MESmith

anyone have timings for the airshow?

most of the morning at least, maybe all day, not sure how long it lasts. We're planning on going early , to avoid the congestion. By early I mean around 8.00 am.

I think you'll find your dealer is trying it on. As far as I know all models till Feb get free insurance, ALL the other freebies can be had but will be hardwork. The grey wildtrak is pictured above at the media day.

Yeah, he might've been trying to bag a sale now, rather than the Wildtrack later, as my interest might disappear. Offered free insurance & road tax on the XLT & few other minor freebies.

Edit: Just had the wife translate the pricelist with the bit about free insurance, & it does apply to all models.

Just had a test drive in the hi-rider XLT automatic in Chiang Mai. Only around part of the ringroad, but I was impressed. Gears seemed very responsive, & lots of power, but so it should, I drive a 11 yr old strada 4x4!! Sitting position seemed very high, but it was only afterwards I realized the seat was probably at its highest, as my wife told me my head was nearly at the roof. Salesman said the 2wd Wildtrack should be available to look at later this month. Not sure if it's worth the extra, especially since the 1st year insurance isn't included for the Wildtrack - according to the salesman.

Anyone seen any in the Metropolitan Grey? Would like to see a photo.

http://www.zhome.com...h/FanClutch.htm

or join a fan club.

Guess I have to limit my cruising speed to 90km/h (2500 rpm) it gets noisy above that.

Turn the stereo up. Problem gone

No....We didn't get the free first year comprehensive insurance as the dealer indicated that is only available if you finance the vehicle. This is clearly indicated in the Ford brochures and website ( read the asterix **)

We paid cash. Not worth financing the vehicle just to get one years free insurance when the interest costs (@ 2.55%) for one year alone = THB 20,400 and you can insure the vehicle independantly for THB 12-14,000 per year.

Anyone know the max deposit you can put down to qualify for free insurance?

Bib having a "clampdown" today. Saw some westerner in conversation with police on the road the side of Montri hotel today. Red & white paint was very clear.

I'd recommend the show at Wing-41, the display of aircraft/equipment is interesting, and the kids like the fun-fair !

I would give that a pass unless you like being in bumper to bumper traffic for up to 2 1/2 hours! If you or your kids need to use the bathroom you are out of luck. Last year they let cars in knowing there were no parking spots. It took a full 2 hours to get out of the queue of cars. Everyone was in a bad mood after that.

What time did you go? We went last year, had to queue, not too long, parking available. We went mid morning. Intend to go earlier this year.

Had a first look at 4 door hi-rider today in Chiang Mai. Liked what I saw, but I was surprised the stereo had no usb input. Seems a tad retro. wouldn't stop me buying, & wouldn't warrant an upgrade to wildtrack. Is it possible to switch stereo unit in cars with the unit all part of the dashboard?

Over the holiday period I saw 4 VIP buses "parked" like that at the last set of traffic lights on superhighway, northbound near Saraphi. Clowns!!

Faulty switch?

Thanks, looks like I can expect about 350-400K, though I sure don’t understand why someone would pay much that for a 9 year old truck.

Same here, I was looking at the prices for Mitsu Strada, megacab, 4wd from 2001. The first thing that crossed my mind was "in your dreams". Please prove me wrong, & I'll sell tomorrow

My insurance states 1 driver & 4 passengers. The blue registration book states 2 people It's a strada megacab.

Do you know when the prices will increase? I don't see how it could increase for the 3.2 though as we don't even have a firm price on that yet:)

Ford website shows "specail" prices until 29 Feb 2012

Picked up my 2.2 6AT XLT in Mica Black yesterday afternoon but not had chance to drive it properly yet, just 10kms or so home, but first opinions are good. Very roomy and comfortable inside, first time I've not needed the drivers seat at the furthest point (I'm 6'3), with a nice modern feel, very car-like. There were some nice touches like sunglasses holder and adjustable lumbar support in the drivers seat and the display is very easy to read and includes distance it will go until more diesel is needed.

