My Experience Buying New Car In Cm

[market trader]

First let me start by saying that the last time I bought a new car in my country was 2009. Went to the dealer at 9.00 AM. Found the car I wanted. Then arranged trade in for my current car. Haggled a while about trade in value. Finally got them to come up by $2500.00. Next they offered financing at 0% interest, which I accepted rather than pay cash. Then on computer they checked my credit score. At 11.25 I was out the door with the new car plated, insured and road ready.

Now last Monday my wife and I decided to buy a new car. Went to the dealer of our choice, Picked a car in the showroom that we liked. Salesman said it is not sold you can have it. Tried to get the price down but was told in Thailand the price you see is the price you pay. Fine. Then how about incentives. Salesman not sure would have to talk to someone superior. Came back and said if you buy in next 10 days will give you 5000b off 1st class insurance. Will give you free 3m window film. free lic. plate holder and free registration so I would not have to go to registry office. then came trade in talk. Had to wait 2 hours for trade in specialist to arrive. After we recieved trade in price they offered financing that was 2% below what we were getting for term deposits in bank. then filled out all the papers. Gave them everything they needed. Copies of bank statements from home country and Thailand. Copies of last 3 years income tax reports. My wifes blue book and chanote for home ownership. Then told to come back next day and meet with financing specialist. Total time elapsed day one 6 1/2 hours.

Day two had an appointment at 1.00 pm with financing. He showed up at 3.15 pm. Took 30 minutes for more paper work.Total time day two 3 hours. Then we were told financing from manufactuer would phone us the next day with questions. Which she did.

Day four. Dealer phoned and told us to come in and bring 25% down payment in cash. Plus first month financing. Plus payment for insurance. Apparently the way they do trades in here. is when your new car is ready for pick up you bring in your old car and they give you cash for it. Asked when new car would be ready for pick up. Was told 10 - 14 days. But I said you have it here in stock. Yes but we have to have film applied and go to lic. bureau. So by the time we receive new car it will be almost time for 2nd finance payment.

Now I am not complaining. Just pointing out for any new car buyers how it works here in CM.

[bluweyze]

It's a bit of a boad assumption to say 'this is how car buying works in Chiang Mai' from your one experience. I have bought 4 new vehicles, 3 of them in Chiang Mai. I made an appointment, finished everything including the leasing in less than an hour (I already had the correct documentation) and each vehicle was delivered when I wanted it. My experience at 2 dealers was straight-forward and professional.

[DaamNaam]

Purchased 2 new cars here in CM. We were in and out of the door with the car in under an hour both times. Took the car in our own time to get window film, licence plate covers etc. Toyota Niyom Panich and Honda on the ring road.

[Pikey]

I think the current wait is due to supply and demand - demand caused in part by the 100,000thb "cashback" scheme for people that have never owned a car before, and supply still being affected by last years floods. I ordered a new Ford Wildtrak back in March and after the test drive was told 6 months for delivery. B*gger that, what about Isuzu? Test drive then a 3 month wait. B*gger that, I much preferred the Ford and our D-Max was OK so we'll wait. Order placed and Ford quote delivery time of September. Letter from Ford arrives in July saying delivery pushed back to February 2013! We can have our deposit back if we want. B*gger that, we're used to waiting now and the D-Max still pulls like a schoolboy.

Last week, a call from Ford - "Your truck will be here by the end of the month or first week in December at the latest". Down to Ford, saw the manager to get "assurances". Delivery promises confirmed but no specific date (hmmm). D-Max sold privately (bye bye old girl, you served us well...) and the dosh from the sale given to Ford as 35% down. Now we wait and see if the truck shows up. TIT

Observations from me (and a mate who recently bought a car): Don't believe the salesman's speil about delivery, base price is non-negotiable but extras can be thrown in, finance seems relatively easy to get and cheapish (2.65% for us), there are significant waiting times for the popular cars & trucks.

Cheers,

Pikey.

[jez56]

I see that two of the posters above agree that price cannot be negotiated. My experience was different.

I bought a new truck in 2007. It is the only vehicle I have ever bought in Thailand (I still have it). I took a Thai friend along, and within minutes she had carved ten per cent off the sticker price. Plus tinted windows, a year's insurance and one or two other bits and pieces. No trade-in, cash payment.

Maybe things have changed in the last five years. Maybe the sales lady was struggling to make her quota that month. Maybe her wish to sell was stronger than my wish to buy. And inviting along a knowledgeable local who was keen to haggle may have made all the difference.

[onthedarkside]

I see that two of the posters above agree that price cannot be negotiated. My experience was different.

I bought a new truck in 2007. It is the only vehicle I have ever bought in Thailand (I still have it). I took a Thai friend along, and within minutes she had carved ten per cent off the sticker price. Plus tinted windows, a year's insurance and one or two other bits and pieces. No trade-in, cash payment.

