Buying a car in Thailand

[cali4995]

There was a really cool showroom http://www.auto-exch.com on the Sukumvit road in Pattaya and
they had all kinds of exotic stuff, Ford GT-40, New Dodge Challenger, Porches etc. Maybe the fee
schedule is different for a dealership? Or maybe at those prices, nobody even cares anymore?

[nola-udon]

R-C...If you're planning a permanent move to Udonthani, I can offer you a wonderful home, furnishings and an auto for a total of $130,500.00 USD. A nice auto alone will run about $40.000.00 USD. Houses in this village are selling for $94,000.00 USD stripped... Contact Frank at 083 287 4554 or through this web site (udonmap.com)...Thanks

[beer monkey]

1.4 million Baht for a Used Truck...what is it..?

[nola-udon]

It's a truck without the bed in the back...I believe it's called an automobile.

[BobHelm]

Ray,
It is possible to buy a nice house (pre-owned) right on the edge of Udon city for 1,500,000 ($43,000) up to 10,000,000 ($285,000) for a new one more central. And any number you care to think of in between.
A new car will cost between 400,000 ($11,500) for a Proton up to what ever you want to pay.
1,800.000 ($51,500) would give you a 3.5 litre V6 Honda Civic if you wanted to go that way - double it for a BMW though!!

[Ray.Charles]

Thanks, Bob. I am covered in the lodging department. Will be living in Hansa. Originally,fantasized about a simple life, a small place in a village, and a car-less life. But, many years of easy living has made me soft....so now into a mini Amercan style suburb. Also during my last trip, three months of riding all over the city, many trips to a village, and a trip to Nong Khai at the back of a moped was much too much for my back. So, I will be looking for a pick-up when I return for staying more or less permanently which I hope will be within a month or two.
By the way, here in the States because of the economic crunch, the cars and trucks are selling at give-away prices. How is it in Thailand?

[BobHelm]

By the way, here in the States because of the economic crunch, the cars and trucks are selling at give-away prices. How is it in Thailand?

Certainly not the same Ray. Second hand vehicles in Thailand have a way over the top price (well compared to UK at least). The difference between a good low mileage vehicle and a brand new one isn't that much. Vehicles hold their price very well (if pick ups then especially true of Toyota or Isazu). I think you can get a bottom of the range pickup for about about 550,000 the top of the range is nearer 900,000. Plenty of choice in between, depending on how many doors, auto/manual ect.
A good top of the range second hand truck will probably set you back 700,000 to 600,000 with under 100K kilometre on the clock.

[beer monkey]

Take a Look at Ford Rangers (Used) In My Opinion the better deals to be had, always see lots of low kilometer excellent examples all around 1-4 year old. approx B.300000 up.

[Ray.Charles]

Now, I am somewhat out of the range of the original topic. Should perhaps be moved for a wider audience.

If I can afford it, I would rather buy a new automobile, and hope that it would last my life time. I am 62; another 10-15 years is in my plan. Pick-up over a car because I expect to drive outside of Udon to some villages, carry dog/s and also because some day I may start a mini-farm. A crew-cab because my lady-Thai would want to transport family members. An on-demand 4-wheel drive with farming in mind.
50-50 on automatic vs. manual. Don't think that I need a Turbo, not in a hurry to go anywhere, anymore!
Are you expected to haggle over the price even for a new automobile as I would in the States?

[beer monkey]

Diesel Engines will have a Turbo as standard, Auto options available as well as 4WD.....sounds like you will need a more Top End Model.

[aznyron]

Ray look at the new pick ups they start around 650 and go up I paid 620 for mine 2 & 1/2 years a go
I have a Mazda bt50 with the 2.50 liter engine with the 1/2 doors that open also look & I mean take a serious look at the Mitsubishi pick up they come with full 4 doors for less than what I paid for mine
and IMO it a better truck sadly I did not look at more options when I was buying since Mazda is only 1 block from my residence

[Ray.Charles]

I will certainly look at the Mitsubishi, Ron. Do you haggle on the price as I would in the States?

[aznyron]

I will certainly look at the Mitsubishi, Ron. Do you haggle on the price as I would in the States?

Ray some times it depends on the dealership I haggled with Mazda and saved some money and
got a free liner (HERO) for my P/U as for Toyota I don't think you will get far haggling with them JMO maybe some
of the Trucks that do not sell as well as toyota & Isusu you might get lucky

[BobHelm]

Ray I think the secret to haggling on new vehicles in Udon is more about what "extras" they will give you for no extra cost, rather than getting money off the 'marked' price.
Engine size is 2.5 or 3 litres. All have turbos, but this is standard with diesel engines and has more to do with 'low end' (i.e. pulling away from lights) speed than 'top end' speed as on a petrol engine.
Auto will cost about 100,000 baht more than manual.
As Ron said there are quite a number of options available as to how the cab looks - 2 door, 2/.5 and 4 door.
If you are buying it to last a life time then Ron is correct it is worth looking at something other than Toyota or Isazu. Both have a high new cost, but good resale value. I think as far as reliability all the manufacturers on offer in Udon are much the same.
Also, do not forget that Higher Purchase is also an option available - over anything from 1 (often with 0% interest) to 7 years.

[polehawk]

Higher Purchase? Must mean financing which is hard to get for houses or cars in Thailand if you're over 60 and want to buy in your own name.

We bought a new Toyota Avanza two years ago and couldn't get them to haggle much on the price. The "extras" that they threw in were a comprehensive insurance package worth 18,000 baht, cd/cassette player and floor mats. A good vehicle for us since didn't like the idea of village relatives and dogs bouncing around in the back of a pickup and easier to drive and park in cities like Udon but that's just my own opinion. There were a lot of situations when a pickup would have come in handy, too.

[BobHelm]

Higher Purchase? Must mean financing which is hard to get for houses or cars in Thailand if you're over 60 and want to buy in your own name.

Agree not easy PH, but not impossible. You do need a Thai with some 'clout' to co-sign for you. (Whereas a Thai citizen just needs another Thai with a house book).

[Aardvark]

There must be some good deals happening now in Thailand cause there almost giving them away now here in Oz. Does anyone know what deals are going locally.

[Galee]

A friend of mine was thinking of getting rid of his Mitsu Titan plus. Cost him over 700K, 18 months ago, fully serviced with just over 20K on the clock.
He was offered 400K!!!! Looks like they aren't holding there prices like they use to.

[saint]

A friend of mine was thinking of getting rid of his Mitsu Titan plus. Cost him over 700K, 18 months ago, fully serviced with just over 20K on the clock.
He was offered 400K!!!! Looks like they aren't holding there prices like they use to.

surely thats just a simple case of supply and demand . nothing seems to be selling at the moment !!!! cant think why , because the recession is not affecting thailand !!!!!

[BKKSTAN]

A friend of mine was thinking of getting rid of his Mitsu Titan plus. Cost him over 700K, 18 months ago, fully serviced with just over 20K on the clock.
He was offered 400K!!!! Looks like they aren't holding there prices like they use to.

What did he want for it?