bamboozled

Slightly off topic but what can I expect to pay for insurance for one of these cars...never having owned or insured one in this fair land? And taxes for that matter. Let's say I buy a car at 750k. Do I pay VAT on top of that? A yearly excise tax like in the US? Inspection I suppose?

I know Honda is very popular, for reliability. I assume that's why it outsells the Mazda. I quite like the look of the CRV (but not the old-school one with the tire on the rear door. I quite DO NOT like that old version) but feel it is just bigger than necessary. I also like the CR3 perhaps more than the CR5, size-wise, but for the difficulty of the rear hatch opening being so small.

7 hours ago, DavisH said:

Top spec 2.2 diesel cx-5 was close to 1.7M new. 800K looks about 50% depreciation after 5 years. That one I showed only has 30 to 40K kms on it. Practically nothing. The AWD version of the diesel is more expensive but that's also because they have more features. There is also a 2wd diesel cx-5. This table below gives some specs. 

Look at that, the CX5, in all versions, does quite well on that list. I had seen some posters commenting about new diesel regulation coming out sometime in Thailand and that it might affect negatively on diesel trucks to the point that they would no longer be usable. Sounds like that would put half the vehicles on the road out of business so hard to believe.

2 hours ago, Macthehat said:

Sorry , it means HP. Financed 

"Dripped"....perfect! I'll let you know if I go the Jazz route. I would be taking over the financing, I guess?

Hi Eric, thanks for responding. Do you have the 1.6 or the 2.0 version? I don't have a good grasp of how the lines have changed and I most likely will not buy a new car as I don't want to worry so much about keeping it pristine. So the new bulbous rear probably won't affect me. One thing that worries me about the 3 is the hatchback opening. While the back cargo space of the car doesn't seem so small, the opening seems somewhat smaller than the actual space inside, limiting the size of what can be fit in. Has this been an issue for you? What is drawing me to the Honda HRV, if you know it, is the big cargo space and easy access (and from that the Mazda CX3 and CX5 and the Honda CRV). But the HRV is much more expensive, even used.

Good to know the 3 has held up mechanically. Do you have any other high or low points you could add about it? How is the air con, handling, fuel economy, speed?

Thank you.

How does the diesel 2.2 compare to the 2.5 petrol CX5 power wise? Do you know? What do you think of the price of that one in CM? It's so hard to gauge these things. I suppose the AWD is going to be more expensive. It is 5 years old at this point but new we're talking 1.5 mil. So I guess we're at half price in a slanted kind of way. Not sure what it cost new 5 years ago. Hmm, I really have to make the rounds and test drive these things. But it all takes so much time....

6 minutes ago, taotoo said:

About 260k I think. Still on the original clutch!

Top work, Captain!

As I said to my wife the other day, I wouldn't be unhappy with the Jazz. But I'm going to poke around for a couple weeks/months before making a decision. I'm out of the country for first two weeks of July so not planning to buy until after that time. Unless some super deal falls into my lap though that's doubtful!

How many kms on the 15 year old Jazz? Must be a lot!

Hmmm interesting! I wonder why only in the diesel version? I have indeed noticed Bkk has much more inventory. Do we like diesel? I certainly hate breathing the diesel fumes. That kind of turns me off to buying a diesel.

It's a good looking car. So is the Honda CRV but appears bigger to my eyes. Probably a bit bigger than I need (the CRV).

Thanks for your input, DavisH.

5 minutes ago, taotoo said:

Looks like you've gone off the idea, but I've had a manual Jazz for 15 years and love it. Occasionally I have a new CVT Jazz as a hire car, but after a few days can't wait to get back in my manual one with its lovely short gearing. Probably last chance to buy a manual too. That said if you drive at 120km/h a lot the manual's not the car for you (nor the Jazz in any form I imagine). 

