Car recommendations

[vinny41]

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

Oh contraire ... when you, wife kids & trunk packed up, it would be nice to have a bit more performance, when O&A.  Especially since you're paying for it.  Why settle for less, especially when it cost more.

 

Did state I'm a MG fan, especially after owner other brands from JP.  No different the Toyota fans recommending what they know or read about.   Except, I've owned what I talk about,   Whether recommending or stating, I wouldn't bother again.

 

OP asked for recommendations ... that's what I gave and reason why.  Here on forum & PMs.  

 

Safety & performance, along with fuel economy of a HEV ...  added plus of being less expensive of everything else OP has looked at.  

 

... Toyota Yaris Cross is ฿789,000 - ฿899,000

... Toyota Veloz is ฿795,000–875,000 THB

 

.... MG VS HEV ... ฿699,000 TBH

 

the Veloz is a 7 seater where the MG VS HEV is 5 seats only

when it comes to luggage space 

he Toyota Veloz has a generous amount of luggage space, with 498 liters of boot space when the third row of seats is folded down. Even with all seats occupied, the boot can still fit two cabin bags. The Veloz also has roof rails that can support up to 75 kg of cargo. 

The Veloz is a crossover vehicle that combines features of both SUVs and MPVs. It has a roomy cabin that can comfortably seat up to seven passengers across three rows. The middle row's captain's chairs are designed to be more comfortable and make it easier to access the third row. 

MG VS HEV

Rear luggage space 383 – 1,372 litres (when rear seats are folded)

Unlikely that the op would ever be using with rear seats folded as there would be no space for children to sit

and price range for MG VS HEV is from B699K-B759K

so luggage space on Veloz is 115 litres more than MG VS HEV

https://autolifethailand.tv/discount-price-mg-vs-hev-may-2024/

While pricing is important when buying an car buyers need to check how well do dealerships handle issues when the arise availablity of parts and the overall ownership of your purchase

Here is a survey of UK dealerships on various brands sold in the UK

MG voted worst car manufacturer to represent in Car Dealer Power 2024 survey

Car Dealer Power 2024 poll serves up woeful scores for MG Motor UK

https://cardealermagazine.co.uk/publish/mg-voted-worst-car-manufacturer-to-represent-in-car-dealer-power-2024-survey/304472

 

 

 

[LosLobo]

 

Here's an unbiased comparison summary of the three main contenders from AI ChatGPT.
 

Verdict

 

MG VS Hybrid: Ideal for those seeking a budget-friendly, well-equipped hybrid with solid comfort. However, expect compromises in resale value and hybrid refinement.

Yaris Cross HEV:

Best for urban drivers who want Toyota’s top-tier fuel efficiency, nimble handling, and strong resale potential in a crossover package.

Veloz Hybrid:
Excellent if you need a spacious seven-seater with hybrid efficiency, though its MPV design may not appeal if you prefer a sporty crossover experience.

Overall Recommendation:
For versatility, fuel efficiency, and resale, the Toyota Yaris Cross HEV stands out as the most balanced choice. If extra space is a priority, the Veloz Hybrid offers great capacity and Toyota’s hybrid benefits. The MG VS Hybrid is a solid option if budget is a higher priority, though with trade-offs in resale and hybrid refinement.

[KhunLA]

8 hours ago, vinny41 said:

the Veloz is a 7 seater where the MG VS HEV is 5 seats only

when it comes to luggage space 

he Toyota Veloz has a generous amount of luggage space, with 498 liters of boot space when the third row of seats is folded down. Even with all seats occupied, the boot can still fit two cabin bags. The Veloz also has roof rails that can support up to 75 kg of cargo. 

The Veloz is a crossover vehicle that combines features of both SUVs and MPVs. It has a roomy cabin that can comfortably seat up to seven passengers across three rows. The middle row's captain's chairs are designed to be more comfortable and make it easier to access the third row. 

