Cars are so expensive in Thailand!

**Bettyboo** · 09-05-2012, 06:30 PM

But they're not really are they?

Me little Honda City cost 650,000 baht new, so that's about 13,000 pounds. You have more variety in the UK, but a similarish car would cost similarish money.

13,000 British pounds.

UK Toyota Auris, similar car with similar spec for 12-18,000. The specs don't add up exactly; the City is the same price as a Jazz in the Thailand, and in the UK the Jazz costs about the same as it does here; the cost is a bit higher in the UK, but the spec is higher too.

Insurance. The last time I got insured in the UK it was very expensive; I doubt if costs have come down in the last 10 years.

Servicing. I always remembered the UK as being very expensive, although I saw on the Honda UK site tht 5 years inclusive servicing is 500 pounds or so, not too bad.

Insurance problems (excess payments), accident and repair costs and depreciation, road taxes and petrol. The UK is expensive in these areas.

I had my 30,000 kms service this week. It cost 1,918 baht (40 pounds). The service was excellent. I took the car in at 10am, without a booking, and it was ready by 6pm. they called me up, but I decided to collect it the next morning when the service manager was waiting to show me round my car, explain what had been done, a nice young lady had drinks waiting, etc. Excellent service by Honda (Rama II) couldn't fault it in any way.

I'm taking the car back in on Tuesday for some bodywork repairs, fully covered by my 1st class insurance (17,000 baht, any driver; the wife is a new driver and often hits stationary objects; like I did last weekend...), no excess payment. The insurance sent a guy round who arrived within 30 minutes of our call, and 15 minutes later had printed out the slip to give to any Honda main dealer within the next 12 months for repair (see another thread for full details; motoring section - excellent service).

All in all, I'm not feeling too bad about the motoring costs here in Thailand. I'm going LPG soon, so I may feel even better when my fuel bills are cut by 50%...

I suspect the car has depreciated less than it would have in the UK, and in a couple of years time the car will virtually stop depreciating altogether. That's not bad either.

**Marmite the Dog** · 09-05-2012, 06:42 PM

My car cost 714,000THB here and it's about 17,000 Squid in the UK.

**Bettyboo** · 09-05-2012, 06:43 PM

When spec levels are considered, it's about same same on new cars, I reckon.

Thai cars are last generation really compared to many other markets.

**Marmite the Dog** · 09-05-2012, 07:04 PM

The Thai versions are often lower spec. I've still not found my MP3 player port.

**Bettyboo** · 09-05-2012, 07:10 PM

^ I haven't found a comparison where the Thai version isn't a lower spec, sadly...

What's your car again, mate? You've got some dodgy pick-up or did you do as the missus told ya and pick up a little Ford Fiesta?

**FailSafe** · 09-05-2012, 07:10 PM

I'm still waiting for a chance to check out (and probably buy) the 3.2 Ford Ranger (to replace my trusty old Ford Escape, which has never given me any major problems in nearly a decade, but it's time for it to go), and it looks like the wife is going to trade in her 2010 Pajero for the new model (the 4WD version should be available in late June)- with accessories and miscellaneous bullshit, they will cost about 1.2m and 1.4m respectively (both minus trade-ins on old cars)- I could get WAY more for my money in the States, but TIT- we make up the difference in other ways.

**dirtydog** · 09-05-2012, 07:11 PM

Cars are expensive in Thailand and really should be considered a luxury when you look at the prices of public transport and taxis here, in the UK taxis are too damn expensive for people not to have a car of their own.

**Bettyboo** · 09-05-2012, 07:16 PM

^ there are different ways of making the equation; if you look at the average wage and the average price of cars then Thailand is very expensive, that's true.

^^ the states is still cheap for cars compared to most (all?) other countries.

I've seen many Rangers, they look nice. I think that'll be a good buy; of course you're American so you need the 3.2, most normal folk would be content with the 2.2 for about 800,000, which isn't a bad buy, imo.

I don't like the Mitsubishi much, but I've only seen them from the outside; the new Chevrolet looks much nicer, but do you want a Chevrolet? Maybe you could take a risk and go for a Subaru, if I was spending about 1.4 (or a little bit more, I'd get the Subaru).

