anon210

The Alpine DVD head unit and the PMD-B100 GPS unit that works with the PJS touch screen are old models and not well supported by Alpine. A stand alone Garmin etc is OK but the nicest but most expensive option is to replace the touch screen with a more modern 2DIN head unit with DVD, GPS, USB and blue tooth etc.

For newly bought units, this would void the Mitsu warranty, unfortunately.

Somewhere in Bangkok, but I don't recall where exactly. However, it is up to you to negotiate and shop around. Don't be satisfied with one place alone! Be critical, and compare to other brands. The less brand loyalty is perceived, the more they will be willing to go out of their way to get the sale...

In general, the longer the finance period, the higher specced car you are buying, the more you can demand (dealers make a commission on finance as well).

It also all depends on the period and the demand for that specific car. If there is a lot of demand, you will not have a lot of leverage.

OK, thanks for the quick reply. It means the video screen is a bit of a wasted space as I don't think it plays movies on the move either. I may see if I can get a combo Sat Nav and Dash-Cam setup, there must be something like that available.

Cheers

It is useful if you have a reversing camera fitted... Otherwise, indeed, without GPS, not much of a use.

You can buy however a separate unit Karmaz or Alpine and fit it to the car (might be cheaper and you can use the screen).

See here:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/428661-2011-pajero-sport-minor-change/page__st__100#entry4211930

Not (yet) a PJS owner, but there is long thread about these issues with the PJS.

I would advise you just to get a standalone garmin, as the simple navi installation by Mitsu would range around 20-29 K. Not worth it.

Look here: http://www.mitsubishi-motors.co.th/Triton-Single-Cab/STANDARD/Overview

A standard single cab would cost 428.000 THB, a CNG version, 493.000 THB (probably the 1 THB/minute, but you need access to a CNG pump which is hard to find in the country, I guess). Furthermore, you can never hope someone will bring you a jerrican of CNG if your tank is empty... Not really made for out of town I would say.

Sounds like the single cab would make it for you.

They have it also in 4x4: 599.000 THB

Good that the drive impresses you. However, the focus available is the 2.0. Might still worth trying. With regard to the 1.6 it is mother available yet.

For the offer, have it put down in writing... and run to another dealer. You must make them compete... Then only can you clinch the best deal.... one of my friends was able to clinch leather seats for a civic (free of charge obviously).

You can even tell them you are comparing with Ford which is so much better... lol

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Oh, just to let you know... in France, if we can, we avoid to buy French cars. Poor reliability, awful quality... At that price, go for a Japanese sports car or some decent (read: German) car...

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Many thanks for the congratulations... Actually, I specifically demanded black. It so happened that a 2WD happened to be available... One week after ordering a 4WD.

Would not have accepted another color. It always looks classy and can go anywhere with glamour, if I may say so.

Got finally to see the future baby... Actually the future "Elephant" as a member of my family calls it. Delivery for Saturday, theoretically. Did not have to go back to sign papers for finance as I am approved for a higher amount.

I will be putting 40 % film on the windshield and 60 % on the sides. Lamina pop series from what I could see.

The car comes from a buyer who hesitated between black and grey.. and rejected black in the end. .. or so they say .>_>

A few resources on inspection at delivery... I think there was a question somewhere on what should be checked... So these links are very useful in what should be checked when getting the car.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian-car-scene/6027-new-car-predelivery-inspection-list-part-i-ii-iii-iv-kishor-kulkarni.html

And

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/buying-car/68581-article-pre-delivery-inspection-pdi-check-list.html

And

http://www.ksl.stanford.edu/people/kpfleger/autosafety/cache/misc/MotleyFoolDeliveryChecklist.html

And

http://www.mynrma.com.au/images/Motoring-PDF/NRMA-new-car-test-drive-check-list.pdf

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And here is a gorgeous wildtrak seen yesterday on the parking of JAvenue in Thonglor.

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Will test drive the Civic later in the afternoon..and perhaps the Focus immediately after to have a feel of it.

Thanks..appreciate your fast reply!

Keep us posted as to your driving experience... This is bound to interest other forum members.