Hi Taotoo, there is something to be said for stick shift, isn't there? You really feel much more together with the machine. Good to have your input that you are happy with the manual! Well, as you may have seen, I'm a bit all over the place. I may be a bit off the idea right now but I'm still filtering through everything. I kind of want my wife to learn stick, too, just so she has that skill. The 120km was a test to see how the car felt. That's not a super fast speed, normal cruising speed when roads allow for it. And this particular Jazz (all?) was a bit bouncy and lightweight. Is that your experience, too? For trips around the city I imagine it would be tough to beat. But I will be taking roads trips and that calls for some long distances on highways, lots of mountains (here in the north), and lots of curves and such. So I'm hoping to find something a bit more comfortable and safe for such occasions.

I def have to test drive a few of these models. The AWD feature would also be nice for visiting the in-laws on their muddy, hilly road but I haven't quite figured out which models in the past have it and which don't, or rather which years. Perhaps it was an option for all years.

Does the CX3 come in AWD? I think the new ones might but again, get pricey for me.

HRV any AWD?

DavisH, any view on the CX5? A bit more open in the back than the CX3 and some used models not too too pricey, 600k range (and lower). I do not want to spend 1,000,000 baht. Just doesn't make sense for me right now.

Just had another look inside and the ball cock was floating on the top of the water. I hadn't noticed it last night! So, I slipped it back on the stripped threads of the inflow pipe and fingers crossed!

Thanks all, problem solved for the time being!

I am afraid to buy the MG, too, and will not be. However, they did pretty good with the styling. It catches my eye every time and I say, "oh, what's that?" and then see it's an MG and feel deflated. Some folks have said good things about them.

The problem with the Jazz that I am experiencing is all that real estate up front (the large dash area) continues to soak up and radiate heat while you are driving (sun coming through the front, un-tinted windshield) so even when I can feel the cool air from the air con (which I think does indeed need a top up) I can also feel hot air continuing to radiate off the dash.

Not to offend but how do you feel driving the Jazz on the highway at say 120 km? It easily does that speed but the one I was driving feel a little shaky at that speed. It is a perfect around town car and I love the large area in the back with the seats down. Could almost be a mini-pickup!

DavisH, I will take a look at the Honda Civic. The Civic is a great looking car though I think it went downhill style-wise on the rear taillights as of recent. I didn't realize it was a hatchback...or are there two models, hatchback and sedan?

Thanks for the vids...that exhaust is impressive!

I don't need space in the back for people sitting but I would like a single large space for carrying a bulky item now and again. I like the CX3 a lot, it bums me out they restricted the hatchback opening, I guess in the name of style. What I like about the Honda HRV is the opening seems quite large. I have not put the Mazda 3 out of the running, either. It also has a 2.0 engine.

Yes, thank you Sometimewoodworker. My pipe comes in directly down from the top of the tank (not top of the side but top of the top) but none the less, the same set up. But no ball cock! Someone stole it!

On another note...are these tanks to be drained and cleaned on a regular bases? Just wondering as there is some plant debris floating at the top of mine. And a ball valve sitting at the bottom among who knows what else. I just bought a pressure washer. Is there any point to draining the tank and pressure washing the inside?

Ah yes, thanks guys, just like in the toilet. I remember seeing that now attached to the pipe...in the past. Yes, it is GONE. Must have come unscrewed somehow. Guess I'll go fishing tomorrow when it's light!

I'll report back. Thank you!

I just had a look and found nothing. Where would the ball cock be? The straight pipe coming into the top of the tank, I can't see how the ball cock would be activated....unless it is at the end of that pipe poking into the top of the tank? I wonder if it somehow came unscrewed or broke off and is at the bottom of the tank? There is a screw adapter on the end of that pipe. Does it work that once the tank is full the water floats into the end of the pipe (coming in at the top of the tank) and raises the ball to block the opening?

Thanks!

Thank you. You guys know your stuff. Yes, the dangly thing has a very long cord on it but floats so that makes sense that once the level is very low the cord would be at it's max and something would be activated. And yes, the pump is still working and pumping water into the house from the tank so I will have a look and see if I can locate the ball cock. It's probable soldered into the pipes but maybe I'll get lucky! I'll report back.

