Explain These Crazy Used Car Prices Please.

[PeaceBlondie]

I only know what we have, and I'm happy with my 1997 Nissan NV pickup with the longer bed, 5 speed, air con, stereo and CD player, no back seat. 168,000 km, rather a lot of miles, but virtually trouble free in more than 12 months. New paint job when we bought it a year ago for 135,000 baht. I wonder what I could sell it for next year: maybe 110K?

[torrenova]

I bought new for 3 reasons:

1) Finance deal

2) No worries about previous accidents

3) Somchai had not been under the bonnet

[LivinLOS]

my Thai friend is a motor trader, he works on a first year devaluation of 30% then 10% pa thereafter.

Buying new is a mugs game .

Just offer them 50% of the new value for the 6 month old car then walk away and wait for the phone to ring.

There are so many new cars sold here to people who relly cannot keep up the payments,

There are some very good half priced 6 month old cars available her if you forget that you are a rich farang and use your head.

if you see any vigo 3.0d4d autos at half the new price at 6 months old im your man ! ill take them all

Recently saw a chevy colorado 4 door, leather, etc... 2007 model (7 months old IIRC) asking 400k...

I really think the flood of new vehicles bought on credit payments that cant be met is compressing the market from the top down and all these guys who are buying new now with the 'it wont depreciate much' thinking will not get what they expect..

[track61]

I see what you mean about cars that are nearly new. I was thinking more about older cars I supose. If I could afford to spend the amount of money of a 1 year old car then I could probably afford to pay a little extra to buy a new one. If I couldnt afford that little bit extra then I buying a older car in the first place. So that must be one of the reason why cars loose value very quickly in the west, perhaps an excess supply of nearly new cars.

I found the used car prices unacceptable as well, and I swore years ago I would never buy a new car again. So, I looked around for almost two months until I found a 1997 Toyota Crown, 5 speed, two air cons, top of the line, that a hotel taxi guy had owned since it was new. The engine was pretty much shot but the exterior and interior looked like it had just been driven away from the dealer. I swear it still had that "new car smell". I paid 100,000 baht for it. I then shopped around and found a 2004 Toyota engine and automatic transmission that would fit and bought it and had it installed for at total of about 45,000 baht, including all new belts, hoses, filters, and fluids. So I have been driving a very clean, 10 year old car with an engine with about 111,000K's(60,000 of them mine) on it for over a year and have had to replace the cooling fan bearings and one tire. This is not the route someone that is concerned with appearances or status should take as it is so obviously an older car, but I've had several cops tell me the it looks really good.(after stopping me for speeding of course)

I lived in Pattaya when I got this car, now I've built a house in the boonies and the roads are beating it to <deleted>, so I guess it's time to start looking for a pick-up as well. Life is life, huh?

[Thaiboxer]

I totally agree with the comment about folks here driving their cars for years on end rather than buying new ones as often as in the West. With crazy prices and cheap labor, it makes sense to keep the old clunkers on the road. Websites like www.one2car.com and www.thaicar.com have TONS of used cars/trucks/vans/etc from many manufacturers. The prices are a bit steep compared with what they would cost in the West, but as with new car purchases, the cheap labor plays a big role.

I drive an early 80's Toyota Corona that has required its fair share of repairs over the years. Overall, I've probably dumped about 20K Baht into this tub in the five years I've been driving it, yet 20K Baht would get you a fraction of those repairs back home. Soon, I will be replacing a leaky transmission gasket and a few other things. On the brighter side, many of these newer vehicles with computer controlled parts can often only be repaired by specialists at dealerships which are more expensive than the average garage. Entire engines and transmissions can be bought and dropped in at modest prices. Unless you have 600K Baht or so to spend on a new car, you can still have your own wheels and keep them going for a long time if you're willing to drive a "classic" like mine.

Edited October 14, 2007 by Thaiboxer

[stingray]

my Thai friend is a motor trader, he works on a first year devaluation of 30% then 10% pa thereafter.

Buying new is a mugs game .

Just offer them 50% of the new value for the 6 month old car then walk away and wait for the phone to ring.

