4X4 Offroading In Southern Phuket

[pagallim]

I thought expats bought a Fortuna as a status symbol and to bully there way through on the roads

Personally i do not like them they are just a hilux with a station sedan body and have coil springs instead of leaf springs on the rear which makes them a lot more expensive for the same features

A poor observation I think Peter, and I don't think any Fortuner owner considers it a 'status symbol'. However, they are large, comfortable, totally reliable, and quite good to drive. Power and economy, especially with the 3 litre diesel, is good. There's usually a reason why a particular brand and model is common on the road and owner status rarely comes into it. For me, having a couple of large dogs to transport to the beach for swimming, and the need to tow my trailer boat, was a significant factor.

[Old Croc]

I find it very amusing that Dutchmen and Brits are lecturing Aussies about 4wd vehicles.

[pagallim]

I find it very amusing that Dutchmen and Brits are lecturing Aussies about 4wd vehicles.

Don't think anybody is lecturing here, though I would comment that because of the diversity of weather conditions, the benefits of all wheel drive would be more apparent on road in Northern Europe (UK and Holland included) than perhaps Australia.

[pagallim]

By co-incidence, just looking at an on line UK newspaper, saw this photo of one of many consequences of bad weather being experienced there just now:

[Old Croc]

I find it very amusing that Dutchmen and Brits are lecturing Aussies about 4wd vehicles.

Don't think anybody is lecturing here, though I would comment that because of the diversity of weather conditions, the benefits of all wheel drive would be more apparent on road in Northern Europe (UK and Holland included) than perhaps Australia.

That wasn't the actual comment I was amused by. It was the people stating what is or isn't an off road vehicle.

In Australia, I would also engage highway mode 4wd on my car when it was very wet. (you are aware it doesn't assist with braking, only tire slip on take off and cornering?)

Hated to sell this when I came to Thailand. My Mits. Pajero 3.5L petrol. (distant relation to the Pajero Sport sold here)

Could launch the boat on soft sand beaches without problems:

This is Peter with his last car in Australia:

Edited September 25, 2012 by Old Croc

[Old Croc]

By co-incidence, just looking at an on line UK newspaper, saw this photo of one of many consequences of bad weather being experienced there just now:

Could be Patong hill!

[pagallim]

Hated to sell this when I came to Thailand. My Mits. Pajero 3.5L petrol. (distant relation to the Pajero Sport sold here)

I also had a Mitsubishi Pajero/Shogun V6 3.5 some years ago whilst working/living in Qatar. Excellent tool, and great whilst doing the popular local hobby of 'dune bashing'. The Qataris preferred the Toyota Land Cruiser though (incidentally, isn't Toyota the most popular 4x4 marque in Australia? This was the opinion of several Australians that I worked with).

Edited September 25, 2012 by pagallim

[Old Croc]

Hated to sell this when I came to Thailand. My Mits. Pajero 3.5L petrol. (distant relation to the Pajero Sport sold here)

I also had a Mitsubishi Pajero/Shogun V6 3.5 some years ago whilst working/living in Qatar. Excellent tool, and great whilst doing the popular local hobby of 'dune bashing'. The Qataris preferred the Toyota Land Cruiser though (incidentally, isn't Toyota the most popular 4x4 marque in Australia? This was the opinion of several Australians that I worked with).

Land Cruisers can be too heavy.

Some years ago, when going down an extremely soft beach near Coral Bay to gawk at a whale carcass, I had to drive around a Cruiser bogged to the axles. My Pajero, still in hwy mode 4wd, didn't look like stopping.

[ALFREDO]

Big, big difference between a roadcar with 4x4 and an off road car. But that may be a matter of interpretation, so if you consider your car an off road vehicle them I wish you fun with it off road. I really don't care how you use your car.

So, you are right, not many possibilities to really use a 4x4 as a "normal" Expat in TH, but, I have the small Phukiau hills Chayaphum behind my GF house and going up there on a dirt road like that,

I like that my old Ford Ranger has 4x4 reduction gear and crawl up the road.

(They use-used that road sometimes for some Thai-Asian-Championship Rally, Off Road rides.)

