DJH77

Finally had a Test Drive yesterday in Mukdahan, 4x4 GT. The engine is much quiter than in previous models and the 8 speed gearbox is sweet with very quick changes, not draged out like the old model. The ride also seemed better than my 3.2GT but it has now done 175,000 K's so that is to be expected. The Performance was very good both in Auto and driving Manually, good fast changes that took it to 160K's easy in 6th gear and I think it would do 200 K's in Top gear, no problem. Definitely quicker than my 3,2 in acceleration and very quiet which means it is much much quieter than the outgoing 2.5 Lt which was much noisier than the 3.2. As the test drive was only short, maybe 10 K's in did not get the time or opportunity to test much else or the 4 wheel drive control but the brakes were certainly much improved also. If I get a chance to give it a full on test later this week I will post the remainder of my opinion along with some times, 0 to 100 and so on to compare it with my 3.2's times both standard and Chipped. All in All, I liked it and the front seats have much better support also.

I've now spent 2 whole days driving the Everest - the more you drive it, the more you appreciate the effort that's been put into it - it's not just a generation ahead of the last, it's a quantum leap forward.

This is an astonishingly good car for this price point, and will change a lot of people's perceptions of what's possible in this segment.

Just don't look at the carpet

I test drove the 2,2 Lt version yesterday and was surprised at how Quiet it was but it ran out of Puff at about 3,400 RPM,. Up to that it had good acceleration I thought. The Vehicle felt a bit top heavy and not as sure footed on the road as my 3.2 PJS but it was only a short test drive as is the norm here, I would need a decent test drive of the 3.2 Lt when they get one in Mukdahan to really put it through it's paces. Before I purchased my PJS 3.2 I was taken to Khon Kean by the sales staff at Mitsu and test drove the car from KK to Mukdahan, 260 K's to put it through it's paces, that was a worthwhile test drive which convinced me to buy it. On the Everest I also didn't like the Small Digital Taco on the instrument panel and some of the Dash board to me looked quite cheap material wise. I pictured changing it to a Wood Grain appearance in quite a few areas when the after market guys get their act together. I wanted to test the New PJS also but Mukdahan Mitsu don't have one yet and on the Mitsu website where they have a Road Show Program listed, Mukdahan doesn't even get a look in, the nearest is Yasothon from 1 September so I guess it will be a while before I get to Test Drive the New PJS and 3.2 Lt Everest. If it does happen eventually I will give you all my thoughts on Both Models.

I owned both of these Models shown in the late 70's. The 75, Pop Up Headlight Model was far Better and had the 351 cu in Cleaveland engine as against the later LTD which had the Windsor 351. The Cleaveland had far more Grunt.

Thanks a lot to both of you DJH77 and streamer for your helpful input.

The Bumrungrad's Dermatology Center in Bangkok has been highly recommended to me in the meantime too.

Cheers!

Almost 3 years ago I had a Malanoma on my back which had to be removed. Bumrungrad Hospital Quoted me 400,000 Baht with a 5 day stay in Hospital. I said NO, it only takes about 30 minutes. Cut it out and stitch me up and off I go, I don't have to stay in Hospital but they wouldn't listen so I got on the plane back to Oz and had it done. Plane fare, 30,000 Baht, Procedure 15,000 Baht. This was before I found the Doctor at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital. So Bumrungrad can probable do it but no way was I going to pay what they wanted. Keep that in Mind.

Hi Gary, Welcome to Mukdahan. For good Aussie or Thai steak go to Mukdahan Manor which has The Waterfront - Song Fung Khong Restaurant owned by me, Don, I am an Aussie. Always ice cold beer available and Cocktails also. The best stocked Bar in Mukdahan. It's situated on the Mekong River about 2.5 kl south of the Indo China Markets. Soi Anurakbumroong 1 off Samlanchai-Khong Tai Rd. 042 632577.

Hi Mate, I spent a long time trying to find a reliable Skin Cancer Doctor in the North East and never found one, and I tried many. A couple of years ago I found a Lady Doctor at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital who spent 2 years in Queensland Australia studying Skin Cancer and she is very god. In fact I only returned a few days ago from having my 6 monthly Check up with her where she removed about 50 from my arms and hands with Liquid Nitrogen. Her Name is Sureeporn Sritangrattanakul. If you log on to the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital site and go to the Dermatology Section you can find her and make an Appointment via the Site. My visit last week cost 2,600 Baht for the check up and Removal. I can Highly Recommend Her. Good Luck.

Mukdahan Shutters in Muk. Fitted mine to the Garage and Bar Room out by the pool 10 years ago and never had a problem with any of them. The Garage is Remote Control also. For more info you can pm me, or call Mukdahan Manor on 0810474781. Don.

ok , bike rentals out, might rent car if i go. what about places to stay ? i suppose anywhere in any of them cities are going to have small hotels and guesthouses around the bus stations.

Best place to stay in Mukdahan is the Mukdahan Manor. Great place with the best food in town. www.mukdahan-manor.com or book through Agoda.

In Mukdahan, The Mukdahan Manor B&B is a great place to stay. Their restaurant has been Awarded, Best Restaurant for the Past 4 Years. It has the most comprehensive Western Menu in Muk,and great Thai food also and a the best stocked Bar in Mukdahan. also available to book via Booking,com or Agoda. Check it out.

Make sure that you fill in the Log Book Provided by the Dealer when you pick up the car when you are travelling out of your Province. Then the Police should have no problem about the Red Plates, although I don't think you are supposed to drive at night anywhere.

do you mean "short time hotels"

got some nice ones opening soon here

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These are in Mukdahan on the Ring Road, not Roiet. They have been open for a month or so now.