Maybe things have changed in the last five years. Maybe the sales lady was struggling to make her quota that month. Maybe her wish to sell was stronger than my wish to buy. And inviting along a knowledgeable local who was keen to haggle may have made all the difference.

Really ... I have only bought new once, 5 years ago. Not a chance of getting a discount from my local Isuzu dealer. About all I could negotiate was a few small extra for free and first year insurance. I could have saved some money by buying from a Bangkok dealer, but hey better to deal/service with your local agent.

[Rancid]

I bought a Mazda hassle free and they dropped the price.

[mcgriffith]

My personal experience was different than the OP's but as the saying goes, your mileage may vary.

Wanted to buy an eco-car for a couple of years now, ever since the Thai gov't offered serious incentives (super low excise tax).

When the Nissan March was the only one, went to check it out, got a price sheet, etc. 2 yrs ago at the dealer on Mahidol Road/Superhighway headed east away from Airport Central.

This rainy season, got fed up with the carless situation, and went shopping again.

Went to every Nissan and Honda dealer in CM. Six or 7 in total, I forget.

Didn't go to Mitsubishi or Suzuki to see the new Mirage eco-car or the Swift, which is new to the market as well.

Depending on the 2 greatest factors in any purchase of any item on this planet- Supply, and Demand- whether you get a discount or not depends on how much inventory the dealer has, that he wants to blow out, to make room for new models.

I have no doubt that some have bought a certain model car, truck or SUV from a certain dealer at a certain time at a 10% discount.

Recently, with very tight supply, and huge demand in my particular vehicle type...here is my story.

All, yes all the Nissan dealers in CM told me 2 month delivery for any model March. The ones they had on the showroom floor were already sold, waiting for pickup by the customer.

The Honda dealers had new models of the Brio on display, but very few in total (I recall 3).

I decided on the exact model I wanted, went in with a residence certificate and a transfer slip detailing the money paid from my BBL acct to the dealers acct.

There was no haggling over price, the price was the price, period (see above about supply vs. demand).

I did get a big discount off of the original quoted 1st class insurance rate, and free floor mats- that was it.

The total transaction time was about 1 hour on Day One, and 15 minutes on Day Two (documents delivered).

This was a cash deal with no finance, so I can't offer insight into discounting on that part of a transaction.

Drove away Day Two in my new car, and I love it.

Again, it just depends on the exact model you are buying, the inventory of the dealer, supply vs. demand- and the competence of the salespeople you are dealing with.

[Tywais]

My Civic 2.0 they marked it down 28,000 Baht, financed, but no freebies as they figured you can use the mark off for them.

[ProdigalSon]

Bought a new Civic from Honda Lamphun four years ago. As with the majority of posters above I was not given any discount whatsoever on the list price, even though I was paying cash in full on the day of purchase. They did throw in some free extras - first class insurance for one year, window film, rear parking sensors and also a free Mugen body kit (full body skirt and rear spoiler). They also gave me a discount on alloy wheels.

The free extras at Honda Lamphun were considerably better than those offered at the main Honda dealership in Chiang Mai, so if anyone is thinking of buying a Honda they should take a trip to Lamphun.

[trainman34014]

Ordered a new Mitsubishi Mirage 27th June and told owing to high demand for the new concept car it would be 2-3 months delivery. Letter came in 2nd month saying sorry but delivery could be October but freebies will be available. Finally delivered 29th October with free window film, full tank of petrol, one year fully comp' insurance, one year road tax, car blanket (<deleted> in a tropical country ! ), 2 water glasses , 2 very nice whiskey glasses and a decanter. Paid cash and they would not negotiate on ticket price. They've told me that I can have a good discount on any 'extra's' that I would like to buy.

I only paid 1,000 Baht deposit and the rest paid on delivery.

[paulchiangmai]

I think the current wait is due to supply and demand - demand caused in part by the 100,000thb "cashback" scheme for people that have never owned a car before, and supply still being affected by last years floods. I ordered a new Ford Wildtrak back in March and after the test drive was told 6 months for delivery. B*gger that, what about Isuzu? Test drive then a 3 month wait. B*gger that, I much preferred the Ford and our D-Max was OK so we'll wait. Order placed and Ford quote delivery time of September. Letter from Ford arrives in July saying delivery pushed back to February 2013! We can have our deposit back if we want. B*gger that, we're used to waiting now and the D-Max still pulls like a schoolboy.

Last week, a call from Ford - "Your truck will be here by the end of the month or first week in December at the latest". Down to Ford, saw the manager to get "assurances". Delivery promises confirmed but no specific date (hmmm). D-Max sold privately (bye bye old girl, you served us well...) and the dosh from the sale given to Ford as 35% down. Now we wait and see if the truck shows up. TIT

Observations from me (and a mate who recently bought a car): Don't believe the salesman's speil about delivery, base price is non-negotiable but extras can be thrown in, finance seems relatively easy to get and cheapish (2.65% for us), there are significant waiting times for the popular cars & trucks.