Once on Phuket, the second road right after the Kata-3 beach view point, I drove down to the Nuy Beach, some years ago.

It was dry for some time and slippery surface.

So when I wanted to go back up I saw a older 2 wheel drive Pick Up with Falangs who tried to get up the steep slope, but could not, even in the reverse gear and with man on the loading area.

Before they could ask me for help, I drove up and away, with my people, 4x4 and with reduction gear, a piece of cake.

Now a question, what model of car is in your opinion worth the name an Off Road car?

Rally Champion ship cars,

Paris Dakar cars,

or the Monsters they use in Iceland to climb stones and rocks and steepest walls,

or cars used for -Car trial-?

Is there a car I can buy in a shop around the corner without modification worth that name in your opinion?

Edited September 25, 2012 by ALFREDO

[stevenl]

Big, big difference between a roadcar with 4x4 and an off road car. But that may be a matter of interpretation, so if you consider your car an off road vehicle them I wish you fun with it off road. I really don't care how you use your car.

So, you are right, not many possibilities to really use a 4x4 as a "normal" Expat in TH, but, I have the small Phukiau hills Chayaphum behind my GF house and going up there on a dirt road I like that my old Ford Ranger has 4x4 reduction gear and crawl up the road.

(They use-used that road sometimes for some Thai-Asian-Championship rides.)

Once on Phuket, the second road right after the Kata-3 beach view point, I drove down to the Nuy Beach, some years ago.

It was dry for some time and slippery surface.

So when I wanted to go back up I saw a older 2 wheel drive Pick Up with Falangs who tried to get uo the steep slope, but could not, even in the reverse gear and with man on the loading area.

Before they could ask me for help, I dove with my people, 4x4 and with reduction gear, a piece of cake.

Now a question, what model of car is in your opinion worth the name an Off Road car?

Rally Champion ship cars,

Paris Dakar cars,

or the Monsters they use in Iceland to climb stones and rocks and steepest walls,

or cars used for -Car trial-?

Is there a car I can buy in a shop around the corner without modification worth that name in your opinion?

To me the main difference is the purpose the car was built for. If build for road usage with maybe once in a blue moon off road I do not call off roaders, examples are nearly all 4x4 pickups and SUV's. Cars build for off road with sometimes a cruise on tarmac to reach the off road I would call off roaders, like the Icelandic cars, Paris-Dakar's, etc., but also the older land rovers.

But as mentioned, that is personal, others may and will disagree.

[ALFREDO]

Maybe these pictures and story fit here well. The old OFF ROAD car from Lamborghini and one used by Saddams son Uday.

which the Ting Tong US soldiers blew up!

The seats of the Lamborghinl LM LANDMONSTER one officer put in his HUMMVEE-HUMMER. Only that seats survived, what a shame!

A new Lamborghini OFF ROAD with AUDI?

Now with Know How and money from AUDI, that will possibly work, but they tried that SUV, -HUMMER- style thing already long ago.

I t was just not so positive sales outcome.

http://en.wikipedia....mborghini_LM002

1986-1993 328 produced

Sidenote in Wikipedia

On July 18, 2004, at a US military base near Baqubah, members of the American military used an LM002 that had belonged to Uday Hussein to simulate the effects of a car bomb.

http://carscoop.blog...stroy-rare.html

Young uneducated us soldiers!

Here’s a story that will make all you octane-lovers sob like a kid who dropped his ice cream. On July 18, 2004, American soldiers at a USA military base near Baqubah,Iraq used this navy-blue Lamborghini LM002 (powered by a Countach V12 engine) once owned by Uday Hussein,one of Saddam Hussein's sons, to simulate the effects of a V.B.IE.D. (Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device).

In plain English, the unaware soldiers took one of the rarest cars of our time (only 300 Lamborghini LM002s were ever built), packed it with explosives, parked it next to a concrete barrier similar in construction to those surrounding the base and blew it up to pieces. We’re aware that these guys were just doing their work and that the LM002 is a relatively unknown quantity, but nevertheless, it’s a pretty shame that no one knew wha

The seats and some more interior had been moved to a Hummve-Hummer, it was said the interior was complete when the soldiers saw the car.

