thaieagle67

The title should be "Do Not Buy a FORD, any model, Now or Anytime".

Don't get me wrong, they are good vehicles IMHO but the Thai's don't like them, so if you hope to trade one in later down the line you will have a big shock, i speak from recent experience!

I had some nagging doubt about buying a Ford, after owning an Isuzu and Toyota previously but after looking around the 2010 top spec Ford Everest i liked the look and the gadgets. I was advised by other forum members that the old chassis, etc, would make for a poor vehicle but for 7 months i liked it and enjoyed driving it, as did my wife. Due to the arrival of 2 four legged friends in the family, i decided that a return to a pick up was needed. After a visit to Isuzu i decided to go full circle and get back behind the wheel of a D-Max, but then the shock came. After only 7 months the value of the Ford had depreciated by almost 40%. My initial thoughts were Isuzu were trying to pull a fast one but my wife called Ford and even if i had gone for another Ford model, this was all they were going to offer, with maybe a few extras thrown in.

Again i am not knocking Ford, it's just they don't do it for the majority of Thais. If you intend on buying one and then running it for life, then the choice is yours. But if you like to change your vehicle every few years, then stay well clear, you will loose 1000's.

So all the little Somchais and Alunwans will be carrying their id cards to school and wherever else they go.

I think alot of mums and dads are going to be paying out for lost cards somehow.

I wonder what the thinking is behind making young kids carry id?

Are the people in charge really that paranoid?

where does it say they have to carry it? they just need to have one for identification.

if thats what the govt wants to do, who cares? i think i can afford 500baht to get my kid a card.

there's bigger sh!t to worry about.

Earth calling planet Zarg, your missing airhead is here on thaivisa

You don't quite get it mate do you!

News Snippets:

Ford and Mazda Thailand announced an additional investment of USD $350M (1.1B Baht) into the Auto Alliance Thailand manufacturing facility last Thursday, bringing their total investment now to USD $1.8 Billion in the facility. The new investment is for upgrades and tooling for the all-new BT-50 and Ranger pickup trucks, which they also confirmed will enter production in mid-2011 (for Nov 2011 release).

Ford confirms new Fiesta actual customer deliveries to start September 2nd.

The new Honda Jazz Hybrid has been revealed at the Paris Motor Show - destined for Thai market release sometime in 2011..

I hope this means that both Ford and Mazda in Thailand will start producing upto date models for the Focus and Mazda 3? The ones currently sold in LOS are 3 years if not older models than available in Europe. Why so far behind when we have the latest Mazda 2 & Fiesta?

In pattaya we don't have a really dogschool same in germany (dogclub with a small monthly or yearly fee).

No "dog club"s that I know of, but there are certainly some dog training schools.

Johnleech,

They have training schools in Pattaya?! Can you let me know where?

Hi there,

There are some good breeders around the country, ofcause most of them are in Bangkok.

Depend where you are, it is better if you could inspect the breeder and the parents by your self.

When you get the puppy, make sure the breeder show you nessesary documents such parents pedigree, health check especailly hips, since Hips dysplasia is most common in GSD in Thailand. At least one vacine shot should be given.

hmm.. what's else? For me, I dont have any puppy right now but there are some litter which sired by my dog in Chiangmai and Chiangrai.

Hi Ponti,

Just to let you know that i took your advice and contacted Khun Noy. Things are now moving and with luck we will have a new member to our family in a couple of weeks.

Thanks for your help and advice.

Looking to get a German Shepherd puppy as a new addition to our family but struggling to locate any decent breeders in Thailand. I have tried to make contact with the Thai German Shepherd Dog club but as yet no response and waiting a reply from one of our fellow forum members but in the meantime can anyone suggest others?

Thank to Garry, Gus (netfan) and Crobiker for their tributes.

Chum, who was only 33, was killed riding home from work on Friday at about 10pm. According to Jay, his Streetfighter hit a stationary truck that was parked over the rise of a bridge at the intersection of Petchburi Rd and Ramkhamheang Rd.. The truck had stopped to repair streetlights and had warning lights and signs placed too close to the truck which couldn't be seen by vehicles approaching on the incline to the bridge. What a waste!

I went into Ducati Thonglor Saturday afternoon after receiving a text that Chum had been killed. The place was closed up but there were a few bikers and mechanics on site. JC (848) and Tony696 came along after hearing the news. Head mechanic, Jay returned from the police station with Chum's wrecked Streetfighter and it was a poignant moment as we sat and watched Jay and the guys unload the bike.