MG VS HEV

Rear luggage space 383 – 1,372 litres (when rear seats are folded)

Unlikely that the op would ever be using with rear seats folded as there would be no space for children to sit

and price range for MG VS HEV is from B699K-B759K

so luggage space on Veloz is 115 litres more than MG VS HEV

https://autolifethailand.tv/discount-price-mg-vs-hev-may-2024/

While pricing is important when buying an car buyers need to check how well do dealerships handle issues when the arise availablity of parts and the overall ownership of your purchase

Here is a survey of UK dealerships on various brands sold in the UK

MG voted worst car manufacturer to represent in Car Dealer Power 2024 survey

Car Dealer Power 2024 poll serves up woeful scores for MG Motor UK

https://cardealermagazine.co.uk/publish/mg-voted-worst-car-manufacturer-to-represent-in-car-dealer-power-2024-survey/304472

I thought you were pushing safety, which case, I'll take the extra performance over luggage space.  Come in handy for much safer U-turns on Thai roads.  People that live & drive here will understand that importance.

 

You're seriously comparing MG customer service of UK with TH 

 

The Toyota Avanza was a poor seller, and discontinued, so revamp it, and name it the Veloz, and maybe people won't notice 

 

 

Even worst ... Toyota caught submitting better car for safety testing, but production of inferior products.

 

STOP ...  YOU'RE KILLING ME ... You're better at research that this.  Try to keep up. 😎

@Yodarapper

[vinny41]

10 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Oh contraire ... when you, wife kids & trunk packed up, it would be nice to have a bit more performance, when O&A.  Especially since you're paying for it.  Why settle for less, especially when it cost more.

 

Did state I'm a MG fan, especially after owner other brands from JP.  No different the Toyota fans recommending what they know or read about.   Except, I've owned what I talk about,   Whether recommending or stating, I wouldn't bother again.

 

OP asked for recommendations ... that's what I gave and reason why.  Here on forum & PMs.  

 

Hard to beat the MG VS HEV for safety & performance, along with fuel economy of a HEV ...  added plus of being less expensive of everything else OP has looked at.  

 

... Toyota Yaris Cross is ฿789,000 - ฿899,000

... Toyota Veloz is ฿795,000–875,000 THB

 

.... MG VS HEV ... ฿699,000 TBH

 

 

47 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

I thought you were pushing safety, which case, I'll take the extra performance over luggage space.  Come in handy for much safer U-turns on Thai roads.  People that live & drive here will understand that importance.

 

You're seriously comparing MG customer service of UK with TH 

 

The Toyota Avanza was a poor seller, and discontinued, so revamp it, and name it the Veloz, and maybe people won't notice 

 

 

Even worst ... Toyota caught submitting better car for safety testing, but production of inferior products.

 

STOP ...  YOU'RE KILLING ME ... You're better at research that this.  Try to keep up. 😎

@Yodarapper

In your recent post you stated "Except, I've owned what I talk about,   Whether recommending or stating, I wouldn't bother again." I must admit I missed all the posts where you have raved about MG VS HEV ownership

for most families safety is there 1st priority when choosing a motor vehicle although this doesn't always seem to the case in Thailand where I have seen adults riding motorcycles with  helmets and no head protection for the children riding with them

Luggage space is also important if you going away for long weekend to beach children toys, push chairs

As for MG customer service Its made the news this year when a man held a demonstration at the Motor show last march after his car came to a sudden halt while driving with his child

I read that MG identfied the problem of the EP going into safe mode  while using the air con in May 2023

https://ev.iphonemod.net/mg-air-conditioning-system-problems-on-new-mg-ep-clarified/

[KhunLA]

[motdaeng]

vinny, vinny, are you desperate, bored, or both?  

[Ralf001]

On 10/19/2024 at 6:56 PM, Gweiloman said:

Wasn’t there recently a class suit against Ford in Thailand, apparently problems with the Fiesta?

2018.

Fiesta and Focus powershift transmission issues.

 

class actions suits againsts Ford worldwide.