Edited September 25, 2012 by ALFREDO

[ALFREDO]

To me the main difference is the purpose the car was built for. If build for road usage with maybe once in a blue moon off road I do not call off roaders, examples are nearly all 4x4 pickups and SUV's. Cars build for off road with sometimes a cruise on tarmac to reach the off road I would call off roaders, like the Icelandic cars, Paris-Dakar's, etc., but also the older land rovers.

But as mentioned, that is personal, others may and will disagree.

I agree, than the name OFF ROAD car belongs only to a group of very view cars,

I think the above already badly ridden and "flayed" Lamborghini LM from Uday Hussein is one of the OFF ROADERS.

[pagallim]

Could launch the boat on soft sand beaches without problems:

Your boat looks a similar size to mine, which I brought home outside the house for her annual deep clean/maintenance/new anti foul (yet to be completed) a couple of weeks ago:

[petercallen]

I thought expats bought a Fortuna as a status symbol and to bully there way through on the roads

Personally i do not like them they are just a hilux with a station sedan body and have coil springs instead of leaf springs on the rear which makes them a lot more expensive for the same features

A poor observation I think Peter, and I don't think any Fortuner owner considers it a 'status symbol'. However, they are large, comfortable, totally reliable, and quite good to drive. Power and economy, especially with the 3 litre diesel, is good. There's usually a reason why a particular brand and model is common on the road and owner status rarely comes into it. For me, having a couple of large dogs to transport to the beach for swimming, and the need to tow my trailer boat, was a significant factor.

The new Ford and Mazda 2.2 engine produces almost as much torque/ power as the Toyota 3.0 engine

Taking dogs to the beach i prefer a pickup they tend to smell after swimming and love riding in the back

If i was going to tow a boat or caravan i would have bought the 3.2 ford much more torque/power than the Toyota

Toyota and Isuzu have not updated there power train in a long time just had face lifts to change the looks slighty

Toyota was the most popular vehicle to buy followed by the Isuzu, not any longer

[petercallen]

To me the main difference is the purpose the car was built for. If build for road usage with maybe once in a blue moon off road I do not call off roaders, examples are nearly all 4x4 pickups and SUV's. Cars build for off road with sometimes a cruise on tarmac to reach the off road I would call off roaders, like the Icelandic cars, Paris-Dakar's, etc., but also the older land rovers.

But as mentioned, that is personal, others may and will disagree.

I agree, than the name OFF ROAD car belongs only to a group of very view cars,

I think the above already badly ridden and "flayed" Lamborghini LM from Uday Hussein is one of the OFF ROADERS.

A military tank is a true off road vehicle forget everything else where can you buy one

[ALFREDO]

If i was going to tow a boat or caravan i would have bought the 3.2 ford much more torque/power than the Toyota

Possible to buy one, order a New Ford Ranger 3,2 and get him delivered in a short time?

Was of the opinion, read, there are no supplies in Thailand for this type of Ranger? With 3,2 L engine.

[petercallen]

If i was going to tow a boat or caravan i would have bought the 3.2 ford much more torque/power than the Toyota

Possible to buy one, order a New Ford Ranger 3,2 and get him delivered in a short time?

Was of the opinion, read, there are no supplies in Thailand for this type of Ranger? With 3,2 L engine.

The first 7 wildtracks delivered to the Phuket dealer last month were all 3.2 engines in colour white

They actually had a spare one probably the one KBB ordered

[pagallim]

If i was going to tow a boat or caravan i would have bought the 3.2 ford much more torque/power than the Toyota

Possible to buy one, order a New Ford Ranger 3,2 and get him delivered in a short time?

Was of the opinion, read, there are no supplies in Thailand for this type of Ranger? With 3,2 L engine.

No idea about the Ranger, however the most direct comparison from Ford to the Fortuner is their New Escape, with a 3.0 diesel engine. Power however is down on the Fortuner (156 against 171 ps), though torque is slightly better at 380 against 360 Nm).

[pagallim]

Taking dogs to the beach i prefer a pickup they tend to smell after swimming and love riding in the back

Mine appreciate the separate air conditioning in the rear, plus as I don't have a tribe of Somchai's to transport around, I really have no need of a pick up.

