Tank Girl

6 hours ago, PerkinsCuthbert said:

You don't say how long you anticipate staying in Thailand. This will definitely affect any advice you receive.

You will not find anything to buy that is roadworthy for 20k Baht. 

At least 2 months. If I was staying indefinitely, I'd probably import my UK car, which seems to cost about £1,500 to do, and maybe regular trips across the border until it's old enough to not attract duty. Yes, I know I'm being optimistic. I often see cars parked up for sale in the UK with signs in the window asking for a few hundred quid because they're not worth repairing to get past their next MOT, I guess I was hoping for something like that.

5 hours ago, madmen said:

You studied to become an engineer and want a car for the price of a good bike? 

ughhh get a train lady.

Yes, being an engineer is about designing and repairing things, as hinted at in the original post. If you haven't got anything useful to add, don't bother.

5 hours ago, tingtongtourist said:

Actually i am looking at right now.

Craigslist Bangkok

2008 used honda civic LX

40,000baht.

 

it does sound a little to good to be true

tho.

I dont know what you will get for 20k..

Maybe something with problems that need work.

 

Anyway to the OP,

If any chance of find a cheap car, best to check CRAIGSLIST Bangkok.

 

BTW OP,

Do you have Thai I.D card? 

Thai driver licence?

Speak and read Thai?

Yes I have a Thai ID card, but no Thai DL, just a UK one and and IDP for Thailand, as I think I wrote in the first message.

I am a native Thai and Isan-speaker and reader, yes. English is my third language.

Thanks for the info. I've noticed that Honda Civics seem to tend to be the cheapest cars there.

I don't mind fixing something, I grew up that way.

5 hours ago, kikeoldfool said:

My God, you does not even "sound" Thai in this post
Do not feel any thainess! You are the worst nightmare of Mr.P.

Cars expensive and if you will be using a taxi then put something

in your purse for self-defense.

"you does not even" sound English, innit bruv. Why I have to dum down and talk like peking duck just to fit your stereotype?! Some of us are pletty fruent, you know. ????

If I'm in my province, I'll be fine, they know me. If I'm in the capital, I be with my boys, but thank you for your concern.

4 hours ago, MatteoBassini said:

You won't get ANYTHING for 20k. There's no such thing as a "free" car here, yearly tax and mandatory insurance is around 50 GBP so cars WILL be more expensive than in the UK. Different environment, different market, different people, different demands, different costs, you get the idea.

 

Even my old scooter was sold for 25k...

 

The cheapest car right now on one2car.com (used car website) is a 1992 Toyota Corona that is all beat up and a 2005 PINK Corolla that was previously used as a taxi. I wouldn't even let my worst enemy drive these, and I'd rather ride a bike.

 

If you REALLY want a crappy beat up car that at least RUNS (prepare AT LEAST 20k for potential repairs) you could try late 90's Corollas or Camrys which cost around 80,000 baht.

 

However, for the sake of your family, please do not drive these beat up cars. I am sure you're quite wealthy and can easily afford a 2 million baht car that will get you and your family to the beach in comfort and safety.

 

You may like cars and like fixing up older cars that have more appeal than newer ones, I have the same interest so I get you, but your family doesn't care and they would want to sit in something comfortable and safe, something a late 90's beater cannot provide.

 

@tingtongtourist, it is impossible for a 2008 Civic to be just 40,000 baht, they're going for 250,000-350,000 baht right now. It is either the seller advertising the downpayment, or it is an illegal car (basically it becomes a stolen car once it is sold to you).

 

Thanks for your answer Matteo. I'm not wealthy, that's the point. I can't afford a 2 million baht anything! I saw Civics for 54k and 65k, but yeah, sounds shady.

One of my sisters has a car there, but won't lend it to me, for reasons I can't understand.

I think in the end it looks like I'm going to have to use a mixture of transport options for the 2 months, and if it looks like I'm staying for the long-term, bring my UK car over for good. I bet I can sell that for more in Thailand than I paid for it in the UK!

Hello,

This is my first post.

I'm a Thai female engineer, but lived and worked in the UK for a very long time, and have a UK DL, and an IDP for Thailand (until I get my Thai licence).

I'm very out of touch with Thailand, and am going back for the first time in many, many years, very soon. I'm mainly going from BK to my province, and just driving about in and around there. See my Thai family, take the British family to the beach or some old ruins, drive to Tesco, not much different from the UK, I guess. I don't expect to drive more than 50-100mi per day, so <3,000mi/month.

I'm hoping I can get hold of a banger that I can drive about, and not sure whether it's cheaper than hiring a car. It seems like cars are cheaper in the UK. I'd be happy with something roadworthy with the equivalent of 6 months MOT for £500 / THB20,000, but it seems unlikely. Hire car rates seem a bit steep at 600THB/day or more. I guess if I bought it, I could leave it at my parents' place and fix it up over time.

I'd be grateful if anyone can offer any info or advice, or ideally if they know someone who wants to sell or rent privately.

Ideally, I want to keep costs comparable to those of paying for and running a car in the UK, otherwise I'm just going to have to use taxis and stuff, which will be tedious.

Anyone got a project I could take on?!

Cheers,

TG