 

Ford Thailand paid out 23m baht to 291 vehicle owners.

[JBChiangRai]

I think the OP mentioned he may be leaving in 2 or 3 years.

 

Depreciation is going to be his biggest enemy.

 

I would be looking for something that depreciates a lot in the first year and much less so over the ensuing 3 years and that's what I would be buying.

[vinny41]

10 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

I think the OP mentioned he may be leaving in 2 or 3 years.

 

Depreciation is going to be his biggest enemy.

 

I would be looking for something that depreciates a lot in the first year and much less so over the ensuing 3 years and that's what I would be buying.

I agree it was wrong timing for op but MG offloaded the ZS last August that was the time to buy if looking for a 5 seater

[vinny41]

22 minutes ago, motdaeng said:

vinny, vinny, are you desperate, bored, or both?  

Why don't you ask KhunLA the same question

[JBChiangRai]

6 minutes ago, vinny41 said:

I agree it was wrong timing for op but MG offloaded the ZS last August that was the time to buy if looking for a 5 seater

 

There are a few unpopular cars that depreciate a lot in the first year and less so after that.

 

Two come to mind, MG5 & Suzuki Ciaz.  No need to spend more than about 350,000 baht.  We have had 2 Suzuki Ciaz's and my youngest daughter now wants an MG5 which I would never buy new.

 

 

[motdaeng]

12 minutes ago, vinny41 said:

Why don't you ask KhunLA the same question

 

you make a valid point ... but i'm quite sure KhunLa is neither desperate nor bored ... 

[vinny41]

12 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

 

There are a few unpopular cars that depreciate a lot in the first year and less so after that.

 

Two come to mind, MG5 & Suzuki Ciaz.  No need to spend more than about 350,000 baht.  We have had 2 Suzuki Ciaz's and my youngest daughter now wants an MG5 which I would never buy new.

 

 

You should try and steer your daughter away from MG5 to something else

The MG 5 sedan has been awarded a zero-star ANCAP safety rating against the latest 2023-2025 testing protocols.

The small sedan is one of two vehicles to receive a zero-star ANCAP safety rating under these latest testing protocols. The other vehicle is the Mahindra Scorpio body-on-frame SUV.

https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/mg-5-receives-zero-star-ancap-safety-rating

[KhunLA]

23 minutes ago, vinny41 said:

Why don't you ask KhunLA the same question

I'm on the forum ... it's a given, I'm a wee bit bored.  Up at 0530, dog & myself for morning P, coffee, and get some reading in.  Wife still snoozing next to us.  Plug drone in to charge up.

 

On 2nd cup, done with YT, local & int'l news (HH / PKK local ... RT / int'l).  Got new NY pizza recipe, and cake mix recipe from scratch.  Got cream cheese out to soften to room temp, for another CheeseCake, low sugar dessert.

 

Need to strain my kefir ... having way too much.

 

On topic ... Toyota, caught out, following VW scam formula, which may have cost them greatly, as both losing customer trust and both closing factories.   Avoid legacy auto makers, as their false old coat tail rep is waning fast with their overpriced crap ... IMHO ... lost all trust in them.

 

MG for us ... CHINA ROCKS

Spec shop always before wasting time at showrooms.

 

MG ZS for ICE, and VS for HEV 

Signing off ... PEACE OUT

[JBChiangRai]

4 minutes ago, vinny41 said:

You should try and steer your daughter away from MG5 to something else

The MG 5 sedan has been awarded a zero-star ANCAP safety rating against the latest 2023-2025 testing protocols.

The small sedan is one of two vehicles to receive a zero-star ANCAP safety rating under these latest testing protocols. The other vehicle is the Mahindra Scorpio body-on-frame SUV.

https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/mg-5-receives-zero-star-ancap-safety-rating

 

Changing a 21 year-old girl's opinion is like trying to herd cats.

[vinny41]

2 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

 

Changing a 21 year-old girl's opinion is like trying to herd cats.

