bamboozled

It's too bad the Yaris is 1.2. I quite like the styling. I haven't sat in one or seen the interior space but it looks quite large and user friendly from the outside.

How do you feel about the carrying capacity of the Swift? 1.6 engine, does it move pretty well? Does it feel like a tin can like the Jazz? Not that I can't live with the tin can feel, hell, I'm rather used to that as I've always had cheaper cars.....though I think they use heavier sheet metal in the US.

My feeling is for a hatchback thus the Ciaz might not do. That being said, I'm trying to be open about everything. Pick-up option is gone, however. Just not the right vehicle for me right now. The big PPVs, that's bigger than I want. The CRV seems a step down from those, size-wise, wouldn't you say?

I didn't realize the BRV had much to do with the Jazz. It looks more like a slightly smaller CRV. MOre rugged than Jazz.

I like the Mazda cx5, too! Getting up there in price again and there aren't many used models out there.

I will check out the Ciaz. On a stupid note, the stylized writing of the logo "Ciaz" on the car bothers me!

 HOnda BRV looks nice, too. And cheaper than the HRV or CRV.

I do like the look of some of the Fords but worried about repairs because not so popular. I like the Subaru XV but worried about repairs on that, too. Also read it is slow. Some of the Jazz look pretty sporty. I don't mind the looks. It's just the tin can feel I don't like. I will try a City again just for kicks, to compare. But it doesn't have that large carrying space like the Jazz. I have indeed been looking on one2car.com and to a lesser degree taladrot.com. I look a lot on Facebook Marketplace as it is the quickest for looking.

Many people are more wary of secondhand cars in Thailand than say, in their home country. I'm not sure this is valid. Really, why do we think it would be any different? Perhaps it's just a control issue....since we aren't Thai and most of us can't speak Thai as a Thai would we feel out of our element wheeling and dealing to get a good secondhand car. Is it just fear? I could be wrong. I think there are probably good deals and bad deals and normal deals and some scammers just like in the US where I am from. I'm just less nimble navigating the field here.

How is the Swift, how many kms on it now? It's a cute car. It seems slightly small and I wasn't sure of the rep of Suzuki. Yes, the Ciaz looks nice, too. I will have a look at those!

I am right now in love with the Honda HRV. I keep seeing it around town and it really catches my eye every time. It seems the oldest secondhand models are 2015 so that must have been when they came out. The cheapest I have found is 600k. Most are 700k and up.

I've got some thinking and driving to do!

Thank you.

2 hours ago, Agusts said:

Racing here is not a good idea, but Thais love it, even in their cars. When I was on my 125cc bike, I was never provoked, but now on my Forza I get pissed off sometimes too easily, unfortunately....

The other day the guy was coming  behind me right to one meter of my bike with his car , we were at 80km/h, basically wanted to push me off the road, so I lost it and max the throttle and watch him in my mirror disappear behind me while I was going 130km/h, this kind of reactionary riding or driving is very bad, but it comes with having a more powerful bike, sometime he can do the same,  then wil be very dangerous racing, I know I need to be more patient and careful....

I know that feeling!

1 hour ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

Your 12k USD isn’t going to get you much here !

You can double that for a new Jazz.

 

I think you are narrowing it down well, you’ve seen the pro’s and con’s with a Jazz , probably time to try out one of the others you are interested in .

 

P.s. I agree with everything you said about the Jazz, it is a bit tin canny and tbh the shape is more suited to an aged Japanese gentleman but it is the most versatile in its class and for city, or soi, life it’s perfect.

12k is not going to get me anything new, for sure. If I don't mind getting something a bit older, there are certainly plenty of decent cars to be had for that amount. Apart from what car i would want/need, the question is how much should I spend/do I want to spend? I COULD spend more. Does it make sense? I don't know but this forum and all your input is helping me get my head around it. Luckily, I am not in a rush so I will try and take my time and look around well. Matteo, I think, had mentioned renting all the cars I am interested in. That's a great idea but not sure if it's possible. Guess I should do some research. Maybe in Bangkok...where I'm not!

Hi Davis, thanks for your input! I've fallen into the trap of the ever expanding budget so that's a good question. I had initially thought 12k USD was my budget. That was sort of a random figure which I'm not sure how I came up with. I did not want to spend a small fortune on a car. But then, of course, I started looking around and kept upscaling, debating this and that in my head, you only live once, blah blah. I have not owned a car in the many years I've been in Thailand. That makes it somewhat hard to know how I will use it in the future or what I want in a car. However, I do like the ability to carry somewhat large items on a whim which is why I had initially thought of a truck. I've tossed that idea but it led me to hatchbacks for the carrying capacity. I don't really want a big SUV...that being said, I did become enamored of the CRV (sitting in it in the lot). Not sure if that qualifies as an SUV or not. Is it worth the extra bucks, compared to a Jazz, for example? Probably any car I buy will be sitting unused a lot of the time as for a lot of the short buzzes around town we will use motorbikes. I'm not sure how to factor that into the equation. Stupid to invest a lot of money in something just sitting there a lot with little use? Or it doesn't matter because fewer km on the clock will maintain re-sale value?