Only 4 speakers in the XLT compared to 6 in the Wildtrak but very good quality. Brakes are very responsive and 6AT gearbox is very smooth, need to give it some when pulling away from standstill at lights though. It is very quiet, could hardly hear the engine or windnoise at all. Tyres are Dunlop AT22 Grandtrek which get pretty good reviews and mileage. Overall I'm very happy, much better than the outgoing model I had a few years ago and prefer it to my Yaris I traded in too. It got quite a lot of attention on the short trip home (we are the first to get ours in Chiang Rai so none about) which is understandable as, IMO, it is easily the best looking pick-up currently available but I'm obviously biased!

When at the dealers I was surprised to learn we weren't getting registration and road tax included which meant another 10,000baht, I've bought two new cars and a few new bikes here in Thailand and always had that included. But we got 1st class insurance, some other freebies and the price will increase by about 20k soon too so musn't grumble. Told that the first service is at 15,000kms which is a bit odd as well, always changed oil at 1000kms so I think I'll do that again. LIke I said, not really driven it any sort of distance yet but thought I'd give a quick update.

WOW!! 900 posts over 9 months & someone finally has one

Anyone know the wait time if ordering now for the 2.2 6AT XLT?

Try camping in the mountains. Temperatures drop at night, especially higher up. Chiang Mai is a province, not just a city......

For small amounts, less than a grand. I always get a "cash advance" inside the bank rather than use the atm. That way you only pay Nationwide's charges, not the 150 bt per atm withdrawal

Shouldn't the "full beneficiary address" be that of the bank branch, not the person you're sending the money to?

Thanks for the tip Bedbugy.  Today I sent a form off to Nationwide International IOM to set up designated accounts for internet transfers.  I also designated my parent's address in UK to receive cheques ordered over the internet.  Guess I'll use the latter option & have my mum pay the cheque into HSBC account so as to only get stung once.

I think (not 100% sure) the 91 red benzine is now yellow. i know its definitely not red anymore.

just to add to the confusion. the pumps are (usually) still red though.

Pump label is yellow. They confirm it's benzine. Petrol is definitely yellow.

I'm confused with the colours. I thought I was buying 91 benzine, no gasohol from Cosmo station on superhighway. But it's yellow colour.... It's only for my lawn mower.

Junglechef, if you do sort something out, please let me know & I might get kick started into action to build a proper coop for them. The chickens we have left, I'd be happy if the dogs took them off our hands.....

Saw 4 VIP buses smash nose to tail at the last set of traffic lights before CM last week. Not serious, but all were damaged. Someone must have stopped for a redlight, & 4 tailgating buses......

And driving along a 500m stretch running up to those same lights this morning, saw at least 3 separate sets of spray paint graffiti by the BiB.

There's a pet food shop on the Mae Jo road. Left hand side as you drive from superhighway. If you reach the mitsubishi dealer, you've gone too far. Haven't bought from them, but they told my wifey they could get laying hens, not the usual village chickens. You have to order, & they'll let you know when to collect.

We had 4 village chickens given by family. The dogs (4 x GSD) initially ate a couple, since then not interested. But you need to coop them or they (the chickens) scratch around & destroy your veg garden.

Well, we're planning to wait it out or sow seed, even though it's not the first choice variety. Surly malay grass seed must be available from somewhere? What do the turf producers use?

I believe they propagate it from plugs - it spreads fairly quickly. I have malay grass, about 1000 sq m in shady & sunny areas. No problems but needs a lot of watering. OK if you have your own borehole. I also have a water tower, so even though I water a lot, the pump isn't running all the time. Submersible pump runs for a short time to fill the tank.

Turf producers can be found here 18°45'23.65"N, 99° 9'8.93"E and across the road to the south.

I laid my turf in the dry season. Just make sure you saturate the soil before you lay, & roller it. Then water it every day until the roots bed in.

I hate shopping, unless it's a trip to Global House. Onetime, they were playing Elvis Costello over the p.a.