfect: Swiss bus driver shows what Alpine parking is all about

Swiss PostBus drivers tackle roads many drivers would blanch at. File photo: Depositphotos

They service remote areas of the countries, making their way up narrow, twisting roads many car drivers would blanch at.

And they also know how to park, as a photo shared on Twitter by German travel blogger Peter Von Stamm shows.

Hut ab! Schweizer Postbus-Fahrer können nicht nur gut fahren, sondern auch gut parken ? – heute gesehen in @DavosKlosters Monstein in 1625 Metern Höhe #verliebtindieschweiz #graubuenden @PostAuto pic.twitter.com/keD4U3D8UV

— Peter von Stamm (@petervonstamm) September 5, 2018

The photo taken in Davos Monstein in the canton of Graubünden shows the rear wheels of a post bus resting what looks to be perilously close to the edge of a concrete lay-by.

Meanwhile, the rear end of the vehicle is suspended over a grassy slope.

“Hats off. Swiss PostBus drivers not only drive well, they can also park well,” said Von Stamm in his tweet.

The travel blogger was actually on the bus as it was parked in Monstein – recently named one of the 12 most beautiful villages in Switzerland and home to what is said to be Europe’s highest brewery– when the parking feat was achieved.

“An inexperienced driver would have had no chance,” Von Stamm was quoted as saying on Swiss news portal 20 Minuten.

As a passenger on the bus, you don’t notice anything. “It’s only when you get out you realise how close it is,” he said.

Read also: Watch Swiss bus driver's sensational manoeuvre down incredibly narrow Italian street

The best websites for buying a second-hand car in Switzerland

Pre-owned cars are in high demand in Switzerland.

According to data from Swiss Auto Association, in 2022 (last year for which statistics are available), second-hand automobiles were advertised online for an average of 61 days before being snapped up, versus 67 days for a new car.

In fact, Swiss consumers prefer to buy used rather than new cars, according to Touring Club Schweiz (TCS) motoring organisation.

The main reason is that new cars lose their value almost immediately, while second-hand ones ‘devalue’ much slower.

Where should you look for a used car?

There are several venues for that, both off- and online.

One is to buy it from someone you know, which, of course, is the least risky solution.

You can also look at classified ads in the ‘auto’ section of your local newspaper, or online, in your area.

Alternatively, you can visit physical auto dealerships in your area, and see what used vehicles are for sale there.

But the most practical way is probably to ‘visit’ various websites dedicated to car sales.

Why is this the best option?

The main reason is that each of these sites (see below) lists tens or even hundreds of thousands of automobiles that are for sale in Switzerland at any given time.

The listing includes both new and pre-owned cars, but even so, you will find a larger selection of used vehicles on websites dedicated to car sales than by sifting through newspaper ads.

These are among the most popular ones:

AMAG

Carmarket

Autoscout24

All of these websites are the same, or at least very similar in what they offer — besides the cars, of course.

The vehicles being sold are usually checked by certified dealers, and some offer limited warranties, which is a good thing to have for a used car (or used anything).

You can choose the geographical area of your search, car type and model, the number of kilometres driven, year of manufacture, and price range.

Is it safe to purchase a car from these websites?

Obviously, the advantage of purchasing directly from a physical dealer, or a private person, is that you can inspect and test-drive yourself.

It goes without saying that you should never buy a big-ticket item like a car sight unseen, based only on a photo.

Therefore, these websites should be resources for you to see what’s available and where, and to compare prices.

You should definitely contact the seller and make arrangements to go see the vehicle and, ideally, have it inspected by a mechanic before actually purchasing it.

READ ALSO: What you should know about buying a car in Switzerland

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