stingray

If Car registered in BKK, not over 3000 Baht for change ownership. NOISE: Isuzu engine are always very loud, because they are Direct Injected. It's normally. 150k is not much. If the car is ok he could get at least 200k for this Model, Especially if he would go sell the Truck in Isaan. So why is so cheap? Check out if Chassis and Engine numbers are correct. Check in the book.

Tena have a lower resale value, but if you choice the 6 cylinder model you can't go wrong. because the 6 cylinder camry cost a million more. If you buy a car in this class you should consider to buy a 6 cylinder, because it's much smoother and the engine mounts not broken easly like in the 4 cylinder cars. For the money you'll spend for a 4 cylinder camry, you can buy the 2.3 liter 6 cylinder Tena. If you buy the 2 liter four cylinder you spend only about 1.2 mill. Baht. Still cheaper as the camry. Nissans are allways great cars, i had a couple Cefiros and Cedrics, and i was allways satisfied, because you get mor car for the price you pay.

If you go to Lam Lu Ka, outside Bangkok you'll find a big Caryard (Project Cars) of US Cars from the early 70ties. More than a hundert cars in the middle of nowhere, where you never aspect to find them. If you stay in the caryard, you don't beleve you are in Thailand.

77' Olds Regency 98, Pattaya (orivinal V8 engine)

The original spoiler have not to be drilled, just clip on the side of the trunk, two screw each siede. The price of 10 k is not expensive if its original. Baisicly Cefiros look better with spoilers. Sure you can take it off, it's not necessary things to have a spoiler on your car. But what is necessary? Gold. Rolex or a 38'000 Baht handphone are not necessary either. Some peaple, even me like to have a life in style. I had all the nicest cars before, but than i changed my mind.

My cars always got damaget by other peaple. So finally after 10 years i lived here, i bouht a 30 year old Toyota Crown, rusty, ugli with strong steel bumpers for 35'000 Baht. I spent another 30k for suspension, engine and interior. Drive the car now for 3 years, never spent one Baht for Bodywork. I not even regonize if he gets one scratch more. I don't care. One thing i learned: Dont have anything nice overhere. Everything have to be ugly and old and strong. No plastic cars!. So you'll never get any headache. So i paid 65'000 Baht for a comfortable junk car, easy to repair, no electronic problems, no headache. It's the best you can do.

Opel corsa automatic, 3 door, 1,4 liter injection, power steering, electric windows, alloy wheels, CD Player, excellent condition for only 155'000 Baht. the perfect City Car, very economical and easy for parking!

I'll never understand why they allways buy houses and prperties, when they know that they can't own them. When they will ever learn?

Daewoo Nexia, Year 1999, 3 door, 5 speed, alloy wheels, good condition, 115'000 km done. Car is located in Pattaya. Sell for 99'000 Baht only! (No offers)

My advice:

If you are married to a western wive and if you have family and kids, i wouldn't come to Thailand. There are much nicer places to go with your family. If you are single, and if you are enyoy the nightlife, then thailand is the right place. If you like to work, there is not much opportunities overhere. Basicly you earn more money in a western country and you can living cheap overhere. I'm here over 10 years. The best thing, don't lock your self up. Come overhere for 6 months and see what happen. You schould not buy property, so you always can "escape" if everything come more bad. If you have enought money you should check different countrys, not only Thailand. I think Paraguay is much more foreign freindly, because you can get citizenship easly. But there is not much Nightlife. But Properyt is very cheap and you can buy in your name. It's depend what you like. If you have a Thaiwife, than it's a different matter. But you could live with your Thaiwife somwhere else, why not? So no familie members and hanging arround your wallet.

Narong have new area on the Bang Na trat Highway. there is not many cars in his old shop anymore. there is a big junkyard, in Lam Lu Ka, of american cars, belong to mister narong too. There are many project cars, arround 100 cars, mosthly from the early 70ties. Caddys, T- Birds, Olds, etc. Mosthly Luxury cars, 2 door and 4 door, but not many muscle cars. The cars are restoration projects, but some of them are in quite good condition, and complet. Nobody no about this Location. It's in Lam Lu Ka, in the middle of nowhere,. I was there. You have to contact mister narong. Mister Narong isn't the boss. the shops belong tho another guy, wich speeks fluent english and he owns a large machine factory. He has more than 50 US Cars in his home, all in excellent shape, but mosth of them not for sale.

