Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted

I know this is a little like how long is a piece of string, so let's add some details.

 

I live in the middle of Bangkok and most of the time I ride my own motorcycle. Sometimes I use a taxi to go to places which are outside of the city. And sometimes I use a taxi because I want to transport something heavy.

 

Most of the time taxis do the job, but sometimes they are annoying. Maybe they are the annoying taxi-no-meter, maybe there are just very few taxis, etc. And the situation is the same with Bolt. Yesterday about 9:30 Bolt showed sometimes 30min waiting time or no cars available at all.

For this reason, I consider buying a car.

 

I have a license in Thailand, and I drove hundred thousand kilometers in cars in Europe. In Thailand I never owned a car.

If I buy a car, it should just do the job, like a boring taxi. I don't want to buy any fancy expensive car. The main points are that the car should be reliable and not expensive to run. With expensive to run I mean no high insurance cost, no high maintenance cost, etc.

A new car would be nice and there would be low maintenance cost. But cars lose a lot of value in the first years. So, a used car is maybe a better option. But I really don't want the hassle to have defects which have to be repaired. Normal maintenance like new brake pads or something like that is fine. But please no bigger problems which cost a lot of money.

 

About how much money would I have to pay to buy a 2nd hand car in good condition, maybe low milage?

And what are the monthly cost for maintenance, insurance, etc.

Does it make any sense to buy a car if I would use it only maybe once a week?

What is your experience?

 

I live in a condominium; I don't want an EV.

 

  • Thumbs Up 1
Posted
22 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Since just the 2 of you, I think, and primary use might be shopping, maybe a smaller pick up.

 

Something less than 10 yrs old, and less than 100k kms.  Should be in the <200k baht range, if lucky.

 

Insurance should be less than 10k a year, and hopefully no mechanical issues for 5 ish years.

 

Breakdown before petrol & maintenance

... 3,334 price per month (200k/60 months)

... 834 insurance per month (10k / 12)

 

Looking at 4,000 baht a month, at least, just for owning it for 5 year,  and don't expect much of a resale price on 15 yr old truck, 5 yrs down the road.

 

Hefty price tag for simply driving something a couple times a week, if that.

 

Thanks!

I don't plan to transport anything big for which I would need a pickup. An "ordinary car" is probably better suitable. 90% use for one or two people only.

  • Thumbs Up 1
Posted
10 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

 

Thanks!

I don't plan to transport anything big for which I would need a pickup. An "ordinary car" is probably better suitable. 90% use for one or two people only.

Take a peek on FB Marketplace, see what going prices are for something around 10 yrs old and <100k kms.   Should be fairly trouble free for 5 years, hopefully.

  • Agree 1
Posted

Does your condo include a dedicated parking spot? 

 

I would buy new, and the best value all around in my what I consider expert opinion is a two door Isuzu pickup. Fuel is cheap, registration is cheap, service is cheap, tires are cheap, reliable, great leg and head room, comfortable, easy to sell and great resale value. It's also on a relatively new platform, and a new engine. 

 

I would either buy new, or old. I would not buy a late model used car to save 10-20% 

 

 

  • Agree 1
Posted

I think if you want a really nice car, second hand might make more sense, but for a lower end vehicle, that 3-5 years of full warranty and no worries is nice. 

 

A new car is nice...

  • Agree 1
Posted

Mitsubishi Mirage, very small eco car, easy for drive and parking in BKK. Very cheap maintenance, cheapest than second hand honda or Toyota. Engine is 3 cylinder very eco maintenance with chain timing.

For your use is the best.

Cheap to buy

Cheap to maintenance 

Eco fuel efficiency 

If need mechanics, can found everything and everywhere.

Cheap insurance.

If you buy ugly color more and more cheap and can found better in big car park LOL.

  • Like 1
  • Thumbs Up 1
Posted
On 2/13/2025 at 10:31 PM, OneMoreFarang said:

Does it make any sense to buy a car if I would use it only maybe once a week?

no, probably not.

maybe better to tolerate the annoyances of taxis/bolt than the annoyances of owning.

  • Like 1
  • Agree 1
Posted
8 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Maybe I think again about this in 10 years or so if I don't want to ride motorcycle anymore. Let's see

10 years?

Robotaxis will be around by then and car ownership will decrease since those things will be really cheap.

