New Car Dilemma

[ebcal]

Hi All,

My GF (in Chiang Mai) is looking to buy a new car and is a first timecar buyer, so was hoping to take advantage of the first time car buyer's program, but have a bit of a dilemma.

Requirements: She would like a 5 dr car, so one with a hatchback, rather than 4 dr sedan. And she prefers driving a manual transmission. And she is looking to spend around $600k, but possibly up to $800k or so, if it was absolutely a perfect match in every other way. Dont want the very bottom of the line models that feel really cheap, but maybe a level above that.

1. First choice was the Honda Jazz. But problem is that cant find a dealer that can deliver by October in time to take advantage of first time buyer's rebate of 100k. Any chance they will extend this program another year? Or does it end for good this October 2012? Assume the car have to be received by this October and not ordered by October? One dealer in Chiang Mai said maybe Oct, but likely they cant and only saying that and will probably be next year. Brio is too small.

2. Second choice was the Ford Fiesta, I really like the 1.6 L Sport version, but of course that engine size does not qualify for the rebate and does not come in manual trans anyway. and even the in 1.4/1.5 L engines, only the 1.4L 4 dr sedan comes in manual transmission. The 5 dr only comes in automatic. And she is set on 5dr and manual transmission.

3. May have to consider some other cars. Can consider Toyota Yaris or Vios, but she is not too fond of those. I am not either. And she is not fond of the Mazda 2 or Suzuki Swift. She is not familiar with the Mitsubishi Mirage and I am not either, but doesnt look that great to me and dont think she will like it either.

4. Other options, scrap the idea of getting the first time buyer's rebate and stick with the Jazz. It would be very nice to get 100k rebate, but not if it means buying a car that one is not too thrilled about. Or maybe even looking a level up and looking at the Ford Focus, Mazda3, but dont think those have manual transmissions either and she wanted to keep in the 600k price range, but maybe would consider next level up, if found something that was perfect in every other way. Or maybe buy used, but with high prices for used cars and not always knowing if there were flood damaged, prefer to buy new.

Thanks for any suggestions. I think she is leaning towards giving up on the rebate and waiting until next year to get the Honda Jazz, unless there is a better solution, but looks like there isnt any. Thought I would post on here to see if any other suggested ideas. Thank you.

[TommoPhysicist]

You are buying the car for her with your money?

or

If it's her money why not let her decide what to get, I'm sure she can communicate with the car dealers better than you can?

Why do you think the new cars didn't spend two months underwater last year?

[albhol]

Order by year-end should be enough

[PoolHustler]

Its quite obvious to me she has to be persuaded to buy an Automatic, Fiesta is the way forward

[stevenl]

Order by year-end should be enough

Not for the rebate.

[JeffreyMcCollum]

Does anyone really know anyone who has received the rebate yet ?

Will the funds be there ? will they be sent ?

Not from what my wife has told me now waiting and being one of the first to apply and having paid for her car in full

program is in place but funds not alocated yet is what she was told

[stevenl]

Does anyone really know anyone who has received the rebate yet ?

Will the funds be there ? will they be sent ?

Not from what my wife has told me now waiting and being one of the first to apply and having paid for her car in full

program is in place but funds not alocated yet is what she was told

No, not possible, because the rebate will be paid 1 year after aplication, and that period has not been passed yet for the first car.

I don't foresee any problems here though.

[albhol]

Order by year-end should be enough

Not for the rebate.

The legislation has recently been modifying, and it is common in the Thai news.

Reservation on their own name until the end of the year is enough to take the refund claim.

Part of a statement for your women:

จากเดิมให้สิทธิคืนภาษีสำหรับผู้ที่ซื้อและต้องโอนรถภายในวันที่ 31 ธันวาคม 2555 เป็นให้สิทธิผู้ที่จองซื้อรถ แม้ยังไม่ได้โอนรถก็ได้

ต้องเป็นบุคคลตามใบจองเท่านั้น ห้ามมีการเปลี่ยนแปลง เพื่อป้องกันไม่ให้มีการสวมสิทธิ ส่วนเงื่อนไขอื่นๆ ยังเหมือนเดิม

[stevenl]

Order by year-end should be enough

Not for the rebate.

