Buying car in thailand - best value for money

[orlandian]

I am planning to buy a new car (mazda3/civic/altis/jazz or something in that class) and wondering which make/model will provide the best value for the money.
Toyota altis(corolla) is about 40% more expensive here than in USA ($28306 in TH vs $20430 in USA for the base model)

Are the other models/makes are also more expensive than USA like this?

The car is mostly for traveling around Thailand and not planning to drive much in BKK.

 

Is it possible to register car with an affidavit from the embassy? (instead of a resident certificate from immigration)

[geoffbezoz]

Value for money is a relative term, also very personal in its assessment. Compared with low auto taxed countries then I suspect there is nothing that could be adjudged value for money in Thailand compared to the US.

[richard_smith237]

Cars are more expensive here, while other things are cheaper (Petrol / servicing etc).

It's not really that useful to compare prices to vehicles in our home country because there is an element of irrelevance as we are not in our home countries. 

 

In evaluation value for money we can only consider the costs in Thailand vs how much value we would get out of a vehicle along with other factors, cost of resale, cost of service, cost of fuel and insurance etc... it would also be worth considering cost of alternatives such as Taxi's or even a motorcycle if that would suit you. 

 

Then there is the safety factor - getting car because you consider it much safer than a motorcycle or safer than relying on someone else to drive etc etc etc... 

 

Regarding value for money - Traditionally Toyota have been the 'go to' best value for money vehicles in Thailand as their resale is generally higher. 

 

On your final question: 

You can own a vehicle in your name on any type of visa. You can register a vehicle in your name with an 'Affirmation of Residence' from your Embassy. 

In buying outright things are easier. If told you can't own (for whatever reason) your information is from those uninformed, even those within the industry.

 

 

[orlandian]

26 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Cars are more expensive here, while other things are cheaper (Petrol / servicing etc).

It's not really that useful to compare prices to vehicles in our home country because there is an element of irrelevance as we are not in our home countries. 

 

In evaluation value for money we can only consider the costs in Thailand vs how much value we would get out of a vehicle along with other factors, cost of resale, cost of service, cost of fuel and insurance etc... it would also be worth considering cost of alternatives such as Taxi's or even a motorcycle if that would suit you. 

 

Then there is the safety factor - getting car because you consider it much safer than a motorcycle or safer than relying on someone else to drive etc etc etc... 

 

Regarding value for money - Traditionally Toyota have been the 'go to' best value for money vehicles in Thailand as their resale is generally higher. 

 

On your final question: 

You can own a vehicle in your name on any type of visa. You can register a vehicle in your name with an 'Affirmation of Residence' from your Embassy. 

In buying outright things are easier. If told you can't own (for whatever reason) your information is from those uninformed, even those within the industry.

 

 

Thank you very much. Lot of good information here.

In states I used to own an Infinity G35 and driving around on your own was fun. Getting rid of it when I moved out of US was not easy as the resale value/market was not good.

Edited July 29, 2019 by orlandian

[richard_smith237]

1 minute ago, orlandian said:

Thank you very much. Lot of good information here.

In states I used to own an Infinity G35 and driving around on your own was fun. Getting rid of it when I moved out of US was not easy as the resale market was not good.

All of my cars here sold fairly easily (within about 3 months - I was in no hurry and achieved the price I wanted). 

 

I've had 6 cars in Thailand, and now we have a family car which my Wife mostly uses, there was no need for us to have a car each. I have since bought a motorcycle to get around.

 

Cars are just cars - I used to love them and have had a couple of special motors, these days I just get something convenient.

 

one2car.com is a good site to check out the costs of cars in Thailand. 

[KittenKong]

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

Cars are more expensive here, while other things are cheaper (Petrol / servicing etc).

From what I remember petrol (gasoline) is actually cheaper in the US than it is here. At least it was in the parts that I went to.

 

[richard_smith237]

13 minutes ago, KittenKong said:

From what I remember petrol (gasoline) is actually cheaper in the US than it is here. At least it was in the parts that I went to.

 

Correct, if comparing directly to the US (which I think the Op was).