I've never bought a car that cost over $4k USD so this big an expense is a new thing for me.

One yardstick I am using to convince myself to buy a more expensive car is safety, that it will be safer. We can make all kinds of excuses to spend money, can't we??

A lot of folks mention flooded roads but really, for me in Chiang Mai, how often is that a consideration? It's not huge. Of course, not having had a car in the past, I might find myself heading into the mountains more and more and encountering mud and floods and bad roads. Hard to say.

I am driving a rented Jazz for a few days. The interior space is nice, and with the seats down, quite large. It's quite low to the ground, however, and I can see getting the underside hung up on some bad roads here and there. It's a bit tin-canny and the drive is not particularly cushy. It's peppy enough. You wouldn't call it a luxurious ride by any standards. But other than going up to the CRV or and SUV, it seems to be the biggest space going. I like the HRV but is it worth the extra expense? It appears to have a smaller carrying capacity but the ride is much nicer, I'm sure (haven't test driven one).

I live on a small soi at the moment (rental house) and the small size of the Jazz makes it easier to go in and out and turn around (dead end soi).

I guess I could say that something like the Jazz is my normal comfort level in cars. A CRV or HRV or Mazda 3 would be a luxury for me. Do I want to go there or not? It might depend on what kind of financing I can get, or my wife can get. I would be sad to take all the cash out of my account in one fell swoop. I could do it but it would be painful. So, if financing with favorable interest was available, that might be helpful. But...do I want to take on debt? Is there such a thing as 0% financing here such as one finds in the US sometimes?

The thing least on my mind is fuel economy. It's just not on my radar and probably because I have always driven a motorbike here and so quite cheap. If I'm not driving the car often, putting lots of kms on it, perhaps it is less important. I confess ignorance on that issue. I suppose I should start paying attention to it.

So, as you see, I'm all over the place.

What is a ppv?

2 hours ago, Kinnock said:

Yes - bigger rear sprocket would improve acceleration but  may reduce top speed slightly.

 

I think the Wave looks and feels heavier as it has more plastic and rear seat sweeps up so is higher.  But it's only a small amount heavier.

 

If it's not a fuelling issue, then a different rear sprocket is a low cost option.  You may also need a longer chain, and speedometer may no longer be accurate - but not a big issue.

 

But before changing anything - get it checked out.

 

I'm thinking of changing my 110 Dream/Supercub for a new 125 Wave (looking at same grey color as yours) as I want the under seat storage and better headlight.  I also prefer the slightly taller gearing as 1st gear on the Dream is so low.  Just changing up a bit later in each gear will overcome any disadvantage from the taller gearing - and I don't expect any Dream/Supercub to be fast anyway.????

 

 

It feels so different riding it from the Dream. The Dream you can muscle around, like a small, light-weight bike. The Wave, no, acts more like a big bike. It doesn't really respond so much to body weight changes.

We actually have the black and red (I just couldn't find a good pic in that color). We had wanted the gray and red but it wasn't in stock at the time so we went with the black/red which was.

1 hour ago, johng said:

I thought a smaller rear sprocket would increase top speed, a bigger rear would give more acceleration

(good for wheelies) but less top speed ???

I think the two of you are saying the same thing!

8 hours ago, Kinnock said:

Not easy to find all the specs, but looks like the Wave is only 2 kg heavier than a Dream - so not really noticeable compared to rider weight.

 

Power and torque is also very close.

 

The Wave looks to have a taller first gear at 2.5 vs 2.615 for the Dream - and that would be noticeable, but the Dream/Super Cub has a crazy low first gear so you normally shift into first almost as soon as you get you get moving, so in practice you'll be in second and third most the time.

 

My guess is fuelling - or it's just perception - it sounds slower as it revs lower in first, but a 0-30 or 0-60 sprint will be similar in practice.

 

Changing the rear sprocket to add an extra tooth will make it feel quicker, but I think you should stick with it to see if it's really slower.