There was a nice memorial service at St Louis Church on Sathorn in the evening. Such a large number of well-wishers turned up to pay respects that they couldn't all be seated inside. He is survived only by his sister, who gave a moving, tearful thanks to all for attending. It was rather surreal to see the casket with Chum's picture next to it and a video and slide show of his Ducati rides and training courses.

I bought both my Ducati's (S2R 1000 and 848) from him and we had last ridden together on a one-day 700klm ride from Bangkok to Phuket for the bike week in April. A more helpful and friendly guy you couldn't meet. Along with head-mechanic Jay, they were an excellent team at Ducati. He will be sorely missed.

The funeral service is this Wednesday in his hometown of Nakhom Pathom. The turnout is expected to be huge and I will be riding there along with (hopefully, work permitting) Gus, Reimund, JC, Tony696 and others. Obviously, any bikers wishing to attend will be welcome.

Rustic,

Gutted is only one word to discribe this news. I am still away from Thailand so cannot attend any ceremony, so please if you guys are planning a wreath or something similiar, can you please add my wife and I's name to the thoughts and condolences to his family and the Ducati gang at Thong Lor.

What a nice bloke and what a great team he had put together to run Ducati Thailand. I have only owned my Monster 1100 since October last year but have had the pleasure of meeting Chum on many an occasion. He was so polite and friendly to anyone who step into his Ducati Home and like many of us have had the pleasure of riding into the BKK bike show and Pattaya/Burapa Bike Week last Feb with him and the guys/girls.

Chum, rest in peace my friend, as you were one of lifes genuine nice guys and have been taken away from us and your family way too early. As many have said, you will be sorely missed.

Hate to say it but it is a ladyboy bar.

You obviously don't know what your talking about, as this is a popular local expat & tourist bar situated right on Beach road next to Mikes (as others have mentioned). Friendly staff and (if she is there) a boss that stops the hawkers coming in and hassling you to buy something. A good afternoon bar and many clubs/groups meet there but certainly no ladyboys!

PM Abhisit is the head of the government. Who are the reds? What LEGAL authority do they have for their outrageous actions? Answer. NONE.

if/when there is a change of goverment the abhisit/goverment will be prosecuted for many things when he/they have crossed the line of LEGAL authority...

at the moment their a law to them selfs,,,just like the reds..

To be blunt, put up or shut up.

Regards

why??

is that a threat?

coz you dont like my views

Do yourself a favour my friend and grow up. Don't you think we have more important issues to discuss than respond to your ego.............

As has been said, "put up or shut up" again!

Sickening...when will the government lies and incompetence stop?

And why are we focussing so much on who killed the 5 army personnel, and not on who killed the 19 innocent unarmed demonstrators? Terrorists indeed? I'd lay money that these government sponsored agents provocateur.

Abhisit has become a dictator who will stop at nothing and tell any amount of lies to hold on to power. Where are the 'terrorists' who were at the hotel? Did they escape as well?

Why doesn't he just call an election for God's sake? The red-shirts only want an election in a reasonable timeframe...one could be put together in 2 months and all the bloodshed would stop immediately....but no, we have more lies and dissembling from the government....

"No Live rounds were fired" and "Please give us the 580 rubber bullets and 6000 rounds of live ammunition that we left behind when we fled"...didn't we hear that the army only gave a few live rounds to each soldier to defend himself...where did the 6000 come from? If it was mainly rubber bullets how come there weren't 580 live rounds and 6000 rubber bullets?

What a stinking farrago of lies and deceit by Abhisit and his shadowy masters...

Whatever it is you're smoking i hope you're sharing it with friends! If you're not smoking anything, you should start or march yourself straight to the nuthouse and book yourself in for life!!!

As others have mentioned, Abhisit, Taksin, Red, Yellow or Pink (for all i care), no one will be allowed to run this country for the good of all until the "Puppet Masters" and power crazy (Yellow, Red and Camouflage bye the way) are shut up or shut down. Whatever your current colour perseption, those of us that have been in LOS for a long time know that this is the one and only issue that needs to be addressed to save this country. Do not blame Abhisit and/or Taksin (although i do think Mr T has lost it recently), blame those with their hidden agendas to run the country their way and screw the rest. No PM has been able to do what is right for Thailand for as long as i can remember without some dark/powerfull influence stepping in. All this Red and Yellow crap between some forum members is just fruitless bun fighting.