1.7m in Thai grey - get the 2.2, save yourself 400k, and spend it on this (same total cost for 2 cars):

Motor Image, Thailand - Subaru - Latest Price List and Financing Packages

**Kwang** · 09-05-2012, 07:18 PM

I had a top of the range Peugeot 307, 18k brand new at home, but after just one year it had devalued to 9k.

That same car would be 40k here, fuk that for a game of soldiers

**FailSafe** · 09-05-2012, 07:23 PM

I looked at the Chevy- it was actually decent compared to the others in its class, but the Pajero we currently have is quite a nice vehicle (better than the Fortuner, imho), and we occasionally need the 7-seat capacity (though the people in the back have to be small)- there's no reason to trade it really, but she wants something new and has had a pretty good year so far, so I agreed to it (and it's a much better purchase than some stupid vehicles she wanted, like the Audi SUV- more than 4mil- kiss my ass).

I've stuck with my Ford for a long time (it's the longest I've owned the same vehicle) and I have never owned a pick-up (and, yes, being an American I do need the 3.2- note that it also comes with a nice list of accessories that the 2.2 doesn't

)- I think I'm going to give the Ranger a chance (though I've been told the 3.2 won't be available until August or September- something else might catch my eye before then, but I will only take a 4WD- I like to get off the beaten path once in a while).

**Jesus Jones** · 09-05-2012, 07:27 PM

Pickup trucks are cheaper though. In the UK i bought i Mitsubishi Animal 2005, it cost 25K for a 2.5 diesel. I lost 10k when i sold it 7 months later!

**aging one** · 09-05-2012, 07:27 PM

How much is a 15 year old Toyota with manual transmission in the UK or the States. You would have to have them pulled away. Mine is worth 150,00 baht. Its that they retain their value if you buy the right car mile for mile or kilometer for kilometer. Of course you maintain them as well.

The price difference is extreme, even more so when compared to the USA. Resale I say again resale.

**Kwang** · 09-05-2012, 07:30 PM

You need to add a 0 to that mate :-)

**Bettyboo** · 09-05-2012, 07:30 PM

^^^^ big is better...

She wants an Audi, wow, you treat her too well, don't go there in Thailand! (save your money and buy a Mini for your 21 y/o gig

)

^^ that is very true; although I was told that I lost 100k on me Honda City the minute the government introduced the new buyer incentive scheme last year; not sure how the market will level out on that score???

^ yeah, some cars are just too much, we don't have many choices here. My last car in the UK was a VW Passat 2.3 V5 top spec (I did a lot of motorway driving and it was very very good) which was comfortable, quite luxurious and fun enough to drive. I bought it about 5 years old, still in perfect condition and low mileage for 8,000 pounds. Great car that was...

But, here, if you're happy to be standard and be like the rest, the Toyotas and Hondas and Fords are all pretty good cars, and you can buy some nice motorbikes at reasonable prices too. It's the premium cost needed for a decent choice which is the problem here!

**FailSafe** · 09-05-2012, 07:30 PM

^^^^

It's true that pick-ups are a good deal here- Australians are paying 1.8m for the 3.2 Ranger where we can get it for 1.2m (it isn't being brought to the States as Ford feels it will take sales away from the slightly larger F-150- I know a few guys who would love to have a 5-cylinder turbo-diesel, but they can't get their hands on one).

**Bettyboo** · 09-05-2012, 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by Jesus Jones

Pickup trucks are cheaper though. In the UK i bought i Mitsubishi Animal 2005, it cost 25K for a 2.5 diesel. I lost 10k when i sold it 7 months later!

That has got to hurt!

**Marmite the Dog** · 09-05-2012, 07:40 PM

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

You've got some dodgy pick-up or did you do as the missus told ya and pick up a little Ford Fiesta?

I only listen to her when she's right. I got a dodgy pickup.

**FailSafe** · 09-05-2012, 07:44 PM

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

She wants an Audi, wow, you treat her too well, don't go there in Thailand! (save your money and buy a Mini for your 21 y/o gig

Wanting it and getting it are two different things.

As far as the Mini goes, I saw a new Countryman the other day and thought it looked very cool (if not 'cool' at least different).

**Bettyboo** · 09-05-2012, 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by FailSafe

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

She wants an Audi, wow, you treat her too well, don't go there in Thailand! (save your money and buy a Mini for your 21 y/o gig

Wanting it and getting it are two different things.

