2-3 Million Baht Machine

[steveromagnino]

For similar money I'd rather have a Golf or a Scirocco. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder. VW Thailand will have the new beetle in this year's motorshow they told me a while back (will wait to see if it is actually true).

Golf, Scirocco, Superb, A3, Tiguan, Seat something or other, Beetle, TT...all off the MQB platform is the future for VW. Hence why you can sort of see a parts bin look to the Scirocco dashboard.

[thaicruze]

For similar money I'd rather have a Golf or a Scirocco. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder. VW Thailand will have the new beetle in this year's motorshow they told me a while back (will wait to see if it is actually true).

Golf, Scirocco, Superb, A3, Tiguan, Seat something or other, Beetle, TT...all off the MQB platform is the future for VW. Hence why you can sort of see a parts bin look to the Scirocco dashboard.

It was at Central Pinklao a few weeks ago.

[DLock]

TC, while I can understand your point, in Europe, people would not dream of suggesting a VW over a BMW. Two different categories of cars, as far as prestige is concerned (and I guess in these price ranges, that is all that really matters for the buyers).

You have to understand that the buyer is paying for the brand (the badge), or the "face", and does not care much if it is cramped, bad quality etc. All that counts is the name and the knowledge that there is a lot of money behind. Otherwise, who would buy a porsche 911 or a Ferrari?

Hence, even if VW does excellent reliable and comfortable cars, it is not the main criterion for buyers at this level of revenues.

I get that. But then, let the beemer devalue and THEN get one.

For example, what's wrong with a previously loved 2010 520d for 2.5 million? Cheaper than a 3 series, AND you get more car

http://showroom.one2...ar_id=g11120569

Nothing's wrong with you and me (or maybe just the high mileage, and lack of knowledge of the history of the car). For some others, new car with red plates, means additional prestige in Thai society. That's all. Their call on that one, even if you and I may find it a bad allocation of resources (esp. if bought on finance!).

Well, before plopping down 2.5 million on a pre-loved Beemer I would find everything about it. There's a place in Bangkok that does that and gives you a complete diagnosis of the car. They don't repair cars, they just have set fees and inspect everything.

thaicruze, I wanted to have a car fully checked by one of those companies, but you have to take the car to them.

The dealer (2nd hand BMW) wouldn't allow me, and refused to do it himself.

How do most people use services like this?

[thaicruze]

Have you contacted these people?

http://www.testcar.c...glish.index.php

I'm sure if you ask them about the kind of car you want they'll give you the dealers that allow their cars to go to TestCar.

I don't think you drive the car there. I think you submit the information of the car (VIN #, etc), pay the fees and wait for their report. The dealer gives the car to them for inspection not to you. At least that's what I understand.

Their website lists "PROS Cars44" as one of their clients. Probably they will allow TestCar to take the car and inspect or maybe you can request that tent place to provide you one and they'll set it up.

I would contact TestCar if you haven't already.

This Mercedes C Class here is from Pros Cars44

http://www.one2car.com/MERCEDES-BENZ_CLK-CLASS/F08120484

CLK 200 Coupe. If they're TestCar clients I'm sure that dealer would have no problems sending the car for inspections.

[thaicruze]

OH Here is their page on One2Car

http://www.one2car.com/PROSCARS44

They have a Lamborghini in case anyone is interested.

[steelepulse]

I took a number of cars to testcar when I was looking for a 2nd hand car. If the seller refused, I figured they had something to hide so I moved on to the next vehicle. It's not like there's a long queue of buyers lined up to drop 2-3 mil on a 2nd hand car.

[rics21]

I did some research on Volvos in Thailand. A friend who owns a Volvo told me about the expensive maintenance fees n the long wait for spare parts after an accident. Therefore the Volvo option is out.

Anyway I visited the Volvo @ ladprao 120, BMW @ ladprao 112 and Benz @ ladprao 93.