The legislation has recently been modifying, and it is common in the Thai news.

Reservation on their own name until the end of the year is enough to take the refund claim.

Part of a statement for your women:

จากเดิมให้สิทธิคืนภาษีสำหรับผู้ที่ซื้อและต้องโอนรถภายในวันที่ 31 ธันวาคม 2555 เป็นให้สิทธิผู้ที่จองซื้อรถ แม้ยังไม่ได้โอนรถก็ได้

ต้องเป็นบุคคลตามใบจองเท่านั้น ห้ามมีการเปลี่ยนแปลง เพื่อป้องกันไม่ให้มีการสวมสิทธิ ส่วนเงื่อนไขอื่นๆ ยังเหมือนเดิม

Thanks for the update.

[funcat]

There are many cars to choose from...my pick for 600k will be Almera full spec....and automatic of course...why would anybody prefer stick shift...unless some specific driving conditions(like steep hills)apply?The new AT transmissions are great and some even allow you to shift,if you want...

[ebcal]

Thanks for the suggestions.

If she would accept automatic, I definitely would recommend the Ford Fiesta to her. The Fiesta along with the Jazz are my top 2, although it is her decision. But, her preferences are her preferences, so MT and

5-dr are what she wants.

If ordering / reservation of the car before October is sufficient to still qualify for the first time car buyer's rebate, then she will most likely choose to stay with the Jazz, which is her first choice. I thought one had to receive the car. I will ask her to verify this.

I happen to prefer MT as well. Almost all the cars I have owned have been manual transmission cars. I did have one AT with auto shifter on the stick and also paddle shifters on the steering wheel. I tried them a few times, but disliked them, so never really used them. Shifting is just not the same driving experience without a clutch and just clicking the stick back to shift or clicking paddle shifters. Driving an AT just removes you from the driving experience. Maybe not all will understand that, but I am sure some will.

[Darrel]

"1. First choice was the Honda Jazz."

Entirely subjective comments but I was driving one of these today and I didn't like it at all. The aircon is very inefficient and does not cool the driver properly, regardless of how you set it. The seat is uncomfortable, regardless of how it is adjusted. There is a nasty blind spot above the dashboard on each side.

I found the Vios I was driving last week to be a much better car and would not hesitate to choose that over a Jazz.

And I would not take a manual drive car as a gift in Thailand. Automatic all the way, without question. Unless perhaps you only travel on highways and never in town.

[stevenl]

Thanks for the suggestions.

If she would accept automatic, I definitely would recommend the Ford Fiesta to her. The Fiesta along with the Jazz are my top 2, although it is her decision. But, her preferences are her preferences, so MT and

5-dr are what she wants.

If ordering / reservation of the car before October is sufficient to still qualify for the first time car buyer's rebate, then she will most likely choose to stay with the Jazz, which is her first choice. I thought one had to receive the car. I will ask her to verify this.

I happen to prefer MT as well. Almost all the cars I have owned have been manual transmission cars. I did have one AT with auto shifter on the stick and also paddle shifters on the steering wheel. I tried them a few times, but disliked them, so never really used them. Shifting is just not the same driving experience without a clutch and just clicking the stick back to shift or clicking paddle shifters. Driving an AT just removes you from the driving experience. Maybe not all will understand that, but I am sure some will.

Paperwork for the rebate will be handled on delivery. Don't know if it can be done on order already, but seriously doubt it.

[culicine]

The mazda 2 hatchback manual transmission for sure. It's much quicker than the auto version, though the auto is a good match for this engine. I think it's about 545K. Not sure about delivery but I'm pretty sure you could get it by October. It has abs and twin airbags, though no immobiliser, so you would need to get that fitted if you want more security. Most reviews give it the thumbs up. It would be my choice if I was looking for a MT car. The money you save you can spend accessories, of which there are plenty.

[albhol]

Paperwork for the rebate will be handled on delivery. Don't know if it can be done on order already, but seriously doubt it.

The car must be delivered. Exceptional end of the year, then the reservation is enough for the paperwork.