[ALFREDO]

The first 7 wildtracks delivered to the Phuket dealer last month were all 3.2 engines in colour white

They actually had a spare one probably the one KBB ordered

I surprised, I was in the opinion, you do not get that Ranger with the BIG engine in the moment.

Will ask my dealer. You never know,-KBB- can-could, use him soon, maybe?

-pagallim-

Both cars not that kind of car I would like.

Less, or same engine power, more weight and higher price than the Pick ups.

[stevenl]

A military tank is a true off road vehicle forget everything else where can you buy one

Yes, I would consider that off road.

[petercallen]

Taking dogs to the beach i prefer a pickup they tend to smell after swimming and love riding in the back

Mine appreciate the separate air conditioning in the rear, plus as I don't have a tribe of Somchai's to transport around, I really have no need of a pick up.

We needed a pickup because my wife is mad about her garden and it allows us to pick up things where and when we want and its more versatile than a wagon as far as i am concerned, nothing wrong with a wagon if you prefer one, to each his own

[pagallim]

to each his own

Exactly.......

[pagallim]

Toyota was the most popular vehicle to buy followed by the Isuzu, not any longer

Interesting article here Peter.......

http://news.drive.co...0903-259yi.html

Mazda3 still Australia’s top-selling car – but Toyota’s HiLux is closing fast

The Toyota HiLux utility is within striking distance of becoming Australia’s top-selling vehicle in 2012 after recording an unprecedented fifth month in a row at the top of the charts.

The HiLux workhorse has closed the gap to the Mazda3 small car – going into August the pair were separated by about 1600 sales, now the tradies’ favourite is just 562 deliveries behind year-to-date.

According to preliminary sales figures for August, Toyota’s HiLux led the market with more than 4000 sales for the month, compared with the Mazda3’s tally of 2990 deliveries.

This gives the Mazda3 a year-to-date total of 28,158 sales compared to the HiLux’s 27,596, according to provisional data.

The major upset is a reflection of the mining boom and Toyota making up for interruptions to production throughout most of last year.

HiLux sales were expected to be dented by the onslaught of new ute arrivals this year, but so far it still has a commanding lead.

Its rivals are gaining some ground, though. Utility vehicles once again represent three of the top 10 sellers for the month; Holden’s new Colorado ute is eleventh.

Toyota, market leader for the past nine years in a row, continues to top the charts by brand (up 13 per cent for the month).

Holden, buoyed by a limited 0.5 per cent finance offer in the middle of August, had its best month this year – but its tally of 11,271 sales was down 2.3 per cent in a market that’s up by about 6 per cent (early estimates forecast 93,000 new vehicle sales for August, up from 88,000 for the same month last year).

If Holden sales continue at their current rate, the car maker will record its lowest annual figure in 19 years.

Ford also failed to reverse its sales slide. Continuing seven straight years of decline its tally of 7795 deliveries was down 6.5 per cent compared with the same month last year.

The locally-made Ford Territory SUV outsold its Ford Falcon sedan sibling, which in turn was followed closely by the imported Ford Focus small car – a vehicle that was supposed to be built in Australia until the company redirected production to Thailand.

Small cars filled four of the top seven positions (in order: Mazda3, Toyota Corolla, Holden Cruze and Hyundai i30).

However, if the Hyundai i30 hatch figures were combined with the Hyundai Elantra sedan (its rivals combine sedan and hatch sales) the South Korean car maker would have outsold the Holden Cruze. It was Hyundai’s best August result since it began selling cars in Australia.

Japanese brand Honda, which sources most of its models from Thailand, mounted a massive recovery in August. Boosted by the arrival of an all-new Civic small car – and the runout of the Accord sedan and CR-V softroader – sales were up by 89 per cent.

But Honda is still a long way off its former glory. It is on track to sell about 35,000 cars this year, well down on its best result of 60,500 deliveries in 2007.

The other big winners for the month were sister companies Nissan and Renault, both of which also had low interest rate finance offers.

Nissan sales were up by 16.5 per cent and Renault sales were up by 20 per cent.

