JeffreyMcCollum

10 years here and a slow learner. But I have learned a few things over the years and key words jumped out at me. Thailand is a wonderful place, and there are many wonderful ladies here that are far better than what you can find back home. But yes, when home becomes here in Thailand, and you work and live just like anywhere, the game and fun changes. Be careful, have fun, don't do anything you would not do back home. And take it slowly. Personally I think this one is not the one but a way to learn.

A few month back Thai said they would lower their prices to compete with the Low cost guys, Good idea but it never happened, And Thai uses tricks like advertise a low fare and pack on heavy fees. That is why I have not used then except as a last resort. I go with Bangkok airways not becasue they are cheeper, they are not, but because they offer better service, at a fair price.

Flying into and out of Chiang Mai to BKK they use 747-400's, 777's, and A330. All not the cheepest to fly. And so confusing, Now they want to use their 12 year + old planes to fly, that too is not that economical.

Time to maybe get some fresh eyes in there are rethink everything out.

Thai airways could be so much more, but it's not.

2 American friends both with Thai wifes. 1 had a 10 year visa and needed it renewed. Took 6 months to get it. They were worried the reitired firemans wife (50's) would try to get a job even though for the last 10 years they lived well on his pentions and SS. My other friend just married to a country girl 1/2 his age with really nothing, flew through in had hers in hours ? Go figure ? In Chiang Mai I just got an appointment 10 days out.

Have to agree with post No 6, I too would not have paid a big deposit until the vehicle was in the showroom, or perhaps thats Nissan's policy?

The Nissan March has been a pre-order ever since it was released 15 months ago. There's zero chance of acquiring one without putting down a deposit and waiting like everyone else. I can handle waiting for a new Porsche or Ferrari, but a Nissan? TiT

10 months ago I ordered a while Nissan March, manual trans. Still waiting on it. My wife wanted one with auto so I did find the purple one at at dealer and drove off with it. Love the car so decided I want mine in white too. So I will still wait.

As a note, after the November Auto show I ordered a Honda Brio. Was told April delivery. At the end of March I want to the Bangkok International Auto show. they had many Brios but this was the first time we could sit inside. Seemed very cheep inside with poor looking plastic. Days later Honda sent a letter that the Brio was delayed 6 - 8 months. Not likeing the interior I cancelled and then was told it would be just as long to get my deposit back.

I will stick with the March, so far wonderful and roomy. As for Honda, Never again will I get a Honda Car.

I did mine in Chiang Mai. very easy. I hear Pattaya is even easier.

I did have a check up cost me 100Bt. (my wife was only 50bt.)

Had paper first time from immigration

just had regular Driving Licences from America

Eye test and had it within 1 hour and kept my America Licences

1 year later went back, Again doctor note but could use my Work permit did not need paper from immigration.

from walking into the building to leaving with new card in had, both Car and motorbike, was under 5 minutes, Everyone coulld talk English ok enough to get it done

No worries !

I will be happy to sell you a J Costa variator and/or a J Costa exhaust.

I had Honda install a J Costa variator. Is it faster, yes and no. In some cases it is and in others not, my top end is now 119 km/h were before it was 109 km/h tops The down side is I was getting 45 - 50 km/l and now it is way down to 35. In the end it wasn't worth the cost to me, but you will have to decide.

Jeffrey sorry to hear that. Are you sure you are not riding faster all the time. Another customer.in Chiang Mai who commutes two up and he has not reported anything other than improved performance.Ch

J Costa says this.

Tips on Fuel consumption after JCosta:<b><br style="mso-special-character:line-break"><br style="mso-special-character:line-break"></b>

-1/3 less throttle than before willget you the SAME performance and IMPROVED fuel consumption.

- But same riding habit with the same throttlecontrol as before will probably see an increase in fuel consumption, but much increased acceleration.

- Keep RPM low while accelerating.

- Take off at slightly lesser throttle than beforewill gain you both better acceleration, and improvedfuel consumption.

