Here are some great articles about the waiting to list to buy a new car in Beijing. Coming soon to all major cities in China.

baike.sogou.com/v63019720.htm

tieba.baidu.com/[...]

I think last year in Guangzhou some car dealerships opened 24 hours a day right before new car registration restrictions were going to become law.

There are too many cars already in Kunming. It's only going to get worse. The cars already here can't even find parking spaces.

The drivers here don't look for parking spaces when there's an available sidewalk.

The great increase in the number of cars over the past 6 years or so is the worst thing that has happened to Kunming, and I feel it is a good thing to always discourage automobile people. Kunming is still a good city to walk in, although the recent overconstruction of showoff buildings is the second worst thing - I don't get much out of strolling past the hoardings around construction sites.

"Kunming is still a good city to walk in"

Not really. I find it stressful to walk anywhere.

Other than a status symbol, I don't know why people buy cars here in China. Public transportation is great and you can get a bus to just about anywhere. When buses are not convenient, you can find a minivan to take you to any of the out of the way places.

@Magnifico: bicycles & public transportation available, & cause little trouble.

As a single person transportation is somewhat o.k. but far from great.
If you have kids, sad to say, but a car is pretty much the only option if you want to move from A to B considerably safe.

We are thinking of getting a car because transportation with kids and kid gear is a nightmare in Kunming.

Also walking in Kunming besides parks and recreational areas is not that much pleasure, IMO

Kid gear may be a problem, but I don't think taking kids on public transportation is unsafe in Kunming.