The time is over when diesel Pick ups are cheap and easy for maintenance. Today every brand want that only autorized dealers can fix the cars and make diagnostic checks. There is the money. It's tha same with the plasitc stuff. Cars, and even Pick Ups have to be light and weak. Plastic parts crack easy and have to replaced many times. No strong steelbumpers anymore.

US Classic cars are hard to find overhere. Mosthly they replaced the V8 with a japanese engine, so they are not classic anymore. I my self had a couple Trans Ams of the 70ties, a 72, T- bird, a 73 Challanger, a 82 Camaro Z28, and now i still have a 77' Olds Regency. I had them all here in Thailand. You have not much choice overhere. You can contact Mister Narong in Bang Na. He is the only one who have this kind of cars. You have to consider between 350'000 Baht for a junk car, up 1 million for a good one. Doesn't matter if it's a 2 or 4 door car. Mister Narongs cars are not cheap, but they have correct paperwork. If you buy something arround 400'000 baht you have to consider to spend another 300'000 Baht for fix up everything. US Cars are not economical at all, but if somone ever drove a Trans Am or a Cadillac for a long time, they would never drive a Soluna. It is a hobby where you spend your money. Some peaple have families, some peaple spend money on houses, some peaple spend money for other things and some peaple spens money for cars. I had always a V8 in my life and i will allways have one. It's something i wan't miss in my life.

Crysler Neon, automatic, 2 air bags, Panasonic CD, ABs brakes, power windows, etc. 190'000 Baht

Welcome to the club! I my self restored over 150 US Cars, but if you locking for somebody, please contact CMS Trucks Pattaya, Mister Martin 081 621 71 05 He is Expert about US Cars

Sell it and buy another one overhere is less troubles than try to import yours. Forget it.

Every newer cars, not only Holden, with electronic engine management system can not be repaired easly anymore. We are living in the year 2007. So forget the local workshops. About your Holden: It's a commom problem with the fuelpump relais. Change it if you never changed before. you have to use a original relais. If you buy a Bosch relais in some sparepart shop, it will not work. they look the same, but they are not the same. The numbers on the plug is the same, like 30/51, 85, 86, 87, but the plugs are on different places. Therefore use only original relais for Holden Calais. If you need more assistance please send me a message and i give you my phonenumber, so we can meet us.

I my self prefere big power benzine engine, instead of a shaky rattle diesel engine. I myself built a 1975 Range Rover with a 4 liter lexus V8 engine including landcruiser automatic 4 weel drive system. It was the best car i ever had here in Thailand.

I got a bit of a surprize the other day. While driving into Khon Kaen, I was pulled over at a roadblock. No problem I thought, Im obeying the law and have my Thai license.

The cop told me I had to pay 400 baht for driving in the passing lane. Its a divided highway with two lanes each side. I said I dont get it, whats the problem. He said the right hand lane is for passing only. We discussed it awhile and he called over his boss. I explained that I was passing a car, but that unlike most drivers I see here, I pull out to pass when Im about 50 meters from the vehicle Im passing and then I wait till Im about 50 meters passed before I return to the lefthand lane. I said its much safer that way than just whipping around a car coming within a meter or so of the other car.

The guy was very nice, asked about me, where I live etc, and said he would just give me a warning this time. He also said from now on, dont stay in the passing lane too long. I didnt want to get into how long was too long, I just gave him a few wais and thankyou very much.

I really didnt know it was illegle to drive in that lane and probable many others dont either.

Well, now I know, but that brings up a question. A couple kilometers past where I was stopped, the road changes to 4 lanes. Where is one supposed to drive on a 4 lane highway?

It's well known among the Thai's in Issan about getting stopped in KK for this very thing. My wife warned me long before we reached KK so I stayed in the correct lane and no problems.

