Which Pickup Truck Would You Buy........ And Why ?

[JustAnotherFarang]

Hi everyone

My wife has persuaded me to get rid of our old old old car and to invest in one of the new rather spiffy looking pickups trucks like the Izusu DMax which seem quite expensive or the sexier looking Toyotas which can be bought for around 650,000 bht or thereabouts.

The problem is that I really dont know much about pick up trucks and I cannot differentiate what possible benefits one brand/make of pick up might have over another and seeing as a fool and his money are soon parted, I am taking refuge in the hope that maybe other more knowledgable members on this forum will offer some guidelines, advice and opinions over what I should be looking to buy and why......

I dont intend to drive up and down mountains so 4wd is not necessary as it will mainly be used for day to day to-ing and fro-ing and occasional leisurely jaunts elsewhere and it will probably be used to carry furniture from time to time which is why we are not buying another car

So can anyway get the ball rolling and help an idiot savante

Thanks in anticipation

JAF

[loong]

BBc television program "Top Gear" some time back did a number of tests on a Toyota Hilux.

They tried to destroy the 13 year old truck in many ways. Including parking it on top of a high rise and blowing up the building.

It still drove.

If you have some spare time look at the video - it can be downloaded from

http://www.bbc.co.uk/topgear/downloads/

Click on Toyota Hilux video clip, quite amazing but fairly long

Also

http://www.pickuptrucksuk.com/product.htm

[pnustedt]

My wife has bought three 2WD Isuzu pick-ups for her brothers. They are cheap, reliable and economical on diesel. The first one was bought about 4 or 5 years ago and have never had a problem with them.

Isuzu service is also very good.

I understand that the resale value is also good, however, they are not the height of luxury!

[RamdomChances]

The Toyota, knocks spots off the competition at the moment. I've got an Isuzu and the brother-in-law a toyota.

The Toyota has much better performance (3L, 2.5 same as isuzu), ride and is cheaper on petrol then mine. The new Mazda's are the most powerful....but IMO they are ugly. Isuzu or Toyota you cant really go wrong they hold their price much better than the rest as well.

[Gazza]

JAF, I was like you a few months back. To me, all pick ups look the same. I was following a thread in the 'car ownership' forum about which pick up was the best that provided me with some good insight and buying tips. It was only about a month ago so shouldn't be too hard to search the back pages for it.

Eventually me and my wife decided that with the fuel increases lately, it just simply wasn't worth it.

Two weeks ago my wife arrived home one evening and said that she'd ordered a new car, a Honda Civic something or other. Funny, it just so happened to be the same car that my step-daughter was pestering me for. She probably chose it simply for the colour knowing her.

[Soph]

Sorry, I dont know anything about trucks in Thailand, but I do know that when I start earning megabucks over here i would like one of those nice D-Max things, as I think they look dead good, especially like the black ones. Sorry, but thats about as technical as it gets for me

[Thetyim]

Toyota has the technical lead with the D4D engine.

The Vigo ride and handling are also well sorted ( for a pick-up)

I prefer the looks of the D-Max. Fuel consumption are about the same, I don't believe some of the figures Isuzu are throwing out.

Take a test in both and the decide which you prefer.

[davethailand]

I've got a Z71 3.0L Chevrolet Colorado 4 door.

Very very happy with it

[JustAnotherFarang]

Sorry, I dont know anything about trucks in Thailand, but I do know that when I start earning megabucks over here  i would like one of those nice D-Max things, as I think they look dead good, especially like the black ones.  Sorry, but thats about as technical as it gets for me 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I know what you mean, I sit outside the bus stop outside work during my lunch break and watch the pickups going by and the 2 that stand out are the Izusu Dmax and the new Toyota Vigo............ but from what I can gather, a good Vigo is around 650,000 bht whereas the Dmax is considerably more expensive.......... so the Vigo is out in front in my opinion as it is more affordable

Apparently the izusu has better fuel economy but I dont even know how many kilometres to a litre you will get with these beasts....... they do look rather big and heavy

Cheers for the suggestions so far guys though I cant find the pick up thread in the car ownership forum....... I will keep on looking

JAF

Oh and what about the new Mitsubishi I see occasionally, its got ergodynamic slender bits and looks good in several colours ......... anybody bought one and is it a real competitor to the Vigo

Edited September 22, 2005 by JustAnotherFarang

[davethailand]

personal opinion but i think the new Mitsubushi is ugly, D Max and Izuzu D Max and Chevy Colorado are the same truck but have different fronts and badges.

Heres mine

[terdsak_12]

Get a Vigo, you won't be sorry!!!

[Gazza]

JAF, go to this page.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showforum=59

At the bottom enter 'vigo' as the keyword for a search.

Quite a few topics on other PUs will show up too.

