Toyota Avanza - Buying In Bangkok - ?s About Price, Handling, & Maintenance

[blacksuitdandruff]

Hello all,

I'm in the pursuit of purchasing a 2013 Toyota Avanza 1.5S white exterior with leather interior in Bangkok.

I'm wondering if you could help me answer the following:

1) How is the handling relative to the low cost?

I'm most concerned with the handling in bumpy and somewhat windy terrain at highway speeds.

2) Is maintenance relatively expensive - parts + labor?

For example, are oil filters easy to find and relatively cheap?

Brake pads relatively cheap compared to others car in class?

3) What's a good deal for the purchase of one?

I've received an offer of a 20,000 baht discount with 1st years class 1 insurance, 'free' window tinting, window weather/wind covers, floor mats, cargo mat, some probably fake chrome trim around the car doors/handles, and a few other small things.

Financing at 2.3% for 48 months with 20% down with no guarantor.

4) Have you received or know of better offers?

If so, what and from which dealer in Bangkok?

Thank you.

P.S. I'm not looking for suggestions on other MPVs or SUVs.

If you really feel I could benefit from such words, please PM me.

Can't promise I will reply though.

[IMHO]

Handling is very much tuned for low speed, bumpy Indonesian roads where it comes from. If by highway speeds you mean legal 90km/hr, no problems, but don't expect it to love a twisty mountain road

Parts and servicing costs are around the same as other 1.5L cars, but seeing as it's not a hugely popular model and uses a unique 1.5L engine (longitudinal vs the transverse lumps in the VIOS/Yaris) parts availability may be impacted if/when a next generation version gets a different drivetrain.

The deal you've been offered seems fairly generous, given it's price point - you might be able to shop around for a slightly better interest rate, but that won't have a major effect on the bottom line..

[blacksuitdandruff]

Handling is very much tuned for low speed, bumpy Indonesian roads where it comes from. If by highway speeds you mean legal 90km/hr, no problems, but don't expect it to love a twisty mountain road

Parts and servicing costs are around the same as other 1.5L cars, but seeing as it's not a hugely popular model and uses a unique 1.5L engine (longitudinal vs the transverse lumps in the VIOS/Yaris) parts availability may be impacted if/when a next generation version gets a different drivetrain.

The deal you've been offered seems fairly generous, given it's price point - you might be able to shop around for a slightly better interest rate, but that won't have a major effect on the bottom line..

Wow, thanks for the comprehensive reply. Much appreciated!!

How long have you owned your Avanza for?

[culicine]

Handling is very much tuned for low speed, bumpy Indonesian roads where it comes from. If by highway speeds you mean legal 90km/hr, no problems, but don't expect it to love a twisty mountain road

Parts and servicing costs are around the same as other 1.5L cars, but seeing as it's not a hugely popular model and uses a unique 1.5L engine (longitudinal vs the transverse lumps in the VIOS/Yaris) parts availability may be impacted if/when a next generation version gets a different drivetrain.

The deal you've been offered seems fairly generous, given it's price point - you might be able to shop around for a slightly better interest rate, but that won't have a major effect on the bottom line..

Wow, thanks for the comprehensive reply. Much appreciated!!

How long have you owned your Avanza for?

I don't think IMHO owns one, he is just very clued up:) I've been a passenger several times in an avanza and its an OK ride. However I found in the auto at 100 km/h it's revs are quite high (well over 3000 rpm). This has an impact on the fuel consumption. Your deal seems quite generous too. I assumed you have already test drove it? If not, give it a try.

[IMHO]

Handling is very much tuned for low speed, bumpy Indonesian roads where it comes from. If by highway speeds you mean legal 90km/hr, no problems, but don't expect it to love a twisty mountain road

Parts and servicing costs are around the same as other 1.5L cars, but seeing as it's not a hugely popular model and uses a unique 1.5L engine (longitudinal vs the transverse lumps in the VIOS/Yaris) parts availability may be impacted if/when a next generation version gets a different drivetrain.

The deal you've been offered seems fairly generous, given it's price point - you might be able to shop around for a slightly better interest rate, but that won't have a major effect on the bottom line..

Wow, thanks for the comprehensive reply. Much appreciated!!

How long have you owned your Avanza for?

