Time To Buy A New Car-- Multiple Questions

[steelepulse]

I'm leaning towards either an accord or a camry as I really don't want to be part of the fortuner brigade that we have here in Phuket.  

I do like cars that are fun to drive so are there any new similarly priced cars that would be more fun to drive then either of these?

Are the dealers now giving better deals seeing as how overall car sales are in decline here?

Any ideas of interest rates the finance companies are charging for 30% down and 3 years finance?

I will be test driving before making any decisions, so if you have a recommendation I'll give that a test drive also. I already have a truck, so a car will be thet most practical choice.

[snowflake]

Only tip I have is that if you skimp of the car and get the 2.0 Camry you will get the old gearbox and some older features... If you go for the more expensive models it is all good...

I love the Camry, I think the new Accord looks to much like a BMW and I hate those...

Both are good cars, but think about the fact that the Accord is only 1 year old and the Camry is not going for 3 years... They do have minor upgrades every 5 years...

Good luck...

[yadetout]

The Hyundai Sonata is a good one too ! http://www.hyundai-motor.co.th/en/SonataCNG.asp

Awards

The Sonata has received the following awards:

• "Interior of the Year", 2009 Sonata, Ward's Auto World, category: Best Redesign.^[9]
  
• "Best Vehicles for $25,000 or Less" in 2008 Consumer Reports
  
• "Top Picks 2008" in 2008 Consumer Reports
  
• "Best New Family Car (under $35,000)" in the 2006 Canadian Car of the Year awards.
  
• Kiplinger’s Personal Finance “Best in Class” in the under $20,000 category – 2007 Sonata: Kiplinger’s Personal Finance 2007 Car Buyer’s Guide "Best of 2007 Cars" March 2007.
  
• Cars.com - 2007 Sonata: Best Deal For Small Families
  
• "Consumers Digest Best Buy" - 2006 Sonata
  
• NHTSA 5-Star Crash Rating – 2006 Sonata: Government star ratings are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program (www.safercar.gov). Model tested with standard side-impact airbags (SABs).
  
• Named "Best Bet" in Jack Gillis' The Car Book 2006 - 2006 Sonata
  
• Kiplinger’s Personal Finance “Best in Class” in the $18,000 to $23,000 category – 2006 Sonata: Kiplinger’s Personal Finance 2006 Car Buyer’s December 2005.
  
• Kiplinger’s Personal Finance “Best New Car” in the $18,000 to $23,000 category – 2006 Sonata: Kiplinger’s Personal Finance 2006 Car Buyer’s December 2005.
  
• MotorWeek’s “Driver’s Choice Award” for Best Family Sedan – 2006 Sonata
  

Source: wikipedia

Snowflake, BMW rocks ^^ but it's true it's bloody expensive here (e90 330i 2006)

Cheers

[steelepulse]

I don't think a Hyundai will hold it's value very well as compared to the Japanese cars.  I did see when I was back in the states last week that Hyundai was coming out with a 40K car to rival MB and BMW, but I don't see that car listed here in Thailand. It looked like a really nice car, but with the v8 engine, it would not be priced competitively here.

Anyone have any recent figures on interest charged by finance companies the dealerships use?

[Far Angst]

The Hyundai Sonata is a good one too ! http://www.hyundai-motor.co.th/en/SonataCNG.asp

Cheers

I could not agree with you more.

[yadetout]

The Hyundai Sonata is a good one too ! http://www.hyundai-motor.co.th/en/SonataCNG.asp

Cheers

I could not agree with you more.

ahahahahah "Sex Air Bags" Where did you get that picture? ()(") or maybe you used Photoshop ^^

[BSJ]

The current Hyundai Sonata has been around for a couple of years. I think a minor facelift is due 2009.

Honda Accord and Camry are big cars and need big or turbo engines for good performance. And you gunna pay big tax for that in LOS.

[PeaceBlondie]

At what engine displacement does the Thai tax jump up the sales price? Is it at around 3 liters?

[yadetout]

At what engine displacement does the Thai tax jump up the sales price? Is it at around 3 liters?