I am sure if you dangle the seal keys in front of her she might say okay Dad

[JBChiangRai]

1 minute ago, vinny41 said:

I am sure if you dangle the seal keys in front of her she might say okay Dad

 

My eldest daughter has her eyes on my Seal.  If that happens the youngest one would have no choice but to take the eldest's MG4 which is a fantastic car.

[KhunLA]

1 hour ago, vinny41 said:

In your recent post you stated "Except, I've owned what I talk about,   Whether recommending or stating, I wouldn't bother again." I must admit I missed all the posts where you have raved about MG VS HEV ownership

for most families safety is there 1st priority when choosing a motor vehicle although this doesn't always seem to the case in Thailand where I have seen adults riding motorcycles with  helmets and no head protection for the children riding with them

Luggage space is also important if you going away for long weekend to beach children toys, push chairs

As for MG customer service Its made the news this year when a man held a demonstration at the Motor show last march after his car came to a sudden halt while driving with his child

I read that MG identfied the problem of the EP going into safe mode  while using the air con in May 2023

https://ev.iphonemod.net/mg-air-conditioning-system-problems-on-new-mg-ep-clarified/

Correct you are, never owned or test driven the VS .... BUT, owned and drive both the ZS ICE & BEV.  

 

Let's compare ZS & VS ... hmm, look at that, twins, and they use the same 1.5L ICE.

 

Weight difference the addition of battery & electric motors ... you think.  Don't think driving the VS, would be much different than the ZSs.

 

[SantiSuk]

On 10/8/2024 at 4:34 AM, brianburi said:

Normally I would agree, but now been waiting a month for new offside mirror to replace the one that was knocked off my Revo while parked up.

Just posted an email to Roojai expressing my concerns.......

...and I have just taken delivery of my Fortuner after 6 months in their repair shop in my local town. An unbelievble number of broken promises along the way. OK - it was a major rebuild and the car looks new and beautiful on return, but front end rebuild only and 6 months fer Chrisakes!

[richard_smith237]

9 minutes ago, SantiSuk said:

...and I have just taken delivery of my Fortuner after 6 months in their repair shop in my local town. An unbelievble number of broken promises along the way. OK - it was a major rebuild and the car looks new and beautiful on return, but front end rebuild only and 6 months fer Chrisakes!

 

Daaaaam.....  Would it not have been better, and safer for you - for the car to have been written off ??

 

How comfortable are you driving a car that took 6 months to repair ???  

[Yellowtail]

8 minutes ago, SantiSuk said:

...and I have just taken delivery of my Fortuner after 6 months in their repair shop in my local town. An unbelievble number of broken promises along the way. OK - it was a major rebuild and the car looks new and beautiful on return, but front end rebuild only and 6 months fer Chrisakes!

Was it an "insurance approved" shop? They take forever 

[KhunLA]

38 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

Was it an "insurance approved" shop? They take forever 

MG repair/body shop was quite good.  I think 6 weeks, all in ? (ins approved), and needed 2 separate part orders, and 2 ins. approvals (2 weeks alone for approvals) as part of the delay.  Body work & axle all done, or so they thought.   Called up, said done, just need to take test drive.  Called back, and said it's going to be a while longer 

 

As rear assembly doesn't sound & feel right.  Another approval for more work.  Aside from slight delay, excellent repair, and you'd never know it had an oops.

 

Rear driver side quarter & door, but rear axle took the brunt of the hit, after the crunchables did their thing.   I tried to change the tire, to drive home, and the body went up, but the tire & axle never left the ground 

 

Sept/Oct ? 2023, < 1 yr old (2022) ... Ouch

[SantiSuk]

On 11/17/2024 at 5:25 PM, Yellowtail said:

Was it an "insurance approved" shop? They take forever 

I was a bit out of it on the day after the accident and the day after. My wife took the decision to accept the offer when approached by the local dealer who had come out on call by a rescue van called by the police I think. I was not gonna grill her later over the detail as I know she will think I'm criticising her for choosing an outfit that took so long and she doesn't deserve that.