 

As a reference: Petrol / Gas in Thailand is cheaper than many places and cheaper than the global average: 

 

USA Price Av:              $0.812 Liter

UK Price Av:                £1.28 Liter  (US$1.58)

France Price Av:          €1.34 Liter (US$1.49)

Thailand Price Av:       THB 36.34 Litre (US$ 1.18)

World Average:           THB46.88 Litre (US$1.53)

 

It would be interesting to see the 'cost of labor' (or mechanics cost per hour) for work carried out on cars when being serviced. 

 

I know many brands are offering free servicing and 5 or even 7 year warranties of new cars these days. 

[Inn Between]

Your best new car value in Thailand is a scooter, of course. Cars in Thailand seem to be twice the sticker price they are in Canada, but scooters are 1/2 to 1/3 the price.

 

Yes, I know they're different, and not everyone is keen to get around on two wheels, but once you start, it's hard to get back into the car, I found. 

[orlandian]

16 hours ago, Inn Between said:

Your best new car value in Thailand is a scooter, of course. Cars in Thailand seem to be twice the sticker price they are in Canada, but scooters are 1/2 to 1/3 the price.

I see. I was concerned about the safety. But I guess it is not much of an issue in less densely populated provinces?

[transam]

16 hours ago, Inn Between said:

Your best new car value in Thailand is a scooter, of course. Cars in Thailand seem to be twice the sticker price they are in Canada, but scooters are 1/2 to 1/3 the price.

 

Yes, I know they're different, and not everyone is keen to get around on two wheels, but once you start, it's hard to get back into the car, I found. 

Getting wet or being wiped out by a bloke in his truck who thinks he can drive because of his new sunglasses is not my idea of fun travel when on two wheels..

[fredob43]

21 hours ago, orlandian said:

Is it possible to register car with an affidavit from the embassy? (instead of a resident certificate from immigration)

When I obtained my new lump all they needed was my passport. It has everything in it, Immigration form where I live and all my other details visa.

I did pay cash (bankers draft) and I do have a yellow book but they didn't want that. Took 3 days to get the lump as they had to do some bit's tints etc on it. Simple.

Edited July 30, 2019 by fredob43

[Don Mega]

1 minute ago, fredob43 said:

When I obtained my new lump all they needed was my passport. It has everything in it, Immigration form where I live and all my other details.

I did pay cash (bankers draft) and I do have a yellow book but they didn't want that. Took 3 days to get the lump as they had to do some bit's tints etc on it. Simple.

What immigration form is it ?

[transam]

2 minutes ago, fredob43 said:

When I obtained my new lump all they needed was my passport. It has everything in it, Immigration form where I live and all my other details visa.

I did pay cash (bankers draft) and I do have a yellow book but they didn't want that. Took 3 days to get the lump as they had to do some bit's tints etc on it. Simple.

I think "lump" refers to an engine..

[fredob43]

1 minute ago, Don Mega said:

What immigration form is it ?

Receipt of Notification Where I live. Done by the wife when we registered, from local IO stamped and signed.

[Don Mega]

2 minutes ago, fredob43 said:

Receipt of Notification Where I live. Done by the wife when we registered, from local IO stamped and signed.

Ahhh righto so proof of address.

I read your post wrong.

[fredob43]

12 minutes ago, Don Mega said:

Ahhh righto so proof of address.

I read your post wrong.

It is a legal document from IO. That's all they required. Seemed fine for them. So who am I to argue.

Oh forgot they did want my Thai driving licence for insurance. I think that's because I insure it owner driver only. And before anyone says cheap charley I save 6th + bt doing it that way. (Wife cant drive a car)

Edited July 30, 2019 by fredob43

[Don Mega]

1 minute ago, fredob43 said:

It is a legal document from IO. That's all they required. Seemed fine for them. So who am I to argue.

Oh forgot they did want my Thai driving licence for insurance. I think that's because I insure it owner driver only. And before anyone says cheap charley I save 6th + bt doing it that way. (Wife cant drive a car)

Not disagreeing with  you at all I just read your post wrong.

 

My passport also contains everything I need including my work permit and what ever other govment docs ive collected along the way.

