Presto

I bought a used car, 9 years old, 650k, in BKK in December. ownership to my name was changed in BKK. I saw the seller pay about 4.500 baht to the DLT people. I didn't pat anything. The car still has the same plates, so still BKK, and I live in HH. Maybe people on the roads over here will pay me more respect?

All these stories remind me again why it was a good idea to spend 650k on a used, but serious car.

HH has a sparkling new B Quik, so i thought I'd give it a try. Brought the car over on the way back from the school run, and had them check the coolant level, the indicator on the dashboard came on once ('STOP YOUR ENGINE IMMEDIATELY' or words to that effect) and indeed level was at the minimum end. Actually my intention was to buy just a liter of coolant and fill it up myself. No, sir.

Guys all over me, while I parked. After I (kind of) explained what I wanted, please sir take a seat in our waiting room. They took the car inside, lifted it up, found a (slightly) leaking hose, and filled the reservoir. Explained to me there was no problem driving the car till next service, and have the hose replaced by the dealer. No charge, sir, thank you very much.

So that was very very good service. No shortage off personnel either, English speaking too. Excellent! Recommended!

(BTW, They looked at my rather new tires, and obviously wondered where I got them. Cleaned the sidewalls too, as I noticed when I got home. )

Saw a couple BT 50s being unloaded at the dealer in HH, I must say the looks take getting used to, the front in any case. The rear is not bad at all. The car would certainly benefit by bigger wheels.

Pretty much in the same dilema....test drove the S60, nice drive, actually was pleasantly surprised by the decent oomph of the engine. Love the interior and especially the seats. Still wanted to have something a bit 'faster'. Definitely don't like the depreciation here.

Saw the new C200 CGI with 7speed, base model at 2.15. Good deal, although many things are option...even the parking sensor!!! and they only have them in silver, black and grey....inside they are now much improved, but the rear end doesn't really excite me. Good resale though.

I believe somebody has mentioned European Hot hatches....there is one now here, or can be ordered. The Citroen DS3 THP 150, which is the turbo version, same engine as the MINI Cooper S, but slightly different tune. Style is pretty ok...at least it stands out, although again the rear isn't great. Price NEW: 1.69m. Good reviews all over...fast, fun and stylish!

Going to have a look at the DS3 in Bangkok this weekend, not so sure about space and all.

Why is it so darn hard to find a decent 0-100km/h in about 7-8 sec car, new here in Thailand under 2m Baht...i guess the Scirocco is still the one to beat...

Anything upcoming in the next few months? When is the next Motorshow?

A Volvo C30 T5 (with the 5 cylinder 230 hp turbo engine, up to 2009 I believe) should do those acceleration figures. Easy. Chip it and go under 6 secs.

Any idea where to get one of those here in Thailand....couldn't find one!

Yes, you're right, I also could only find 2.4i non-turbo models. So a rare grey import would be the only possibility.

Sorry steveromagnino, its not coming:

http://www.inautonews.com/mini-rocketman-won%E2%80%99t-be-manufactured

That front will look very good creating a bow-wave when entering a flooded piece of road!

Besides that, the new Ranger, the new D-max and the new Vigo all look more or lesss the same in the front area, so this is at least different!

Pretty much in the same dilema....test drove the S60, nice drive, actually was pleasantly surprised by the decent oomph of the engine. Love the interior and especially the seats. Still wanted to have something a bit 'faster'. Definitely don't like the depreciation here.

Saw the new C200 CGI with 7speed, base model at 2.15. Good deal, although many things are option...even the parking sensor!!! and they only have them in silver, black and grey....inside they are now much improved, but the rear end doesn't really excite me. Good resale though.

I believe somebody has mentioned European Hot hatches....there is one now here, or can be ordered. The Citroen DS3 THP 150, which is the turbo version, same engine as the MINI Cooper S, but slightly different tune. Style is pretty ok...at least it stands out, although again the rear isn't great. Price NEW: 1.69m. Good reviews all over...fast, fun and stylish!

Going to have a look at the DS3 in Bangkok this weekend, not so sure about space and all.

Why is it so darn hard to find a decent 0-100km/h in about 7-8 sec car, new here in Thailand under 2m Baht...i guess the Scirocco is still the one to beat...

Anything upcoming in the next few months? When is the next Motorshow?

A Volvo C30 T5 (with the 5 cylinder 230 hp turbo engine, up to 2009 I believe) should do those acceleration figures. Easy. Chip it and go under 6 secs.

In bicycle land this is called 'JRA': just riding along ... and it suddenly broke/stopped/squeaked etc.

I can understand the negative comments about servicing by Thai dealers, but let me add a positive comment.

I went to Kosol to get 4 new tires on my car (to get the tires I wanted is another story!), they fitted the tires, balanced the wheels, cleaned the alloys and went on to check and correct alignment of the wheels on a computer thing. Impressive.

I wouldn't get the cleaning and alignment included in the price of the tires back in Holland, that's for sure.

When you've been on this forum a while you will learn about dealer stuff.