Yes, 3 liter or 3000cc and 220 hp

Rates of Duties

Import Duty (%) Excise Tax (%) Municipal Tax (%) VAT(%)

1. Passenger Car, with engine not exceeding 2,400 cc.

- CBU Import Duty (%)42, Excise Tax (%)32.5, Municipal Tax (%)3.25, VAT(%)10

- CKD Import Duty (%)20, Excise Tax (%)32.5, Municipal Tax (%)3.25, VAT(%)10

2. Passengers Car, with engine > 2,400 cc but not exceeding 3,000 cc and having the power not exceeding 220 H.P.

- CBU Import Duty (%)68.5, Excise Tax (%)38, Municipal Tax (%)3.8, VAT(%)10

- CKD Import Duty (%)20, Excise Tax (%)38, Municipal Tax (%)3.8, VAT(%)10

3. Passenger car, with engine > 3,000 cc. or having power over 220 H.P.

- CBU Import Duty (%)68.5, Excise Tax (%)45, Municipal Tax (%)4.5, VAT(%)10

- CKD Import Duty (%)20, Excise Tax (%)45, Municipal Tax (%)4.5, VAT(%)10

4. Off-road passenger vehicle

CBU

- with engine not exceeding 2,400 cc Import Duty (%)42, Excise Tax (%)27, Municipal Tax (%)2.7, VAT(%)10

- with engine exceeding 2,400 cc Import Duty (%)68.5, Excise Tax (%)27, Municipal Tax (%)2.7, VAT(%)10

CKD Import Duty (%)20 Excise Tax (%)27 Municipal Tax (%)2.7, VAT(%)10

5. Pick up/van

- CBU Import Duty (%)60 - - 10

- CKD Import Duty (%)20 - - 10

- CBU of chassis with engine Import Duty (%) 30 - - VAT(%)10

- CKD of chassis with engine Import Duty (%)20 - - VAT(%)10

6. Truck and public transport car exceeding 10 seats

- CBU Import Duty (%)40 - - VAT(%)10

- CKD Import Duty (%)20 - - VAT(%)10

- CBU of chassis with engine Import Duty (%)30 - - VAT(%)10

- CKD of chassis with engine Import Duty (%)10 - - VAT(%)10

Source: http://www.oefa.thaiembdc.org/Project/Info/car.html

[steelepulse]

>>2. Passengers Car, with engine > 2,400 cc but not exceeding 3,000 cc and having the power not exceeding 220 H.P. - CBU Import Duty (%)68.5, Excise Tax (%)38, Municipal Tax (%)3.8, VAT(%)10 

- CKD Import Duty (%)20, Excise Tax (%)38, Municipal Tax (%)3.8, VAT(%)10 

3. Passenger car, with engine > 3,000 cc. or having power over 220 H.P. 

- CBU Import Duty (%)68.5, Excise Tax (%)45, Municipal Tax (%)4.5, VAT(%)10 

- CKD Import Duty (%)20, Excise Tax (%)45, Municipal Tax (%)4.5, VAT(%)10

So based on the above, the dealers are screwing customers that buy an accord or camry with a 3.5 litre engine which is almost double the price of a 2.4 litre engine apparently as the tax difference is only 7%, unless for whatever reason these vehicles are not made it Thailand. 

[yadetout]

>>2. Passengers Car, with engine > 2,400 cc but not exceeding 3,000 cc and having the power not exceeding 220 H.P. - CBU Import Duty (%)68.5, Excise Tax (%)38, Municipal Tax (%)3.8, VAT(%)10

- CKD Import Duty (%)20, Excise Tax (%)38, Municipal Tax (%)3.8, VAT(%)10

3. Passenger car, with engine > 3,000 cc. or having power over 220 H.P.

- CBU Import Duty (%)68.5, Excise Tax (%)45, Municipal Tax (%)4.5, VAT(%)10

- CKD Import Duty (%)20, Excise Tax (%)45, Municipal Tax (%)4.5, VAT(%)10

So based on the above, the dealers are screwing customers that buy an accord or camry with a 3.5 litre engine which is almost double the price of a 2.4 litre engine apparently as the tax difference is only 7%, unless for whatever reason these vehicles are not made it Thailand.

Streetpulse, they are very smart... ^^ the difference between taxes is much higher because the 2.4 engine do not reach 2400cc but it is 2354cc ^^

Which means :

1. Passenger Car, with engine not exceeding 2,400 cc.

- CBU Import Duty (%)42, Excise Tax (%)32.5, Municipal Tax (%)3.25, VAT(%)10

3. Passenger car, with engine > 3,000 cc. or having power over 220 H.P.

- CBU Import Duty (%)68.5, Excise Tax (%)45, Municipal Tax (%)4.5, VAT(%)10

that's why you can find the Mercedes-benz S300 in Thailand but not in Europe (start with the S350).

Indeed:

Thailand --> S300 = 2987cc (below 3000cc) and 219 hp (below 220 hp) hihihi

Other countries with no such Taxes --> S350 = 3498cc and 272 hp

[PeaceBlondie]

So, if I win the lottery or get a book publishing contract for millions of dollars, is there a Toyota Camry with almost 3 liters and almost 220 hp?

