MoonRiverOasis

All these delivery times are soon going to blow out even further gents, once bookings start pouring in at the motor show (starting on the 28th). So if you really need a truck soon, I'd recommend getting your booking in before the show starts...

Are the map updates really free?!

I'm seriously pissed off at Toyota for screwing their customers by charging 30k just for map updates.

I've got a 2007 Camry DVD-Navigator, factory DVD and navigation system, freakin map is 3 years old, no new airport on the map.

Kindly confirm and provide details if they are now free.

Yep. I can't recall the actual date of the policy change, but IIRC it was late in 2010 or early 2011.

It was people power that forced their hand BTW - wanting 30K just to have Suvharnabhumi on the map lead to an online-driven petition by thousands of Thai Camry owners....

The Jan 2011 upgrades to the Mistu 4D56 engine were a new head design, upgrade to a variable geometry turbo, and a new ECU (which also added support for the 5AT and paddle shifters). Power went from 140HP to 178HP, torque also increased to 400Nm, but is electronically limited 350Nm on 5AT models.

As for driving the MU-7 in 4H on dry pavement, all you can hope is that the transfer case gives some level of audible cruching/grinding warning before it lets go.... Absolutely not recommended, even if "only 3 times a month".

Note that the Pajero Sport 4WD and August 2008+ Fortuner both use viscous couplings, so are suitable for full-time 4WD.

Edit: Note that there was another minor revision for the 4D56 in Nov 2011, which added a particuate filter for Euro4 compliance. No change to power/torque with that revision though.

What do you mean by 'new model'? Are you going to wait until 2014 to buy?

The Lancer EX is a great little car IMHO - and the only c-segment to come with OEM 18's

It definitely wins on the looks dept. but the Corolla Altis edges it out on ride quality, performance and FE - but not by a massive margin. The Mitsu bounces back with a great campaign though..

Later this year we'll be seeing the new Ford Focus and Nissan's all-new c-segment car appearing, so if you're not in any particular rush, these would also be worth looking at when they arrive..

Seems like you've answered your own question...

You didn't supply enough info (e.g. condition, color, extras and KM's) so no-one could possibly answer it for you.

However, so long as it's less than 20,000KM, no accidents, no scratches/blemishes in or out, is not gray market (or has been officially adopted by Mercedes Benz TH) it should be worth about 2.1M now, not factoring in any aftermarket fitout it might have...

Map updates are uploaded during scheduled servicing, and a now free (though they did used to cost up to 30K Baht).

Once you have a GPS, there are no ongoing service charges - positioning signals are free

^^

are these eligible for the Thai rebate thingies??

Yes, the eco Swift is Thai assembled, so eligible for the 1st car buyer rebate.

They should be a good buy - much better looking and more upmarket than any current ecocar. It seems to have the same body as the current swift, so aftermarket should be easy.

Actually, the eco Swift is an all-new design - it looks similar to the outgoing model, but it's actually a full model change. Not one body panel is shared with the 1.5L version...

As noted in one of the other threads where the eco Swift has been discussed, it's biggest Achilles heel is the tiny Suzuki dealer network (there's currently only 40 dealerships nationwide) - and until they have at least one dealer per province, Thai's will pretty much avoid it like the plague...

Any clue about the price?

Pricing and packaging is still under wraps.. It's not even certain we'll get pricing info during the official launch either...

For those of you interested, the offical global launch of the Trailblazer will be streamed live on the www.chevrolet.co.th website from 10:00AM to 12:00AM on Wednesday the 21st of March....

And some local news...

* Hyundai have now (finally) officially launched the Elantra in Thailand with special introductory prices starting at 899,000 Baht (first 200 units only) after which prices will range from 1.088M to 1.198M. Bookings open this weekend.

* Toyota have officially launched the 2012 Camry in Thailand, with prices ranging from 1.299M for the base "G" spec 2.0L, to 1.869M baht for the top-spec 2.5L Hybrid.

* Nissan have announced a nano change for the March, with a new color on offer (Purple), new 60:40 rear seats and an improved glove box design on higher badged variants.

There is another 440 Mini Coopers for sale on a local website.

Guess they have gone out of fashion.

Or... in the current gray market crackdown, there's lots of owners liquidating for fear they're about to get lumped with a nasty tax bill

The 3.2L engine isn't a new design - it's been used in Ford Transit models for years.

A reasonable amount of 3.2L's have been delievered to South African and Australian market customers, and all engines in Thai models come from South Africa, so no reason to suspect it's anything other than a supply chain issue.

Probably some key parts that are normally sourced from TH, that SA suppliers don't have the backup capacity for... Or under local content rules, it's possible that SA sourced alternatives cannot be used on vehicles sold here...

So your saying the ford transit engine is the 5 cyl all new and improved super duper jobbie that Ford and Mazda are touting? So what could be the problem?

Has anyone actually ordered a 3.2 and been told it is not available? THAT is my question!

Really think it is the old sales saw..sell what is on the shelf and promise everything else..whenever

Right - the 3.2L diesel is as used on the Transit, and the 2.2L diesel comes from the Mondeo.

I suspect the problem is as per what I already posted

The 3.2L engine isn't a new design - it's been used in Ford Transit models for years.

