What Car?

[GuyFawkes]

Looking to buy a car, but which one?  Budget 800,000 cash.

Had vios, city  almera and yaris suggested,

Almera and yaris on paper would seem under-powered.

Not much to choose between vios or city except many service points for vios.

 

I know zilch about cars so any recommendation within my budget would be appreciated

 

Thank you

[AndyAndyAndy]

Hilux Vigo or Revo ????

[Lacessit]

12 minutes ago, AndyAndyAndy said:

Hilux Vigo or Revo ????

He's asking about sedans, not trucks.

The OP could also spend considerably less buying a low mileage secondhand vehicle.

As he says, Vios and City seem the best on paper. Vios would get my vote because every mechanic in Thailand knows them.

Edited June 30, 2020 by Lacessit

[Laza 45]

As I've mentioned in other car posts.. We got a City.. a bit roomier than the other small cars..  Honda dealerships everywhere.  The local dealership has treated us really well.  When I went to look at the others they didn't really care if we were there or not.. so went with Honda. With your 800K  you can get all the bells and whistles..  We got the V+ model.. hands free phone.. sound system.. reversing camera (love it).. door handle trim..fog lights..(which we will probably never use).... but not the spoiler and all that other trim.. Very nice to drive lots of power when you want it.. Have a sit in one and see how you like it.. 

[transam]

At least you have gone for reliability cars, my friend has a Vios, not very exciting but it does the job admirably, 5 years old with no hiccups.

 

I personally like Honda stuff, I have the use of a 2009 1.8 Civic, never a problem, only had new shocks all round, also a manual Honda Jazz, that I think is 13 years old, never a problem except the clutch slave or master cylinder has just failed. Impressive stuff.

 

If I had your budget I would go for a Suzuki Swift GLX and save a few quid...

 

 

[stephenterry]

Best looking car is the new Mini Cooper SD in racing green colour - but it's out of your price range, unfortunately. Otherwise I'd stick to Honda every day - the Honda Jazz RS is within your price range (750+), and a superb looker and performer.

 

However, in the modern world hybrid cars will eventually become the norm - they're becoming more sophisticated every year with automatic charging on some models like the Lexus.  With a cash balance of 800k, I would be tempted to hold fire, buy second hand, or look to buy a main dealer's promotion car - if available. 

Edited June 30, 2020 by stephenterry
addition

[stouricks]

12 minutes ago, Laza 45 said:

hands free phone.. sound system.. reversing camera (love it).. door handle trim..fog lights.

Are these not standard on most cars these days.............well don't know about the door handle trim!

[Laza 45]

46 minutes ago, stouricks said:

Are these not standard on most cars these days.............well don't know about the door handle trim!

You get what you pay for.. 

[GuyFawkes]

Thank you all for your replies.  I forgot to include the MG at 799,000 but I am not sure about reliability or servicing availability.

NEW MG ZS

1.5L X

NEW MG ZS

1.5L X

[AtlasAus]

1 hour ago, Laza 45 said:

As I've mentioned in other car posts.. We got a City.. a bit roomier than the other small cars..  Honda dealerships everywhere.  The local dealership has treated us really well.  When I went to look at the others they didn't really care if we were there or not.. so went with Honda. With your 800K  you can get all the bells and whistles..  We got the V+ model.. hands free phone.. sound system.. reversing camera (love it).. door handle trim..fog lights..(which we will probably never use).... but not the spoiler and all that other trim.. Very nice to drive lots of power when you want it.. Have a sit in one and see how you like it.. 

We have the city also, but I must say the fuel economy is woeful.... It's not a big engine but it sure loves the gas. We had a CRV before it and it was also very thirsty.... My Mazda 6 back home is much bigger all round and uses so much less... 

Having said that the City goes well with a full load up to the village when required, easily sticking to the speed limit and more.... Has been very reliable to date. 

12 minutes ago, GuyFawkes said:

Thank you all for your replies.  I forgot to include the MG at 799,000 but I am not sure about reliability or servicing availability.

NEW MG ZS

1.5L X

NEW MG ZS

1.5L X

My Wife would one of the new MGs but like you I am not sure about the reliability just yet... They are relatively new to the market both here and Australia, I am not ready to commit yet. 

 

I for one love Hyundai, but have no idea why they are not readily available here, they are a big seller back home and come with good warranty and servicing. 

 

As for the secondhand market here, they are very high priced and for not a lot more you could get a new model.... Maybe hang on for a while, if this virus takes hold in a second wave then I am sure there will be many bargains to be had. 

[Laza 45]

8 minutes ago, AtlasAus said:

We have the city also, but I must say the fuel economy is woeful.... It's not a big engine but it sure loves the gas. We had a CRV before it and it was also very thirsty.... My Mazda 6 back home is much bigger all round and uses so much less... 

Having said that the City goes well with a full load up to the village when required, easily sticking to the speed limit and more.... Has been very reliable to date. 

My Wife would one of the new MGs but like you I am not sure about the reliability just yet... They are relatively new to the market both here and Australia, I am not ready to commit yet. 

 

I for one love Hyundai, but have no idea why they are not readily available here, they are a big seller back home and come with good warranty and servicing. 

 

As for the secondhand market here, they are very high priced and for not a lot more you could get a new model.... Maybe hang on for a while, if this virus takes hold in a second wave then I am sure there will be many bargains to be had. 

I haven't checked the fuel economy closely but doesn't seem to use that much.... considering I have the air con up high most of the time... we normally only do short drives ...shopping..  I put in 500 Bt ever couple of weeks or so ..so haven't worried about the fuel economy.  I read somewhere that the new 2020 model has a more fuel efficient engine.. worth checking..  