Cheers,

Pikey.

Does this cash back apply if you have bought used cars and not new?

[funcat]

I think the current wait is due to supply and demand - demand caused in part by the 100,000thb "cashback" scheme for people that have never owned a car before, and supply still being affected by last years floods. I ordered a new Ford Wildtrak back in March and after the test drive was told 6 months for delivery. B*gger that, what about Isuzu? Test drive then a 3 month wait. B*gger that, I much preferred the Ford and our D-Max was OK so we'll wait. Order placed and Ford quote delivery time of September. Letter from Ford arrives in July saying delivery pushed back to February 2013! We can have our deposit back if we want. B*gger that, we're used to waiting now and the D-Max still pulls like a schoolboy.

Last week, a call from Ford - "Your truck will be here by the end of the month or first week in December at the latest". Down to Ford, saw the manager to get "assurances". Delivery promises confirmed but no specific date (hmmm). D-Max sold privately (bye bye old girl, you served us well...) and the dosh from the sale given to Ford as 35% down. Now we wait and see if the truck shows up. TIT

Observations from me (and a mate who recently bought a car): Don't believe the salesman's speil about delivery, base price is non-negotiable but extras can be thrown in, finance seems relatively easy to get and cheapish (2.65% for us), there are significant waiting times for the popular cars & trucks.

Cheers,

Pikey.

Does this cash back apply if you have bought used cars and not new?

..no,only new...

[paulchiangmai]

I think the current wait is due to supply and demand - demand caused in part by the 100,000thb "cashback" scheme for people that have never owned a car before, and supply still being affected by last years floods. I ordered a new Ford Wildtrak back in March and after the test drive was told 6 months for delivery. B*gger that, what about Isuzu? Test drive then a 3 month wait. B*gger that, I much preferred the Ford and our D-Max was OK so we'll wait. Order placed and Ford quote delivery time of September. Letter from Ford arrives in July saying delivery pushed back to February 2013! We can have our deposit back if we want. B*gger that, we're used to waiting now and the D-Max still pulls like a schoolboy.

Last week, a call from Ford - "Your truck will be here by the end of the month or first week in December at the latest". Down to Ford, saw the manager to get "assurances". Delivery promises confirmed but no specific date (hmmm). D-Max sold privately (bye bye old girl, you served us well...) and the dosh from the sale given to Ford as 35% down. Now we wait and see if the truck shows up. TIT

Observations from me (and a mate who recently bought a car): Don't believe the salesman's speil about delivery, base price is non-negotiable but extras can be thrown in, finance seems relatively easy to get and cheapish (2.65% for us), there are significant waiting times for the popular cars & trucks.

Cheers,

Pikey.

Does this cash back apply if you have bought used cars and not new?

..no,only new...

Perhaps I worded my question badly. Let me try again. My wife has bought a couple of second hand cars over the years as have I. Would we qualify for the rebate if we bought a new car?

[onthedarkside]

Perhaps I worded my question badly. Let me try again. My wife has bought a couple of second hand cars over the years as have I. Would we qualify for the rebate if we bought a new car?

No - if your wife has registered any car in her name then she is not a first time owner.

[true blue]

Bought a new Civic from Honda Lamphun four years ago. As with the majority of posters above I was not given any discount whatsoever on the list price, even though I was paying cash in full on the day of purchase. They did throw in some free extras - first class insurance for one year, window film, rear parking sensors and also a free Mugen body kit (full body skirt and rear spoiler). They also gave me a discount on alloy wheels.

The free extras at Honda Lamphun were considerably better than those offered at the main Honda dealership in Chiang Mai, so if anyone is thinking of buying a Honda they should take a trip to Lamphun.

i bought my city new from honda lamphun few years ago,was very pleased with the deal i got,

[paulchiangmai]

Perhaps I worded my question badly. Let me try again. My wife has bought a couple of second hand cars over the years as have I. Would we qualify for the rebate if we bought a new car?

No - if your wife has registered any car in her name then she is not a first time owner.

That answers my question Onthedarkside, thanks everyone.

[blueocean]

Hi all, Can anyone tell me exactly how this B100,000 cash back works and when did it start and when does it end? We are going to buy a new car and wife has never had car rego in her name, Thanks.

[funcat]

...read all about this here...

[kcore]

Purchased 2 new cars here in CM. We were in and out of the door with the car in under an hour both times. Took the car in our own time to get window film, licence plate covers etc. Toyota Niyom Panich and Honda on the ring road.

+1 Toyota nakorn ...something. Piece of cake really. Just had to wait 6 weeks for the vios as they are in huge demand right now with the rebate scheme winding down.