I am just so bitterly disappointed for the innocent people (of all colours) that have to die while the "Puppet Masters" play their games.

some nice bikes there.............. whats the price of the new street fighter model there ???

Streetfighter - 940,000 Baht

Streetfighter S - 1,150,000 Baht

Mad, mad, machine..............

Just recently completed a Northern Thailand tour (starting in Chonburi!) on my Ducati Monster. I had a great time on the bike and she never let me down even in the steep mountain roads from Chiang Mai to Pai, although arm pump from the continuous clutch engaging was sometimes an issue!

Although I travelled with a backpack for storage I understand your additional requirements and from experience during that trip I was suprised by the amount of BMW GS owners I bumped into, both Thai and Farang. The Thais I spoke with sware by them, as it does give the option to do a bit of off-roading. Personally not my choice as far too heavy but the numbers on the roads speak words.

As obviously Ducati biased, could I also suggest a look at the Hypermotard or Multistrada, with both having a good selection of storage add-ons available. There is a new model Hypermotard 796 just out and looks the dogs do da's IMHO.

A mate at work has a Triumph Tiger, which he swears bye and travels Southern Europe with it on a regular basis, so many options open but again with a bit of bias thrown in and with now 2 official dealerships in Thailand and rumours of another in the North, Ducati are a decent option.

so it is not what I write, it is the condescending words? surely then it is what I write if you are accusing me of writing condesending words?

As for belittling opinions, I am not, I am just mirroring the people that write them, to be fair I don't see them complaining, and talking about failure at this point is all about opinions rather than fact so it is hard to back up my argument with facts, just like it is with them. However history teaches us that it is better to wait for something to finish before you judge it as a failure or success, In this instance the protest has not even started yet it is being called a failure. That is like saying a football team lost a game 2 days before it is played.

OK point taken

I agree its a little bit early to be jumping on the "Failure" band wagon but as others have mentioned the "Day of all Days" was supposed to be the 12th, so why are they now saying Sunday or even Monday, just another bumbling excuse of a leadership, similiar to the one they are trying to oust. My better half is a, well lets say Red Shirt sympathiser, but at this rate even she is doubting that any of them are what the contry needs right now.

Wheres the "Raving Monster Loony Party" when you need them?

I think some of you are disappointed that it has not turned violent already so you can spout 'I told you so', the fact that they contingent from chainag mai only left there at 11 am, added to the fact that the actual rally is sunday seems to have passed some of you by. people are still travelling to bangkok, today was always going to be about small meetings and the said non violent, and non violent it has been, I know this irks some of you.

As for total numbers at the end, it matters not one jot if it is one million people or one person as long as they achieve their objectives. Too many people actually thinking a million man march means there will be one million men, the same people probably think the 100 year war lasted exactly 100 years.

I thought more of some of you than this, a lot of thinks you guys write are sensible if a little biased, but this nonsense, well..............................

This is a forum to talk whatever, if you don't agree or like what is being written then.....................

A little while longer on the monster and it could then be an order for a No 1 !!!

Pleased to see the little VFR400 makes it into the top 10, great little bike and on which i had my first taste of Thai roads in Phuket back in the 90's

Whilst on the subject of Thai roads are you going to the BMF at the end of the month?

Deepsea, another option is you can go underneath the elevated tollway No 3 all the way to the outskirts of Chonburi , then follow the signs for Pattaya & Rayong and head out to the last piece of the 7 motorway (bypassing Chonburi City, Si Racha and Laem Chabang) until you reach the Pattaya junction near the Regents school. I must add that this section of the 7 does prohibit bikes but many use it, of all shapes and sizes and it appears without being pulled by the BiB. The choice, risk, call it what you may, is there!

Failing the above and apart from going via Chachoengsao & Ban Bueng you have no other option than staying on Sukhumvit all the way down, as the rest have advised.

Thanks Radek, iam very Familiar with the Ford website, ive never really looked into what options the vehicles can come with.

I had two vehicles come in a few weeks back with leather and the roof mounted DVD screen....wow that DVD screen is really a tacky "add on" mostly noticeable when the roof lining is pulled out, Ford could have made it look/feel more integrated for sure.

I am glad you mentioned that. It's maybe something i could approach them about. I wonder if they would be prepared to leave out the factory fitted unit and have one of my choice installed instead. Anyone tried that, for any manufacturer?