A reasonable amount of 3.2L's have been delievered to South African and Australian market customers, and all engines in Thai models come from South Africa, so no reason to suspect it's anything other than a supply chain issue.

Probably some key parts that are normally sourced from TH, that SA suppliers don't have the backup capacity for... Or under local content rules, it's possible that SA sourced alternatives cannot be used on vehicles sold here...

I would get my wife to have one of these... So I could drive it...... (I would have its big brother)

Wifey also got very excited by this.. until she saw it was a rag-top..

Mind you, it would take some 'transformer-like' engineering to make it a hard-top convertible

When selling to a tent, do they take much notice of the condition and mileage of your car?

Of course they do, but that doesn't mean they'll want to pay you more

Sure as soon I get my one I will fix the tail lights.... I ordered my at 27th of January...

Look forward to it

...and what size(wheels and tires)...did you have to do a new alignment?...how much(did you trade in your "old" wheels) ??

My best guess is 18" but they could be 17". No need to do a wheel alignment unless changing the suspension, but if the new wheels have a different offset to OEM, or the new tires have a different width to the original ones, I would strongly recommend doing an on-car balance (i.e. how they balance wheels on big rigs, not just the off-car balancer sitting in the workshop) - it makes a massive difference (really, as in "I would never have guessed").

Also, with afttermarket wheels you need to watch out - if they're not being fitted to a Toyota, you will likely need hub rings too (1200-1800 Baht/set for machined alloy ones) - otherwise your new wheels might only be supported by the wheel nuts, not the axle = dangerous. Don't take it for granted that these will be fitted....

450K Baht puts you in eco-car territory, and there's some great options there now and/or coming very soon.

If you have a work permit, proper visa, and at least 6 months bank book history showing salary deposits, finance on your own is very possible.

You will need:

• 25% - 40% down payment (depending on lender) in order to not need a Thai guarantor (your '95 Civic can be traded-in as partial? payment for this)
  
• Your monthly finance repayments should not exceed 25% of your salary (for first finance w/out guarantor)
  
• A small mountain of photo copies
  

Other than that, all you'll need is a sales person that understands the rules for expat worker finance, and who has enough motivation to want to see your deal through

Note, you do not need to have life insurance, no matter what they try to tell you (common scam).

Looks real good in white w/white grill...

+1

...Right on..I knew that from the first time I saw it in the metal...now have to do something with the headlights(to much yellow) and taillights(to much chrome)...smoke 'em ! BTW,the black will look great with the black grill...and black wheels...

Have to agree- the white grille, black roof and black wheels have made a major improvement to looks on this one. Would really like to see someone fix those rear tail lights though

Ford Everest? (Ranger in disguise)

Just a look at the Thairung should be enough to put you off.

They're all just pick up anyway.

If you're talking about the currently available Everest, it's a 14 year old Mazda B-series in disguise, unrelated to the current-gen T6 Ranger

what an anorak!

Check the spec and parts on Ford and Masda - even the "new model" is not a complete redesign

And as ever a pickup.

Hrmm., don't know if I've ever been called a piece of clothing before, lol

The T6 Ranger and new BT-50 are in fact complete re-designs, from the ground-up. In fact there's not a single part number shared with the previous gen.

Many have tried Richard - these forums have been filled with many detailed reports of misery over the years...

For me, I read 20 horror stories and think I'll probably end up no better off than the other victims.. Good to see you're not discouraged though

If they are the same yellow dots I see on my cars (approx 2-3mm diameter, Amercian mustard yellow), I have leanrt to just let them go - after a few washes and some sunlight they dissapear.

Trying to get rid of them in one go would mean working your paint too hard, too frequently IMHO.

As for origins, the ones we get comes from some type of plant, unfortunately though, a horticulturalist I'm not

Ford Everest? (Ranger in disguise)

Just a look at the Thairung should be enough to put you off.

They're all just pick up anyway.

If you're talking about the currently available Everest, it's a 14 year old Mazda B-series in disguise, unrelated to the current-gen T6 Ranger

8 speed auto is also an option

Where are you finding info on an 8 speed auto?? Every thing I read say Manual only, and very small Turbo deisel 2.0, and made in Argentina

The minor change version with 8-speed ZF and 180HP/420Nm twin-turbo 2.0L TDI is still rolling out - most markets won't see it until mid-2012.

I actually got pulled for an on-the-spot emissions check just over 2 years ago.

Very scientific I must say - one BIB walked to the back of the car, then the other opens the driver's door and stomps on the gas. BIB at back visually inspects smoke coming out, and gives you a pass/fail.

I kid you not

The funniest part of it was, it was a brand new pickup on red plates (literally the day I bought it), that hadn't even travelled 100KM's yet, LOL.

To add a further twist to it all, the next day I was in at a tire shop getting upgraded tires fitted, when the worksop crew offered the "fix" the exhaust system for free, as part of a special promotion they had running. When asked exactly what it was they were offering to "fix", it turned out what they had in mind was to gut the catalytic converter with a piece of rebar...

Given my spot emmissions check the day before, I declined

My brother in law has had one on blocks for a least ten years.

10 years? Sure you're not thinking of the Mike Oldfield album fo the same name?