Thanks 'rixalex'....it's good to hear that you don't have any major complains...I will go with the auto since that's the model with the ABS brakes and this is important to me...about the seat,yes,I have noticed,even that it has 3 controls it is still hard to find a comfortable spot...(my wife will feel good in it,I guess) ...the up-down lever makes the seat actually shorter (!),so the option is to get use to it,or replace with some Recaro or some second hand quality euro seat ...

...so I guess, this is still my no.1 choice in ECO cars...cheers

That's a wise choice regarding going for the auto because it has ABS. I forgot to mention that the brakes do lock up quite easy on mine - non ABS model - there have a been a couple of times when i really haven't been going that fast, and nor have i applied the brakes that hard, when they have locked and the car has gone into a skid. Luckily it has never led to anything nasty, just a case of quickly coming off the brakes and grip being regaining. But anyway, yes, ABS would be a good idea.

The manual would seem a good choice for Taxi fleets if their let in then .

I was once in an Almera taxi... Very spacious behind, and looked ok. I don't remember if it was a manual or automatic though. I guess the higher spec.

Bangkok Post puts Trailblazer > Tuna > PJS

http://www.bangkokpo...-size-suv-party

And says PJS must catch up with the times!! erm

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I may be wrong there, talking from an European perspective... but I still do not trust GM for long-term reliability. And it still is priced higher that the PJS.

Toyota... well just about 100 k + above the PJS.

I share the feeling about the motor noise of the PJS, but after all I am getting a sort of truck, not a sedan.

Try asking for more from your dealer. Me, without pushing at all, I got for the (new) Ford Focus 2.0+ Sport 5 Drs, from Ford Ek Silom:

1st Class insurance

License plate

Rubber mat

Fuel for 500 THB

COating color

Plastic tray

I guess, anti-rust coating could be asked on top of this, + some other minor freebies.

Let me already clarify one point: the 1.6 Focus will not be available before next year.

Obviously, Honda will carry the favors of the Thai buyers, and Ford much less.

Beyond that no better advice than to test drive both and go for the one which seems the best for you.

If both are comparable and resale value is an all-important criterion, go for Honda. If driving quality is the key, then the Ford seems to be the best of the two.

However an update.... Thursday got a call from the dealership telling me that a black Mitsubishi 2wd was available immediately. I asked for a new quote... It seems dealerships are reluctant to sell 4wd models...

I missed that in the original post but were you waiting on the 4WD model? Definitely try the 2WD as I tried both and found the 2WD a noticebly better drive, and you also avoid the annoyance of the transfer case shifter trying to vibrate it's way through your thigh.

That's correct, I did not precise in my original post that I was waiting on the 4WD... As I was planning on doing some offroading.

Furthermore my test drive was in the 4WD, and it was good (maybe too much of a novice driver, but was not otherwise worried with the 4WD lever).

But considering that the 2WD is available directly... Well, might just as well get it.They pulled out the back video unit though.

Here is the latest offer:

1.insurance first class ( 1 year)

2.license plate frame

3.film

4.carpet

5.rubber floor

6.side visor

7.coating

8.rust proof

9.trunk tray

10.back camera

11.TV.(not free ) 6,000 baht

12. Chromium handles

Try asking your dealer for it. Normally they provide it at Mitsubishi when you ask for it. Don't know about Honda, but cannot be that difficult.

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Simple:

So you’ve looked up the crash rating of your car and

you’re pleased. It has a five-star rating. Before you get

too smug you should consider the following. These ratings

give good information about how much damage

you could expect for a car hitting an immovable barrier.

But the five stars won’t help much if you hit a large truck

head-on. By the laws of physics, your car is going to

come out second best. The momentum of your car is

likely to be considerably less than that of the truck.

In the past few years there has been considerable

worry about the large number of SUVs and pickups on

the road as compared to passenger cars. Studies have

shown that the people riding in a car (even if it has a

good crash rating) are four times more likely to be killed

if they are struck by an SUV or pickup. Furthermore,

they are eight times more likely to be killed if hit on the

side by an SUV or pickup.The reason is, of course, the

difference in weight. The Lincoln Navigator, for example,

weighs 5500 pounds, compared to about 3000 for most cars.

But weight is not the only problem. SUVs and

trucks ride considerably higher than cars, and their

bumpers are frequently higher than those of a car. Furthermore,

the frames of SUVs and pickups are usually

stiffer and stronger than those of a car.