From the specs and advises I got from them, I guess I may want to wait for the w205.

Spoken to the wife this evening and she feels that the "image" of a Benz is sure better than the BMW and the Volvo.

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[sushi5734]

I wouldn't have thought a merc or a BMW will be too cheap service either!! I personally don't like the X1 at all it's a typical wannabe 'hi-so' Thai vain show off road car with no real off road ability, most commonly seen at parked in the shopping mall the owner will be guaranteed to have a matching white poodle and iPhone and I'd be astonished if the car isn't 'hi-so' white.

I quite like the new s60 and v60 the looks, it took some time to grow on me but the more I look at them the more I want one, and the interior is fantastic? You have to consider safety lets face it if your going to have bump anywhere, it will be on Thai roads and I'd prefer to be in a Volvo than most other cars. Ride comfort is quite important for me as the roads are very bumpy even in Bangkok, so consider something that's going to soak up some vibration, the nice firm sporty suspension might seem like a great idea at the time but you'll regret it.

I wouldn't be so concerned about 'image' and get a car that's going to be enjoyable to own and drive, just for gods sake don't get it in white!!! =]

Parkers and top gear are good review websites

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/

http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-reviews

[malcolminthemiddle]

I'm looking for a vehicle suitable for the family. The new Honda Odyssey 2012 @ 2.5m caught my attention?

[anon210]

I'm looking for a vehicle suitable for the family. The new Honda Odyssey 2012 @ 2.5m caught my attention?

A SUV like the Trailblazer, Fortuner or PJS would be more suitable, given the Thai roads. The cost would be also cheaper.

[thaicruze]

I'm looking for a vehicle suitable for the family. The new Honda Odyssey 2012 @ 2.5m caught my attention?

Get one of these if you want new

http://www.one2car.c...ITARA/J04120499

You're really going to spend $82,000 USD in a Honda station wagon?

[ignis]

I'm looking for a vehicle suitable for the family. The new Honda Odyssey 2012 @ 2.5m caught my attention?

Get one of these if you want new

http://www.one2car.c...ITARA/J04120499

You're really going to spend $82,000 USD in a Honda station wagon?

If it was me then yes, as I love Suzuki....

If I wanted everyone to think I was a class above them then would go to MB and get the signs and badges and pop it on the MB powered look-a-like, 90% of people would have no idea http://www.one2car.com/KIA_SORENTO/H20090414

[eaustev]

I'm looking for a vehicle suitable for the family. The new Honda Odyssey 2012 @ 2.5m caught my attention?

A SUV like the Trailblazer, Fortuner or PJS would be more suitable, given the Thai roads. The cost would be also cheaper.

No question that the Odyssey is a nice car but it is alot of cash for what it is. While the PPVs such as Trailblazer, Fortuner, & PJS may not be as smooth and sophisticated as the Odyssey, they are half the price (or at least the PJS is) and handle the rough and tumble of family life and Thai roads very well.

[anon210]

I'm looking for a vehicle suitable for the family. The new Honda Odyssey 2012 @ 2.5m caught my attention?

A SUV like the Trailblazer, Fortuner or PJS would be more suitable, given the Thai roads. The cost would be also cheaper.

No question that the Odyssey is a nice car but it is alot of cash for what it is. While the PPVs such as Trailblazer, Fortuner, & PJS may not be as smooth and sophisticated as the Odyssey, they are half the price (or at least the PJS is) and handle the rough and tumble of family life and Thai roads very well.

A recent article on an American site seems to take the opposite view. Good to read for the sake of the discussion:

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2012/10/three-row-suvs-dont-measure-up-to-minivans-family-friendliness-.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+cars%2Fkickingtires+%28Kicking+Tires%29

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[eaustev]

I'm looking for a vehicle suitable for the family. The new Honda Odyssey 2012 @ 2.5m caught my attention?

A SUV like the Trailblazer, Fortuner or PJS would be more suitable, given the Thai roads. The cost would be also cheaper.

