Thread: Why would you buy a new vehicle?

I bought new because the second hand cars I was looking at where vastly overpriced to the UK.I used to buy and sell cars and just couldn't pay the price.
We also got 3% finance and 78000b back off the government
No brainer
I was in the Honda dealership getting it serviced and s Thai guy was arguing that he wanted his service book stamped but didn't want a service
I have also seen similar things with my wife's family I have told them that something is wrong with their car but they won't get it fixed until it breaks down
They have a different outlook to maintenance they would sooner spend it on some piece of plastic shite that blings it up

Originally Posted by thaimeme

Live your protest....

Forgive the unenlightened query, you seem to know yer greens
Do you prefer the Mahayana to the local slow vehicle?

Near new (i.e. around 1-3 years old) would be my choice...

Best of both worlds, vehicle has depreciated heavily (granted, not as heavily as in the real world) but still quite discounted from new.

You still have the guarantee from the dealer and service book, etc...

Thais usually look after their vehicles well (for the first few years, at least)...
until that new car smell/look has faded, then it's all on...

I would much prefer a 2012 Camry/Accord, over a new Vios or Mazda 2, etc...
a nice low milage one can be had for around 600,000 bht
*Avoid hybrid models. Get the 2.4 not the 2 litre..

added advantage is the first owner has likely already installed LPG...

Just looked on taladrod at a 2012 Camry the cheapest is 715000b I didn't check the history or nothing
That's alot of money for an average car I could buy a bmw,Mercedes jag etc for the same money.
It's just a normal car for extra ordinary money even tho the resale value is quite high.
The cars I drive in the UK are about 20% of the price you would pay in Thailand
I have bought motorbikes in Thailand to get my vehicle fix because a luxury motor is out of my reach.
And Nick I am not sure about other places in Thailand but isaan people do not look after there car's.I have looked into opening a car lot and done alot of research.they don't service their vehicles

Go practical and used....

^ How's it going, Jimbo?

Yes, I agree... it's just a normal car (uncle car)... but safe and reliable... relatively cheap to maintain fix... new gearbox or engine around 30k (not that it would need it for a long, long time)...

Depends on the individual, I was living in Korat (while not strictly Isaan, as they loudly protest) close enough... all my mates took real good care of their cars/trucks, it's a status symbol/extension of ones self, so they were very, very anal about keeping it clean to show off...

Not sure about in the boondocks if that would still be the case though...

something like this would be my choice (although I'd prefer an Accord over a Camry) this is from one2car... expect it considerably cheaper buying private and discount for cash
I would hunt around for a white/low mileage one (less than 80k) a good 5 year old one can be had from 500k. I'd probably go for a 5th gen myself (2006 - 2010) better than 6th gen IMHO.

I bought a brand new honda brio automatic,all the toys for 425000b

^ Nice car, Jim.

I used to be a Honda fanboy, best engines! but I've switched to Toyota as I find them more reliable and a bit less fragile.

My work wagon is a Toyota Wish... very good car.. traded my Jazz for it.. well impressed... wonder if they have them in Toyland?

The honda does her to take the kids to school,and I've driven it to bkk and pattaya it does a job
I drive a 7 year old Mercedes CLS in the UK I paid just over 320000b for.to buy the equivalent in Thailand is stupid money.
I may buy a second hand pajero or wildtrack this year as they seem reasonable
But camrys are well over priced in the second hand market

I sold my Merc (SLK 350) weekend car... wicked fast, beautiful (if a bit feminine looking) but way too unreliable... I'm getting too old for mechanical headaches... just want reliability.

Originally Posted by NZdick1983

Near new (i.e. around 1-3 years old) would be my choice...



You still have the guarantee from the dealer and service book, etc...

.

Hey Dick do you read fellow members posts like Jimbobs post # 26

I was in the Honda dealership getting it serviced and s Thai guy was arguing that he wanted his service book stamped but didn't want a service.

Also a couple of years ago we had floods & how many cars & truck were under water for a month

Originally Posted by bsnub

Makes no sense unless you like to burn money. Thoughts?

Why would anyone buy any material object. Computer or Iphone etc?