Are you sure the specs are for the 2018/19 Wave and the 2008 Dream? The Wave looks and feels MUCH heavier, an altogether different beast. Hmm, changing the rear sprocket, that's not a bad idea. I mean, if the mechanic tells me nothing wrong, I will either have to suck it up for the next 5 or 10 years and accept a "slow" bike, sell it, or change the sprocket (or re-bore engine? but that seems drastic on a new bike?...and a bit silly!). Seems like bigger sprocket would be perhaps the easiest. So I would lose some top-end speed, correct?

The first gear is the worst. It feels like you are pulling out in 2nd gear. I don't think it would make it up Doi Suthep with two people on it, though I have yet to try. Starting out on a steep hill with two people...I think it just wouldn't budge. The WAve is a lot bigger and heavier than the Dream. I didn't realize this when I bought it. That must rob some horsepower.

I did not make it to mechanic yet.

29 minutes ago, MatteoBassini said:

I think you are mistaking the "bigger" Jazz for the Honda Civic hatchback.

It's possible. Or is it also possible some have smaller wheels on them making them appear much smaller? It's actually quite large inside. But as I mentioned, the one I have rented seems to have a really weird angle driver's seat to steering wheel to pedals. I sat in some other Jazz's today and I didn't think that was a problem. They seemed roomier around my feet, too. But it's a bit hard to say if that was an illusion or truth.

I would attempt to work on my bikes if I had some guides in English. I have never found one for the Dream which is probably the simplest to work on. I have never looked for one for the Wave.

I have heard a few folks say the sedan has more boot space. But I don't think that takes into account the fact that with the hatchback feature you can fit a bigger item but maybe not overall more stuff. Is my thinking correct? I'll check out that link.

One of the reviews I had read about the Mazda 3 said it was a bit slow. I think it was a Top Gear report. Again, I don't have to have the fastest car on the road and in fact the Jazz is feeling pretty peppy around the city running with just me in it. But def the engine is straining a bit and revving quite high. A bit tin-canny on the ride, too. But it does have a lot of space. No doubt at all the Mazda 3 will feel better.

Yes, I have seen the CX3 and it is nice. The CX5 looks even nicer! Though I have just seen it in passing. But man, price is going up on me I think!

I am going to take my time, for sure. Hoping to look at a few cars today.

Wow....there is really great info here and much appreciated! It is very helpful and I thank everyone that has responded. Yes, I think the pick-up thing is in the past. You all have been helpful in clearing that one. Thinking about it, I don't regularly carry big loads. but I am a do-it-yourselfer type and want the ability to haul various items when need be, instead of having to rely on someone else. So if I nix the truck, and I want to have the ability to carry something big, that also nixes any of the sedans and pushes me to hatchbacks or SUV's. I'm not really keen on the big SUV's...

I just came back from renting the Jazz and drove it about 20km to get home. Initial impression...pretty good. It's peppy and the inside feels bigger than I had imagined. It has get up and go, with just me in it, but the high revs that the engine drops into when you full-on step on the gas is...a harsh sound. One key is always the size of the hatchback opening, as bbz404 mentioned. I haven't checked that yet. Ii will say I felt pretty uncomfortable in my driving position. I found my body was skewed at a slight angle: the steering wheel and pedals do not seem to be centered with the seat. Is it just me? Any of you Jazz folks care to comment on that? I suppose it might be dependent on the model year; have they changed inside dimensions much? My legs felt cramped in the space and I'm not a big guy. It is a 2010 model with 124k on it.

All of the above info is really helping me realize what I am after so again, thanks. I don't have to have a super fast car or BMW style ride. That's a plus, of course, but more important is function. I will check the CRV again and the HRV. What exactly is the diff between the Mazda 3 and the 2, hatchback version? The 2 seems slightly shorter.

I just had a gander driving back from lunch of the Mazda CX5. Wow, do I want to know the price of that? Probably not but it sure is pretty and the size is nice.

I think the Subaru would be a mistake as there aren't many around and reviews say sluggish!

The Dream was indestructible. Not sure about the Wave! 6 pages of this because we are all having a good kick chatting and hopefully solving a problem at the same time. And we won't get a hangover. That's a win-win!

I should mention that I own a Toyota pickup in the states. I bought it a couple years ago to basically clear out and fix up my dad's house/yard to sell it (back and forth between Thailand) and needed it to haul stuff. I didn't mind the ride. Of course, it was indeed useful for that project and I am not doing the same sort of project here but...I was comfortable with it, the way it drove, etc... That being said, I'm in the city and not renovating a house. And live on a small soi (for now) where parking would be a pain.

It's not overall cargo carrying capacity I'm necessarily worried about. It's the ability to be able to lug a large piece of furniture, for example, that would be a nice bonus. I drove VW Rabbits and Golfs years ago and with some creative flair, you could get most things in the back of the hatchback albeit sticking out the back with the trunk up. That's what got me on the hatchback kick here, that "expandable" ability to haul stuff.

