Car Comparison - Help Needed

[DB84]

I have been thinking about buying a car but find myself confused as to which model I should by. I am looking for answers regarding reliability, general performance, fuel economy & service options (especially prices of spareparts).

I know most people would recommend Toyota or Honda but I am more comfortable with a European/American Car.

Here goes... all of them are around the same price - I am disregarding the clock as I am trying to get a feeling for which model you think would be the best option:

SEAT Toledo 2003 AT 1,800CC

vs.

Peugeot 406 2001 AT 2,000CC

vs.

Volkswagen Passat Highline 1999 AT 1,800CC/2,000CC

vs.

Chevrolet Optra 2004 LT AT 1,600CC

vs.

Volvo S40 2002 AT 2,000CC

Thanks!

[JimmyTheMook]

Buy a Honda.

[PattayaParent]

Buy a Toyota.

But if you really really MUST buy one of the listed cars I'd buy the one that has a service centre near to your house.

[DB84]

Clearly I should have put more emphasis on the fact that I am NOT buying a Japanese car.

But thank you for the absolute worthless replies.

[sibeymai]

Looked at a VW Passat on Chaeng Wattana road last Sunday. Looked good, 100000ks, about 180,000bt.

Bought a pickup instead.

[Crossy]

From that list I'd go for the Pug or the Volvo.

Any particular reason you don't want a Japanese car, most of them are built in Thailand anyway

Consider the capabilites of your local mechanic and the availability of spares / consumables.

[nakhonsi sean]

VW passat, go with German quality.

Or even better find a good early to mid 90s w124 Mercedes E class, they last a lifetime. Parts are easy to come bye and generally not that expensive, you also rarely need them. OK I am biased, I have a 1977 300D. Even at that age every Thai that sits in it is amazed at the ride quality and refinement saying it is better than most new cars! Even down here in Southern Thailand any part my mechanic has ordered has been here by 9am the next day!

The Chevrolet is actually a Daewoo from Korea.

[DB84]

From that list I'd go for the Pug or the Volvo.

Any particular reason you don't want a Japanese car, most of them are built in Thailand anyway

Consider the capabilites of your local mechanic and the availability of spares / consumables.

I know most of them are built in Thailand. But Toyota & Honda depreciation is at a much slower rate than Western brands. Which means I can get a Peugeot 406 (with leather/mahogany interior) 2002 model around 100k cheaper than a luxury deprived Toyota Altis 2004. I will be driving quite a lot, so comfort is very important.

I figure I will buy a car that will last a couple of years and then sell it off at scrap value.

Didn't know they Chevy was made by Daewoo but I was thinking about the price-point of Japanese vs. car brands from other countries.

Sibeymai - Which year was the Passat you looked at?

Thank You for the replies.

[PattayaParent]

Clearly I should have put more emphasis on the fact that I am NOT buying a Japanese car.

But thank you for the absolute worthless replies.

If you think "But if you really really MUST buy one of the listed cars I'd buy the one that has a service centre near to your house." is worthlesss advice then I hope you buy the one that has a service centre 100kms from your house and have fun pushing it there when you have a problem.

[Gary A]

If I were going to buy an import, there is no doubt in my mind that it would be a Volkswagen diesel. Great quality and economical to run.

[DB84]

Clearly I should have put more emphasis on the fact that I am NOT buying a Japanese car.

But thank you for the absolute worthless replies.

If you think "But if you really really MUST buy one of the listed cars I'd buy the one that has a service centre near to your house." is worthlesss advice then I hope you buy the one that has a service centre 100kms from your house and have fun pushing it there when you have a problem.

When I am asking specifically to the model and the proximity of the service centre is not a criteria, then yes, it is worthless.

Gary A - Thanks for the response. The model I am looking at is not a Diesel though... but I know there is a selection of Passat TDIs out there though - maybe I should have a look. Regardless I take it you will still vote for Passat solely from a quality standpoint.

[Gary A]

Clearly I should have put more emphasis on the fact that I am NOT buying a Japanese car.

But thank you for the absolute worthless replies.

If you think "But if you really really MUST buy one of the listed cars I'd buy the one that has a service centre near to your house." is worthlesss advice then I hope you buy the one that has a service centre 100kms from your house and have fun pushing it there when you have a problem.

When I am asking specifically to the model and the proximity of the service centre is not a criteria, then yes, it is worthless.

Gary A - Thanks for the response. The model I am looking at is not a Diesel though... but I know there is a selection of Passat TDIs out there though - maybe I should have a look. Regardless I take it you will still vote for Passat solely from a quality standpoint.