But not sure if Thailand will have them.

 

Posted
1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

 

Thanks

 

After the answers above I agree with you.

Even if I would pay 3 times the usual taxi price it would be still cheaper than having my own car.

Maybe I think again about this in 10 years or so if I don't want to ride motorcycle anymore. Let's see.

Buying a car to save money on taxies is like having a girlfriend to save money on hookers or buying a condo to save money on rent. 

 

The best reason to buy a car is because you want one. You live downtown, yes? If everywhere you want to go is downtown, do not buy a car, because unless you have a driver, taxies are generally much more convenient. 

 

If you want to get out of town now and then, buy a car, because without a car you likely won't. Contrary to popular belief, once you get out of the densest urban areas, driving is pretty pleasant. Driving here is also cheap, at least compared to driving in the US. 

 

Posted
3 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

If you want to get out of town now and then, buy a car, because without a car you likely won't. Contrary to popular belief, once you get out of the densest urban areas, driving is pretty pleasant. Driving here is also cheap, at least compared to driving in the US. 

 

 

Perhaps owning a car will open up new opportunities, as described above.  I drive in Bangkok occasionally (usually visiting family in the Sukhumvit area) and can concur that driving outside Bangkok is a comparatively-enjoyable experience.

I bought a 2012 pick-up last year.  It only had 80,000km and had one careful (very elderly) owner.  It looks and drives like new.  Importantly, it's a four-door cabin so it has all the advantages of five seats like a family saloon but has much better load-carrying capacity (you might be surprised how often this is useful).  I get it serviced by a main dealer each year and I expect it will give good service for many years.  As you know, older cars have lost most of their depreciation so no need to worry about big capital costs diminishing.

Other advantages of pick-ups include a near car-like comfort level, almost immunity to potholes because the suspension is tougher than saloon cars, and the imperious view over the other traffic (as enjoyed by Range Rover owners and other 4x4 types).  The construction is also very solid, which is why it's not unusual to see 30 or 40-year old pickups still plying their trade.  Lastly, the diesel engines are easily good for 300,000km if looked after, and the torque from a big turbo-diesel makes driving both relaxing and surprisingly rapid compared to some of the lean-burn small petrol-engined cars that need to be thrashed to get convincing acceleration for an overtake.

The downside of pick-ups is fuel consumption.  Personally, I rationalise that diesel is so cheap here compared to Europe that, pound-for-pound, it's the equivalent of getting 60-70mpg in the UK so I don't worry about it.

 

  • Like 1
  • Thumbs Up 1
Posted
14 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Actually I had a Z1 for a weekend. It was a lot of fun - on decent streets. 

 

The streets here are sadly not quite decent enough!

  • Like 1
Posted

The only problem the OP is gonna have.

 

Once you have a car here - it's hard to go back. 

 

I lived I dunno - about 9 years in central Bangkok - but last 17 or so have been out by Moo Baan Nakkila or close to Baan Thap Chang station.

 

In Central Bangkok, it was Rajadamri and Ekkamai - we never needed a car till we had kids and then it was just for the amount of stuff you have to carry around. Out in the suburbs - it's really necessary. Loads of great places around - like "Dawn To Dusk" https://www.facebook.com/p/Dawn-to-Dusk-Bkk-100063721536404/ and The Park with it's 4 story gym - not to mention all the new places on the new Krungthep Krita road. 

 

Different live - a bit of countryside with the Klongs you can walk around - but useless without a car. 

 

I guess it depends what you refer to as "the middle of Bangkok" 

  • Agree 1
Posted

@OneMoreFarang - take a look at one2car.com..... this site will give you plenty of choices.... 

 

Forget the smaller EV's such as NETA...   dangerous tin buckets IMO... 

Something larger may be more suitable... I'm sure KhunLA will recommend an MG at some point.

 

Nothing wrong with a solid small EV though....  but distance for road trips may give pause for thought. 

 

If looking for a simple small reliable run around... 

- Honda Jazz

- Toyota Yaris

 

 

I live in Bangkok (quite central but not on a BTS line) and use the car far more than my motorcycle....  its often too hot to be comfortable on the motorcycle, so the car and AC it is....     also with family - there's no way they are going on the back of my motorcycle... so thats another reason I'd always use the car with them....

