unheard

I find it interesting that no one else has mentioned clay bar. Clay bar is a must if one to keep the paint looking brand new! The paint doesn't need to be cleaned with clay bar often. Just once per year is enough, then followed by a quality synthetic wax product. The already mentioned advice is all good: keep the car shaded, washed regularly and covered, especially at night if parked outside and not regularly driven .

I can see where a traditional mop might have problems but a standard utility brush or scrubber work just fine.

No cargo van by any means. It does have a great price though. I think you're looking for something like this: https://logistics-manager.com/dksh-partners-with-loxley-electric-van/ It surely won't be a bargain when released. This one should be a cheaper option but it's Mitsubishi, so who knows. But again, there's no way to tell if/when it will be released for general public. https://thaiembdc.org/2022/03/22/thailand-testing-electric-vehicle-parcel-deliveries/ Give it a few more years - there will be many more options.

Seem to be coming from Malaysia. Since they're not R-rated... How rough is their surface? Mines have a real rough surface, almost as rough as medium grade sandpaper - have tons of grip when wet.

It's been announced that Neta V is making its debut in Thailand - comes with a 95 hp electric motor with 150 Nm of torque, offering a range of 380 km. Neta has already established a small dealer network. The announced price is 549.000 Baht https://www.neta.co.th/th

The reason I've quoted those conditions is to simply point out that the stated guarantees more likely than not are not even worth the cost of paper they're printed on. I'm very skeptical of any product guarantee promises in this country, even if published by the global manufacturers. I just go by the acquired product reputation that's been achieved locally since the global companies can not be trusted to deliver consistency across different national markets. Also pay attention to reviews if available (not a reliable metric either) and have no expectations of the guarantees to be ever honored, partially or in full.

It has escaped me that IKEA stuff is designed to be self-installed. The 25-year guarantee does sound impressive on paper. But how does work in reality? IKEA states: "What is not covered under this guarantee? This guarantee does not cover normal wear and tear, cuts or scratches, or damage caused by impacts or accidents. This guarantee does not apply to products that have been stored, assembled or installed incorrectly, used inappropriately, abused, misused, altered, or cleaned with wrong cleaning methods or wrong cleaning products." https://www.theguardian.com/money/2019/jun/10/ikea-warranty-kitchen-doors-fault

That's a can of worms you'd never want to crack... Especially in Thailand.

That's a good question. Because the answer is likely to be negative.

"The core is made of 100% recycled paper and has a honeycomb-like structure." So, composite panel boards?

I've never dealt with IKEA or even looked at their kitchens before. What kind of a cabinet material being used for the sets with the longest warranty?

I do see the perceived advantages of the underground storage and yet would never consider having one myself. In my view the downsides outweigh any advantages I've just replaced an above ground water tank that's been fed by the village water supply. It's been in service for about 10 years. The source of water being deep bore wells. The tank has never been cleaned due to a difficult location which resulted in accumulation of a thick layer of sediment. I'd say at least 5 cm thick. My private well feeds a different above ground tank which I normally clean once a year. I also collect rain water which is being stored in another huge above ground concrete tank. I only use it for garden irrigation. Would never consider it for any other use. Possibly with good filtering just for dish washing and maybe showering and only if deep well water becomes unavailable.

That's exactly why I call it a disadvantage - from very difficult to impossible to flush sediments out. But If after 15 years of service the layer of sediment accumulation is only 1 mm thick then it's safe to assume that your provider supplies exceptionally clean water. Rarely the case in the non-urban Thailand. That makes an underground tank IMHO to be a viable option only in the areas with clear water supplies.

How could it be? You're surely mistaken... According to this forum's consensus good tradesmen are impossible to find. ????????

I don't think that the act of watching over their shoulder is a good advice. I think it comes from situations when dealing with part-time farmers - jacks of all trades and masters of none. If a tradesman is incompetent to start with then no amount of supervision will make much of a difference, unless you're dealing with complete frauds who should be fired immediately upon discovery. (been there done that) A competent tradesman might actually take offense in your constant monitoring and will never come back again.

Seems like a reasonable policy.

What are the chances for the Ranger handle to suddenly break off at the hand of a Hilux owner? ????

It's been reworked, with shifting logic changed. The driver has been given an opportunity to lock out the highest gears during towing to prevent excessive gear hunting. Some internals have been changed also. It's been surely improved according to multiple reviews (paid or not). All of them are saying the exact same thing. Just on its own the implemented higher gear lock out feature will surely improve its long term reliability if towing.

How's it different from any other car manufacturer? They all have their share of cases of customer mistreatment. But it's not the subject of this conversation.

My apologies as well for hijacking the thread.... Just two more questions. Aren't you concerned with a layer of sediments accumulated over 15 years, being stirred up and going into suspension every time you refill the tank? Which water usage purposes?

You've never cleaned it??? ????

An underground tank has a number of disadvantages: Difficult to maintain Susceptible to float (pushed out by ground water) when near empty Always at risk of contamination through the lid Very laborious to replace when the time comes

Steven, but isn't a little bit premature to start singing praises to a brand/model just after 18 months of ownership? Try 8 years and at least 80,000 kms. Until then.....

If your concern is with the prior gen 10-speeds/bi-turbo combo.. There's the current 6-speed/single turbo version which is proven to be reliable. But I suspect you're after the highest output versions.

Yeah, right.. Not even close. Those initially troubled 10-speeds were extensively reworked since then. Mostly programming. Besides it is extremely difficult to optimize any 10-speed transmission where heavy towing is involved. Ford had to start somewhere when they decided to introduce it to the truck market. I don't know if it was a right decision on their part to make it available on the Australian and US markets. I think they took a big risk and got exposed to a class action suit in the US but in return obtained a lot of real world experience and data that was necessary to make appropriate changes. The current generation should be much more reliable when towing. And if you don't tow then it shouldn't be even an issue. btw, the most Rangers in Thailand are equipped with the proven 6-speed ZF derivative.