During the limited periods when finance deals were promoted by Renault (0 to 2.9 per cent), Holden (0.5 per cent) and Nissan (1 to 1.4 per cent), about 70 per cent of private buyers took up the offers, manufacturer and dealer sources told Drive.

Top 20 sellers August 2012 (provisional)

Toyota HiLux 4021

Mazda3 2990

Toyota Corolla 2944

Holden Cruze 2628

Holden Commodore 2435

Toyota Camry 2130

Hyundai i30 2125 (2861 when Elantra is included)

Nissan Navara 2020

Mazda CX-5 1679

Ford Ranger 1629

Holden Colorado 1581

Volkswagen Golf 1510

Holden Captiva7 1497

Toyota Yaris 1481

Ford Territory 1357

Nissan X-Trail 1358

Honda Civic 1360

Ford Falcon 1353

Nissan Dualis 1316

Toyota Prado 1300

How the big brands fared in August 2012 (provisional)

Toyota 17,994 (up 13 per cent)

Holden 11,271 (down 2.3 per cent)

Ford 7795 (down 6.5 per cent)

Hyundai 7732 (up 4 per cent)

Mazda 7685 (down 16 per cent)

Nissan 6502 (up 16.5 per cent)

Volkswagen 4350 (up 14 per cent)

Mitsubishi 4071 (down 16 per cent)

Honda 3840 (up 89 per cent)

Subaru 3204 (up 18.5 per cent)

Kia 2566 (up 22 per cent)

[britpop]

By the way they are making a hash of all the roads around phuket, roads fallen down hillsides, super size pot holes, all the developments oozing mud and sh*t on the roads, all the drains blocking up, i think the car of choice will compulsorily have to be a 4x4, poor farang, sore him in his brand new merc SLK 250, i think 5 mils worth, looked as though a elephant had a bowel problem and shat on it, the mud and crap was everywhere, it wasn't just the stone chippings, i think rocks and boulders, he was livid

bet he was still pretty comfy inside tho!

The crap was also inside the car, must have had his soft top down at sometime, i did think poor bugger, i was around patong today, without exception every road was covered in some sort of mud, the relaying of the new road from the Esso or is it shell garage to jungcylon is a impressive sight, i appreciate they are laying new drains as well, but what a mess in progress, interesting to see how that turns out, at the minute the only way through it is a 4x4

[petercallen]

Toyota was the most popular vehicle to buy followed by the Isuzu, not any longer

Interesting article here Peter.......

http://news.drive.co...0903-259yi.html

Mazda3 still Australia’s top-selling car – but Toyota’s HiLux is closing fast

The Toyota HiLux utility is within striking distance of becoming Australia’s top-selling vehicle in 2012 after recording an unprecedented fifth month in a row at the top of the charts.

The HiLux workhorse has closed the gap to the Mazda3 small car – going into August the pair were separated by about 1600 sales, now the tradies’ favourite is just 562 deliveries behind year-to-date.

According to preliminary sales figures for August, Toyota’s HiLux led the market with more than 4000 sales for the month, compared with the Mazda3’s tally of 2990 deliveries.

This gives the Mazda3 a year-to-date total of 28,158 sales compared to the HiLux’s 27,596, according to provisional data.

The major upset is a reflection of the mining boom and Toyota making up for interruptions to production throughout most of last year.

HiLux sales were expected to be dented by the onslaught of new ute arrivals this year, but so far it still has a commanding lead.

Its rivals are gaining some ground, though. Utility vehicles once again represent three of the top 10 sellers for the month; Holden’s new Colorado ute is eleventh.

Toyota, market leader for the past nine years in a row, continues to top the charts by brand (up 13 per cent for the month).

Holden, buoyed by a limited 0.5 per cent finance offer in the middle of August, had its best month this year – but its tally of 11,271 sales was down 2.3 per cent in a market that’s up by about 6 per cent (early estimates forecast 93,000 new vehicle sales for August, up from 88,000 for the same month last year).

If Holden sales continue at their current rate, the car maker will record its lowest annual figure in 19 years.

Ford also failed to reverse its sales slide. Continuing seven straight years of decline its tally of 7795 deliveries was down 6.5 per cent compared with the same month last year.