After installing my J Costa and not getting the results I wanted, I E-mailed the company back, who up to this point had been very helpful and resposive, I got no reply. So, I made a call, AP Honda arranged 11 Honda PCX's to go for a 320 km ride to test and check them. As well as 3 Tourist Motorbike escort police stopping every intersection so we never had to stop the whole way of the ride, They also brought 2 chase trucks as well as the head R&D man for the PCX and top PCX factory mechanic. In the 11 PCX's included some stock and some of varis tuning including 2 US spec bikes that had been factory worked on to get 22 and 25 HP. GT Riders, Sweet deamons, as well as a Ducati and BMW club riders tagged along 75 bikes in total. The trip was broken down into 4 sections to test different things. High speed, back roads, city, as well as other things. Honda was surprised for the most part I kept up with the 2 factory works bikes. In the end only 4 PCX's finished, the 2 factory bikes had mechanical trouble, 1 bike had an accident, and others fell out for other reasons. At the end, Honda put on a nice buffet for all to eat, even the Japan Consulet General and his wife showed up. After all the testing we found the Jcosta PCX's run at higher RPM at most speed causing an increse of fuel comsumption. Both Jcosta units ran well and had no problems. And under most, but not all conditions it was faster up to a top speed of an indacated 119 km/h a 10% increase in top speed. And less reduction in speed over the hills, increase of 13% speed. However, this comes at a loss of fuel efficency. Roughly 13%. I have had the PCX about 8 months now. Have taken it to Nong Khai, Khon Kean, BKK, and Pattaya. 16,000 km and more, mostly 2 up. I had wanted a little more Oomph from it but with the loss in km/l it changes things in my stable. I am lucky to have many bikes, this was my main get around grocery getter and commuter to work scooter. Now my Honda CBR150 that gets a steady 45 - 46 km/l and a higher top speed is the most economical bike I have. So the trade off for speed, for me, was not worth it. The unit is a good unit, well built, but if you worry about fuel economy, This unit is not for you. I have taken it off, and continue to check how to increase speed and power some without effecting fuel efficiency

Few years back purchased a new Tiger CX125 I like the slightly bigger size and rugged style to it.

they never coud be me a gren book for this new bike so after 1 year they gave me another one at no extra charge. This one on several occations broke down, all minor, and fixed for me but all were well away from a service shop and 2 of the break downs could have been deadly.

I like the looks of some of their bikes, but I worry about quality and attitude of the company

Oh Please . . . .

Where to start with problems like these and others. With the Governement ? Police ? Business owners, Thai people ??? Who knows

The tourist will just stop returning. I live here and I have stopped going to Phuket. Have a condo for sale cheep in Pattaya and when it sells I will stop going there. Even the Thai's there at the condo try to cheat me saying I need to pay over 3000 for water in a unit the water is closed in.

Good bye Phuket and next Good bye Pattaya.

The scammers, police, and thieves will only have each other soon to be their next marks

Sadly to say I have noticed many of my stamps to be off as many as 3 days. They never really have seemed right and you can never argue with them

Last time I went to Phuket was 5 or 6 years ago and no need to return. Soon Pattaya too will be on my list as it just is not what it use to be 10 years or more ago.

I go there to relax and have fun. Not to fight traffic, Police, and rip off artist everywhere.

Well Im one of the guys offering the derestriction for 2,000 baht in Chiangmai and i can assure you it does the exactly same thing as the 8,000 Baht CPU from Kawasaki, I dont claim to give the bike more power than it actually has it just bypasses the restrictor which controls the fuel injector from 3rd gear up to 6th and it does it by leaning the engine back, a lot of Thai guys from the D-tracker web site are running colder plugs to keep the engine cooler. Kawasaki here in Chiangmai are claiming that the derestricted CPU will allow you to go to 140 kph, thats K**P. go to the gt-rider web site in "any messages here" and open the topic on derestricting KLX D-Tracker and read Ian Bunjys from the X centres report on his 8,000 baht investment.

We actually put in a couple of months work in working this out and getting it right and to read some of the comments on this blog from people who have opions without doing the home work, well what can i say.

