+/- 5 Million Baht - 2 Cars... What Would You Choose ?

[richard_smith237]

This is a real question... not one of those 'what if' questions...

A friend of mine has just sold both his 4x4 and his Wife's car... Both were cars were aging and due for renewal...

He is now in the market for 2 cars... One for him and one for his Wife. He is a little lost for choice, it has been interesting discussing the possible combinations with him....

One car needs to be a City run around, the other something more comfortable that could be taken out of BKK on holiday etc - well thats the idea anyway...

ideas so far are combinations of:

BMW 528 sport (4 MB) + Ford Fiesta (650 k) or Focus (1 MB)

BMW 525d (4 MB) + Ford Fiesta (650 k) or Focus (1 MB)

BMW 528 sport (4 MB) + CRV (1.5 MB)

Merc CLS (5 MB) + Ford Fiesta (650 k)

Merc A250 (2.5 MB) + CRV (1.5 MB)

Merc E250 Coupe (4 MB) + Ford Fiesta (650 k) or Focus (1 MB)

Of course there are many other options out there.... such as....

Toyota FT-86 (2.5 MB)

Captiva (1.5 MB)

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (1.5 MB)

Camry (1.6 MB)

Any ideas out there ?????

[Satcommlee]

I'd probably go with a High spec Merc, and the wife can walk!

[lemoncake]

My choice would be BMW+Pajero(for the wife)

[Briggsy]

Isuzu pick-up for him - very comfortable - can be taken on holiday.

Honda Brio for her - City run around - very easy to park.

No point wasting money.

[transam]

Isuzu pick-up for him - very comfortable - can be taken on holiday.

Honda Brio for her - City run around - very easy to park.

No point wasting money.

Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah, Merc, end of story.

[funcat]

New A-Class and Cayenne...little over the limit,but 'what-a-heck'...

[richard_smith237]

The New A250 is definately a possibility... and on the cards was the Evoque, but that idea has since been dropped...

Perhaps the A250 + Pajero...

Or BMW z4 + Pajero or CRV

[lemoncake]

The New A250 is definately a possibility... and on the cards was the Evoque, but that idea has since been dropped...

Perhaps the A250 + Pajero...

Or BMW z4 + Pajero or CRV

Actually Evoque is a really hot looking automobile in my opinion, if i could afford it, i would definately be getting one.

Z4, I do not think is a good choice, unless as a spare, only because its a 2 sitter, so limited in use, not to say is not nice.

I also love the X6, but i think the price range is already over your friends budget.

[arthurwait]

So you sold your range rover then.

[lemoncake]

some other idea's for your friend to consider

Audi A1

Toyota FJ

Nissan Juke

Nissan Murano

Its imports but all 3 highly rated and mainly positive reviews

[arthurwait]

Volvo V60 and Caterham 7 for him. BTS pass for the wife.

[richard_smith237]

The Evoque is either 4 MB grey market with only a 2 year warranty...

Its an option... but the grey market warranty is somewhat of a killer...

The Evoque from Land Rover is 4.6 MB with 3 years warranty and that eats into Merc CLS territory...

[richard_smith237]

So you sold your range rover then.

Its nearly sold, just waiting for the money to be paid and its a done deal....

Then I'll also be in the market for a new car which is why my friends dilemma also interests me (Personally I might wait for the MY 2013 Evoque - Dynamic with a better interior than the existing dynamic model).

[VocalNeal]

Actually Evoque is a really hot looking automobile in my opinion

Looks like a Range Rover that was sat on by an elephant. In my opinion.

[lemoncake]

Actually Evoque is a really hot looking automobile in my opinion

Looks like a Range Rover that was sat on by an elephant. In my opinion.

Haha, I like elephants might be why I like the car.

Seriously though it stands out from the rest same boring looks and shapes

[dandun]

Never buy something that dont have service in thailand.