The locally-made Ford Territory SUV outsold its Ford Falcon sedan sibling, which in turn was followed closely by the imported Ford Focus small car – a vehicle that was supposed to be built in Australia until the company redirected production to Thailand.

Small cars filled four of the top seven positions (in order: Mazda3, Toyota Corolla, Holden Cruze and Hyundai i30).

However, if the Hyundai i30 hatch figures were combined with the Hyundai Elantra sedan (its rivals combine sedan and hatch sales) the South Korean car maker would have outsold the Holden Cruze. It was Hyundai’s best August result since it began selling cars in Australia.

Japanese brand Honda, which sources most of its models from Thailand, mounted a massive recovery in August. Boosted by the arrival of an all-new Civic small car – and the runout of the Accord sedan and CR-V softroader – sales were up by 89 per cent.

But Honda is still a long way off its former glory. It is on track to sell about 35,000 cars this year, well down on its best result of 60,500 deliveries in 2007.

The other big winners for the month were sister companies Nissan and Renault, both of which also had low interest rate finance offers.

Nissan sales were up by 16.5 per cent and Renault sales were up by 20 per cent.

During the limited periods when finance deals were promoted by Renault (0 to 2.9 per cent), Holden (0.5 per cent) and Nissan (1 to 1.4 per cent), about 70 per cent of private buyers took up the offers, manufacturer and dealer sources told Drive.

Top 20 sellers August 2012 (provisional)

Toyota HiLux 4021

Mazda3 2990

Toyota Corolla 2944

Holden Cruze 2628

Holden Commodore 2435

Toyota Camry 2130

Hyundai i30 2125 (2861 when Elantra is included)

Nissan Navara 2020

Mazda CX-5 1679

Ford Ranger 1629

Holden Colorado 1581

Volkswagen Golf 1510

Holden Captiva7 1497

Toyota Yaris 1481

Ford Territory 1357

Nissan X-Trail 1358

Honda Civic 1360

Ford Falcon 1353

Nissan Dualis 1316

Toyota Prado 1300

How the big brands fared in August 2012 (provisional)

Toyota 17,994 (up 13 per cent)

Holden 11,271 (down 2.3 per cent)

Ford 7795 (down 6.5 per cent)

Hyundai 7732 (up 4 per cent)

Mazda 7685 (down 16 per cent)

Nissan 6502 (up 16.5 per cent)

Volkswagen 4350 (up 14 per cent)

Mitsubishi 4071 (down 16 per cent)

Honda 3840 (up 89 per cent)

Subaru 3204 (up 18.5 per cent)

Kia 2566 (up 22 per cent)

Its always easy to quote other peoples figures

Ford ranger sales are down for 2 reasons the long waiting time for delivery and they are not prepared to give very much away unlike other manufacturers, Madza has a lot more free things compared to Ford, You can buy a manual mazda pickup as long as you will accept a manual transmission from there current stock

[pagallim]

^

Just to avoid confusion, my original question was on the sales of Toyota 4X4's in Australia, which I'd been told was the best selling 4X4 (albeit I'm talking about some 15 years ago). From your recent comments, are you talking about Thailand rather than Australia?

[Shot]

My Jeep. By far the best.

[Stanley Jerd]

Since PC does not have an off road car, so it can't be too difficult, I'll give it a go one of these days and do the trip with my boy.

I don't think Ford would like that description of their new Ranger Wildtrack 4 x 4!

(See the other thread)

So you would consider a Wildtrack an off road vehicle? Don't think Ford would like that.

Wake up steven to what a 4x4 is nowadays, ford has duel range 4x4 and also sports gear mode which gives you duel ranges in both 4x4 modes, ford advertise it as a 4x4 which it is, so why would ford not consider it a off road vehicle as well as on road vehicle

Looking foward to your knowledgeable response but i wont hold my breath while waiting

Doesnt stevenl get around in a trike?

[petercallen]

^

Just to avoid confusion, my original question was on the sales of Toyota 4X4's in Australia, which I'd been told was the best selling 4X4 (albeit I'm talking about some 15 years ago). From your recent comments, are you talking about Thailand rather than Australia?

I agree they were for a long time in Australia but i think things will have changed by next year