[yadetout]

So, if I win the lottery or get a book publishing contract for millions of dollars, is there a Toyota Camry with almost 3 liters and almost 220 hp?

YES

"Charged-up Camry

The 3.5Q packs as much punch as some sports sedans

The Toyota Camry is surely one of the most popular cars in its segment. You just see them everywhere.

But apart from the conventional Camrys you are used to, there is a special version that might be able to blow your mind.

The Camry 3.5Q, priced at Bt2.85 million (the lower versions with 2- and 2.4-litre engines are priced from Bt1.299 million to Bt1.749 million), is the top version offered in the Camry line-up and comes with a massive 3.5-litre V6 power plant capable of pumping out as much as 272 horsepower and 336Nm of torque. Wow, sounds like a European sports sedan to me.

The car comes with everything you need, from navigation system to air-con with air purifier, and the large cabin space that also makes it a comfortable executive car. In fact when having to cut costs for a new car, a lot of European saloon users have downsized to the Camry (or the Honda Accord and Nissan Teana), which is much cheaper and offers as much space (perhaps even more in the case of the Camry) and comfort inside.

When we featured the regular Camry last year, I mentioned that the re-designed Camry follows the footsteps of the Lexus in term of styling, although you can still see many unique Camry elements remaining such as the rear windows and large doors. Simply said, it is also a substitute for those who can't afford a mid-sized Lexus.

In terms of design, the car is pretty much the same as the lower versions, except for the crash sensor in front and the dual exhausts located on each side of the rear apron. Even the wheels are the regular 17-inch alloys with 215/60 tires.

The 3.5Q also features a six-speed automatic gearbox with what Toyota calls a "Subsequential Shift", which is basically a manual shift mode. Shift points are silky smooth, and the sixth ratio makes sure you don't waste precious fuel unnecessarily.

With that much torque available, the 3.5Q can overtake on the highway comfortably, as well as give you hair-raising acceleration at full throttle. But beware, the quicker you accelerate, the more thirsty the engine becomes. It is normal that you can almost see the fuel gauge dropping in front of your eyes when driving the 3.5Q hard.

Unfortunately the suspension, consisting of regular MacPherson struts in front and dual-link-type struts in back, isn't so impressive. Even with stabilisers both front and rear, the car is sloppy in hard cornering or quick lane-changing (and the steering isn't crisp or direct like a European car's), since engineers have given more importance to comfort than to grip.

There is massive lateral roll, and sometimes it can be irritating to drive a car with so much power and not so much stability. Just goes to show that so much power and a front wheel drive set-up just might not be the right combination.

Anyone who contradicts me can drive the 3.5Q through a slalom and come back for a chat.

While I was pretty happy with the handling of the less powerful Camrys, Toyota should have made sure that the 3.5Q lives up to international standards in terms of roadworthiness.

What I would do right after buying a Camry 3.5Q is to drive to Srinakarin Road and get a suspension tune-up from TRD Thailand. New shocks and springs, as well as bushing, should just do it.

So what it is the standard version good for? Well, straight-line acceleration is great (when driving long-distance on long straight roads - Bangkok-Chon Buri Motorway for instance), and your guts won't be thrown all over when driving on roads with the poor conditions often found in this country.

Braking is also so-so for a car with this much power. The Germans do it much better. But then they can't sell an E-Class or 5 Series for less than Bt3 million as Toyota does with the 3.5Q, can they?

Thinking about it, the 3.5Q is probably a model that would do well in the US, where the highways are really long and straight (endless I would say), and people are more concerned about comfort than driving pleasure (they still eat in the car!). I bet they sell a lot of 3.5-litre Camrys in the States.

As mentioned, the interior is huge, with lots of room for the rear passengers, making the Camry a great choice for executives. There is plenty of headroom and legroom too, even for six-footers.

The only setback seems to be the ugly steering, with wood on the top part.

The steering diameter is also too large, and it doesn't feel right in the hands.

Both front seats come with a cooling system that saves your butt when parking the car under sunlight. Oh, the leather seats can be really hot! There are air vents for the rear passengers, ashtrays and cup holders as well as a DVD player. Meanwhile, the automatic climate-control system also features an air cleaner similar to home air-conditioners that performs very well in keeping the cabin filled with clean, fresh air. Smokers would love it.

You also get automatic headlights and windshield wipers, a rear-view camera and a Smart Entry system featuring a push-start button. Also there are dual front air bags, side air bags, a whiplash-injury lessening system, five seat belts, traction control and Vehicle Stability Control.