I have rented the Honda City before, for a month, and I was quite happy with it. That was my initial thought on which car to buy. Then I got onto the hatchback thing and the can of worms was opened. But I have the same experience as of late. Some of them appear quite small and dangerous in a wreck while others seem much more substantial....the same experience I am having with the Jazz. Is it also a small wheel thing, that some have smaller wheels? Or am I getting dementia?

I will look into the Camry. I didn't want to get a car as old as that but...only because I've ALWAYS had older cars and for the first time wanted that "new car feel" but probably in a used car.

The Subaru looks great. Any experience driving it? I have no idea of the engine or handling. It looks to have a good large space in the back with the seats down. I can't stand the monitor's in the head rests for the back passengers....ugh! I don't need those.... I would be worried about repair on the Subaru, is that fair to say? There aren't all that many around.

Cheers all and thank you!

Hi Matteo thanks for writing! Good advice. About truck safety, I am familiar with your points on safety and I would agree. The one big factor is the driver can control how much speed he/she has going into a turn so flipping, well, should be a lot about my driving style. Still leaves flipping factor with evasive maneuvers and someone else hitting me. The other thing, it's just a lot more metal if someone hits you. But maybe it's a false sense of safety. I'm actually renting a Jazz tomorrow.

I'm not going to have passengers in the back too often so a cramped back is not a huge issue. However, overall, I did want to have some carrying capacity and the Mazda kind of seems a tight space. Is that fair to say?

In going around the city and looking online, I see some Jazz that seem tiny and others that seem more substantial. Have they increased the size over the years or do some have smaller wheels that make them seem so tin can like?

I think the Honda HRV looks quite interesting but it's getting up there in price for me. Probably slow as well.

What did you end up buying Matteo that you were happy with? I kind of like the Yaris, too, but I'm sure it is quite slow and have read as such. I am just beginning my quest for a car so your advice is well taken and if you care to throw out any other ideas I'm all ears. I also have a wife that will be using the car so that is something I need to consider. The truck idea, well, they are so useful and if you've never had one you would be amazed at all the times it comes in handy. BUT, living in the city it's not ideal. And my wife doesn't want to drive one. Thus I was looking for a car that would still have some carrying capacity but not drain my bank account. ...Guess I'm still in the playing around/idea stage!

Thanks!

As a hatchback the Mazda 3 doesn't really hold all that much, does it? As mentioned, I've never poked around on one. But it looks pretty low profile/squat. It reminds me of the old Jaguar in the Harold and Maude movie, if you know it.

Do you mean the Honda HRV? I quite like that one but it is so new....not a lot used and the price is more than I want to pay. Has a lovely sturdy stance.

Thank you for your input! The Subaru XC or whatever it is is pretty cool too but I'm getting out of my league on price.

I'm almost at 2k now. Already had the 1k check and he just changed the oil if I remember correctly. The throttle play seems to be a minor issue, IMO. I mean, it will account for low top speed perhaps but doesn't explain the lack of pep. But I could be wrong! As mentioned, I will try and check this week, hopefully tomorrow.

If all else fails, I'm gonna have the engine bored!

On 6/3/2019 at 1:30 PM, Fruit Trader said:

Its a new Honda Wave and needs a man with a plan to put minds at rest.

 

The mechanics I've asked didn't even have a compression gauge. Hardly knew what it was (partly my bad Thai).

Hiya folks. I am looking to make my first ever car purchase in Thailand after many years of just having a motorbike. I am waffling all over the place about what kind of car, or truck, or car, or truck, or....you get the idea. I was thinking used but prices as we know are high. Higher still for new vehicles but perhaps worth the piece of mind and then you still have the re-sale value. 
So waffling on new/used, as well. I like a truck for the ability to carry stuff at a moments notice but....I live in the city (Chiang Mai) and traffic is an issue as is parking. A truck also makes you feel safer (true or not, I'm not sure). If not a truck, then I started to look at hatchbacks as you can get pretty creative when needing to carry a large size object. I was keen on the Honda Jazz  but it seems kind of scary small. So my latest crush is the Mazda 3 hatchback. It seems to have a normal car size footprint and some heft to it that the Jazz or Honda City lack, or any of the smaller hatchbacks. It also seems to have some power though I have not even sat in one yet, let alone test drive. Most of the other cars under a certain price range appear on the cheap/tinny side and make me fear a little bit for my safety.

So, anyone have any experience with the Mazda 3? I saw an old post from 2014 that was favorable but now quite dated...though useful if I go the used route.

Thank you!