What roller skate should I buy and who from?

[harrybarracuda]

So I'm thinking I might pick up one of these cheap, motorised roller skates to whiz around town instead of a bike.

I will buy new, not second hand. No "buts" required.

So who's bought one recently and why did you pick it?

E.g. Suzuki, Toyota, Nissan, etc.

And then where to buy it? Do all authorised dealers do the same prices or do you have to shop around?

[harrybarracuda]

Just had a look at the Nissan Note.

Looks spacious, has all the bits I need.

About 100K more than the equivalent March, but that looks like a rebadged Micra.

[armstrong]

My Nissan March has been going 10+ years and still going strong.

And it is a rebadged Micra. Not sure why they have different names in Asia.

[cyrille]

Blimey - 'biznit class arry' looking to buy a 'TEFLR' car.

[hallelujah]

Girlfriend half his age, sports car and leather trousers coming next.

[malmomike77]

Hire a caddy and you get added benefits

[bsnub]

Blimey - 'biznit class arry' looking to buy a 'TEFLR' car.

[katie23]

I just looked at pics of the Nissan March. It's a hatchback. I don't know if it's available here in PH (or maybe it's in another name).

I have several colleagues who have the Toyota Wigo (also a hatchback). All of them said they chose it because they trust Toyota & it's easy to get parts for it.

Another colleague has a Mitsubishi Mirage, also a hatchback. She's contented with it & said it's fuel efficient.

[misskit]

I drove a March for a few years with no problems at all. However, I always coveted my friend’s Suzuki Swift. It was just a bit sportier and more fun to drive. He’s never had any problems with it.

What kind of car to buy when I finally get back to CM is often on my mind. Currently, I am driving a CRV. If I could chop about a foot or two off the length, it would be perfect. I am very keen on all the electronic features and they are a must have in any new car.

If Suzuki makes a Swift with those safety/drive assist features, it would be a great little roller skate.

The March I bought during a promo at the downtown Nissan dealer. I had shopped around but didn’t find much difference in prices. This has been 6-7 years ago now.

[aging one]

I drove a March for a few years with no problems at all. However, I always coveted my friend’s Suzuki Swift.

Probably the best value for money. Perkier engine as well compared to the others.

[malmomike77]

I am very keen on all the electronic features and they are a must have in any new car.

I love the cigarette lighter, windscreen wipers and radio.

[harrybarracuda]

No point in buying something speedy for round here. I live on country roads and once you're in the city it's a crawl, and parking space is a premium.

Never been a petrol head. My needs are simple: Decent AC, Decent sound with Bluetooth and reliability.

Blimey - 'biznit class arry' looking to buy a 'TEFLR' car.

tefler car.... yes.....

[harrybarracuda]

Probably the best value for money. Perkier engine as well compared to the others.

Will probably have a look at them later in the week, but they're right the other side of town.

[taxexile]

Decent AC, Decent sound with Bluetooth and reliability.

toyota. about as reliable as you can get.

they now come with a 10 year guarantee (at least they do in the uk) provided it has a yearly service at a toyota dealership, so even if you are buying a 5 year old one with a toyota service history you can extend the guarantee for another 5 years by having it serviced at toyota.

a new yaris will set you back just over half a mill, add on a few thou for a sound system upgrade and away you go. rent one for a week first to see if you like it.

the nissan note and march (micra) are as cheap as chips in thailand, but have not been sold in the uk since 2016 when they were discontinued and replaced by very different new models.

[katie23]

@misskit - I see several Suzuki Swifts here (and one in pink!) and they do look nice.

However, if I were to buy one, I'd still choose a Toyota for its reliability and parts availability (here in PH). I played with the idea of a Toyota Wigo, but shelved it and bought land instead.

@harry - good luck on your "roller skates" shopping.

[harrybarracuda]

My previous employer had a large pool of Toyotas. I could never really understand why they were such a premium over competing brands other than the name (all the Japanese cars are well represented in the sandpit).

I don't think parts are an issue for cars made here in Thailand. The Nissan Service Centre was next to the showroom and looks well organised.

Not sure about Suzuki but I'll have a look when I go there.

[aging one]

I drive a 7 year old Vios, and its a great car. Not one problem and Toyota has by far the most service centers. But I would recommend again the Swift because its peppy and will get you up in the mountains much better. I once rented an Almera in Chiang Rai and it had trouble going up mountains. The March has an even smaller motor.

[S Landreth]

Little warning about purchasing a vehicle here in Thailand.

Think 8 to 12 inch vertical curbs and passengers.

Last vehicle we purchased in Thailand was a Honda Accord 2.4 i-vtec. Wonderful car but there are scratches on the lower doors and bumpers. You might have to ask a passenger to get out of the car before you park, so they’ll be able to get out.

Whatshername is considering a SUV for the next vehicle.

[cyrille]

Despite driving in Thailand for about a decade, I don't think I parked parallel to the kerb once.

Dents and scratches on the doors are far more likely to have come from brushes and bangs with other cars.

Parking spaces in Thailand seem to become more and more cramped - and yes, my wife frequently gets out before I park. It just makes sense.

More than once I've also had to get in on the passenger side and climb over to the drivers side.

[Joe 90]

Mitsubishi for 8 years then toyota for the past 7.
Unhindered motoring with minimal maintenance costs.
Before that land rover and jaguar, nightmare maintenance costs.
Go Jap, can't go wrong.

[dirk diggler]

Honda Jazz, hasn’t missed a beat in 8 years and 90,000 kms.

AKA Honda Tardis, as it double up as a wee van.

Are you avoiding used cars because you’re looking to get it on credit? Because there are some cracking deals out there right now and you will do well to check new prices over almost new prices on Please Wait... | Cloudflare or wherever.

[Stumpy]

I was considering a little grocery get'er car last year. Looked at all of them and drove a few. If I had continued I would have got the Suzuki Swift. Handled well. Ergonomics very good. I decided not to buy. Just prefer my truck more and with home delivery so good I didn't need it.

[armstrong]

Mitsubishi for 8 years then toyota for the past 7.
Unhindered motoring with minimal maintenance costs.
Before that land rover and jaguar, nightmare maintenance costs.
Go Jap, can't go wrong.

The misses has got a Merc and the cost every time something breaks (quite regularly) is painful to see.

[dirk diggler]

Our Jazz can carry more from Makro than my pickup. I should really get one of those roll out covers for the tray.

3 loaded trolleys (minus the actual trolly) in the Jazz no problem. Chest freezer, done. Beer fridge, done many. Max amounts of Adults squeezed in to go to a restaurant, 9.

[reinvented]

^
agree on the jazz, marvelous bit of kit

we changed ours for a HRV @miskit: this is the cutdown CRV you were wishing for

its ok, bit higher off the ground than the jazz, but would probably go back to jazz next time