There are so many new cars sold here to people who relly cannot keep up the payments,

There are some very good half priced 6 month old cars available her if you forget that you are a rich farang and use your head.

if you see any vigo 3.0d4d autos at half the new price at 6 months old im your man ! ill take them all

Recently saw a chevy colorado 4 door, leather, etc... 2007 model (7 months old IIRC) asking 400k...

I really think the flood of new vehicles bought on credit payments that cant be met is compressing the market from the top down and all these guys who are buying new now with the 'it wont depreciate much' thinking will not get what they expect..

You forgot that Chevy is unpopular in Thailand, even it's the same as Isuzu. Thais don't accept Chevrolet. But Isuzu, Toyota (Market Cars) you never get for half of the price after 6 months

[INTJ]

I see what you mean about cars that are nearly new. I was thinking more about older cars I supose. If I could afford to spend the amount of money of a 1 year old car then I could probably afford to pay a little extra to buy a new one. If I couldnt afford that little bit extra then I buying a older car in the first place. So that must be one of the reason why cars loose value very quickly in the west, perhaps an excess supply of nearly new cars.

I found the used car prices unacceptable as well, and I swore years ago I would never buy a new car again. So, I looked around for almost two months until I found a 1997 Toyota Crown, 5 speed, two air cons, top of the line, that a hotel taxi guy had owned since it was new. The engine was pretty much shot but the exterior and interior looked like it had just been driven away from the dealer. I swear it still had that "new car smell". I paid 100,000 baht for it. I then shopped around and found a 2004 Toyota engine and automatic transmission that would fit and bought it and had it installed for at total of about 45,000 baht, including all new belts, hoses, filters, and fluids. So I have been driving a very clean, 10 year old car with an engine with about 111,000K's(60,000 of them mine) on it for over a year and have had to replace the cooling fan bearings and one tire. This is not the route someone that is concerned with appearances or status should take as it is so obviously an older car, but I've had several cops tell me the it looks really good.(after stopping me for speeding of course)

I lived in Pattaya when I got this car, now I've built a house in the boonies and the roads are beating it to <deleted>, so I guess it's time to start looking for a pick-up as well. Life is life, huh?

If you really did buy a '97 Crown for 100K that was a genuine bargain, regardless of the condition of the motor. Do you mean '87, or is it older but been re-registered in '97 ? Something not right here.

Is it this shape ?

http://www.one2car.com/CarInfor/cardetails...64004&row=2

Cheers

[LivinLOS]

my Thai friend is a motor trader, he works on a first year devaluation of 30% then 10% pa thereafter.

Buying new is a mugs game .

Just offer them 50% of the new value for the 6 month old car then walk away and wait for the phone to ring.

There are so many new cars sold here to people who relly cannot keep up the payments,

There are some very good half priced 6 month old cars available her if you forget that you are a rich farang and use your head.

if you see any vigo 3.0d4d autos at half the new price at 6 months old im your man ! ill take them all

Recently saw a chevy colorado 4 door, leather, etc... 2007 model (7 months old IIRC) asking 400k...

I really think the flood of new vehicles bought on credit payments that cant be met is compressing the market from the top down and all these guys who are buying new now with the 'it wont depreciate much' thinking will not get what they expect..

You forgot that Chevy is unpopular in Thailand, even it's the same as Isuzu. Thais don't accept Chevrolet. But Isuzu, Toyota (Market Cars) you never get for half of the price after 6 months

Well to me the chevy seems to have the edge on the isuzu on its package even if it is the same fundamental design, I dont follow what others do in insisting on a honda or driving a crapped out BMW at way over price for status..

The poster said if your smart there are real deals out there and I agree. I am unsure of what the optioned up sticker price on the colorado would be but 400k for 7 month seemed like a lot of depreciation to me.

[Etrigan]

A couple of comments to make here!

1. I bought new after being ripped off by so many dodgy traders. It was when the blasted thing nearly killed me that I decided NEVER to buy 2nd hand cars here. Never again.

2. That guy, Thai4whatever,... he obviously bought a second hand car at that price. Also he is looking for a car stereo in another post. A new car comes with a factory fitted stereo.