The Passat is definitely a nice quality car, but I would hold out for a diesel if at all possible.

[tartempion]

With all the worthless replies I don't get why you aren't smart enough to figure out yourself what car to buy.

I would go for a VW Polo if I could get my hands one one.

But the then the authorities in this country are too stupid to understand the advantages of good quality European cars, especially German ones.

I just bought anew Nissan Tiida this week and nowhere is the build quality near a VW, but the at 174% excise tax to import a car, a Nissan will do.

And although you loathe worthless advice, having the money I would go for a second Hand Nissan Teana 2.3l V6, at 800/900K you would get a car that last for 400k kms, oh well , a Mercedes will do also.

[DB84]

With all the worthless replies I don't get why you aren't smart enough to figure out yourself what car to buy.

I would go for a VW Polo if I could get my hands one one.

But the then the authorities in this country are too stupid to understand the advantages of good quality European cars, especially German ones.

I just bought anew Nissan Tiida this week and nowhere is the build quality near a VW, but the at 174% excise tax to import a car, a Nissan will do.

And although you loathe worthless advice, having the money I would go for a second Hand Nissan Teana 2.3l V6, at 800/900K you would get a car that last for 400k kms, oh well , a Mercedes will do also.

My response to these "snicker snicker... me so funny" type answers really has nothing to do with you. But I'm sorry if I don't necessarily appreciate answers in that category when I'm genuinely looking for some advice.

Looking to spend around 400K, so a Nissan Teana, though a nice car, is not in the price range I'm looking for.

[PattayaParent]

Clearly I should have put more emphasis on the fact that I am NOT buying a Japanese car.

But thank you for the absolute worthless replies.

If you think "But if you really really MUST buy one of the listed cars I'd buy the one that has a service centre near to your house." is worthlesss advice then I hope you buy the one that has a service centre 100kms from your house and have fun pushing it there when you have a problem.

When I am asking specifically to the model and the proximity of the service centre is not a criteria, then yes, it is worthless.

Gary A - Thanks for the response. The model I am looking at is not a Diesel though... but I know there is a selection of Passat TDIs out there though - maybe I should have a look. Regardless I take it you will still vote for Passat solely from a quality standpoint.

Read you OP. service options was one of the criteria you mentioned.

[DB84]

Clearly I should have put more emphasis on the fact that I am NOT buying a Japanese car.

But thank you for the absolute worthless replies.

If you think "But if you really really MUST buy one of the listed cars I'd buy the one that has a service centre near to your house." is worthlesss advice then I hope you buy the one that has a service centre 100kms from your house and have fun pushing it there when you have a problem.

When I am asking specifically to the model and the proximity of the service centre is not a criteria, then yes, it is worthless.

Gary A - Thanks for the response. The model I am looking at is not a Diesel though... but I know there is a selection of Passat TDIs out there though - maybe I should have a look. Regardless I take it you will still vote for Passat solely from a quality standpoint.

Read you OP. service options was one of the criteria you mentioned.

Let me clarify. I am aware that there aren't many service centres solely targeting those brands. What I meant in that perspective was how knowledgable a general "Car Garage" would be of the specific brand/type. I am by no means an expert of cars but I have heard certain brands/types are transferable to other brands/types in regards to "hardware".

Should have been more clear and I apologize for that... but I still feel the remark "buy a Toyota" was only to stir up some kind of reaction.

Anyways, thanks for all the replies. I have narrowed it down to either the Passat or the Pug.

[Plus]

But the then the authorities in this country are too stupid to understand the advantages of good quality European cars, especially German ones.

It's not Thai authorities, it's Germans. All they need to do is to invest in local production and supporting industries, like Japanese did. They prefer to import all their parts instead, pay shitloads in taxes, and milk rich Thais with their ridiculous prices.

VW is a complete screw up here, management wise, but at least they are still present. What if something goes wrong with Seat? Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters?

[Farma]

Let’s guess some of the thread titles from the OP in the future.

Why can’t I find a decent mechanic to fix my car

Why do spare parts cost so much

Why don’t dealers hold parts in stock. I have to wait 3 months for them to be imported

I ordered parts over the internet and now Thai customs want to charge me a fortune in duty

I wish I’d bought the Chevy. At least they have dealers nearby.

[bkkjam]

But the then the authorities in this country are too stupid to understand the advantages of good quality European cars, especially German ones.