Well, Toyota is the only manufacturer to offer a power version of its mid-sized sedan right now so if you want a Camry that is not an ordinary Camry, this is the chance. It's got as much power (even more actually) than a BMW 530 and doesn't look like a car that has won the award for "Best Car for the Executive Gay". Most importantly, it costs much less.

Engine: DOHC V6 24-valve VVT-i

Displacement: 3,456cc

Bore and stroke: 94 x 83mm

Compression ratio: 10.8:1

Max power: 272hp/6,200rpm

Max torque: 336Nm/4,700rpm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic (Subsequential Shift)

Ratios: n/a

Final drive ratio: 3.685

Suspension (f/r): MacPherson strut stabiliser/struts,

dual link, stabiliser

Steering: Powered

rack-and-pinion

Min turn: 10 metres

Brakes (f/r): Vented discs/discs with ABS, EBD and BA

Dimensions (mm)

Length: 4,825

Width: 1,820

Height: 1,470

Wheelbase: 2,775

Track (f/r): 1,575/1,565

Wheels: 17-inch alloys

Tyres: 215/60R17

Weight: 1,590kgs

Fuel tank capacity: 70 litres

Price: Bt2.85 million

Distributor: Toyota Motor Thailand

Kingsley Wijayasinha

The Nation"

[maamoot]

I bought the Hyundai Sonata Exe here in Chiang Mai and I am very happy with it . The Hyundai Sonata Exe 2.4 Exe is about the same price as the Honda Accord 2.0 and the Toyota Camry 2.0 .

The Hyundai Sonata Exe has a 5 year unlimited warranty as well as side airbags which is the main reason I bought it .

[PeaceBlondie]

(PeaceBlondie @ 2008-11-20 16:21:59) *

So, if I win the lottery or get a book publishing contract for millions of dollars, is there a Toyota Camry with almost 3 liters and almost 220 hp?

The Camry 3.5Q, priced at Bt2.85 million (the lower versions with 2- and 2.4-litre engines are priced from Bt1.299 million to Bt1.749 million), is the top version

Not to be a cheap charlie, but the larger engine increases the price by 1.1 million baht. Ouch!

[Plus]

It also has got more gimmics and electronic wizardry, and imported engine and gear boxes, i think. Add that up on top of the top spec "normal" version, apply the highest tax rate, and set the price relative to BMW and Benz.

They don't sell it, btw, it's just for advertising and talking up the brand, like Vios Turbo a few years ago - it was all over the media but they couldn't sell the first batch of a hundred of them. Says a lot about percieved Thai obsession with power and speed - there isn't any to speak of.

[Gary A]

From the Bangkok Post;

Can you live with a car with average resale value, no side airbags, no sun roof, no parking sensors, no standard DVD player, no Xenon headlights, no GPS navigator, 16-inch alloy wheels that runs dearer diesel?

In its defence, here's a hatchback that offers great handling, driveability and fuel economy that are superior to all other cars in its class - Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Mitsubishi Lancer, Proton Gen-2 and even its sister car the Mazda 3.

For those concerned with driving, the Ford Focus TDCi Powershift simply shines over the rest.

[dominique355]

Wow! Toyota Camry 3.5 Liter, with the suspension, steering, breaks etc from the 2.4 Liter, cost 2.8 Million THB. That means double price for just a different engine?

For that money you might want to consider a BMW 320d (2.85 Million THB)

Don't know the Mercedes Benz C220d, but should be around the same price.

Also the new AUDI A4 with a 2 Liter gasoline engine is around the same price.

I know what I would buy and it's NOT the Toyota).

[kasmax]

i think you should wait for new nissan teana coming out here in the first quarter of the year. its gonna be 2500cc V6.Meantime check out this.

www.autoincar.com/spotted-another-2009-nissan-teana-j32-in-thailand/

[yadetout]

i think you should wait for new nissan teana coming out here in the first quarter of the year. its gonna be 2500cc V6.Meantime check out this.

www.autoincar.com/spotted-another-2009-nissan-teana-j32-in-thailand/

I like the interior, this bi-color design (beige-chocolate) reminds me the new Volvo xc60 http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshow...xc60int.img.jpg even if the Volvo is far more better.

I am not a fan of the exterior even if I love the job nissan did with the GT-R or the new 370Z .

Regarding the toyota, we can't compare a camry 3.5 petrol with a 3 series 2.O diesel...

At least, as the article does, compare it the a 530i ... try to get the 530i ...

I drive a e90 330i 2006 which cost 4,300,000 B (not on sale anymore, just the 325i or directly to the 335i with 7,500,000 as a price tag)