Europe Vs Japan

[Tatler]

Just wondering what you think?? For me i would take a European model any day over a Japanese model. Also why are Japanese cars so over-priced in Thailand??

[taxexile]

where models are in direct competition , i would choose japanese.

i would rather have a toyota/nissan/mitsu etc. than a ford/peugeot/ or a basic bmw/audi/volkswagen.

i would choose a lexus over a benz or a jaguar.

when it comes to specialist cars such as bentley, aston martin , porsche , lambo , ferrari etc. then there is no contest because the japanese dont compete in those markets.

european cars are high on desirability, but lose out on practicality and expense of ownership , but japanese cars are high on reliability and practicality , and these days also innovation and styling.

it is a sad reflection on the car industries of all regions , that after over 100 years of development and advances , there are still no practical , small , cheap , basic no frills , reliable and economical cars available to those that need and want them.

[initiala4]

Japanese cars are usually quite reliable and bullet proof, but the driving feeling isnt quite up to some European cars.

[Nordlys]

Also why are Japanese cars so over-priced in Thailand??

I thought it's the European cars that's so over priced in Thailand.

[Moonfruit]

Just wondering what you think?? For me i would take a European model any day over a Japanese model. Also why are Japanese cars so over-priced in Thailand??

I would prefer to drive European cars and i find Japanes cars rather bland, but they have improved massively in recent years.

As for Japanese being over priced here in Thailand, well, they simply arent. You are wrong. Its the European cars that are usually around 200% of their cost in the west. Japanese car prices here are quite similar to prices back home.

[Nordlys]

Japanese car prices here are quite similar to prices back home.

Not true. They are about 1.5X or more expensive in Thailand than in Japan.

Take Toyota Wish for example. In Thailand the price ranges from 1,102,000 Baht to 1,342,000 Baht (5 grades) but in Japan it starts from about 500,000 Baht with top grade sold for roughly 700,000 Baht (7 grades). In Japan the cheapest Yaris (Vitz in Japan) is sold for roughly 320,000 Baht while in Thailand the price starts from 599,000 Baht.

[Jareddiving]

Japanese cars are usually quite reliable and bullet proof, but the driving feeling isnt quite up to some European cars.

And the other way around to!

And by the way we dont come from Japan do we..

[Jareddiving]

Vigo 4*4 cost in Holland 41.500 Euros here 20.000

Fortuner will then at least go for 45.000-50.000 Euro's.

Camry starts at 34.000 Euros.

Definitly Thailand is cheaper.

[Tatler]

If you compare the brand new price to the second hand price then Japanese cars are priced at a crazy price!! For example look at the Honda city 1998 - 335,000 baht brand new but 10 years later you can still sell that car for 180,000 baht( under 50 percent) how does that work out?? If then you look at VW were the cars are imported and have ABS, airbags and etc.. and they lose more than 90 percent value on their brand new price over 10 years!!

Maybe i am missing something here?? Or are most of the Thai's just SHEEP that follow the flock!! who is the stupid one??

[North]

Just wondering what you think?? For me i would take a European model any day over a Japanese model. Also why are Japanese cars so over-priced in Thailand??

I agree completely, I would select european cars assembled in Europe any time, but they are expensive of course when imported to Thailand, due to high taxes, I suppose.

North

[Thehedonist]

Just wondering what you think?? For me i would take a European model any day over a Japanese model. Also why are Japanese cars so over-priced in Thailand??

Fact, nothing or no one beats Japanese build quality or reliability, Mercedes and BMW in particular have had severe problems over the last 10 years for reliability, customer service, 8 out of 10 cars in the biggest reliability survey in UK ar Jap.

On a personal level I have had all the top 4x4 s the most reliable ever were Toyota Landcruiser, Nissan patrol, worst ever Range rover, and yes I know what ones may look the best but reliability VERY POOR.

And I am talking about Jap cars MADE IN JAPAN, not a Honda made in Swindon !

Put another way, the man who has 3 or four luxury cars in his stable is not worried if one is out of action for a month through warrrenty breakdowns.

The man who buys a car/ 4x4 for his everyday living work is !

