Car recommendations

[Yodarapper]

I test drove a BYD Sealion and was impressed.

i am looking for a car for the family - 2 adults and 2 small kids. Also would be nice to fit the grandparents when they visit from Europe but again this I know is not always.

we drive to school/work every day and then shopping or into Bangkok city center at weekends.

we drive to pattaya and rayong for getaways and Koh Chang etc.

 

can you recommend any suitable cars? Not more than a Million and I am open to electric if it’s a good option but I will want to sell it on when we leave Thailand. Will be putting down around 200K and financing the rest.

THANKS!

[vinny41]

32 minutes ago, Yodarapper said:

I test drove a BYD Sealion and was impressed.

i am looking for a car for the family - 2 adults and 2 small kids. Also would be nice to fit the grandparents when they visit from Europe but again this I know is not always.

we drive to school/work every day and then shopping or into Bangkok city center at weekends.

we drive to pattaya and rayong for getaways and Koh Chang etc.

 

can you recommend any suitable cars? Not more than a Million and I am open to electric if it’s a good option but I will want to sell it on when we leave Thailand. Will be putting down around 200K and financing the rest.

THANKS!

On the EV front suggest you look at MG ZS EV currently on sale for B599K

trips from BKK to  pattaya, rayong and Koh Chang all possible without stopping to recharge

@KhunLA is the MG ZS EV expert on these forums

Its unlikely that there will be any further price reductions on the MG ZS EV as it due to be phased out within the next 6 months

it battery config is modular made up of 6 seperate batteries

[KhunLA]

34 minutes ago, vinny41 said:

On the EV front suggest you look at MG ZS EV currently on sale for B599K

trips from BKK to  pattaya, rayong and Koh Chang all possible without stopping to recharge

@KhunLA is the MG ZS EV expert on these forums

Its unlikely that there will be any further price reductions on the MG ZS EV as it due to be phased out within the next 6 months

it battery config is modular made up of 6 seperate batteries

Here's our experience with the MG ZS EV, (2022) coming up on 2 yrs / 35k kms.  We quite like it, and would definitely purchase it again.  We also had the ICE version for 2 yrs prior to the BEV version.  Safe to say, we really like, and fits our lifestyle, and my back, getting in & out of.  Lower sedans don't work for me, as would open up more options.

 

Main competitor at it's price point (MSRP) is the BYD ATTO 3, which my daughter has, along with a couple AN members, who all seem to enjoy it.  

 

They are spec'd almost identical, and I give the ZS a very slight edge (bias) over the Atto 3, mainly a more comfortable seat, for me.  Design wise, like the modular battery, if needing repair, can fix modules of, instead of replace the whole pack.

 

Whether that option will even be available after the warranty expires is a question mark, as may be discontinued.   Also the battery pack is encased in steel, so should avoid any damage from road hazards vs being encased in plastic.  Has one of the highest IP ratings against moisture & dust entering the battery pack.  An issue that popped up in previous model (2019), which they did have a fix for.

 

@Yodarapper discounted MG ZS EV price of 599k, to rid stock this year, is quite the bargain.   When leaving & selling, at that price point, can't see you losing much, if any.   Our 2 yr old has insured value of 840k now, and we need to renew the policy this moth.

 

New MSRP is 829k.  So 599k is one of,, if not the best bargain out there.  Highly recommend giving one a test drive.

Edited yesterday at 01:43 AM by KhunLA

[1FinickyOne]

Toyota are reliable and service is good and plentiful

[Classic Ray]

1 hour ago, 1FinickyOne said:

Toyota are reliable and service is good and plentiful

I’ve had a Toyota Avanza for ten years from new. Utterly reliable, slow and boring, but cheap to run and service with amazing interior room and seven seats. Tyres last for ever as rear wheel drive. Only ever had to replace two light bulbs, one just a couple of months ago. 
 

Let’s see where these cheap Chinese EVs are in ten years time!

[bkk6060]

I have an MG Z full gas and love it.  Very reilable and plenty of room.