John

I got my new Kawasaki D tracker at the factory. Yes right inside. Rode it arond Pattaya a few days before riding it up to Chiang Mai. I was so disappointed. I was humbled by people on their old CBR150's. On the Straights my butt got so sore and I could hardly do 110 km/h Why I kept asking my self ? It should not be this way. I did do this 2000Bt CPU fix up here. It transformed the bike for me. It is now fun, has a top speed for me of 138 km/h and fuel KM/L is just the same. The bike is now my favorite in town and in the hills around Chiang Mai. What a pleasure to ride and do stupid things on. I still would not go farther than 100 km away from my home on it because my butt gets too sore but I'm looking into seat fixes for that. If anyone would ask me, It was a bargin and worth much more than the 2000Bt I paid.

Just a quick note; on my NSR150 SP I have been through 2 motors by using 91 gasahol Now I only use RED pump 91

Both times I used new honda HRC crate motors

I drive a lot. Just got a Nissan March. Changed the wheels and tires. Weekly drive CM - BKK or Pattaya for work. With the A/C going and the BIg Fat tires I get 19.2 km/l

It's good when It rains, and when I need to carry the family.

When I want some fun, and to beat everyone else, I am on one of my bikes, and still getting better than any car out there

Right, But this thread wasn't about how good your FE is, but rather how bad it is

We all know that the March gets reasonable FE, and a proper motorcycle is faster than your standard Thai pickup truck.

If you want to make an impact in this thread, tell us about how you just shoehorned a VR38DETT into your March, tweaked it to 1000HP and now get 1km/L

Check !

When I checked into Vietnam, being an America, It was very hard to get a retirment visa thing there. Had to pay out so much in bribes and never did get it but I was followed 24 hours a day for weeks on end. Didn't like the "No Can" everytime I needed something.

Philippines, CDO down south, and manila. manila is very expensive, More than Bangkok. There is 10 times worse with coruption and double standards and pricing.

That is why I ended up here in Chiang mai and am very happy on about $700 a month for 3 people

Just need to improve my Thai

A few pointers

Meter taxis often arn't and say how much they want. Don't use them. First floor is best for a true lower cost taxi fare. Ask before you get in. Don't be afraid to get out.

You will still have to wait in live for your visa stamp like everyone else. Sorry. There are 2 Passport / immigration areas. Check the first one you get to. if the lins are over 10 or 15 people walk on to the next, usually it will be empty, usually.

I have used Bell bus service many times, ground floor, I have never called them, But yes, Think 1 hour to 90 minutes to go through passport control and collect your bag. First buses are about 7:00 ???

1 more thing, Now living here I know a driver who does this run Airport to anywhere in Pattaya for 800 Baht, meets you at the airport. Speaks english, no hassle, in a Volvo I think it was. Send me a message if you want his number

I live in the Chiang Mai. NO ocean, but nice rivers and lakes. I have a very nice Apartment in a middle class neighborhood, with A/C, flushing toilet and hot water. Mountain View. 2700 Bt ($90) but I know some smaller but nice and safe for less. Meals easily for $5 a day usually less, and I do eat in my room too. I could do $2 a day but why ? It is easier to have a motorbike, and you can rent for under $100 a montth or buy for a few hundred then sell again at the end. I work here and make just under 20,000 Bt a month $665 and that covers 3 of us, me, my soon to be wife and her 10 year old daughter. We go to a movie once a week, and some night ride around or go to a park. I could live like a king on $1000 a month up here, getting a massage every weeks and eating more falong food, And some months I have extra from side jobs and others not. I did live before in a working class Condo in Pattaya about 5 minutes from the beach, rent there for something decent (A/C, TV, Cable, flushing toilets, hot water, and safe) is about 10,000 Bt but it is a tourist area and everything is double down there. $1000 a month hardly cut it down there for me alone.