Enjoyment for some, status for many I presume.

Buy new in Thailand if you have the money, they are cheap and you know the history.
Have just seen a 6 year old TRD in Australia for 36,000 dollars which is more than you pay for a new one in Thailand.
as probably mentioned already 100,000s stolen cars that have been rebooked and plated, a mate lost his car at the start of the year because of this.
Flood damaged cars every where.
If your not buying new your a cheap barsted

^ Or just buy new... if I was in the market for say a C segment car (Vios/city etc) I'd buy new... because 2nd hand saves fook all on new...but if I wanted a bigger premium car (relatively speaking) Camry/Accord new 1.7 mil

I'd be a cheap ass and buy 2nd hand (very carefully like)... and save a million baht.

I still think a decent 2nd hand camry/accord is a far better bang for my buck proposition, than a new vios/city... (for similar money)...

Originally Posted by bsnub

Makes no sense unless you like to burn money. Thoughts?

Seems to me if you buy a new one and keep it for 8-10 years, or more, you're better off especially if you keep up with the maintenance.

Changed my Fortuner a couple.of months ago, previous one I'd had for eight years with absolutely no problems whatsoever. Sold the old one to a dealer here in Phuket, and got the equivalent of 50% of what I paid for it 8 years ago.

^ Agree, BB... for that price segment of vehicles (Vios/City etc) better to buy new, especially if you are living there for the long haul. I'd do the same if I was in the market for that type of car.

Although you probably paid an extra 200,000 baht in interest payments, but that's the convenience factor.

Still gonna buck the trend and say I'd rather chuck my money on a late (ish) model Accord/Camry 2.4, low kms (less than 80km) for around the same money as a new City though... there is a place in Bangers (bugger if I can remember the name) but they do Western style pre-purchase inspection reports on vehicles.

Not cheap though... 3,500 + bht from memory? they do a compression test on the engine, gearbox test, check for flooding, written guarantee, yada yada... just like in NZ/UK, etc..

Now we just need those inspection reports for 2nd hand girls... then we got all bases covered 555

Nick we got 3% finance over 3 years I could have bought it cash but the interest was so low it only cost an extra £400 or something,Just paid it off.The guy who sorted the finance was family.I have never had finance in my life but I will definitely do it again 12600b a month I didn't even feel it
And Boo my wife has dinged hers loads of times takes it to Honda for the littlest scratch and they just sort it.Brilliant customer service and the insurance stays the same about 12000b a year.not sure if there's a no claims bonus scheme in Thailand I tried to ask but I give up and let her get on with it

^ Sounds like a good deal, Jim.

I might do the same with a Samsung Galaxy S6. I mean pay it off over installments, interest free... I guess the $1,000 kept in our savings account gaining 5% interest is better than paying it upfront.

Is that 3% of the total? or 3% PA?

I'm like you mate, I have been taught to never buy on the never never... but these days, some deals really do make fiscal sense (even if you have plenty of cash to buy it outright)...

Not sure mate I can't remember I just remember doing the maths and couldn't believe it
I think we paid a 30% 1st payment
In the UK it's alot more expensive,but they where trying to put a 5 or 7 year deal out.
I would only go for 3 years maximum
I'm thinking Riggers is right about buying new.I was contemplating buying a second hand car.I will rethink that I just don't trust my knowledge of the second hand car buying in Thailand if you get a ringer or its been clocked or its a stolen vehicle can you get your money back?

Buy new. 1. Support your local automobile industry while you fall behind on payments.
2. This way the neighbors SWMBO will start yapping at her hubby about 'keeping up with the Joneses. '

Nothing is ever clear-cut 100% (well, almost nothing)...

It depends on your choices at the time. Your Farang mate might want to vacate Toyland in a hurry, whereby wanting to sell his near new blah blah blah at a very reasonable price...

But yeah, generally speaking, unless you know/trust someone who you know has looked after his/her vehicle, regular oil changes, etc... best to buy new.

*Avoid "tents" (car yards) like the plague... buy privately if you want to buy 2nd hand - be patient.. it's a buyers market now.