What model Everest does the parking camera come on, must be the top of the range one, thanks for the heads up though, ive been meaning to include this as an option for our Vehicles, if its a Ford option even better.

Yep the 3.0 LTD 4X4 Nav versions specifications state that a rear view/reversing camera is fitted as standard. Oh that Ford is looking better.......

I am just going to correct myself here, as looking at the Everest pictures again, i think the wheel mount is bolted directly to the door, so the comment about my Cherokee with its swing arm mounted rear wheel is not valid. Somebody please confirm that is the case!

Having the wheel mounted on the rear door makes it easy to see if someone has stolen it, mounted underneath you will only realise when you have a flat and go to change it.

You're not wrong. My missus has been in the fortuner on her own both times it's had a flat, so there is logic in her thinking.

I must admit though, that i had a rear mounted spare wheel on my old Jeep Cherokee when i lived in the middle east and if the locking mechanism was slightly worn, the spare wheel and its support used to bang like hel_l on the back door, so had be changed regularly and it wasn't cheap. That said, we were doing some serious desert and wadi driving, which is highly unlikely in Thailand, so the Everest is still in with a chance.

Looking forward to getting home now and trying all those on my short list. I'll also see if i can get a go in a CX-9, even if i have no intention of buying one, they just look that good!

Well the wife suprised me yesterday, as she had been down to the local Ford dealer to have a look at the Everest and she was impressed! So maybe i have to give it a second chance. She liked the new look, interior and spare wheel on the back door design, so she hasn't quite got the concept of the some of the technical issues you guys have raised but if the missus likes it, well that's half the battle won

After doing a wide internet search on available vehicles in Thailand, my preference would be the new Mazda CX-9, very smart looking vehicle but at a completely bonkers 3,690,000 Baht , is no way justifiable.

The Everest is swinging back into the equation.

While you've got the filter out, use an aerosol disinfecting spray - something like Lysol, which I've never seen in Issan. Spray on the filter, into the a/c's air intake, and also the exhaust vents in the cabin - where the cold air comes out when you're driving. sorry for the post being slightly disjointed :-(

I'll give that a try and see if it helps.

The big question for me is why it is happening and what I can do or not do as the case may be to prevent it from happening again

I have had this happen twice on two different vehicles and a mate had it happen continuously on his pick-up. In all occasions it was small mice that had eaten or managed to get into the ducting and then died. When i took my fortuner to toyota, they knew exactly what the problem would be and told us that they get many vehicles a month through the workshop to repair and or clean the system. We live in the sticks so would expect it to happen more but i know of guys who live in the citys who have had the same problem. Unless you can fully cover the car, i can't really advise a way to prevent it, other than leaving traps near your vehicle whilst its parked at home!

The ladder frame is virtually unchanged since it was first developed. Twenty five years? Try about seventy years. Why is it still used? Because it is very rugged and it works. Uni-body construction is fine for smooth riding passenger cars but for a rugged vehicle, you STILL need a frame. As with many things, simple is better. Solid axles and leaf springs are difficult to damage. If you want a race car with fragile suspension, that's what you buy. If you want a rugged work horse, you need a frame and leaf springs.

Ladder frames are continously improved.

Nissans Navara frame is new since 2007

Toyota Vigo since october 2004. Fortuner since december 2004

Izu/Chevy since 2002

Mitsu Pajero Sport 2007?

Ford/Mazda still building on a narrow 1985 frame providing high bulky floorplan, higher center of gravity and lousy traction.

Agree Ranger and Everest does have different parts in suspension. Pickups must be able to carry 1000 kg to avoid excise tax, while Everest can focus more on comfort paying 20% excise tax. Frame and floorplan is still the same old one from front until rear seat.

Liked the look of new Everest when it came out like 6 months ago, but totally lost interest when I saw the parkingbrake under steeringwheel, high bulky floorplan and discovered the old narrow frame. Its outdated.

I think i have read enough to put me off the Everest. I'll have to have a good look round when i get back to LOS to check out the remaining option, Fortuner again!

It's a dinosaur - stay clear of it and stick with your Fortuner

If i was to trade in for a new Fortuner, i am worried that with minor changes last year, there will be a major makeover of the Fortuner coming very soon, so i would be buying another dinosaur! Does anyone know if Toyota are planning a major makeover anytime soon?

Have had a fortuner for a few years now and its been great but fancy a change and the new Ford Everest Looks a lot better than earlier models. I am not currently at home, so was wondering if anyone has had a look at one, test driven one or better still owns one?