 

My wife liked the MG  .. but like you I wasn't convinced that the build would be as good as the Honda... 

 

Thinking of the virus and good deals I think there would be new 2019 models that hadn't sold yet.. should be a good discount on them... maybe.. 

[Lacessit]

33 minutes ago, GuyFawkes said:

Thank you all for your replies.  I forgot to include the MG at 799,000 but I am not sure about reliability or servicing availability.

NEW MG ZS

1.5L X

NEW MG ZS

1.5L X

MG's are Chinese owned. Apart from any reliability or servicing issues, I would not be helping the economy of a country that has wrecked so many others.

Edited June 30, 2020 by Lacessit

[Lacessit]

14 minutes ago, AtlasAus said:

 

I for one love Hyundai, but have no idea why they are not readily available here, they are a big seller back home and come with good warranty and servicing. 

 

As for the secondhand market here, they are very high priced and for not a lot more you could get a new model.... Maybe hang on for a while, if this virus takes hold in a second wave then I am sure there will be many bargains to be had. 

Korean makes are not manufactured in Thailand, so they get the 100% duty. The Koreans know their brands sell well elsewhere, so they don't bother with the Thai market. Go to Laos, there's plenty of Korean cars there.

 

To address your second point, I bought a secondhand Mazda 2 with 11,000 km on the odometer for 440,000 baht. That particular version has a RRP of 600,000 baht. Maybe 160,000 baht is not a lot to you.

[stouricks]

1 hour ago, GuyFawkes said:

Thank you all for your replies.  I forgot to include the MG at 799,000 but I am not sure about reliability or servicing availability.

NEW MG ZS

1.5L X

NEW MG ZS

1.5L X

Where's the MG made? Certainly not at Morris Garages in England!    PML

[Laza 45]

12 minutes ago, stouricks said:

Where's the MG made? Certainly not at Morris Garages in England!    PML

China..

[stouricks]

5 minutes ago, Laza 45 said:

China..

Nuff said.

 

[transam]

2 hours ago, stephenterry said:

Best looking car is the new Mini Cooper SD in racing green colour - but it's out of your price range, unfortunately. Otherwise I'd stick to Honda every day - the Honda Jazz RS is within your price range (750+), and a superb looker and performer.

 

However, in the modern world hybrid cars will eventually become the norm - they're becoming more sophisticated every year with automatic charging on some models like the Lexus.  With a cash balance of 800k, I would be tempted to hold fire, buy second hand, or look to buy a main dealer's promotion car - if available. 

2 million baht for a BMW mini car is extremely daft, in my opinion......

[Tagged]

All the runaway sales I have seen lately, you can get a nice CAR for 350 000,- +-

 

If you are on some of the Facebook expat fora! 

[Mavideol]

2 hours ago, GuyFawkes said:

Thank you all for your replies.  I forgot to include the MG at 799,000 but I am not sure about reliability or servicing availability.

NEW MG ZS

1.5L X

NEW MG ZS

1.5L X

Chinese car maker...... skeptical

[transam]

2 hours ago, GuyFawkes said:

Thank you all for your replies.  I forgot to include the MG at 799,000 but I am not sure about reliability or servicing availability.

NEW MG ZS

1.5L X

NEW MG ZS

1.5L X

My friend has a new-ish Chinese MG ZS, power steering failed, tow truck job...????

[Moonlover]

54 minutes ago, Laza 45 said:

1 hour ago, stouricks said:

Where's the MG made? Certainly not at Morris Garages in England!    PML

 

54 minutes ago, Laza 45 said:

China..

MG cars are built in Thailand.

 

https://www.mgcars.com/en/NewsActivities/Detail/MG_New_Factory

[Laza 45]

1 hour ago, stouricks said:

Nuff said.

 

...so I believed but now have been told that they have been made in Thailand for the last 3 years.. Just shows you can't believe everything your friends tell you!  https://www.mgcars.com/en/NewsActivities/Detail/MG_New_Factory

[stouricks]

1 minute ago, Laza 45 said:

...so I believed but now have been told that they have been made in Thailand for the last 3 years.. Just shows you can't believe everything your friends tell you!  https://www.mgcars.com/en/NewsActivities/Detail/MG_New_Factory

So now Chinese cars, built by Thais!    PML

 

[xtrnuno41]

[Andrew Dwyer]

What about the Xpander ?? goes at around 800k and looks good IMO.

See a new Sport version out, Xpander  Cross, for around 899k, looks great .

[transam]

44 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

 

MG cars are built in Thailand.

 

https://www.mgcars.com/en/NewsActivities/Detail/MG_New_Factory

Like most stuff....

 

Plus, the MG badge does not make it a British MG. How many parts come from the UK..?

The MG pickup is a re-badged Chinese ride...

[GuyFawkes]

Just seen the Honda BR-V,  5 seater,  I wonder if 1.5Ltr engine make it underpowered.   

[Lacessit]

27 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

What about the Xpander ?? goes at around 800k and looks good IMO.

See a new Sport version out, Xpander  Cross, for around 899k, looks great .

Mitsubishi make good cars. They just don't market them very well.

[liddelljohn]

Mazda 2  wonderful car I have 2 of them ,, much nicer to drive than Jazz or Yaris  both now 7 years old and over 140k  totally reliable

 

[GuyFawkes]

43 minutes ago, xtrnuno41 said:

Where's Fred and Barney?