7 Types of Used Cars to Avoid in Thailand

[bkk_mike]

On 10/24/2024 at 6:13 PM, SingAPorn said:

In recent visits in Europe, I was surprised in seeing a few Audi's and VW's parked aside the highways due to some kind of breakdown. Also saw a few BMW's but less.

 

Keep in mind that the so called great brands of Germany are rarely assembled in Germany. They use many 2nd or 3rd grade countries in eastern europe to assemble the cars. Also have in mind that your Audi or similar has more then half of it's components, Made in  (Guess where)....China!!

 

All this to say., imagine Thailand in that case. I'd go only for either a Japanese or Chinese now. Nothing else for sure and definately not anything American or even from the EU.

Rules of origin mean most of the mechanical components won't be made in China, because so much of the electronics is imported, they have to use enough local parts to still sell it globally as an EU car.

That's why the EU and UK are having problems with meeting rules of origin on EVs - because they're importing batteries...

[Captor]

On 9/30/2024 at 6:02 AM, Lacessit said:

There is nothing wrong with LPG, provided it is properly installed in engines with hardened valve seats. IME such engines will last just as long as one fueled by gasoline.

 

CNG is a different matter. Cylinder head temperatures approach 600 C. In addition, 25,000 psi storage pressure means the vehicle has to cart around another 100 kg of steel tank, and said tank has to be pressure tested every year before registering. IMO any cost saving is offset by the above factors.

 

 

Do you mean cars with LPG from the factory only? I guess that it is not easy to fix hardened valve seats in a normal gasoline engine. 

 

Do they really need hardened valve seats. I guess most LPG cars in Thailand don't have that.

 

[Lacessit]

1 hour ago, Captor said:

Do you mean cars with LPG from the factory only? I guess that it is not easy to fix hardened valve seats in a normal gasoline engine. 

 

Do they really need hardened valve seats. I guess most LPG cars in Thailand don't have that.

 

It's preferable to have CNG and LPG cars with the two factory  fitted.

 

LPG cylinder head temperatures are intermediate, hotter than gasoline, cooler than CNG.

 

It's the luck of the draw with fitting after-market LPG kits in Thailand. Some brands will have hardened valve seats, some not.

 

I had dual-fuel cars, used to run them sequentially on quarter a tank of gasoline, then a full tank of LPG.

[Captor]

4 hours ago, Lacessit said:

It's preferable to have CNG and LPG cars with the two factory  fitted.

 

LPG cylinder head temperatures are intermediate, hotter than gasoline, cooler than CNG.

 

It's the luck of the draw with fitting after-market LPG kits in Thailand. Some brands will have hardened valve seats, some not.

 

I had dual-fuel cars, used to run them sequentially on quarter a tank of gasoline, then a full tank of LPG.

OK. And yes I think it is important to use gasoline too for the greasing purpose as LPG is more "dry" and cleaner than gasoline. And because of that running more hot. So the engines need to use gasoline also. Maybe 25% of the driving is a good rule as you say. Also the service is important, changing filters for example. I don't think Thai drivers are so good at that part. So better not buy a car with LPG from a Thai owner.

 

Then there is the brand of the LPG equipment. I would avoid Indian brands for example. There are brands from Nederland, Italy and Hungary that are better. I think that Prinse brand from Nederland is very good. Maybe there are others as well?

 

About hardened valve seats, how to find out what car model has that when buying a used gadoline car? Is there a way to find out?

Maybe the garages that are mounting the LPG equipment knows that so need to talk to them before buying a car?

[Lacessit]

4 minutes ago, Captor said:

OK. And yes I think it is important to use gasoline too for the greasing purpose as LPG is more "dry" and cleaner than gasoline. And because of that running more hot. So the engines need to use gasoline also. Maybe 25% of the driving is a good rule as you say. Also the service is important, changing filters for example. I don't think Thai drivers are so good at that part. So better not buy a car with LPG from a Thai owner.

 

Then there is the brand of the LPG equipment. I would avoid Indian brands for example. There are brands from Nederland, Italy and Hungary that are better. I think that Prinse brand from Nederland is very good. Maybe there are others as well?

 

About hardened valve seats, how to find out what car model has that when buying a used gadoline car? Is there a way to find out?

Maybe the garages that are mounting the LPG equipment knows that so need to talk to them before buying a car?

Back in Australia, there is a Mitsubishi Magna. I fitted it with LPG after-market at 80,000 km. It's now on 330,000 km. Nothing wrong with the engine, the transmission is a bit fragile.

 

I guess the best way to find out whether an engine has hardened valve seats is to ask the manufacturer. At a Thai garage, it's possible you will be told what they think you want to hear.

[mortenaa]

Car parts usually take 2-5 days to reach the country from all over the word 🤫

[In Full Agreement]

On 10/15/2024 at 7:18 PM, ruddick said:

I had a Nissan Cefiro in 2005 put it on LPG. Still working on LPG now, but with 2nd engine and 2nd LPG system. The car has done 350K Kms and is still going.

Now have a Toyota Camry it has been running on LPG over two years with no problems. Every year we take the car back to the installation garage for a service. 

We did the same with the Nissan previously. 

Providing you can find a good shop to install and maintain your LPG system it should be no problem.

 

 

 

 

My ex gave away the Lexus LS 400 I gave her after it reached 350 Kilos

 

 

[Captor]

On 12/4/2024 at 6:21 AM, Lacessit said:

Back in Australia, there is a Mitsubishi Magna. I fitted it with LPG after-market at 80,000 km. It's now on 330,000 km. Nothing wrong with the engine, the transmission is a bit fragile.

 

I guess the best way to find out whether an engine has hardened valve seats is to ask the manufacturer. At a Thai garage, it's possible you will be told what they think you want to hear.

Yes, I think you are right. 

[SiSePuede419]

Anything that's not a Toyota or Honda owned by someone who isn't rich enough to change the oil every 6 months (oil degrades in the stupid heat in 6 months regardless of mileage).

Don't be a fool to buy a Bangkok vehicle that's been in a flood or overheated in a 2 hour traffic jam because it was so <deleted> hot they couldn't turn off the AC and the engine overheated. 🐣

 

[Luuk Chaai]

On 10/15/2024 at 3:36 PM, Mukdahan Mark said:

Not fair to call all Chinese vehicles unworthy!  They lead the field in many areas!

start with ..... zero dollar tours

Human waste is used as an agricultural fertilizer in China 

knock offs ..  such as unauthorized use or reproduction of copyrighted material, trademark infringement, trade secret theft, and patent infringement.  .   which covers just about everything they make

[Thingamabob]

The points raised apply to buying a used car in any country, not only in Thailand.