[chaiyapoon]

personal opinion but i think the new Mitsubushi is ugly, D Max and Izuzu D Max and Chevy Colorado are the same truck but have different fronts and badges.

Heres mine

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Dave,you have had the Chevy for a while now any ideas on kilos per liter etc. Its got to be a GM vehicle for me so its a Isuzu or Chevy.I think I prefer the Chevy.Are the prices/specs similar?

[davethailand]

personal opinion but i think the new Mitsubushi is ugly, D Max and Izuzu D Max and Chevy Colorado are the same truck but have different fronts and badges.

Heres mine

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Dave,you have had the Chevy for a while now any ideas on kilos per liter etc. Its got to be a GM vehicle for me so its a Isuzu or Chevy.I think I prefer the Chevy.Are the prices/specs similar?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The prices and specs are nearly identical, kilo's per litre, have'nt a clue

[Plus+]

Both Isuzu and Chevrolet Colorado are Japanese designs, GM just owns the brands. People buy Chevies mainly for the looks as they are no different from Isuzu in any other way.

About the looks - when I first saw Toyota Vigo I wasn't impressed and thought it was ugly (in 2wd form) but now, a year later, Vigo has become as common as Dmax, and I don't think there's anything wrong with it.

4WD Vigos were killers from the start and they look just awesome.

I guess the same will be with the new Mitsubishi - it's too radical for now, but it will grow on you in a few months.

If it was for me, I wouldn't buy five year old models from Isuzu/Chevrolet when there are brand new Toyota and Mitsu, and Ford/Mazda are coming out soon, and new Nissan.

But again, I wouldn't buy a five year old mobile phone while some people wouldn't mind at all. It's entirely people's choice. Technologically, Isuzu is still 20th century.

[Neeranam]

I dont intend to drive up and down mountains so 4wd is not necessary as it will mainly be used for day to day to-ing and fro-ing and occasional leisurely jaunts elsewhere and it will probably be used to carry furniture from time to time which is why we are not buying another car

Do you really want a pick-up truck?

How often would you use the back truck bit?

You may use it once a year during Songkran if you live upcountry.

If you live in a city, you'd be better with a car.

Surprised that it's your wife's choice, it's usually the man that wants a big truck, a macho thing.

I know a guy in bangkok with a 4x4 pick-up truck in case he moves house(his words), nonsense. There was a long thread about the need for giant pick ups a while back.

I've rented a pick up before but cars are much more comfortable.

If you have a large family, a pick-up might be better, but then again depends on the your family. Would mother-in-law want to travel through Bangers on the back of a mini lorry?

Cars are also safer in the event of a crash.

If you are buying furniture the shops in thailand deliver, free usually.

If yo are moving house, you can hire a pu for 500 baht a day.

[easy_jim]

I know what you mean, I sit outside the bus stop outside work during my lunch break and watch the pickups going by and the 2 that stand out are the Izusu Dmax and the new Toyota Vigo............ but from what I can gather, a good Vigo is around 650,000 bht whereas the Dmax is considerably more expensive.......... so the Vigo is out in front in my opinion as it is more affordable

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I bought a new DMAX last year - the cost depends on the spec you want but the basic model is around 500,000 so it might not be the more expensive option. It depends what extras you want. That price is for a 2.5L, 2 door, manual gears. We wanted power steering and a CD player which added about 30,000 to the cost. If you want automatic gears, 4WD, 4 doors, etc then the price rises steeply.

The DMAX has been excellent so far but I am sure the Toyota is also a good buy.

[Limbo]

For seven years I have been very happy with the simple and little Nissan NV.

I live in a small town. Easy parking, at least 15 kms on a liter, hardly any maintenance. I was lucky to buy it during the crisis, so I could sell it for the same price seven years later. Soon the new model coes out.

I just bought a Ford Everest. It is the same car as the Ford Ranger but with a more cookie tin style design and softer suspension. 2WD.

Very basic, but complete, manual, but ABS, airbags, turbo-intercooler, and many, many buttons with all kind of functions. Old technology but tried and tested.

It is too big (7 seater), but I enjoy driving it. Sometimes I drive on dirt roads and roads with a lot of potholes. Goes fine. Quite silent as well.

The price went recently down, about hundred thousand. Next year the new model comes out, with commonrail (more cheap in solar).

I got it for 868. A friend bought a Colorado, 4WD, 4 doors. Magnificent car, a little bit over 800.

I traded in a Mondeo, a very nice car, but very expensive in maintenance.

I looked at the Ford Focus which soon will be on the market, German technology and Italian design, a good combination. A very complete car. Will also be about 880. It will outclass the new Mazda3, I think.

By the way: I had two Fords before, an Escort and lately the Mondeo. They were the worst ones I ever had.

I hope I have better luck this time.

Good luck to you too!

Limbo.

[Neeranam]

Lets say I did need a pick-up truck, if I were a window cleaner or builder.

