Thread: Pick-Up or Car

What are the advantages of having each of these in Thailand?

Why do people have pick-ups when they live in a town?

There seem to be a lot more PUs on the road now than when I came here 11 years ago - is it because they are cheaper?

Which are the safest?

If you have a pick-up, how often do you wish you had a car?

If you have a car, how often do you wish you had a pick-up?

If you have neither, what do you want?


I've twice been stuck in the mud when going chonabot, and once had something sticking out the boot. I could have saved myself 1000 baht when moving house twice, but overall I'd always go for the car.

Also, have you noticed that the pick-up drivers are always the ones who drive like maniacs?

I drive a pick up and for many reasons that you have mentioned I find it very useful. Mines a 4 door cab model so it functions as a car but I can also move large items around if need be. I find it to be as fuel efficient as a sedan and the only times I regret driving one is when I'm trying to reverse park in a busy area due to its longer wheel base.

You can also buy a new PU for about half the price of a small car.
Toyota Motor Thailand Co., Ltd. - Pricelist

Originally Posted by ChalkyDee

There seem to be a lot more PUs on the road now than when I came here 11 years ago - is it because they are cheaper?

the proliferation of PUs was origionally caused by the difference in tax...t'was much cheaper to own a PU provided it had 2 doors...I understood that if you bought a 4-door you were taxed the same as a car...

maybe whipperwill can confirm that...

I imagine the fuel factor has a bit to do with it...

I'm a city boy so sedans for me...you are right though PUs are prevelant in the city although I imagine they are harder to drive as most are manual...

I drive a 4x4 Ford Ranger pickup. wanted a big car but objected to the tax. A foor door cab was taxed half way between a saloon and a 2 door.

Diesel was 11 baht per litre when I bought it but that advantage is more or less gone. We've done 150 000 km and it looks like new.

Only ever regret it when there are four or five in the car with luggage in the bed and it starts pissing down.

Originally Posted by Chalk face

I drive a 4x4 Ford Ranger pickup. wanted a big car but objected to the tax. A foor door cab was taxed half way between a saloon and a 2 door.

Diesel was 11 baht per litre when I bought it but that advantage is more or less gone. We've done 150 000 km and it looks like new.

Only ever regret it when there are four or five in the car with luggage in the bed and it starts pissing down.

Can't you buy one of those bed covers that people have to make their PU look like the SUV they can't afford.

The tax on a 4 door cab is as chalk face says about half way between a 2 door PU and a sedan.

Those top covers for the tray cost a bit under 20,000 baht. One model lifts up on four piston arms to make a roof so passengers can still sit in the back. They are easy to remove but need two people to handle easily. I've been thinking about getting one for those long trips when the luggage is in the back.

Originally Posted by Wallace

Depends if you want to look like a twat or not. If you live in the city, then it seems to me that you need to have a big, fuck-off monster truck with lots of chrome and blacked out windows. You also need to drive like you're the only vehicle on the road.

Oooh! Bitchy!

You're jealous 'cos you've only got a 1 wheel drive vehicle.

The trouble with mine is that it the top of the line model ( Hurricane) with some odd extras (but not ABS) One feature is we have a sort of half roof which we would have to chuck away if we fitted a proper roof We get round the problem fairly effectively by putting luggage in heavy duty black bin bags. Damn sight cheaper and it don't rain that much if people visit in cool Season even in Phuket.

We always knew we were going to build a house so we sold a death trap of a Corolla so as to cart all sorts of nonsense around. But, as Whipperwill says, it can be a bitch to park in the Emporium.

With the 2 door 4wd's is there room for a couple of kids/infants in the back (inside)?

Why does a landcruiser prado start at 3,599,000 baht?

Thats like almost $100 grand US!!!!

Originally Posted by MeMock

With the 2 door 4wd's is there room for a couple of kids/infants in the back (inside)?

Yes, plenty of room, on along trip usually have one asleep in the back and one playing the bongo drums on my head.
BTW the rear seat will comfortably fit 4 Thai women, the smaller variety, not the big fat ones you see selling somtam at the market.

Can you put a child seat in the back or is this just free seating?

Originally Posted by MeMock

Why does a landcruiser prado start at 3,599,000 baht?

Thats like almost $100 grand US!!!!

Any car fully imported gets overtaxed...

Most of the manufacturers now assembly here to cut this import taxes

s'pose so !?!

Originally Posted by MeMock

Can you put a child seat in the back or is this just free seating?

Yes and no.

There are no seats in the back when you buy them, maybe a bit of padded planking. You can buy aftermarket bench type seats which are fine. The thing that annoyed me was the need to fold the seats forward to let people in and the fact that I needed the drivers seat all the way back for leg room. Even a Thai couldn't fit behind it.

For a kids seat there aren't many options and no seat belts. You may be able to drill anchor points for yourself and fit one. Child seats and safety in general haven't caught on here yet.

One thing I have noticed in my Vigo is that there is no passenger airbag but the export model has one. I think that this is because all Thais will let a kid sit on their laps for food / sleep / mothering and if an airbag goes off with a kid on your lap it would most likely be history.

I wouldn't mind fitting one to mine, my boy is old enough to stay in the back. Anyone know if this can be done?

Someone told me that PUs have a better re-sale value than cars, depending on how long you plan to have the vehicle, maybe that is something to be considered as well.

PU resale is much better than cars. Haven't a clue why.

Originally Posted by ChalkyDee

PU resale is much better than cars.

I agree.

Dr Corness (Pattaya Mail) did an article about this.
The highest residual for a 3 year old was a Toyota Minibus.

Although I know western measures are not valid in the Thai domestic market, I am constantly surprised at the relative value of Pick-up trucks vs small cars. In Thailand small cars are much more expensive than their western versions and pick-ups are much cheaper in Thailand than they are in the west.

My pick-up is an extended cab, 2 door, 2wd and 4 years ago I paid the equivalent of just under 1M Baht for it. A top of the line Vigo would easily go for over 1M Baht here new. The trucks sure look like more bang for your buck.

Had my Isuzu pick up valued at a dealership for 2/3 it's ticket value on trade in.
Add another 50 to 100,000 for private sale.
Isuzu D-Max SX 4 door
Ticket rice 3 years ago 620,000
Trade in offer 400,000

Originally Posted by Whipperwill

The tax on a 4 door cab is as chalk face says about half way between a 2 door PU and a sedan.

Those top covers for the tray cost a bit under 20,000 baht. One model lifts up on four piston arms to make a roof so passengers can still sit in the back. They are easy to remove but need two people to handle easily. I've been thinking about getting one for those long trips when the luggage is in the back.

I agree with Whipperwill I have a 4 door Vigo 4x4, we like taking the kids to the beach on weekends and having the space to lock up bags, tire tubes, baby stroller etc you get the picture there is no way I could fit all the stuff in a sedan. Plus the new pickups ride great and the interior is very comfy.