[fredob43]

5 minutes ago, Don Mega said:

Not disagreeing with  you at all I just read your post wrong.

 

My passport also contains everything I need including my work permit and what ever other govment docs ive collected along the way.

Don't do work gave that up years ago. (retired early) So haven't a clue what they contain. But that should be fine if you or any other person requires proof of address. Try not to work to hard.

[fredob43]

39 minutes ago, transam said:

I think "lump" refers to an engine..

Suggest you look up the definition of the word LUMP you might educate yourself.

[Kurtf]

My advice would be to only buy a new car and if you absolutely determined to buy a used one by absolutely sure it was never owned by a Thai. They have no concept of preventative maintenance.

[DavisH]

Get an SUV if you plan to spend most of your time travelling around Thailand rather than in Bangkok. A 2 or 3 year old fortuner could cost about the same as a new sedan. An SUV will cope with bad roads better and diesel versions are desirable for their fuel economy and can handle mountainous areas better.

[transam]

35 minutes ago, fredob43 said:

Suggest you look up the definition of the word LUMP you might educate yourself.

I did, something to do with ones neck....????

[wolf81]

I'd get a Toyota, just because the brand is known for quality and repairability. And personally I feel a pick-up is better to have in Thailand compared to a small car, unless you only stay in the city, then a small car is just fine.

[orlandian]

2 hours ago, fredob43 said:

Receipt of Notification Where I live. Done by the wife when we registered, from local IO stamped and signed.

I haven't done a TM30 ever and worried they will fine me 2000 THB if I try to do it now. Hence the affidavit from embassy. Hope they will accept that.

Edited July 30, 2019 by orlandian

[jack7106]

On 7/29/2019 at 4:47 PM, geoffbezoz said:

Value for money is a relative term, also very personal in its assessment. Compared with low auto taxed countries then I suspect there is nothing that could be adjudged value for money in Thailand compared to the US.

The only thing that I could find that I believe was value for money and if not cheaper than Australian prices were Thailand made pick ups. Ford Ranger Wildtrack for example????????????

[Medicine Man]

The Thai built cars offer the best value for money. I'm interested in the Honda Civic, well built and lots of current technology plus drives far better than a pickup or SUV if you plan on long distance trips. I just need the pound to recover so I don't feel too bad about the cost...

[Inn Between]

6 hours ago, transam said:

Getting wet or being wiped out by a bloke in his truck who thinks he can drive because of his new sunglasses is not my idea of fun travel when on two wheels..

Gee, I sure am glad there was somebody to point out the extremely obvious that 2-wheeled transportation is less convenient and more dangerous than a car.

 

Perhaps there are couple of blathering idiots who can't figure that out for themselves and needed that help, but I suspect about 99.9999% of the population already knows that if a person is exposed to the elements, they will get wet if in the rain, and I'm going to go out even further on a limb and assume that the same number of people can figure out by themselves that not having 4 wheels, a frame and a metal shell surrounding them in an accident is more dangerous than having it.

 

 

Edited July 30, 2019 by Inn Between

[Inn Between]

6 hours ago, orlandian said:

I see. I was concerned about the safety. But I guess it is not much of an issue in less densely populated provinces?

Concern about your safety is important anywhere. Don't be lulled into the idea that riding a bike is any safer in less densely populated provinces.

 

Riding a motorcycle is obviously more dangerous than driving a car, but millions of people ride them, some by choice and some by economic necessity. Then there are some who will not go near one and even those who may choose to make judgmental remarks about them and assumptions about the people who do.

 

It's a world of choices, and you should do what you fell comfortable with, whether that's making sarcastic comments or riding a bike. 

[alien365]

4 hours ago, Kurtf said:

My advice would be to only buy a new car and if you absolutely determined to buy a used one by absolutely sure it was never owned by a Thai. They have no concept of preventative maintenance.

That's not exactly true. I get my car serviced every 10k and there's plenty of Thais who do the same.

[JAS21]

5 minutes ago, alien365 said:

That's not exactly true. I get my car serviced every 10k and there's plenty of Thais who do the same.

When you go to register your new car at the LTO you will find that you need just a little more paperwork...