In one word money

A standard Toyota vigo in Laos is approx. twice the price of Thailand, according to the van driver we hired last time across.

A high end car would be more money in Laos than here, plus then you're got the left hand drive in a right hand drive country.

I know you can drive Laos cars in Udon and border areas with the real window sticker but I've never seen them further into the country, Maybe not allowed?

Cars are waaaayyyyyy cheaper in Laos. You have been given bad info. The big problem is, the steering wheel is on the wrong side.

Many Mukdahan Businessmen who have also opened either a shop or small extension of their business in Savannakhet have cars purchased in Laos. Like a 15 Million Baht Mercedes in Thailand can be had for 5 Million in Lao. They drive backwards and forwards with no problem at all. Add to that the Cheap cigarettes, Wine, Whisky Etc and I sometimes wonder why I am this side of the river. I have Thai friends with Porches and Merc Sports cars and I must admit I get a bit Jealous.

Check out KPK foods on the net. Or call Keith, an Englishman who owns the company, 0861450147. Your order will be sent by Bus frozen with dry ice to keep it that way,

As they drive on left,well sorta it's give way to right just as good ole uk rules.

Sorry Mate, But in Thailand the Rule is Give Way to the Left, I know it is crazy. At round abouts it is the first car into the roundabout that has the right of way. This confuses the Thai's as every vehicle is coming from the right, except those that go around the roundabout the wrong way which happens in the North east a lot as many cars are from Laos.

You Cannot Take it into Lao if it is under Higher Purchase as you don't have the Car Book for the car.

They Cannot Issue Retirement Visas in Savannakhett , as told to me by the 3 previous Consul Generals there.

In my opinion you don't buy a vehicle with Crashing in mind. As for the data provided by IMHO, that's good but there is No Mention about which car is better in the road. Having done over 160,000 Kl in my 3.2lt Pajero Sports GT and recently drove a MU-X for about 500 Kl, I can tell you for sure the most surefooted vehicle on the Highway is by far the Pajero. It's Independent rear Suspension is way superior to the Live Axel MU-X. This giver far better cornering especially at high speeds with no tendancy to bounce across the road on small bumps, as was the case with the MU-X. The ride comfort, especially in the back seat is also superior to the MU-X. All round the Pajero is a much nicer car to drive I feel. I have been a Professional Driver for 45 years in everything from Race cars, Interstate Transport and Limosine driver for the like of Australian Prime Ministers, Movie and Rock stars like Elton John Etc. I think I know what I am talking about when it comes to testing Vehicles. All the best with your decision on which to purchase.

This is really helpful, as was the post from IMHO.

I mention safety because that is my primary reason for buying another vehicle. I'm really happy with the current one but it is small and my family is worried about what happens if I get into an accident. (I drive by at least 2 accidents on AH1 every weekend.)

My initial thought was to get the Pajero, but then was considering the Isuzu because it was a 2015 model year, whereas the Pajero 2015 won't come out for several months. Based on your expertise, I am now strongly leaning towards the Pajero Sport (2.5GT 2WD). I'll buy one at the Motor Show or shortly thereafter, so if you have any additional thoughts, I would appreciate hearing them.

Thanks!

Well if you can afford a little extra and you are concerned about Safety then Get the 4 Wheel Drive Version. Whenever it starts to rain I slip into 4 WD for the added Traction as this is when Thailand roads are at their most dangerous with the amount of Oil and Diesel that leaks from all the Trucks in this country. This is a real Safety Feature that helps prevent accidents.

In my opinion you don't buy a vehicle with Crashing in mind. As for the data provided by IMHO, that's good but there is No Mention about which car is better in the road. Having done over 160,000 Kl in my 3.2lt Pajero Sports GT and recently drove a MU-X for about 500 Kl, I can tell you for sure the most surefooted vehicle on the Highway is by far the Pajero. It's Independent rear Suspension is way superior to the Live Axel MU-X. This giver far better cornering especially at high speeds with no tendancy to bounce across the road on small bumps, as was the case with the MU-X. The ride comfort, especially in the back seat is also superior to the MU-X. All round the Pajero is a much nicer car to drive I feel. I have been a Professional Driver for 45 years in everything from Race cars, Interstate Transport and Limosine driver for the like of Australian Prime Ministers, Movie and Rock stars like Elton John Etc. I think I know what I am talking about when it comes to testing Vehicles. All the best with your decision on which to purchase.

MUKDAHAN MANOR is for SALE. Check it out at www.mukdahan-manor.com Are these photo's a bit better than what you showed.

The Best Place to stay is Mukdahan Manor, Best Food in Town. WWW.mukdahan-manor.com Check it out. Not Cheap, But you get what you pay for.

Does anyone have any Information on the Death of an Englishman named Roy in his Condo in Cha-Am a few days ago. He is an old friend of mine, and as always we wonder if it was a natural death or is there anything suspicious surrounding it. I am in Mukdahan in the North East, not far from where Roy lived for many years. Any Info would be appreciated, Thanks.

Sorry mate, they don't exist in this country. Do it yourself.

The LAW in Thailand as in most countries states that if walking on the road you must walk against the Oncoming Traffic. Any person who doesn't do this is an idiot.

Safe practice but not the "LAW".

Oh YES it is. I have a copy of the Kings Road Rules which were put out on the 15th of March 2522, his 34th year as King. Land Traffic Act, B.E. 2522, (1979) Section 103 (200b) of Title 13, Pedestrians. I carry this at all times in the back of my car so when Police come up with some crazy story about the road rules, I pull it out and put them straight as to the law. It has worked every time.