There are many ways around the visa issue. easiest is the ED visa and go to a class, any class 4 hours a week. Or a multy tourist visa

Good luck, it can work and you can stay if you want

Too small I guess my old eyes don't see it or I have been here too long

At every Suzuki shop I went to they showed me a folder of options with out even asking to get you something like you want

I've seem many food venders and coffee shops etc like this.

Told my wife maybe she should do something

SKG 1.1 or at a slightly higher cost 1.3L engine.

Smaller than a transit but good for the city. 1.1 can do 100 - 110 km/h so if you do much cross country go for the 1.3

Seems like every month getting more dealers so I would not really worry about the parts and service so much.

Crampt if your tall like me 6'2" and 189 cm I also don't like the fuel tank in the cab.

Can get LPG or lower cost CNG/NGV both get about 17 as you say

new baby on the way, just not sure why a Truck or SUV Harder to get in and out, Hard to park on tight spaces here, and very hard to drive and turn on the crowded roads and alleys. Lower fuel milage too

Many nice new cars at much less cost

Do go with the Full First class insurance, much like full ocoverage back home in the states

if you get into an accident as a falong here, it your fault reguardless, even if he is underage, drunk, and never drove before, it is your fault, because if you did not move here that accident would never of happened they say . . .

The car only needs 91 octane, and is fully E20 compatible, so use E20 when available (as it's cheaper), otherwise Gasohol 91.

95 octane won't make a shred of difference to fuel economy or performance, it'll just cost you more. Also, no problems mixing 91,95 or E20 - doing so can never result in more than 20% Ethanol, which is within the car's design spec.

So....one vote for 95 Gasohol and one vote for E20!

I do see that E20 is about 4THB cheaper per liter. Will I get the same KM/L as if I used 95? If so, I like the sound of E20

That said, can I start my car on E20 now, or do I need to wait a bit?

Thanks!

You can use any, and as you say in some areas you can only find one or another. You can use the higher cost regular 91 also, but why ? With mine, just for every day driving I us the 91 gasahol. If I know I am going to do alot of hills (IE: between CM and lampang) I add 95 gasahol but truly I know it is a waste and can feel no difference except hte lack of funds in my wallet. With mine I do notice a slight decrease with E20 (E20 is also 95 octain) in km/l but it is at a lower cost,

you can mix any and be OK

Do what is easiest for you

thanks...im really looking to spend as little as possible! Im going to have a baby in 5 months and I need safe transportation...and im on a major budget!

What type of down payment will I be looking at?

Is it possible to get a car with 30 to 60,000 down?

Yes. I have a work permit, and proper Thailand Visa (Non I got a new Nissan March for 375,000 Bt. 36,000 down My payments could have been as low as 5000 Bt a month but I only wanted 2 years, I did not neet a Thai Co signer and I am not married, yet . . .

Love the March BTW Take it Chiang Mai BKK or Pattaya weekly and get 19.2 km/l with the A/C running and big fat tires on it

I drive a lot. Just got a Nissan March. Changed the wheels and tires. Weekly drive CM - BKK or Pattaya for work. With the A/C going and the BIg Fat tires I get 19.2 km/l

It's good when It rains, and when I need to carry the family.

When I want some fun, and to beat everyone else, I am on one of my bikes, and still getting better than any car out there

I have had 2 dependable long lasting CRV's in the United states. On cold winter with 60 cm of snow and ice on the roads I took my 2wd CRV on a 2 week 12 state 4000 mile drive with not one problem. While others were getting stuck in their 4wd I just kept going.

Last November at the Auto show I Looked at the New Honda Brio. They only let you see the out side. I went back to Chiang Mai and ordered one. (Booking) at the time they said it would be April delivery.

At the March International Auto show they had Many Brio, but the interior seemed Cheep and not well put together. A few days later I got a letter from Honda that the Brio delivery would be 6 - 8 months late. Thatwould be 11 - 13 months in all I wait, so I cancelled the order. Then they told me it would be months more to get my Booking refunded.

Sorry, Never a Honda car again. I purchased a Nissan March, Love it, get 19.2 km/l with the A/C on and Big Fat afternarket tires and wheels on it. Love it so much I've ordered a second one.