As far as the Mini goes, I saw a new Countryman the other day and thought it looked very cool (if not 'cool' at least different).

US price $22,500 = 700,000 baht; more or less the same price as my Honda City.

Thai price 2.6 million baht or 4 of my Honda Citys, so I could have 4 gigs, okay they'd be lesser beauties...

**Fondles** · 09-05-2012, 08:10 PM

Originally Posted by FailSafe

^^^^

It's true that pick-ups are a good deal here- Australians are paying 1.8m for the 3.2 Ranger where we can get it for 1.2m (it isn't being brought to the States as Ford feels it will take sales away from the slightly larger F-150- I know a few guys who would love to have a 5-cylinder turbo-diesel, but they can't get their hands on one).

Your getting stooged if the ask for a top of the range 3.2 Wildtrak is 1.2 million.

**Bettyboo** · 09-05-2012, 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

I got a dodgy pickup.

Picture please; with some bread rolls on the roof rack...

**FailSafe** · 09-05-2012, 08:26 PM

Originally Posted by Fondles

Originally Posted by FailSafe

^^^^

It's true that pick-ups are a good deal here- Australians are paying 1.8m for the 3.2 Ranger where we can get it for 1.2m (it isn't being brought to the States as Ford feels it will take sales away from the slightly larger F-150- I know a few guys who would love to have a 5-cylinder turbo-diesel, but they can't get their hands on one).

Your getting stooged if the ask for a top of the range 3.2 Wildtrak is 1.2 million.

I want the bigger engine- for the money I think it's a decent deal in Thailand- I would agree that the 2.2 is a better value, but I don't care (and like I said, Australians are willing to pay 50% more- I guess they're really 'stooged' compared to me, so I feel better about the Thai price).

Ford Ranger 3.2

Duratorq TDCi 3.2L VG Turbo Intercooler
Max power 200 PS, Max torque 470 Nm (197hp, 347 ft/lb)
6-speed auto transmission

Exclusive to the 3.2 version:

12V socket on bedliner
Electrochromatic Rear View Mirror
Dual Zone Climate Control
8-way Power Adjustment Driver Seat
Cooled Console
ESP with Traction Control System
Rear Parking Sensors
Rear View Camera
Beltminder
Alarm System
Privacy Glass
Front Side Airbags and Side Curtain Airbags

**Bettyboo** · 09-05-2012, 08:35 PM

Originally Posted by FailSafe

12V socket on bedliner

You'll never use it; useless.

Originally Posted by FailSafe

Electrochromatic Rear View Mirror

Meaningless.

Originally Posted by FailSafe

Dual Zone Climate Control

Useless and meaningless.

Originally Posted by FailSafe

8-way Power Adjustment Driver Seat

Meaningless and useless.

Originally Posted by FailSafe

Cooled Console

Shouldn't be drinking beer and driving... Gimmicky.

Originally Posted by FailSafe

ESP with Traction Control System

That's well worth paying extra for.

Originally Posted by FailSafe

Rear Parking Sensors

Should be standard on the entire range, and they'll throw it in for free any vehicle if you ask...

Originally Posted by FailSafe

Rear View Camera

I reckon that's useful, or might be, I like it.

Originally Posted by FailSafe

Beltminder

Worthless.

Originally Posted by FailSafe

Alarm System

Worthless, you're insured; if they wanna steal it they will; 1st class insurance, who cares...

Originally Posted by FailSafe

Privacy Glass

Only wankers in Fortuners want this.

Originally Posted by FailSafe

Front Side Airbags and Side Curtain Airbags

Well worth paying extra for.

But, it's the 3.2 and you're American so it's in your blood; that's the point.

**Fondles** · 09-05-2012, 08:39 PM

Yeah, did you not read where I said 3.2 wildtrak ?

We get a 10% discount on the Ford price (We own a ford dealer in BKK) and I can tell you 10% from 1.2 million is still 130k above what I can buy for.

Your getting stooged.

You also missed puddle lamps in your list or would you have these deleted ?

**Fondles** · 09-05-2012, 08:41 PM

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

Originally Posted by FailSafe

Electrochromatic Rear View Mirror

Meaningless.

Makes the rear view camera redundant without it................

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