[newnative]

On 10/6/2024 at 7:28 AM, Yodarapper said:

I test drove a BYD Sealion and was impressed.

i am looking for a car for the family - 2 adults and 2 small kids. Also would be nice to fit the grandparents when they visit from Europe but again this I know is not always.

we drive to school/work every day and then shopping or into Bangkok city center at weekends.

we drive to pattaya and rayong for getaways and Koh Chang etc.

 

can you recommend any suitable cars? Not more than a Million and I am open to electric if it’s a good option but I will want to sell it on when we leave Thailand. Will be putting down around 200K and financing the rest.

THANKS!

    Spouse and I have placed an order for a Sealion; it should arrive by the end of the month, we are told.  We were also impressed with it.  We like it is PHEV, which we think will suit us at this point.  Most of our driving is around town, with a monthly trip to Bangkok, so we should mostly be using only electric.   The MG mentioned by other posters also seems like it could be a good option.

[Liverpool Lou]

5 hours ago, 1FinickyOne said:

Toyota are reliable and service is good and plentiful

...as are Honda, Mazda, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Suzuki, Isuzu, Ford, MG, Mercedes, BMW, Volvo, et al!

Edited 4 hours ago by Liverpool Lou

[TroubleandGrumpy]

Used Honda or Toyota - going cheap at the moment - the Thai used car market has taken a dive (more than most).

Only buy from a dealer, unless you know what you are doing with regards rego transfers, ownership checks, etc etc.

Whatever the listed price, offer 30% lower - negotiate from there.

One2car is probably the best website here for used cars.

[Yodarapper]

14 minutes ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Used Honda or Toyota - going cheap at the moment - the Thai used car market has taken a dive (more than most).

Only buy from a dealer, unless you know what you are doing with regards rego transfers, ownership checks, etc etc.

Whatever the listed price, offer 30% lower - negotiate from there.

One2car is probably the best website here for used cars.

I want to finance so think must buy new but thanks for advice!

[Yodarapper]

42 minutes ago, newnative said:

    Spouse and I have placed an order for a Sealion; it should arrive by the end of the month, we are told.  We were also impressed with it.  We like it is PHEV, which we think will suit us at this point.  Most of our driving is around town, with a monthly trip to Bangkok, so we should mostly be using only electric.   The MG mentioned by other posters also seems like it could be a good option.

I drove it and it was class - quiet, inside felt like a private jet 😂

[Yodarapper]

4 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

I have an MG Z full gas and love it.  Very reilable and plenty of room.

That’s what I am driving - been renting for 2 years this is year 3 don’t mind it but mine makes a very loud noise when accelerating

[TroubleandGrumpy]

2 minutes ago, Yodarapper said:

I want to finance so think must buy new but thanks for advice!

You can finance a used car too - the big dealers usually have finance available for their newer used cars, but Somchai in a used car 'tent' will not have that option.   Toyota Sure is a network of certified used car dealers - worth a look on their website.

ซื้อ-ขายรถมือสองกับโตโยต้าชัวร์ ราคาดีมาตรฐานศูนย์ | TOYOTA SURE

 

Regent Home, PPK, BB Smart, Siam Motor World etc are worth a look - if you know what you want to buy.

By that I mean select the Brand and Model you want first - then look for those available.

Not sure how used EV/Hybrids are going, but I assume their prices are down too.

The good thing about buying used is that the prices are low - new car prices here have not dropped at all.

Most dealers will also buy back the car when you have finished with it - I assume you are here for a few years only. 

Avoid the 'tents' - they are not a goods options for a quality near new used car.

Unfortunately, the new car dealers here do not sell used cars - unlike those back in Aust and I assume elsewhere.

The majority of used cars for sale are in Bangkok - they will ship them there from all over. 

 

[bkk6060]

55 minutes ago, Yodarapper said:

That’s what I am driving - been renting for 2 years this is year 3 don’t mind it but mine makes a very loud noise when accelerating

A young Thai male would pay more for that noise. 🙂

[Luuk Chaai]

The Beast

[newnative]

1 hour ago, Yodarapper said:

I drove it and it was class - quiet, inside felt like a private jet 😂

Yes, we were very impressed, too.