No question that the Odyssey is a nice car but it is alot of cash for what it is. While the PPVs such as Trailblazer, Fortuner, & PJS may not be as smooth and sophisticated as the Odyssey, they are half the price (or at least the PJS is) and handle the rough and tumble of family life and Thai roads very well.

A recent article on an American site seems to take the opposite view. Good to read for the sake of the discussion:

http://blogs.cars.co...(Kicking Tires)

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Well that's me, three kids so I can certainly identify with that article. The article is however quite specific to the American market so a few points on the local context.

Power sliding doors - unless you go for a big van here like the Alphard (which is a whole new price bracket) you don't really get the sliding doors, and with that type of van you are probably unlikely to be driving yourself anyway. Of course the Freed is the only exeption but if you have one of those you had better hope that you have three very small kids!!

Fuel economy - between the 2.4 petrol in the Odyssey and the diesels in the PPVs I am guessing the PPV has better economy, particularly with a load on board.

Step in Height - yep, got me there. My missus complains about the height in reaching up to load our youngest in the PJS. Not really on ongoing issue for us though as when she goes out on her own she takes her small car rather than the PJS anyway.

Seating Capacity - from my recollection pretty much the same space in the third row between the Odyssey and PJS, but it has been a few years since I have been in an Odyssey. The point in the article is valid though, when manufacturers sqeeze in a third row of seats in the smaller SUVs there is sod all room.

As a family car one very nice thing with the Odyssey is that it comes with I think 6 airbags which is a big step up from the PPVs!!

[arthurwait]

I'm looking for a vehicle suitable for the family. The new Honda Odyssey 2012 @ 2.5m caught my attention?

Get one of these if you want new

http://www.one2car.c...ITARA/J04120499

You're really going to spend $82,000 USD in a Honda station wagon?

^^^^

This.

The wife was going to get one until I talked her out of it. What a waste of money. She finally agreed because the interior looked cheap after I took her to Volvo.

Better value than the builders van with seats in the back her Mum wanted to buy though. Sigh.

[eezergood]

OK. Final offer. How bout one of these

Had this is Oz, total garbage!

[ignis]

Also Brand new 2012 model and a bit cheaper + a Honda

http://www.one2car.com/search/search_result.aspx?Brand=B0020&Model=S0183&Body=D2079&

[eaustev]

Also Brand new 2012 model and a bit cheaper + a Honda

http://www.one2car.c....183&Body=D2079

2,174,000 is the listed price on the Honda website.

Unfortunately anybody looking for a family car here that can accomodate more than 5 people, is a decent size, and not an SUV or a van the options are pretty thin. Now that the SpaceWagon has finally been put to pasture there is not much around other than the Odyssey.

MPVs seem to have been squeezed out of the market by the SUV, particularly the pickup based PPVs.

[ignis]

MPVs seem to have been squeezed out of the market by the SUV, particularly the pickup based PPVs

yep Honda Stream. Toyota Wish gone, the spacewagon on the way out, what is left ? Benz 'R' very high price, Volvo XC90 expensive, Proton Exora, now with the 1,6 turbo engine not bad and good price.. believe the Subaru Forester now only has 5 seats ? or couple of Honda's the Freed maybe OK for small kids

Maybe time China started to import some ?

[VocalNeal]

If you look at depreciation, then the BMW will be ok until the BSI runs out,

What has the Botanical Society of India got to do with buying a car?

[anon210]

If you look at depreciation, then the BMW will be ok until the BSI runs out,

What has the Botanical Society of India got to do with buying a car?

Designates the 5-year service plan of BMW.

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[VocalNeal]

If you look at depreciation, then the BMW will be ok until the BSI runs out,

What has the Botanical Society of India got to do with buying a car?

Designates the 5-year service plan of BMW.

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Just my little dig at the continual plunge of the English language into a sequence of acronyms.