I would go for the Hilux for looks but I would have to think about loading all those bricks and planks of wood, it would soon mess up the truck.

[Mighty Mouse]

The most important thing that you need to consider is that the back of the pick up is large enough to carry at least two 44 gallon drums of water for the next Song Kran Festival.

[Godders]

personal opinion but i think the new Mitsubushi is ugly, D Max and Izuzu D Max and Chevy Colorado are the same truck but have different fronts and badges.

Heres mine

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

By the way, Dave, is that dark patch on your pickup's mugshot radiator water or engine oil?

[Scott]

I've got a Toyota and have had it for the past 3 years. It's a good truck. My intown mileage--in traffic is about 11 km/ltr--that's mostly short trips to-from work and in quite heavy traffic. Going up-country mileage varies a lot, but about the best I've gotten is around 14 km/ltr.

It's been very reliable. It's not the height of luxury, but for overall cost and maintenance etc. a good investment.

[davethailand]

personal opinion but i think the new Mitsubushi is ugly, D Max and Izuzu D Max and Chevy Colorado are the same truck but have different fronts and badges.

Heres mine

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

By the way, Dave, is that dark patch on your pickup's mugshot radiator water or engine oil?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Under the truck you mean?

Its water after cleaning the driveway in the house.

[patrickq]

JAF,

a timely topic for me, just in the process of trying to decide. The initial consideration was car or pickup, came down in favour of pickup because we wanted the space to be able to throw things in back, like a mattress/bed, furniture, garden stuff etc. Also just wanted something different, been driving a car for too long. Although all cars/pickups are relatively expensive here, compared with getting the same in UK a pickup is a good deal.

So I've been around most of the dealers in Pattaya and Rayong, after speaking with a couple of Thai friends I came down in favour of a Toyota or an Isuzu, apparently these hold their value considerably better than the others and are generally better vehicles. I didn't look at the Chevrolet, partly because I thought it was sure to be a gas guzzler, but did check Mazda, Nissan, Ford etc.

It would be easier if the showroom brochures were available in English, trying to compare specs is near impossible. The price lists aren't much better, it is very tricky to figure out what price the version you want costs. It can help a lot here if you have a 'petrolhead' Thai who can translate for you.

I have had test drives, although only brief, in following:

Toyota 2.7(petrol)G 4WD 4Door Auto - fabulous, exceptionally smooth, incredible turning lock, appears to virtually turn around on itself. Interior is plush and well appointed, but lacks in some areas, no front screen air vents for de-misting, no passenger airbag.

Toyota 2.5(diesel)E 2WD 2Door Manual - very rapid acceleration in 1st from rolling start, good interior again, can't fit rear seatbelts for bench seat passengers ... but then if they are Thais travelling with you it is unlikeley they would use them.

Isuzu 2.5(diesel) 2WD 2Door Manual - a slightly worn test vehicle and maybe not fair to draw comparisons with Toyota here, but it felt like there was no power in engine, painfully slow acceleration. A Thai friend later told me that the Isuzu engines don't match Toyota for performance.

The new Isuzu Highlander looks a very sexy beast in Black, nice cosmetic touches, black door handle, wing mirrors with in-built trafficators. Also twin airbags, can fit rear seatbelts in 2 door, has windscreen airvents. However, although better appointed than the Toyota it seems to be of a slightly lower standard.

The 4WD Toyota Vigo in Black is also exceedingly handsome! So a choice on looks alone would be hard to make for me. However I have decided to take the Toyota route, one reason being that I think the build quality of Toyota is probably better, the engine I have been told will not develop the diesel noise that the Isuzu will after a year or two.

The next question is which model and can I figure out what exactly is available. Auto is only available as 4WD petrol, I have been told. Probably going for manual, not sure if I need performance of 3.0 litre, so probably go for 2.5 litre diesel. Thinking a 2 door, gives some extra space for loading, is cheaper, don't often have more than the two of us in vehicle. Undecided on 2WD or 4WD, do the little mud side roads in Ban Chang province become impassable with 2WD at times? Is it worth the extra cost of buying and fuel, apparently about 2km less per litre.

Talking of which, I couldn't believe the figures quoted by Isuzu for their pickups; 23.5kms/litre. I asked Toyota about their figures (13kms/litre) and said Isuzu were much better ... reply was that Isuzu were using a slow steady drive, not normal use, and that Toyota would achieve the same. Don't know what truth is, but suspect they will be similar.

Toyota dealer I went to could deliver 2WD ex stock, 4WD about 2 weeks. Isuzu dealer was quoting a month for anything. Both will throw in extras like the liner for cargo bay, dark film for windows (doesn't cut out uv, just means people can't see you) and probably anything else you want that's not too pricey.