Lets hope I will learn in real life practice! Next service, end of the year probably. Not at a dealer though, no sir, thank you. Too far away anyway.

I can understand the negative comments about servicing by Thai dealers, but let me add a positive comment.

I went to Kosol to get 4 new tires on my car (to get the tires I wanted is another story!), they fitted the tires, balanced the wheels, cleaned the alloys and went on to check and correct alignment of the wheels on a computer thing. Impressive.

I wouldn't get the cleaning and alignment included in the price of the tires back in Holland, that's for sure.

No !! but you would get the tyres you wanted.

I did get the tires I wanted .... Just took a tel call to the distributor here in Thailand, and they delivered them the next day to Kosol here in HH. now thats fast seervicee! of course i had to do it this way cause Kosol told me first they couldnt order the tires in that size, although they are dealers, and the size is listed on the website of the distributor, AND the tire is made in Thailand. I appreciated the shy smiles at Kosol when I came to have the tires fitted ...

I can understand the negative comments about servicing by Thai dealers, but let me add a positive comment.

I went to Kosol to get 4 new tires on my car (to get the tires I wanted is another story!), they fitted the tires, balanced the wheels, cleaned the alloys and went on to check and correct alignment of the wheels on a computer thing. Impressive.

I wouldn't get the cleaning and alignment included in the price of the tires back in Holland, that's for sure.

A Mini Cooper??? Groan ...

Rationally the Volvo is probably best. But buying a car is not completely rational, as we all know. And I've just bought a caar, 2nd hand Volvo. So there ya go.

Years ago I drove the 1st gen Benz C180, in beautiful red, with modest alloys. It was a very good car, if quite bare in luxury things; everything was an 'optional'. But so extremely boring, that the only thing that could cheer me up now and then was looking at the star on the bonnet, and thinking: 'hey, I'm driving a Mercedes!'.

I hope they have improved.

My thoughts exactly. It'll be interesting to see if the Fusion/Mondeo attack on the Camry/Accord will be succesful. In Europe, no problem I guess, but over here? In the US? Perceptions in different markets differ ...

But I admire the Ford approach to have a 'world car'.

I wonder if the Focus and Fiesta will get the same 'Aston' frontal treatment.

For the fog lights a much more elegant solution (but basically the same) as the Corolla Altis:

So basically, they stuck a new grille on it, and for lack of inspiration copied the Aston one? I'd say Ford has to go looking for some new designers. Or did the Chief Exec himself choose this one?

Not that it looks all that bad. Just ... mmm.

Give me Italian design every time please.

Well, we're looking at a 1.2-1.7M Baht mainstream C/D segment car, not a 15M+ exotic - and compared to it's direct rivals (Camry, Accord, Teana and Sonata), it's definitely a sharp looker.

With Italian design I mean top achievements like the new Fiat 500, the Fiat Multipla, the Alfa Mito, the new Guilietta, etc, etc. I had a Alfa 145 Q for some years, and really loved every small detail about it. Not a line out of place. Thats what I mean.

So basically, they stuck a new grille on it, and for lack of inspiration copied the Aston one? I'd say Ford has to go looking for some new designers. Or did the Chief Exec himself choose this one?

Not that it looks all that bad. Just ... mmm.

Give me Italian design every time please.

Cars are always compromises. And looking at what populates the roads here in Thailand, a Fortuner could either be one of the best compromises, or one of the worst. Due to its popularity, which is in IMO based on perceived image rather than actual quality, used prices are really high. And from that price level, a new car (SUV) is not rreally that far away.

Just a wild throw: how about a new Nissan X-trail?

I'll be happy if it looks like this:

But OK, I'm kind of a retro guy.

How can they look good if they look too small.?,.Like a Pimple on a Round of Beef to me. Why should you have if Fork Out if they put the right size on to start with.?. The only good thing i can say about the Spivo it came with the right sized wheels that looked nice..

Im mildly curious: whats a Spivo?

Used Fortuners are seriously overpriced IMO. Not worth my money in any way, without a solid history and not too many kms.

I regularly ride in a (taxi, between HH and airport) 2006 Fortuner, with just over 400.000 kms on the clock, and I'm not at all impressed.

au contraire

i would be very impressed if it is still going well with 400,000 kms on the clock

i think you are entering Mercedes diesel territory to be still going strong with that many kilometres.....

Interior worn threadbare, bouncy ride especially for the rear passengers (but thats from new I think), loud engine with audibly whistling turbo. Just serviced.

My point is, when you buy a used 2005 or 2006 Fortuner, how many kms does it have? And how many more pleasant will the new owner have on it, for the 900.000 he has to pay?

DONT. They are the Bar Girls Choise , a Posers Truck ,you look a Prat in one if your a Ferang. Get a Paj GT. Bloody Great Value, complete with a good Powerful Oiler.

Some bargirls actually have brains you know. Maybe you associated with the wrong kind. Besides that, I agree.

The rear passengers enjoy the luxury yacht atmosphere, while far from the sea (Ubon!):

Why not go the DIY way? Saves you the trouble of finding that one good shop, and will give you the satisfaction of having done it all by yourself! Here's an example: