An advice needed - buying a used car

[vinny41]

9 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

Indeed, so you can insure the full battery as you do now, or you can pay a reduced rate, and only insure the battery on a sliding scale.

I don't think the new policy is designed that way

I would assume anyone that has purchased their vehicle on finance will be required to purchase the additional battery coverage to 100% so in the event of an accident there is funding to replace the battery

What we don't know yet if you purchase  additional battery coverage to 100% does that mean the battery will be replaced irrespective of the total capital insured amount

Everything published so far doesn't mention reduced  insurance premiums all it states is reduced battery coverage

Thailand's first "EV car insurance", expensive premium based on vehicle price, conditions, co-payment rate if the driver's name doesn't match!

https://www.thairath.co.th/money/personal_finance/insurance/2752308

[JBChiangRai]

You can slide and dice it any way you like but what it really means is your insurance can continue as before covering the whole battery or you can pay a reduced rate, and have the battery covered only partially.

[vinny41]

1 hour ago, JBChiangRai said:

You can slide and dice it any way you like but what it really means is your insurance can continue as before covering the whole battery or you can pay a reduced rate, and have the battery covered only partially.

You understand that the EV insurance for EV for the period prior to 1st January 2024 was simply based on insurance coverage for ICE vehicles but since there was a number of EV claims that hit the headlines last year they have redesigned how EV insurance is covered hence why they are calling the new policy

Thailand's first electric car insurance policy or EV car insurance (2024) will also be enforced this year.

It was also found that although the price trend of electric vehicle insurance premiums in 2024 may gradually decrease in the future. But it may still be higher than general car insurance premiums in the same price range.

https://www.thairath.co.th/money/personal_finance/insurance/2752308

and that is why they have stated

Set depreciation to decrease by 10% per year until a minimum of 50% (from the 5th year onwards).

If you change a new battery You can request additional protection. (There is an additional insurance premium)

Yes you can keep the battery coverage at 100% but for that you will pay for an additional insurance premium

if you choose not to pay the additional insurance premium then the battery protection will decrease by 10% each year as outlined above

[vinny41]

Insurance companies warned of higher risks in covering electric vehicles

During a meeting with members of Thai General Insurance Association, OIC assistant secretary-general Apakorn Panlerd urged insurers to employ risk management strategy in handling EV cases as EVs operate differently from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and therefore carry higher risks.

Apakorn said insurers must carefully consider all related details before providing the insurance, as well as set a suitable premium rate that reflects the true risk of the product. He said companies should also keep in mind that EVs use different parts than ICE vehicles, and certain parts may not be readily available in the market.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40035598

This prices seem expensive to me

https://www.lotussmoney.com/car-insurance/ev

[JBChiangRai]

44 minutes ago, vinny41 said:

You understand that the EV insurance for EV for the period prior to 1st January 2024 was simply based on insurance coverage for ICE vehicles but since there was a number of EV claims that hit the headlines last year they have redesigned how EV insurance is covered hence why they are calling the new policy

Thailand's first electric car insurance policy or EV car insurance (2024) will also be enforced this year.

It was also found that although the price trend of electric vehicle insurance premiums in 2024 may gradually decrease in the future. But it may still be higher than general car insurance premiums in the same price range.

https://www.thairath.co.th/money/personal_finance/insurance/2752308

and that is why they have stated

Set depreciation to decrease by 10% per year until a minimum of 50% (from the 5th year onwards).

If you change a new battery You can request additional protection. (There is an additional insurance premium)

Yes you can keep the battery coverage at 100% but for that you will pay for an additional insurance premium

if you choose not to pay the additional insurance premium then the battery protection will decrease by 10% each year as outlined above

 

30 minutes ago, vinny41 said:

Insurance companies warned of higher risks in covering electric vehicles

During a meeting with members of Thai General Insurance Association, OIC assistant secretary-general Apakorn Panlerd urged insurers to employ risk management strategy in handling EV cases as EVs operate differently from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and therefore carry higher risks.

Apakorn said insurers must carefully consider all related details before providing the insurance, as well as set a suitable premium rate that reflects the true risk of the product. He said companies should also keep in mind that EVs use different parts than ICE vehicles, and certain parts may not be readily available in the market.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40035598

This prices seem expensive to me

https://www.lotussmoney.com/car-insurance/ev

And I keep finding fluff on my bedsheets in the morning.

 

It’s most annoying.

[jaideedave]

On 3/15/2024 at 12:11 PM, Crossy said:

I've fettled the topic title for a bit more clarity.

 

It's worth noting that used cars tend to hold their value here.

So, if you intend keeping it a long time, it may actually pay to buy new.

C...That was my conclusion also. 2 years ago I was in the market.I found several used cars w low kms in lots online but they all wanted us to finance. Thats where they made their money. The difference between new and 1-2 yrs old was so little I decided to buy the new model.

We got a 2021 Toyota Yaris Hatchback which we are very happy with.

Smallish engine but suits our needs perfectly.

My HD engine had larger displacement. 555

[xylophone]

On 3/16/2024 at 5:26 PM, transam said:

Yep, for the money a Suzuki is hard to beat.......

You might be interested in this article from the New Zealand Herald newspaper, Trans............

 

Suzuki NZ tops Canstar Blue customer satisfaction: more 5-star ratings than other 10 brands combined

https://www.drivencarguide.co.nz/news/suzuki-nz-tops-canstar-blue-customer-satisfaction-more-5-star-ratings-than-other-10-brands-combined

[transam]

2 minutes ago, xylophone said:

You might be interested in this article from the New Zealand Herald newspaper, Trans............

 

Suzuki NZ tops Canstar Blue customer satisfaction: more 5-star ratings than other 10 brands combined

https://www.drivencarguide.co.nz/news/suzuki-nz-tops-canstar-blue-customer-satisfaction-more-5-star-ratings-than-other-10-brands-combined

A cheap basic car, it does what it says on the tin, hard to beat if a runaround is all you need...🤗

[OliviaWildson]

On 3/15/2024 at 12:33 AM, Hellfire said:

 I want to buy a used car in Thailand. But, since I am completely incompetent when it comes to car motors and other parts, I am quite worried about being cheated and ending up buying some junk. What can I do to avoid this scenario? Can I hire somebody to help me with the process of choosing the right vehicle? Any other ways? Thank you!

 

 

Yes, you can hire someone and this is the best money you can spend. In Thailand, there are plenty of independent mechanics or services that will inspect a car for you. They’ll spot stuff you’d never even think to check especially if you don't want to buy some junk car and one more way you can check dealers right on internet and learn more about them. But when I was living in Thailand I just brought my friend who had a lot of knowledge about cars and he helped a lot to pick a car

[OliviaWildson]

On 3/15/2024 at 6:33 AM, Hellfire said:

 I want to buy a used car in Thailand. But, since I am completely incompetent when it comes to car motors and other parts, I am quite worried about being cheated and ending up buying some junk. What can I do to avoid this scenario? Any other ways? Thank you!

 

 

 

On 12/4/2024 at 5:17 PM, OliviaWildson said:

Yes, you can hire someone and this is the best money you can spend. In Thailand, there are plenty of independent mechanics or services that will inspect a car for you. They’ll spot stuff you’d never even think to check especially if you don't want to buy some junk car and one more way you can check dealers right on internet and learn more about them. But when I was living in Thailand I just brought my friend who had a lot of knowledge about cars and he helped a lot to pick a car

and you may also look on Reddit for communities that will help you to travel in 

[kwilco]

On 3/15/2024 at 6:47 AM, bkk6060 said:

There are so many accidents here a person would be fortunate to buy one that has not been crashed or have mechanical issues.

if you can't tell that, get a friend to come along who does.

 

THere are a lot of "paranoia" tales about second hand cars - if you know bit about what your after and have researched the prices either private or dealer, you can get a really good deal - especially on 1 or 2 year old cars.

Mileage is so important - learn to tell if the odometer is lying. A good indicator is the drivers seat -  they don't last much more than 300k and after about 160 show signs - so if the o=dometre says 80 k and the seat says 160k, believe the seat.

 

[ignis]

8 hours ago, kwilco said:

if you can't tell that, get a friend to come along who does.

 

THere are a lot of "paranoia" tales about second hand cars - if you know bit about what your after and have researched the prices either private or dealer, you can get a really good deal - especially on 1 or 2 year old cars.

Mileage is so important - learn to tell if the odometer is lying. A good indicator is the drivers seat -  they don't last much more than 300k and after about 160 show signs - so if the o=dometre says 80 k and the seat says 160k, believe the seat.

 

Little problem with that......  depends on the size of the driver, a 50kg drivers seat will still look good at 160 k where as a 160kg driver the seat is badly worm at 80 k

[kwilco]

2 hours ago, ignis said:

Little problem with that......  depends on the size of the driver, a 50kg drivers seat will still look good at 160 k where as a 160kg driver the seat is badly worm at 80 k

No it doesn't....even with a small driver you will see damage. It is not so much the compression as the wear and tear of repeated getting in and out. You can of course use experience to make a judgement but driver seat wear and tear is remarkably consistent.  Certain characteristics only come with mileage.