Wish me luck, cheers....

So I woke up the other morning with the water gently overflowing from the top of the outdoor holding tank. I turned off the supply and have been turning it on and off by hand as needed....until I can address the problem. I have an older-than-the-hills Hitachi water pump (rental house) with a plastic sinker-type thingy dangling into the top of the tank attached with an electric cord and running to the pump. I'm assuming this tells the pump to fill or not to fill (that is the question). Any off the top ideas of what's going on? I don't really want to involve the landlord as that always turns into a bigger issue and they usually send someone incompetent anyway. If I can fix it myself, tweaking this or that, great. Otherwise, I'll call someone myself.

I haven't really studied the set-up but the water runs into the top of the tank from the city water supply, without need of the pump (this supply is what I'm turning on and off). I'm not sure how the pump effectuates stopping the water but I'm assuming in the Rube Goldberg plastic pipe set-up it must pressurize some valve and close it, yes?

Any ideas? This dangly sinker type thing must be the culprit!

Wow that's a great price! New price is only 55k more? My wife probably won't appreciate a manual, either... I should just scrap the manual idea, I guess.

Do the new Jazz feel less like a tin can or does that feeling just come with the territory? I still have to test some more expensive cars to see what the competition is like. I'm really liking the lines and scaled-up luxury (compared to Jazz) of the Honda CHR and the Mazda 3 and cx3. I'm worried they are not going to be nearly as peppy as the Jazz.

That's my plan, to talk to the dealer first. Sorry folks, I just didn't get to it this week but stay tuned. I will be posting back for sure.

I remember back in the day the elephants in Bkk DID have reflectors on their tails!

I have driven other cars in Thailand with the film on the front glass and man was it a crap shoot. I hated it, couldn't see a bloody thing. So many bikes don't have rear lights. It certainly shows you one reason there are so many accidents.

So 40% and it's fine for night driving? I just got back from another ride with this Jazz and yes, the heat was pouring off that front dash like an oven again. If I bought one, I would certainly do film, a dash cover, or both. I guess your dash top is black, too? Does it not heat up like an oven during the day?

So I was doing 120 km down a straight road and the 2010 Jazz had plenty of pep and zip but was bouncing around quite a bit...sort of felt like it could take flight if the bump was big enough. This was with just myself in the car and no gear. I am very impressed with the zip and the braking. Handles pretty well and going up the mountains had no problem. Shifting was quick and smart. I just don't like the lightness and tin-canny feel. Does your new Jazz have that or is it because this is an older, 2010 version with 125,000 km on the clock?

I live in the city, in Chiang Mai, it's true. But it's not Bangkok. I lived in Boston and New York, too, and always had a stick. I do remember my knee feeling like it was going to blow out once when I moved only about a half mile in 45 minutes, in 2 foot increments!

I do like the cheaper price of the car....

Thanks for chiming in!

Thanks guys. I have hired the Jazz, too, auto version. It's a 2010 however so getting a little old. But still quite peppy. Not sure which version...I hope it's the DSI model meaning I will be pleasantly surprised by the VTEC. The 2015 manual version that's for sale appears at first look to be in great shape and the price is much more reasonable compared to a similar condition/year auto version. That's what has piqued my interest on it, the price and condition. Sure, a stick shift would affect resale value for me to so that's something to think about. And good point that the clutch could have been beat up.

The one I have rented is white, tinted windows on the sides but plain glass in front. I have found that the sun pouring in the front is so hot that the car can't really cool down enough. I mean, that windshield is so large, and the black dash so vast, it soaks up the sun and radiates heat like an oven. Have you experienced that? Yesterday, after sitting in the sun, I drove it for about half and hour and the air con never managed to catch up. Perhaps it needs a gas blast or perhaps this is an inherent problem?

Anyone have any experience with the Honda Jazz, manual transmission? I think they run cheaper and probably less re-sale value. I'm mildly considering (among many other cars!) a 2015 version. I wonder how the stick affects performance. Does it make the Jazz....any jazzier?