3. I think the Chevy looks better, but the problem here is that they charge a lot of extra money for the Z71 suspension, which Isuzu give as part of the standard package.

4. Buying 2nd hand can be like russian roulette. I once saw a car split into 2 parts (killed a passenger) in a crash. It was a ringer, 2 old cars welded into 1 workable car.

5. With new car finance deals, it doesn't really cost that much more to buy new.

[lazeeboy]

A couple of comments to make here!

1. I bought new after being ripped off by so many dodgy traders. It was when the blasted thing nearly killed me that I decided NEVER to buy 2nd hand cars here. Never again.

2. That guy, Thai4whatever,... he obviously bought a second hand car at that price. Also he is looking for a car stereo in another post. A new car comes with a factory fitted stereo.

3. I think the Chevy looks better, but the problem here is that they charge a lot of extra money for the Z71 suspension, which Isuzu give as part of the standard package.

4. Buying 2nd hand can be like russian roulette. I once saw a car split into 2 parts (killed a passenger) in a crash. It was a ringer, 2 old cars welded into 1 workable car.

5. With new car finance deals, it doesn't really cost that much more to buy new.

nothing wrong with a cut and shut ,how do you think they make streched limo.s .........

[thai4u]

A couple of comments to make here!

1. I bought new after being ripped off by so many dodgy traders. It was when the blasted thing nearly killed me that I decided NEVER to buy 2nd hand cars here. Never again.

2. That guy, Thai4whatever,... he obviously bought a second hand car at that price. Also he is looking for a car stereo in another post. A new car comes with a factory fitted stereo.

3. I think the Chevy looks better, but the problem here is that they charge a lot of extra money for the Z71 suspension, which Isuzu give as part of the standard package.

4. Buying 2nd hand can be like russian roulette. I once saw a car split into 2 parts (killed a passenger) in a crash. It was a ringer, 2 old cars welded into 1 workable car.

5. With new car finance deals, it doesn't really cost that much more to buy new.

I'm talking about high-end stereo system.. nothing like what you get from the factory..

heartz subwoofer,serious rockford amplifier and jbl speakers that can blow your mind !!!

I dont think you get these things ..right? also .. you state that all second hand cars come without stereo system bullshxxx ..dont you think ?

I have stereo with my second hand car and its even the original isuzu "stereo system" when the person bought it NEW(!) ..and guess what?? he couldnt handle the payment anymore.. haaaa...........

[Etrigan]

Thai4whatever - Please read posts more carefully, I didn't say what you said I wrote! Other than that, well done mate, I'm over the moon regarding your vehicular purchase. No, really, I am.

[VocalNeal]

so I guess it's time to start looking for a pick-up as well. Life is life, huh?

Not really for individuals but for business I just bought a shiny new Suzuki Carry 329,000 Baht. I used to

think the Nissan WingRoad was the cheapest conveyance in Thailand.

[ThaiPauly]

I just bought d-max space-cab 2004 auto top model (slx- abs+ dual airbags)...

360K baht.

I dont think its a bad deal compare to that new model cost 670K ...

For some reason Isuzu's loose their money rapidly.

I paid 1.2 m for an Adventure Master 3.0L Turbo 3 years ago......they best price I have been offered is 650k. Even though it only has 19,000 kliks on the clock.

On the other hand I brought my Wife's Jazz for 460,000 and sold it 3 years later for 425,000.

Just does not make any sense

[thai4u]

there you go .. rich falags.. another refutation of this "invention" that new cars are best finance decision.

I'm not talking about my last purchase but its so funny..

addmit it: you have money-you buy new. thats all. nothing less/more than this.

[HAL9000]

As an amatuer mechanic on a limited budget I was used to finding cars in the US at the bottom of the price range. A roller that ran at all was worth $100 to $500 and something more decent could be had for $1000 to $2000. I came here budgeting $1000 for a straight-bodied runner and $1000 for a maintenance budget.

I think what has not been factored into the used car prices here in Thailand is rust attrition of the available low-end priced car supply. When we were looking for a car, we found that cars only 20 years old with rust issues and were not running or running well were commanding 50,000 Baht prices. So we ended up with a 98 Hyundai in decent condition for 120,000 Baht.