 

I think you'll get the best advice from those in your situation who have 'both options' and see if they say... 'nah, no need for a car'....    For everyone I know who has a car, admits it makes life much better.

 

Traffic outside of peak times is not bad... but if you want to go somewhere at 5pm on a Friday, then you still have your bike (but you'll get caught in traffic then too !!).

 

  • Like 1
Posted
15 hours ago, save the frogs said:

no, probably not.

maybe better to tolerate the annoyances of taxis/bolt than the annoyances of owning.

 

What are the 'annoyances' of owning a car ??

 

I can't think of any....   other than having to clean it now and again... and of course, being 'stuck with it' if I'm out and feel as though I wanted a few beers.... 

 

 

Posted
11 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

He's not a farmer and lives in Bangkok !!!... 

 

They always come in handy :coffee1:

 

On 2/14/2025 at 10:31 AM, OneMoreFarang said:

 And sometimes I use a taxi because I want to transport something heavy.

 

Posted
1 minute ago, KhunLA said:
14 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

He's not a farmer and lives in Bangkok !!!... 

 

They always come in handy :coffee1:

 

On 2/14/2025 at 10:31 AM, OneMoreFarang said:

 And sometimes I use a taxi because I want to transport something heavy.

 

 

I just figured his missus had put on a bit of timber....   :post-4641-1156693976:

 

 

... but in all seriousness.. he mentioned 'he sometimes uses a taxi because he wants to transport something heavy'.... I'm assuming cases of beer etc, rather than a sofa !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Like 1
Posted
7 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

 

They always come in handy :coffee1:

 

 

My Brother In Law has a Pick-up... 

 

In the last 5 years we've used it once, because I was too lazy to put our bike rack on and it was easier just to borrow his car and throw the bicycles in the back of his flat bed...   

 

Realistically, the pickup was not needed and I may as well have just put the bike rack on as I have many other times.

 

I've never felt the need for a pick-up in Bangkok....  when moving house we have too much stuff for a pickup and use a moving service etc...  I just can't think of any reason 'in Bangkok or outside of it where a pickup comes in handier than a regular car or SUV...  unless transporting farm kit and goods etc... 

 

I know its kind of off-topic - but also consider the Pick-ups are popular for a couple of reasons.

- They are relatively cheap 

- The whole family can be transported in the flat bed

- Contagion effect - everyone has one, so others copy

 

 

Genuine question: 

When was the last time you (Khun LA) 'needed' your pick-up...  also, how often per year would you say you needed it ?

 

i.e. we bought a large TV, not easy to fit in the car, was with the son, couldn't put the seats down, so just had it delivered the next day, although I wouldn't have wanted to put it the flatbed of a pickup either.... not if going on the expressway or if it looks like it might rain... 

 

Posted
1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

What are the 'annoyances' of owning a car ??

 

I can't think of any....   other than having to clean it now and again... and of course, being 'stuck with it' if I'm out and feel as though I wanted a few beers.... 

 

 

parking, maintenance ... but maybe that doesn't bother you too much.

but then if you are in an accident, this can cause issues, especially if someone is injured.

i would prefer to avoid that responsibility. 

 

  • Like 1
Posted
10 hours ago, pedro01 said:

I guess it depends what you refer to as "the middle of Bangkok" 

Lower Sukhumvit. 90% of my motorcycle trips are less than 3km. 

And I have no kids and want no kids.

Posted
10 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

... but in all seriousness.. he mentioned 'he sometimes uses a taxi because he wants to transport something heavy'.... I'm assuming cases of beer etc, rather than a sofa !

 

Heavy in this context for me is anything which does not fit in a backpack or is too heavy for a packpack.

On a bike I manage a 5kg bag of rice. That is about as big I accept on my bike. 

Posted
10 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

The whole family can be transported in the flat bed

I have to admit I would never do that. The same as I wouldn't have more than 2 people on a bike.

It's too dangerous and I wouldn't want to be responsible for any injuries or worse in case of an accident. 

Posted
2 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I have to admit I would never do that. The same as I wouldn't have more than 2 people on a bike.

It's too dangerous and I wouldn't want to be responsible for any injuries or worse in case of an accident. 

 

You ever taken a really fat person on the bike?

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.




×
×
  • Create New...