Toyota give 6 free services, at 1,000/10,000/20,000 etc kms (I think), Isuzu do 10 free services, but they are every 5,000kms ... which seems a bit frequent for my liking, after initial period.

That is it so far.

Any comments on above, or further advice, gratefully received by me as well. Someone said that it could be good to get a Thai to negotiate deal for you, try to get discount on price, but not sure if this is likely.

Have a friend who is selling a 2000/1 Toyota Tiger, 3.0Diesel, Manual, 60,000km, 4WD, with rear 'hood' (don't know what they are called!) to enclose cargo area, metallic green, chrome, beefed up suspension. He wants about 350k, subject to a bit of a haggle I presume. It's in Bangkok and I may try and get up there to see it, but think I'll end up getting something locally, so if anyone is interested let me know ... he is farang and vehicle is in near showroom condition, currently garaged/covered.

Patrick

[taxexile]

Auto is only available as 4WD petrol, I have been told. Probably going for manual, not sure if I need performance of 3.0 litre,

hilux vigo auto 4WD is available in 3.0L diesel . dont know why the dealer told you otherwise.

i bought one a few months ago and would certainly recommend it.

quick , rides well for a pick up , powerful cd/mp3 player as standard , about 10-11 ish kms/litre.

good looking in black or silver. very good customer service so far. no problems yet after 15000kms

(except one dashboard air vent that wont close completely.)

fitting reversing sensors to the rear bumper (independantly fitted 3500b) will make life a lot easier.

it drives and rides much better than the equivalent isuzu.

[JustAnotherFarang]

Thanks Patrick, seems we had similiar dilemnas and have settled on the Vigo which seems to get rave reviews from everyone.........even DMAX owners.

I am thinking about buying the 2.5 model you commented on, cant really justify the reasons for buying a 3.0 model as I figure the 2.5 will go fast enough. I also hope by buying the smaller engine it will save on gas, plus of course its cheaper too

Might still go the second hand route if I find that older models use a lot less gas, thats my wifes overriding concern, a very expensive gas guzzler thats sits outside the house looking pretty

JAF

[Limbo]

Any comments on above, or further advice, gratefully received by me as well. Someone said that it could be good to get a Thai to negotiate deal for you, try to get discount on price, but not sure if this is likely.

... Patrick wrote and I share his doubts.

I know a Bangkokian who is specialized in transporting Harley Davidsons.

Moviestar goes to Phuket for a ride, takes the airplane and the bike is waiting for him, that style.

He has one million clicks (kms, no miles) on the counter. No new engine, just normal maintenance (he says without any reason to lie about it).

Certain terroristgroups in Afganistan used (or still use) the same brand.

Every motorcycleshop in even the smallest village can repair it. Plenty of spare parts (new or second hand).

Yes, a Toyota!

Limbo (who just bought himself a Ford Ranger with cookie tin)

[Limbo]

I forgot to mention: Khun Neeraram is absolutely right. If you live in an area where the roads are good a normal car will do. And for a big town it is even better.

I changed to a modified pick-up because my former car was too low for my area.

Crack-crack, horrible sound and expensive.

Moving furniture? Yes I do, but only inside the house.

4WD, no I don't have. I asked a friend who is living at a dirt road: hm, about six times a year.

Lim.

PS. And it will raise your status!

[Nomad97]

Two points to consider; Toyolta Vigo is good but everyone has now got one so it no longers sticks out in a crowd and secondly, depending on your age, height and general condition, a Hilux offers a better ride as it is easier to get into and out of, especially if you have a few aches and pains associated with older age.

A couple of years ago I had a top of the range Toyolta Tiger Hilux 4 door, 4WD, 3000cc, D4D Common Rail diesel engine and found that it had a couple a flat spots in the engine performance right in the middle of the prime overtaking range. Embarrassing! I rented a 2500cc Ford last year and had to check under the bonnet when I went to refuel because it did not feel like a diesel engine - great driving experience. Both Mazda and Ford come from the same stable - Auto Alliance Thailand - great engines with a performance far greater than their size (IMHO) and around 10 kilometers per litre.

I am now the proud owner of a 2WD, Ford Ranger Hi Active Pick-up truck with leather seats - and I am thoroughly impressed with the comfort and perfomance. In my opinion there are other pickups around that equal or better the Toyolta and Isuzu. The choice is yours.

[Elliot]

last year we bought a chevy colorado 4x4 four door pickup for about 850,000 with all kinds of free options...we went to their showroom, and lots of others, then called the saleman we'd spoken to...the next day he brought the finance people and all forms to our office, the whole deal took 15 minutes...three days later they delivered the truck...when something like the solinoid or starter stuck, a truck came in less than an hour to pick it up and brought it back 36 hours later...after the tsunami, gmac, the finance company, called us to ask if we need three months grace period for our payments...

considering the normal level of business service in thailand, i would never buy anything but another chevrolet...