Bmw f10 520i 3,500,000 + Bmw X1 2,200,000 both have full bsi and full 100,000kms or 5 years warranty. "little over budget but worth every satang"

[IMHO]

The problem with owning a nice car and an overage one is.. no-one ever wants to drive the average one. Every time you reach for the keys, it's hard to pick up the ones with a Jap brand on them when there's Euro ones right beside them

One thing you also need to keep in mind when buying in this price range is the 2016 excise tax changes - which could/should result in significant price drops for low-CO2 luxury cars (e.g. Evoque prices *should* crash from 4.7M Baht down to the low-mid 3's - if not too much profit taking goes on).

To be frank, I can't help someone decide between a CLS250 and an A250 - if you're that confused I don't know how to help But I can say that the only lower-end car I could imagine buying to complement the 5-series and Benz leading options you've listed (i.e. one where it wouldn't feel like a massive step-down) would be a Nissan Teana 250XV - but you'd likely want to wait for the all-new model before buying.

[IMHO]

Here's some mentions I think can be easily eliminated BTW:

Toyota 86 GT - unless you're a teenager with fantasies of driving sideways everywhere and becoming an internet expert on the best tires for drifitng, wait for the (similarly priced) Benz CLA's.

BMX X1 - Don't let the low sticker price suck you in..

Toyota Camry - 2012 models are better, but the Teana still holds it ground as the best in segment/price range.

FIesta - While it's a good little car, if you're not price sensitive there's no reason not to step up to the Focus.

BMW Z4 - It's made specifically to service the single, ugly, wannabe market - and better quality mia noi's

[manarak]

Thairung 7 seater full options for the weekend

and for the city I'd go with a Honda City or a Toyota Vios (but if possible with a 2l engine, because the regular ones are a laugh)

[frankphuket]

Would opt also for a Evoque, plus either a top spec Focus or go a little "strange" Skoda Yeti (save fuel), good riding position for City traffic. plus both car nearly look the same.....haha...NOT.

[keemapoot]

I think a good midsize top end sedan (saloon) like the 5 series or E class combined with a crossover might give you the ideal combination. The crossover gives you a small SUV feel that's good for running errands, easier to park than a full size SUV and carrying things around town, and navigating the floods sometimes. With about a million baht to spend I'd wait for the new Ford Escape later this year, thought the B-segment Ecosport will be less than that if you want smaller, or the new Acura CX5, but that will be 1.5-2 million, so above budget.

[transam]

Actually Evoque is a really hot looking automobile in my opinion

Looks like a Range Rover that was sat on by an elephant. In my opinion.

I agree, and what other car does it remind you of ?

[IMHO]

I think a good midsize top end sedan (saloon) like the 5 series or E class combined with a crossover might give you the ideal combination. The crossover gives you a small SUV feel that's good for running errands, easier to park than a full size SUV and carrying things around town, and navigating the floods sometimes. With about a million baht to spend I'd wait for the new Ford Escape later this year, thought the B-segment Ecosport will be less than that if you want smaller, or the new Acura CX5, but that will be 1.5-2 million, so above budget.

Agree that a saloon/SUV combo covers more practical bases than a saloon/hatchback or saloon/saloon.. However, given that you need to spend substantially more to get high level of refinement in an SUV, I'd be putting the bias on it...

In the 3-4M Baht SUV range, options include the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Ford Territory (cough!), Feelander 2 / gray Evoque, Lexus RX 270, Mazda CX-9 (7-seater), Mitsu Pajero (the real one, not the Sport), Nissan Murano, VW Tiguan, and Volvo XC90... plus no doubt a few grays I've overlooked..

Any of these would still leave enough budget over for a Teana, Octavia or S60 - all of which get pretty darn close to 3-series level of refinement for half the price...

[eaustev]

For the weekend and out-of town-car I would consider the Merc ML250, plenty of room, comfortable, and the same price as the saloon alternatives such as E-class and 5 series. Maybe a liitle underpowered but decent enough. The Evoque and similar really don't have so much space if you pile a few people in and all the crap you may be tempted to take away for a holiday or long weekend.