From: The Isaac Newton School of Driving - Physics and your car"

If she is a regualr...lets see tomorrows pic.

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Tomorrow is a public holiday.

Did you try in a local mall? They often have car spa in their parking.

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Actually there is a very artificial stimulant for this interest: the first car rebate of the government.

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Good info...

I have a fortuner myself and its an awesome car - you should have test driven one at least, IMO. But I have to agree that the redesign is terrible, instead of improving an already not really great design, they made it worse. Those new rear lights only a mother could love... Mitsu exterior design is much better but I am a bit wary of their interior plastics, have not yet seen one that looked decent... they seem to really love silver painted plastics.... Ugh... Does mitsubishi offer a high end interior option?

I have considered if I should not go with Toyota for a while... but the premium in price is not justified IMHO.

Regarding "high-end interiors", not sure a Fortuner would satisfy that definition.

However an update.... Thursday got a call from the dealership telling me that a black Mitsubishi 2wd was available immediately. I asked for a new quote... It seems dealerships are reluctant to sell 4wd models...

re. the issue of deposits and minimum dp... The dp is generally of 25 pc with Ford going down to 20 on the Escape. My conditions were of 1.99 % interest over 2 yrs. The dealerships like longer finance periods...

Deposit required was of 5 k.

Some dealerships will try to impose higher dp... Tell them X or Y gives you 25 %... And they will calm down. Otherwise, just walk out of there, others will give you a better deal.

edit: my situation is a bit different as I an here on a b visa and have a work permit. So I can claim treatment on par with a Thai, I guess. Once you get a good offer... push on with other dealers based on this offer.

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Two years ago I taught my wife and was told by the authorities that there is no such thing as a learners permit. People are expected to learn in Temple or school grounds. This may answer some of the bad driving questions.

After a few lessons in back streets we ventured onto a multiple lane road (not busy). Got stopped at a checkpoint and told she cannot learn to drive on roads????? Must be some Thai logic in there somewhere.

Over the years I've taught a few people how to drive. So I applied the same methods and she became quiet good. Went for the test on the Motor Registries test track and realized I hadn't taught her to reverse for long periods (50/100m). Fortunately the instructor could tell that she was an okay student and let it slide.

The test is done in a group situation and quiet fun. But I was amazed how some students had zero idea on how to drive.

If you choose a school, be careful. The driving test is a standard test and most schools focus just on the test and nothing else. They produce people who can drive around a test circuit in a car park. But have no road skills what so ever.

End of the day my wife has become a good and confident driver

Safe Driving school (where I studied) seems a perfect (Western-standard) school, with good emphasis both on theory and practice and behavior, albeit a bit pricey. They teach you for the test, but they also teach you to behave on the road, with extensive on-the-road training. I really do recommend them if you are around BKK.

Send her to a decent school. The only place where they will imprint some rules (in Thai!) in her mind, while teaching her to drive decently. In my experience, women are quite possibly second only to taxis in the realm of bad driving behavior.

Sorry I meant that it is 1400 Baht for a round trip so the pick up we currently borrow does around 200km for 700 baht. We would like to reduce this as much as possible and would love a 4x4 as it rains a lot here and it's hard to get to some emergencies (though anything would be better than our motorbike!) but we need to keep the running costs low which is why the march may be a good option.

A CNG triton sounds perfect! 1baht per km?? Wow. Do you know how much this would cost? I can't seem to find any info of this car in thailand. I was looking for under 15,000 dollars (around 50,000 baht) but I guess I could look for a larger grant and hope for the best.

The suzuki carry and tata look good too, someone PM'd me and said that his CNG one did 2baht per km. What is the difference between the suzuki and carry? They look identical. And why is this so cheap to run compared to a pick up? Is it because they aren't 4x4? My only concern would be muddy/steep/winding roads....

You do realize that with your budget, you will NOT get a 4X4? In general, among pickups, the 4x4 are always the top of the range ones and the cheapest would easily be double your budget. I would say go for a second-hand Isuzu if you feel you absolutely need a 4WD. I am also a bit astonished how you could consider using a small eco-car, if you feel that a normal pickup (double the weight!) won't make it by those areas?