For the poster who asked if I feel comfortable driving it. Yes - after taking the drive with the test driver then spending time driving it myself, cautiously then fastish, since delivery (haven't tried above 110kph yet). In the crash it was slowed down by small trees and didn't have a real hard bang against big trees. Panels up front were a bit beaten up, but the frame looked OK and engine had not been moved. Nowhere near write-off territory which is why I think the time taken to repair it was OTT.

 

[richard_smith237]

1 minute ago, SantiSuk said:

For the poster who asked if I feel comfortable driving it. Yes - after taking the drive with the test driver then spending time driving it myself, cautiously then fastish, since delivery (haven't tried above 110kph yet). In the crash it was slowed down by small trees and didn't have a real hard bang against big trees. Panels up front were a bit beaten up, but the frame looked OK and engine had not been moved. Nowhere near write-off territory which is why I think the time taken to repair it was OTT.

 

 

It was me who asked that - fair response !! thumbs up.

 

I'm not sure if the incident was your fault or not or if any other vehicle was involved...   IF the fault of another driver, did you get another car from their insurance to use ???

 

The reason I ask...   my Brother in Law just had his car smashed into (while it was parked) - 100% the other drivers fault, fully insured etc.. but my Brother in Laws car will be off the road for some time...  (I'm guessing a month, but given your story it could be longer)...     I suggest he contacts the other insurance company and demands a car to use in the mean time as he needs it for work - but he doesn't want to press.

 

Meanwhile my motorcycle was off the road (within warranty) and it took a month for a spare part and I had a 'loaner' for a month (which I hardly used as I ride a lot less these days but it was still convenient to have).

 

 

Thus - bringing this back to topic - when getting a new car, perhaps its worth investigating insurance and making sure a loaner (vehicle) is provided if the car is damaged and is stuck in the garage.

 

[SantiSuk]

On 11/18/2024 at 9:14 PM, richard_smith237 said:

 

It was me who asked that - fair response !! thumbs up.

 

I'm not sure if the incident was your fault or not or if any other vehicle was involved...   IF the fault of another driver, did you get another car from their insurance to use ???

 

The reason I ask...   my Brother in Law just had his car smashed into (while it was parked) - 100% the other drivers fault, fully insured etc.. but my Brother in Laws car will be off the road for some time...  (I'm guessing a month, but given your story it could be longer)...     I suggest he contacts the other insurance company and demands a car to use in the mean time as he needs it for work - but he doesn't want to press.

 

Meanwhile my motorcycle was off the road (within warranty) and it took a month for a spare part and I had a 'loaner' for a month (which I hardly used as I ride a lot less these days but it was still convenient to have).

 

 

Thus - bringing this back to topic - when getting a new car, perhaps its worth investigating insurance and making sure a loaner (vehicle) is provided if the car is damaged and is stuck in the garage.

 

The accident was my fault - I fell asleep at the wheel. First accident I've had in 55 years of driving, but that's no excuse. I was aware I was feeling a bit sleepy but thought I could focus through it. Wrong - learnt my lesson the hard way - should have stopped for coffee then stopped for walk-around a couple of times in the 80km journey (it's not rocket science, I'm an idiot). Have felt the need to do that keeping alert/refreshed act one time since and it worked well. I didn't have crash repair replacement within my then insurance. Noticed it as an option for the 1st time when I looked at my AA Insurance agent's postings after the accident! I'll deffo think hard about it at next renewal. Hiring a car locally in Isaan for a weekend (48 hours) cost about 2,000 baht and I must have done that 4-5 times in the 6 months. Otherwise my wife was good hearted about letting me borrow her car, so not a slam dunk that I will take it up, though some could justifiably comment that with my apparent risk profile I should be doing so. I'll think hard when I see the cost for renewal early next year.