For the missus in-town run about car a Focus or Fiesta is fine. My missus has a Focus for this purpose and appreciates the extra space over a Fiesta. More room for shoes & handbags on those shopping trips and it is big enough to drive out of town comfortably if required.

[richard_smith237]

The Merc ML250 is out - It does 0-100 kmh in 11 seconds...

The Evoque, quick enough... 0-100 khm in about 7 seconds... But Grey market after sales service is risky + Sat Nav etc wont work in Thailand.

BMW 520d - underpowered - If going 5 Series it would be 528 Sport or 525d (0-100 kmh in about 7 seconds).

Toyota FT-86 - my friend is in his late 30's and not yet into a mid-life crisis.

@ IMHO: BMW Z4 - Good quality Mia Nois - LOL - My friends wife will hate it then, thats why a C class or 3 series is out of the question !

Audi Q5, BMW X3, Freelander, RX270 - All considered, but for various reasons (mainly looks) they are just not desirable.

Camry, Tiana, Accord - Great Cars - But not really desirable.

The issues is more regarding the combination....

i.e. an A250 + CRV totals at about 4 Million baht.. The CLS + Fiesta would total at about 5.6 MB - Quite a difference, but for the desirability of the CLS it must be up there... The A250 is a very hot little hatch... but the CRV looks awful ! But an A250 + Focus doesnt make much sense.. hence the quandry...

Or A250 + Camry... Lots of options and many good ideas...

Thanks for the feedback...

[richard_smith237]

Actually Evoque is a really hot looking automobile in my opinion

Looks like a Range Rover that was sat on by an elephant. In my opinion.

I agree, and what other car does it remind you of ?

Looks like an elephant with a very sexy ass sat on a Range Rover..

[richard_smith237]

Agree that a saloon/SUV combo covers more practical bases than a saloon/hatchback or saloon/saloon.. However, given that you need to spend substantially more to get high level of refinement in an SUV, I'd be putting the bias on it...

In the 3-4M Baht SUV range, options include the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Ford Territory (cough!), Feelander 2 / gray Evoque, Lexus RX 270, Mazda CX-9 (7-seater), Mitsu Pajero (the real one, not the Sport), Nissan Murano, VW Tiguan, and Volvo XC90... plus no doubt a few grays I've overlooked..

Any of these would still leave enough budget over for a Teana, Octavia or S60 - all of which get pretty darn close to 3-series level of refinement for half the price...

Nissan Murano - They still make that ? ( thought 2007 was the last manufactoring year)

VW Tuareg - is an option...

Volvo XC90 - I think they stopped making that too (and the XC60 is awful inside).

[lemoncake]

Agree that a saloon/SUV combo covers more practical bases than a saloon/hatchback or saloon/saloon.. However, given that you need to spend substantially more to get high level of refinement in an SUV, I'd be putting the bias on it...

In the 3-4M Baht SUV range, options include the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Ford Territory (cough!), Feelander 2 / gray Evoque, Lexus RX 270, Mazda CX-9 (7-seater), Mitsu Pajero (the real one, not the Sport), Nissan Murano, VW Tiguan, and Volvo XC90... plus no doubt a few grays I've overlooked..

Any of these would still leave enough budget over for a Teana, Octavia or S60 - all of which get pretty darn close to 3-series level of refinement for half the price...

Nissan Murano - They still make that ? ( thought 2007 was the last manufactoring year)

VW Tuareg - is an option...

Volvo XC90 - I think they stopped making that too (and the XC60 is awful inside).

I am sure they still making it, just all imports, the Tuareg in my opinion is little on the ugly side

[eaustev]

The Merc ML250 is out - It does 0-100 kmh in 11 seconds...

The reports on the ML250 that I have read have it's 0-100 km/h time at 9.0 seconds. Still no racing car but not too bad for a big car with smallish diesel.

[lemoncake]

another one that has not been mentioned is peugeot, the 207cc or 308cc models.

I have owned both about 8-10 years ago when they first hit the market and was pleased with both

the RCZ is worth mentioning also as i think its absolutely stunning, but unsure of the price tag in Thailand