D-max: A Good Buy?

[Greenside]

My Honda City is fine but with the arrival of a lively 7 year old in the family in a couple of months I'm thinking of changing to something that will cope with planned camping trips and the wear and tear I know he'll inflict on it a bit better.

A robust SUV would be good but decent ones I've seen are outside my budget of 550,000. A Fortuner would be favourite but I think I'm dreaming until they get a lot older...

I've just seen a D-Max Cab4, i-TEQ 3.00L DDi with ABS, two airbags, ABS. It was new in May 2006, seems well looked after and clean with 29k on the clock and the remainder of the warranty. It drives well although the brakes are a bit spongy. The garage has is up for 540k bht and made a decent offer for the Honda (more than I paid for it as it happens ). I'm going to be driving about 50km a day as of April.

I'm wavering a bit because of:

Fuel costs - he says 12 - 15 km/litre

Sounds like gas conversions are less than great

The general size of it

Security - stuff has to be left on the back seat if not on the flatbed

D-Max and other pickup owners: comments please. Is it a good deal? Do you like owning a pickup or in the light of experience would you advise me to try to find an older but OK SUV?

Thanks in advance.

[Pomthai]

I have a 2004 4X4 dmax with just over 100,000km 40,000 of them being mine since I've had it - 15 months. There have been zero problems with it thus far.

My only extra expenses excluding regular services have been a brake light and a fog light bulb, 188 baht for both, genuine isuzu price/parts.

Its the 3.0 litre Di turbo (non-commonrail) 4x4 and auto, CAB 4. I have two full size baby seats fitted in the back as well, plenty of room with passenger & driver seats all the way back.

Also you mention fuel consumption I get about 8-9 in town best was 13.7 from phuket to ubon & back average overall 11-12, but with the common rail engine you should do better.

Hope that can give you some help in your decision.

[Mosha]

My only gripe is a big blind spot when looking left, between the windscreen and door. That is on a new model (2007)

[Greenside]

My only gripe is a big blind spot when looking left, between the windscreen and door. That is on a new model (2007)

Actually, that's about my only gripe with the City too. The size of the front pillars make it neccessary to lean forward to check all is clear while making a sharp turn, particularly given the number of motorbikes that sneak in on your left.

[torrenova]

I've a D-Max Cab4 3.0L auto 2WD new in JUne last year and its fine. Would I buy it again ? probably not unless in the same situation as last time when I needed a vehicle but needed finance.

Fuel is around 8/9 km/l in town and maybe 12 on a run. Don't know if manuals are much better. Personally, I would probably go back to a car as I think they are more easy to live with.

[Greenside]

I've a D-Max Cab4 3.0L auto 2WD new in JUne last year and its fine. Would I buy it again ? probably not unless in the same situation as last time when I needed a vehicle but needed finance.

Fuel is around 8/9 km/l in town and maybe 12 on a run. Don't know if manuals are much better. Personally, I would probably go back to a car as I think they are more easy to live with.

Thanks for your thoughts. I've pretty much decided to resist the tempatation to change right now with the inevitability of rising fuel costs and at least until my wife has mastered driving a smaller car. I wonder if the appeal to the Thais of these unneccessarily large vehicles will wain as the running costs start to hurt more or will status win out?

[torrenova]

I don't think fuel consumption is a major issue for me nor should it be unless you drive serious mileage. I mean, fuel is only Bt30 or so a litre. I've complained before about my fuel but I just have to accept it.

I've had the truck over 6 months now and I can't really think of many occasions where a decent sized car could not have done what the truck did. Yet for all the other times, I had to "put up with" a diesel engine, sluggish acceleration and the like. Yes it is good at what it is designed for, to be a truck which can serve as a "car" as well but it is not a car and I realise I don't really need the features of a truck all that much. In a perfect world I'd probably keep it and just buy a new car. Probably will when it is paid off actually.

[Plus]

Sluggish acceleration from diesel engine?

I think that must be the Isuzu "thing".

No one complains of Fortuners being slow, and they weigh half a ton more.

Other trucks give the best acceleration for the money.

[torrenova]

Sluggish acceleration from diesel engine?

I think that must be the Isuzu "thing".

No one complains of Fortuners being slow, and they weigh half a ton more.

Other trucks give the best acceleration for the money.

OK, put your foot down and watch the fuel consumption hit low single figures ! Remember this is no 0-60 in 8 seconds or better motor ! The VGS engine does have more HP but was only available on the 4*4 last June (don't know about now).

[Gearhead13]

If you don't really need a bed to carry big loads, get an SUV. The Toyota Sportrider is getting relatively old, but its great...I think you can find one sitting within your budget range. The handling is quite alright and the fuel economy is great. My friend has one and I get to drive it whenever he's drunk after a night in the town. I'm the only designated driver in my circle of friends..hah

[Plus]

Here's an idea - get a second hand Sportrider or Mitsubishi G-wagon and convert it to LPG. Conversion costs are minimal, savings are great, and you'll get lots and lots of space inside.

The only problem is that they are not as soft and comfortable as City.