I don't own one, but I never miss the opportunity for test drive

[blacksuitdandruff]

Handling is very much tuned for low speed, bumpy Indonesian roads where it comes from. If by highway speeds you mean legal 90km/hr, no problems, but don't expect it to love a twisty mountain road

Parts and servicing costs are around the same as other 1.5L cars, but seeing as it's not a hugely popular model and uses a unique 1.5L engine (longitudinal vs the transverse lumps in the VIOS/Yaris) parts availability may be impacted if/when a next generation version gets a different drivetrain.

The deal you've been offered seems fairly generous, given it's price point - you might be able to shop around for a slightly better interest rate, but that won't have a major effect on the bottom line..

Wow, thanks for the comprehensive reply. Much appreciated!!

How long have you owned your Avanza for?

I don't think IMHO owns one, he is just very clued up:) I've been a passenger several times in an avanza and its an OK ride. However I found in the auto at 100 km/h it's revs are quite high (well over 3000 rpm). This has an impact on the fuel consumption. Your deal seems quite generous too. I assumed you have already test drove it? If not, give it a try.

I test drove it but not in Chang Mai style roads (where I drive often).

Smaller 14" wheels and a higher center of gravity make me concerned, though I'm not driving quickly though the mountains.

I agree with you that it revs high at 100 kph+ thus goes through a lot of gas and makes the engine much more audible but so do all 1.4-1.6l engines from my limited experience.

Thanks for your input.

[scorecard]

Handling is very much tuned for low speed, bumpy Indonesian roads where it comes from. If by highway speeds you mean legal 90km/hr, no problems, but don't expect it to love a twisty mountain road

Parts and servicing costs are around the same as other 1.5L cars, but seeing as it's not a hugely popular model and uses a unique 1.5L engine (longitudinal vs the transverse lumps in the VIOS/Yaris) parts availability may be impacted if/when a next generation version gets a different drivetrain.

The deal you've been offered seems fairly generous, given it's price point - you might be able to shop around for a slightly better interest rate, but that won't have a major effect on the bottom line..

Wow, thanks for the comprehensive reply. Much appreciated!!

How long have you owned your Avanza for?

I don't think IMHO owns one, he is just very clued up:) I've been a passenger several times in an avanza and its an OK ride. However I found in the auto at 100 km/h it's revs are quite high (well over 3000 rpm). This has an impact on the fuel consumption. Your deal seems quite generous too. I assumed you have already test drove it? If not, give it a try.

I test drove it but not in Chang Mai style roads (where I drive often).

Smaller 14" wheels and a higher center of gravity make me concerned, though I'm not driving quickly though the mountains.

I agree with you that it revs high at 100 kph+ thus goes through a lot of gas and makes the engine much more audible but so do all 1.4-1.6l engines from my limited experience.

Thanks for your input.

I'm also interested in buying this vehicle, but so far only checked pricing at Chiang Mai dealerships. Best deal was 699,000Baht less 10,000Baht if paid by cash, for the model with two airbags and ABS, also includes one year full insurance and window tinting, but no other 'freebies'. Had stock of new model, white colour, available on the day.

However I just spoke with a local farang who mentioned the following 'had numerous problems with the model just being phased out, often needing new parts, all of which must be ordered from Indonesia because (he says) Toyota have a policy of keeping no spare parts whatever for Avanza anywhere in Thailand'

I don't really know the farang I just mentioned I just see him occasionally at the supermarket, yesterday he was just getting out of his Avanza as I walked up to the supermarket, so I asked him for some comments on the vehicle. I must add, the farang concerned is always negative / very negative about everything in life and I'm hesitant to believe what he says, especially the comment about all spare parts have to be ordered from Indonesia.

On the other hand I also just spoke to another local CM farang who has owned an Avanza for about 12 months, both he and his Thai wife rave about the vehicle, easy to drive, excellent for family use, good gas mileage, good service from Totota, never had any mechanical problems with the vehicle, easy to park and more.

Any comments appreciated, thanks.

[IMHO]

It's difficult to believe that there's any waiting times on common service items and fender bender parts like bumpers, headlights, taillights etc as these are most certainly kept in-stock. Less commonly ordered parts like interior trims, internal engine parts, propeller shafts, diffs etc may not be kept in stock though.

[blacksuitdandruff]

Give a call to or make your way over to Bangkok - might save you a good 20-30K baht in cash and extras net of travel expenses.

My offers got a little sweeter today when I faxed out competing offers to different dealerships.

My phone hasn't stopped ringing since. Gonna buy in about a week or so at this rate. No hurry for me.

Buyers market here surprisingly.