They do the same thing from time to time on the road between Udon Thani and Nong Khai. They use a camera there to catch 'passing lane' drivers. Same 400 baht fine but can be talked down to 200 baht. They got me fair and square so I paid the 200 with no complaints. I was going 140 in the passing lane kilometer after kilometer. Strangely they didn't care that I was going 50kph over the speed limit.

Probably should have started another topic ,but has anyone ever pleaded not guilty to an offense and gone all the way to court ?

Even on Thaivisa I don't think anyone is that foolish.

Yes - I pleaded not guilty...and got off. This happened around three years ago.

A long wheel-based lorry was trying to come round a bend of a tight and busy Bangkok soi. I stopped my pickup whilst he gingerly edged forward towards me. He necessarily came over the solid yellow line...then gashed my vehicle with his trailer side-hinges.

To cut a long story short, the other driver claimed I'd driven into him. With insurance assessors in tow, we trundled off to the local police station (Suan Plu), at my insistence. A/the senior officer there refused to have the site inspected (I explained it was physically impossible for the lorry to have negotiated the bend without crossing the solid yellow line). This cop was extremely obnoxious throughout my time at the station, and he received the same disdain from me.

This cop charged us both with careless driving (cab rut bamat). The other driver accepted this and payed his 1,000 baht fine. I refused.

Standing in collar & tie right in front of the full holding cell, I was fingerprinted and told I would have to go to court. This cop promised me that the judge (san) would never take my word over that of a Royal Thai Police officer. I retorted that the court certainly would accept the truth of my case if the judge was impartial since any other interpretation of the evidence was nonsensical.

I left the station with an appointment date to meet the prosecutor at the court offices. I left with faith in the system.

I visited the prosecutor - he reviewed the case and asked me to come back the following month. I did so - he told me that the prosecution service did not want to waste their time trying to prosecute me since the police case was without merit. He explained that he was sending the case back to the police for their review - it would be prosecuted if the police refused to withdraw the charge.

Following visit (yet another month later): no change - the prosecutor was still awaiting the police reply.

I then received a letter informing me that the charge had been dropped. My insurer then agreed to pursue the other driver's insurance for full damages to my pickup (only around 3,500 baht).

Money was never the issue (in fact, I never did bother to have the repairs carried out) - I simply never pay up if not at fault. I'm sure there are many here who would consider I should just have paid the fine rather than endure the considerable inconvenience - that would not be in my nature.

Rgds

Khonwan

Usally the police will hold your car until the story is cleared out. Did they not keeped your car in the policestation?

I know a guy who payd over 1 milllion fine for a Lambo Replica. If he could not pay he had to go to the jail. They cofiscated his car too. After 2 years he got it back and the car was junk. They can play with you how they want. And what if you get involved in a accident? Whyat about insurance? to high risk.

The Prices are much higher than in Eurpoe or US. Especially if you buy a japanese car. They are very expensive. For example: a 93 Honda Prelude cost about 400k today. But for 400k they sold the same car 7 years ago. Simular with Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, etc. They are two reasons. Thailand have very high import tax, and labour is very cheap to fix the car. Body, enginework, uppolstery, etc. can be done for low costs, so the car get value again. But think about insure and road taxes! That's very cheap in compare with Westerncountrys. Labour, insurance and tax are very cheap, cars are more expensive, if you calculate all together it's still cheaper to run a car in Thailand than in Europe or USA.

I had this accidend alreay 10 years ago. Motorbike overtake me on the left side when i was driving in the front of a big truck un the outer left line and i want turn left to a gasstation. Motorbike hit my car fron the back, i could not see him because of the big truck behind me. But motorbike came to fast and had no drive license. Anyway police doesn't care that. I had to pay. Police told me that motorbikes always have a right to overtake on the leftside, even i drive already on the leftest line. It's anyway like this: You can't go to the court for a small accident, because they will confiscate your vehicle until the court have cleared out. This can take a longtime. So you better pay a few tousend bath, even you are wrong, than let your car in the policestation for 6 months. That's the game they use to play with. So the rule: Drive a junkcar and you don't lose much, in case of a accident, when they try to put the fault on you, because you are a farang. If the other vehicle is more expensive than your junkcar, then you can play the game opposite way, and they will accept theyr fault, because they will not let theyr car in a policestation for a couple months.