It's not Thai authorities, it's Germans. All they need to do is to invest in local production and supporting industries, like Japanese did. They prefer to import all their parts instead, pay shitloads in taxes, and milk rich Thais with their ridiculous prices.

VW is a complete screw up here, management wise, but at least they are still present. What if something goes wrong with Seat? Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters?

Sorry ...was laughing too much.

[Plus]

VWs are quite popular, I believe there are enough spare parts around, not genuine ones, though.

[rixalex]

I can relate to the OP because when i start looking on the used car forecourts on in the magazines, i can't stop myself being drawn to the European cars, which have depreciated heavily from their new prices, generally look better, are of higher quality and just all round much more interesting cars.

I'm always drawn but have never succumbed because there's a little voice in the back of my head telling me it could me a nightmare to own. But when i sit inside something like an Alfa 156 (just amazing interiors) that voice starts getting fainter.

To the OP, from your list, i'd forget the Seat and the Chevy. Probably have to be the Passat. I think you'll find the pickings slim if you want the TDi though. Perhaps try looking for a petrol one that has been converted to gas - easier and cheaper.

[thairookie]

To the OP, the Volvo S40 is a Mazda.

The Toledo is a VW, not sure if it's built on Passat platform though.

It's between a Passat and a Peugeot really. Now it's a question of the ability of the mechanics in Thailand.

Why don't you consider a hybrid of European and Japanese design/technology ? Try Rover 623. Top draw interior and reliable Honda engine.

[rixalex]

To the OP, the Volvo S40 is a Mazda.

The Toledo is a VW, not sure if it's built on Passat platform though.

It's between a Passat and a Peugeot really. Now it's a question of the ability of the mechanics in Thailand.

Why don't you consider a hybrid of European and Japanese design/technology ? Try Rover 623. Top draw interior and reliable Honda engine.

Yes the 623 came up in another thread recently as being a good used buy, but when i did a bit of research i found that they are selling for around 30k to 50k less than an equivalent Accord. I'm not sure if the saving is worth it, bearing in mind the extra hassle of repair and knowing that it'll be a nightmare to sell on.

[LivinLOS]

Clearly I should have put more emphasis on the fact that I am NOT buying a Japanese car.

But thank you for the absolute worthless replies.

If you think "But if you really really MUST buy one of the listed cars I'd buy the one that has a service centre near to your house." is worthlesss advice then I hope you buy the one that has a service centre 100kms from your house and have fun pushing it there when you have a problem.

When I am asking specifically to the model and the proximity of the service centre is not a criteria, then yes, it is worthless.

Gary A - Thanks for the response. The model I am looking at is not a Diesel though... but I know there is a selection of Passat TDIs out there though - maybe I should have a look. Regardless I take it you will still vote for Passat solely from a quality standpoint.

Read you OP. service options was one of the criteria you mentioned.

Let me clarify. I am aware that there aren't many service centres solely targeting those brands. What I meant in that perspective was how knowledgable a general "Car Garage" would be of the specific brand/type. I am by no means an expert of cars but I have heard certain brands/types are transferable to other brands/types in regards to "hardware".

Should have been more clear and I apologize for that... but I still feel the remark "buy a Toyota" was only to stir up some kind of reaction.

Anyways, thanks for all the replies. I have narrowed it down to either the Passat or the Pug.

Not at all.. I have a VW Golf (which I really like) but servicing is / was a nightmare.. The local 'main dealer' is a joke, probably the worst customer service experiences I have ever had in Thailand and that takes some doing !! Parts are nigh on impossible to get (I waited 3 months with a main dealer ordering something they claimed they had in BKK) and Somchai type mechanics cant work on a European car without much problems.

I have finally found a Somchai type guy who is a VW fan and specialist who does all my work and gets all my parts from the BKK second hand markets. If it wasnt for finding this guy my ownership experience would be a nightmare.

All that said now I have found him I would happily have a Audi (100 or A6) which go for really low money compared to Asian names on the market.

[snowflake]

VW passat, go with German quality.

Or even better find a good early to mid 90s w124 Mercedes E class, they last a lifetime. Parts are easy to come bye and generally not that expensive, you also rarely need them. OK I am biased, I have a 1977 300D. Even at that age every Thai that sits in it is amazed at the ride quality and refinement saying it is better than most new cars! Even down here in Southern Thailand any part my mechanic has ordered has been here by 9am the next day!

The Chevrolet is actually a Daewoo from Korea.

You are cracking me up sometimes... Better than most new cars, which cars do they go in? The ride might be nice, but please do not exagurate it to much Sir, when are we meeting up???