How Much Do We Spend On Car Repairs Per Year?

[junkofdavid2]

Let's compare how much we spend on car repairs and maintenance (including tires, etc.) per year, and then maybe divide that by 12 to factor it in to the monthly cost of driving in Thailand.

Important facts to include:

1) Car brand and make

2) Car age

3) Gas consumption

4) Did you buy it used or did you own it from brand new?

5) If you bought it used, how old was it when you bought it?

6) If possible, include mileage.

This will give us a good estimate of interesting and helpful statistics...

Nope, I don't have my own car yet but I may buy one soon.

[Thaiboxer]

Our old Toyota has not been dirt cheap due to frequent repairs on little things, plus it drinks A LOT of gas. Certainly couldn't afford to keep this thing running in the USA.

[samran]

1996 four door suzuiki vitara

120K km or so on it when bought 1.5 years ago from the belgian embassy for 280K baht

136K km on it now

full tank (1200 baht) will get 400-450km on the highway. Not great but not bad.

Spend on average 20K per year on bits and bobs and it runs a treat. Have replaced the suspension, aircon and tyres, as well as regular services. Guys a B-Quick on Rama IV in BKK know their stuff.

Cost benefit to me says this better than paying 20K baht in monthly repayments.

[junkofdavid2]

Guys a B-Quick on Rama IV in BKK know their stuff.

Which B-Quick on Rama IV do you recommend, Samran?

I believe there are 2 or even more branches along Rama 4.

[sorensen]

Apart from a new battery (6,000 baht) my BMW has been trouble free.

OK, now that I think about it also got new wind screen wipers and one new tyre.......and a lot of fuel, but that is cool.

[hakku]

I don't know if Samran has a preference but for the record, all B-Quik stores are company owned, NO franchise, so in general the service should be of roughly the same standard in all of the stores.

Hak

Edit, forgot to post running cost.

I've been driving a Ford Explorer 4.6 V8 the last 4 years, fuel consumption a disaster, maintenance only oil and filters. Until the gearbox gave up and had to throw the car away. Over the 4 years i only spent 40k on 4 20inch tyres, 12k on oil/filters and 15000 ltrs of fuel.

I bought it in 2004 for 2mio with 30k km, it was a 2002 car. 15k km/yr

Edited March 25, 2009 by hakku

[samran]

Guys a B-Quick on Rama IV in BKK know their stuff.

Which B-Quick on Rama IV do you recommend, Samran?

I believe there are 2 or even more branches along Rama 4.

the one at the Rama IV end of Suk 24. Near Carrefore

[junkofdavid2]

Thanks... will have my car's aircon checked there.

Has anyone ever tried A.C.T. or "Auto Care and Tire" (or Shell Autoserv as the old name)?

What was your experience with them, and what did you have done at which branch?

[stingray]

I don't know if Samran has a preference but for the record, all B-Quik stores are company owned, NO franchise, so in general the service should be of roughly the same standard in all of the stores.

Hak

Edit, forgot to post running cost.

I've been driving a Ford Explorer 4.6 V8 the last 4 years, fuel consumption a disaster, maintenance only oil and filters. Until the gearbox gave up and had to throw the car away. Over the 4 years i only spent 40k on 4 20inch tyres, 12k on oil/filters and 15000 ltrs of fuel.

I bought it in 2004 for 2mio with 30k km, it was a 2002 car. 15k km/yr

Why did you trow it away for a broken tranny? Everything can be repaired in Thailand