There is only one breed of vehicles that is far worse for build quality, reliability, and they are made accrosss the pond in the USA ! HAVE A GOOD DAY !

[stingray]

If you consider the second hand market, japanese cars are very overpriced in Thailand. If i buy a 95 Lexus LS 400 in Thailand, cost about close to 500'000 Baht. In US around 4000 USD. A 95' 3 door Honda Civic, automatic, fully loaded cost 250'000 Baht, 10 years ago. Today the price still the same, but the car is 10 year older. It doesn't make sense to me. If you buy a 95' Opel Astra or Volk Vento, with air bags and ABS brakes, wich japanese cars didn't have in that time, you will pay about 110'000 Baht for a good one. Sure Europe cars are more expensive to maintenance, but it is not worth to pay more than double price for a japanese car in the same age, without air bags and ABS brakes.

I prefere a nice BMW more than a Honda Accord

If you buy a 10 year old used car, you better buy a Europe car. It will be half of the price than a japanese car.

[thaihedgehog]

Just wondering what you think?? For me i would take a European model any day over a Japanese model. Also why are Japanese cars so over-priced in Thailand??

Fact, nothing or no one beats Japanese build quality or reliability, Mercedes and BMW in particular have had severe problems over the last 10 years for reliability, customer service, 8 out of 10 cars in the biggest reliability survey in UK ar Jap.

On a personal level I have had all the top 4x4 s the most reliable ever were Toyota Landcruiser, Nissan patrol, worst ever Range rover, and yes I know what ones may look the best but reliability VERY POOR.

And I am talking about Jap cars MADE IN JAPAN, not a Honda made in Swindon !

Put another way, the man who has 3 or four luxury cars in his stable is not worried if one is out of action for a month through warrrenty breakdowns.

The man who buys a car/ 4x4 for his everyday living work is !

There is only one breed of vehicles that is far worse for build quality, reliability, and they are made accrosss the pond in the USA ! HAVE A GOOD DAY !

FACT!! Show me

[culicine]

Vigo 4*4 cost in Holland 41.500 Euros here 20.000

Fortuner will then at least go for 45.000-50.000 Euro's.

Camry starts at 34.000 Euros.

Definitly Thailand is cheaper.

Probably depends on the model. Toyota pickups are more expensive in Australia than in LoS, but the honda accord/civic is cheaper there than here. Both are made in LoS.

[Plus]

You can buy three Accords here for the price of comparable BMW 5 series.

You can buy two Civics with better specsfor the pirice of BMW 3 series.

What do you mean Japanese cars are overpriced? Have you seen Euro prices here?

What can you buy on a hundred thousand euros there? Here it won't be enough for a decent RangeRover.

[Gary A]

Cars in Thailand are taxed quite heavily. Trucks are bargains because they have a very small tax.

[Moonfruit]

Japanese car prices here are quite similar to prices back home.

Not true. They are about 1.5X or more expensive in Thailand than in Japan.

Take Toyota Wish for example. In Thailand the price ranges from 1,102,000 Baht to 1,342,000 Baht (5 grades) but in Japan it starts from about 500,000 Baht with top grade sold for roughly 700,000 Baht (7 grades). In Japan the cheapest Yaris (Vitz in Japan) is sold for roughly 320,000 Baht while in Thailand the price starts from 599,000 Baht.

I dont come from Japan.

[Jareddiving]

But 1 thing is certain.. European cars are definitly not better then Japanese cars in the same price range.

[Plus]

There are no European cars in the same price range anyway.

The only overlap is the smallest, cheapest Citroen vs biggest Camry.

[thaihedgehog]

If you look at the second hand prices and compare what you get get for your money, then i would take European. I agree that brand new European cars are over-priced, but i don't have to worry about that since i'll never be able to afford one

[Jareddiving]

There are no European cars in the same price range anyway.

The only overlap is the smallest, cheapest Citroen vs biggest Camry.

Maybe in Thailand that's the case. But that wasnt the TO question.

Give me the choice between indeed the camry 2.0 petrol and a Volkswagen 2.0 Petrol i would definitly go for the camry.