Information about Insurance

In Thailand they are 4 types of insurance

This is the compulsory type of Insurance which allows you to drive your car here and cost aprox. 700 Baht per year and only covers you for up to 50000 Baht max. per accident for personal injuries

Third party Ins. :| This is similar to comprehensive insurance and covers both damage to the other vehicles and passengers in the other cars as well as in your car. But does not cover damage to your vehicle. The amount payable varies from company to company but a maximum amount of ten million baht per accident is payable.

Second party Ins.:| This is the same as the above but includes fire and theft.

First party Ins. :| includes all of the above including damage to your vehicle, but except No. 1

Note: Numbers 2, 3, - 4 also include your bail money.

Tips:

If you are involved in a slight collision, it is much easier to agree between the parties as to fault and cost of repairs up to an amount of say 5000 Baht, than to involve either the Police or Insurance Company. As any amount less than this would involve more time and worry and could cost more if the Insurance Company do not pay.

Important to remember

If you are involved in a serious accident, where there is a lot of damage to the vehicles involved and injuries to persons, telephone your Insurance Company and get their assessor to the scene as quickly as possible.

Do not move the vehicle

Do not sign any Police reports until the assessor has given you the OK to do so.

If you have a camera with you take photos of the scene and damage to all vehicles involved.

Do not expect to receive the same cover that you would get in Europe, U.S.A., Australia and N.Z.

You do not have a choice of Repairers.

You do not have a Rental car assistance.

It's will take a long time (sometime a couple months) until your car is repaired.

Sometime the quality of repairs are not professional done.

Therefore insurance rates are not expensive like in Europe or USA.

Foreign DL is no valid.

International Drive License is valid. This is a international agreement, so they should not break it. Usally valid for one year, or some countrys for 3 year, but can use in Thailand only for 6 month. But im' not sure if you leave the country and come back on a new entry maybe it's valid again. Remind: Insurances allways try to find the way, to not pay. So make sure what is written on your insurance contract. Better using Foreign controlled insurances. Make sure that everyone can drive the vehicle. Some insurence pay only when two drivers are registered in the contract. That's mean noone else can drive the vehicle exept the two drivers who are registered in the insurance policy. By the way, if you have a non imm visa you can optain for a Thai drive license. Do it now, as long it's still easy to get. Who knows maybe things getting more difficult in the future.

2 Year ago i spotted a carrier with Holden V6 Pick up Trucks (simular like chevrolet or Isuzu D- Max) on the way to Laem Chabang Port. I found out they produce them here, but they don't sell them in Thailand, they export them to Australia. So; i'm not sure, but it could be simular with the V6 Vigo. I would be iterested too if can get a V6.

Yes that's the thing. Other companys sleeping and produce all the same style ofe motorbikes. It's allway the same overhere; Somebody start something an 6 months later everybody will copy them, the get a piece of the cake. I love Enduro bikes, but i'm not willing to spend 250'000 Baht for a new Kawa or Yahama, because i use the bike only occasionaly for the city and the bad sois. I not go jumping! Yes this is a new old bike, therfore i love them, it's the same as with the cars. I would buy a new old car if i can. Somebody say in a erlier post: "Thinks moving forward"! Old vehicles uses twice much fuel than today. It's not the true, my old Toyota uses not much more than a new one, if the carburetor and the timing is adjusted. But everybody can repair this car, specially when i was in cambo last month. Can somebody explane to my how they gonna repair a electronic problem of a engine management system with a new car? Can somebody tell me how we fix electronic problems when a new car was flouted. Thats a expensive and very timewaisting matter. Insurences gonna incrise dramaticly, because repairs come expensive with all this new electronic things. We save gasoline, but we pay much more for service and repairs and diagnostic checks, when this new cars get troubles. New electronic plasic cars are only good for cities, and highways. I would not go with a new plastic SUV in the desert. More electronic stuff in your vehicle, more you get problems. The same is with the bikes. Old bikes uses a little more gasoline than new ones, but everybody can repair the new old platinum engines (no electronic carburetors) hand joke, no problems. Nuovo, no hand joke: always problems with the ideling speed when cold. By the way my platinum used not more fuel than my gf's Nuovo.