Another mistake - had I known it would be 6 months of repair I would have investigated notifying my local Land Transport Office that the car was off the road. I renewed my Car Tax recently (that's what my wife calls it - I'm a Brit so I call  it Road Tax) - talking about that tax disc you put inside your windscreen corner. Went to renew my Road Tax earlier this week as it had expired in June - one month into the repair period. I asked my wife to enquire if it was possible that I did not need to pay for the full one year period given that  the car was off the road being rebuilt from June to a few days ago, expecting that they would say you should have notified us at the right time so no, to which I would have asked 'what if I get a letter from the repairer or insurance agent saying that the car has been off the road. Unfortunately my wife gave a display that is so typical of Thai wives I believe (based on reading Asean Now and it's forerunnner, Thai Visa.com, for 15 years).
She knew the answer (she never knows the answer she just guesses) - "you just have to pay up for a year like everybody else" quoth she. I didn't have the energy to try out my basic Thai with the Road Tax counter ladies against a backdrop of wifey agreeing with them; counter staff had already shown a distaste for communicating with a foreigner. So I shut up and paid up - anything for an easy life.

Anybody know the rules about Road Tax and vehicles being kept off the road out of interest? 

[bizader]

My recommendations based on  the OP's requirement:

 

1. If OP needs to resell when leaving, then go for a Hybrid or ICE, not EV - Toyota Veloz (hybrid not available), the new Mitsubishi Expander Hybrid or the new Honda HRV would fit the criteria for space and are significantly below the THB 1m mark. I won't recommend the Toyota Yaris Cross as it is basically a Daihatsu and they had issues regarding false testing (?)

 

2. If OP really wants to an EV, then the BYD Atto or the MG4 are fairly good options and they are selling on huge discounts now. However EVs are hard to resell in Thailand and some of my friends are having issues with renewing their insurance due to very high premiums on EVs.

 

Hope the above helps.

 

[LosLobo]

18 hours ago, bizader said:

My recommendations based on  the OP's requirement:

 

1. If OP needs to resell when leaving, then go for a Hybrid or ICE, not EV - Toyota Veloz (hybrid not available), the new Mitsubishi Expander Hybrid or the new Honda HRV would fit the criteria for space and are significantly below the THB 1m mark. I won't recommend the Toyota Yaris Cross as it is basically a Daihatsu and they had issues regarding false testing (?)

 

2. If OP really wants to an EV, then the BYD Atto or the MG4 are fairly good options and they are selling on huge discounts now. However EVs are hard to resell in Thailand and some of my friends are having issues with renewing their insurance due to very high premiums on EVs.

 

Hope the above helps.

 

A scandal involving Toyota and four other Japanese automakers (Honda, Mazda, Suzuki, and Yamaha) uncovered testing irregularities, where stricter in-house conditions were used instead of required government standards.

Japan vehicle testing scandal inexcusable, but it also exposes outdated processes: Analysts | The Star

[KhunLA]

@Yodarapper I know you're leaning toward an EV now, but I just passed the MG dealer, and had their MG ZS (ICE) promo on display, and have to say, I'd be buying one at ฿559k.

 

Especially since you'll only be here for 3 ish year, I think said.  By then the price wars should be over, and even the EV govt incentives maybe, which means when reselling, should get a nice price.

 

No wall charger hassle.  No entertaining the kids at CS (charging station), as I think you work, so you'll be traveling O&A on weekends and long weekends, when everyone else is, so I'd expect Qs at the CS.

 

Since I'm one of the EV fanboys, that's saying quite a bit from me.

[JBChiangRai]

I wouldn’t be buying any ICE no matter what the price

[KhunLA]

25 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

I wouldn’t be buying any ICE no matter what the price

Nah, me neither ... but, if I was in a foreign country, and being thrifty, know my time their will be short, then maybe.

 

I'm use to the performance, and I couldn't go back to putt putt around in a ICEV.   Being thrifty and playing the long game, it will pay for itself in petrol saving and maintenance hassles, expense.  Having solar makes it a no brainer for us.

 

I'd be an idiot not to have a BEV