Cars - Buying New Or Used in Thailand

[Maypole31]

I'm planning to spend around 4 to 6 months in Thailand every year. I'll  need a car to get around. Should I buy new or used, bearing in I'll only be using it the car for less than 6 months a year.  I'm looking at several options:

1, buying new 

2, buying used 

3, long term rental

 

Anyone here in a similar situation?  Any tips or advice are much appreciated.

 

 

[KhunLA]

You'll only be using it for 6 months, and is that straight months, or a few 2 or 3 months at a time?   Will others have access to it, and where will it sit, when you are not here?

 

How's your budget and how long do you plan on being a part time visitor?   2nd hand probably the best option, for value.   Will you have access to 'residence' charging ?  

 

Is it for knocking around town, or longer road trips  ?

 

 

[steve187]

it would all depend on where you can lay the car up when outside Thailand

as above Is it for knocking around town, or longer road trips, what are your long term plans

[Celsius]

I would just rent with a company like easy car. 15k a month 1st class insurance and all repairs, swaps and maintenance included. 

 

Best part no need to worry about it while you're gone.

[marin]

4 minutes ago, Celsius said:

I would just rent with a company like easy car. 15k a month 1st class insurance and all repairs, swaps and maintenance included. 

 

Best part no need to worry about it while you're gone.

Bit more than that these days. Toyota Altis an eco car rents for this.

[Will B Good]

Rent defo.

 

Buy?.....Insurance, tax, storage, maintenance, breakdown cover.....no thank you.

[novacova]

Buy used for 300k-500k. 

[novacova]

5 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

Rent defo.

 

8 minutes ago, marin said:

Bit more than that these days. Toyota Altis an eco car rents for this.

138000฿ for each six month visit. May as well buy a new car.

[Will B Good]

Just now, novacova said:

 

138000฿ for six months. May as well buy a new car.

 

Buy?.....Insurance, tax, storage, maintenance, breakdown cover.....no thank you.

[ronnie50]

If it's a straight six months, then long-term rental is best. I did that between buying new cars once. Avis - a Honda City (very big trunk/boot). I think it was 12-14,000 THB per month including insurance. But that was 10 years ago - probably more now.

[novacova]

2 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

Buy?.....Insurance, tax, storage, maintenance, breakdown cover.....no thank you.

Yes, a lot of people buy cars. Personally own four, two here, one of which is being sold and two in the US. Luckily in the US the vehicles insurance is suspended for about ten or eleven months out of the year, can’t do that here but the insurance here is cheap anyway.

[Lacessit]

The OP can buy a reliable secondhand car for 200K to 300K baht. ToyotaSure is the best bet, a Vios or Corolla has a well-earned reputation for no-fuss durability.

 

If he is leaving the car for 6 months, pump the tyres up to 50 psi, and take out the battery. Buy a can of ether spray to put down the air intake when starting up.

[Will B Good]

3 minutes ago, novacova said:

Yes, a lot of people buy cars. Personally own four, two here, one of which is being sold and two in the US. Luckily in the US the vehicles insurance is suspended for about ten or eleven months out of the year, can’t do that here but the insurance here is cheap anyway.

 

I'm paying 14k first class....never really shopped around.....does that sound about right?

 

New CX5 2.2 Diesel 

[Lacessit]

9 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

Buy?.....Insurance, tax, storage, maintenance, breakdown cover.....no thank you.

Those items cost much less than in Western countries.

 

Why would he need breakdown cover? Grab a lift to the nearest service shop, they will send out a mechanic and/or a tow truck.

 

Anyone would think the OP was in the Sahara.

[CallumWK]

16 minutes ago, novacova said:

 

138000฿ for each six month visit. May as well buy a new car.

 

He can rent 10 years before he has paid the price of a new Altis + maintenance + insurance + tax and all other expenses

[Lacessit]

Just now, CallumWK said:

 

He can rent 10 years before he has paid the price of a new Altis + maintenance + insurance + tax and all other expenses

It really comes down to how many kilometres the OP thinks he will do when he is here.

 

Buying a new car IMO is only justifiable if he is going to do lots of them.

[novacova]

39 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

I'm paying 14k first class....never really shopped around.....does that sound about right?

 

New CX5 2.2 Diesel 

Sounds about right.
Why did you decide to get the 2.2? It’s notorious for engine failure, right at about 100,000km, plus the cost of maintenance of the dpf, you’ll need to change the radiator cooling fan at about 70,000km. The cooling system on those engines can’t handle the pressure and they all eventually fail blowing the head gasket and subsequently the engine. In any case be sure to have that vehicle fully serviced on time even after warranty or they won’t put a new engine in at their cost.