ChrisB87 Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 (edited) So, I'm gonna buy a car next year. At the moment it is between the Toyota Vios, Ford Fiesta, or some kind of pickup truck. I was at first thinking the truck because we are gonna live in Isaan, but then i though it may be pointless since the roads are excellent (we are not that far from the city and i am doubtful if we will use the big bit-at-the-back regularly). I have driven the Vios and like it. But now everyone is talking about the Fiesta. Fiesta and Vios are much the same price to buy (new). Pickups usually a couple of hundred thousand more. But i wanna know what you guys would pick? and why? I really just want a reliable car which is cheap on consumption. With regards to fuel: i would go for LPG or Natural Gas (CNG), where possible. Thanks Edited October 13, 2013 by ChrisB87 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mogandave Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 New or used? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisB87 Posted October 13, 2013 Author Share Posted October 13, 2013 New, (almost certainly) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiang mai Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Get a new diesel pickup truck, fill it up once a month and just drive it, sturdier, high line of sight and easily repairable anywhere in Thailand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
transam Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 The roads are excellent in Isaan ?.............. .................. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisB87 Posted October 13, 2013 Author Share Posted October 13, 2013 Get a new diesel pickup truck, fill it up once a month and just drive it, sturdier, high line of sight and easily repairable anywhere in Thailand. Thanks, how much would a car like that cost to run per month (assuming i only fill up once)? The roads are excellent in Isaan ?.............. alt=rolleyes.gif> .................. alt=facepalm.gif> Hehe, yes actually. We are a half hour drive from the city on really smooth roads (a damn sight better than Scottish roads after winter, that's for sure!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
transam Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Your lucky then. Your not near Ubon.................. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisB87 Posted October 13, 2013 Author Share Posted October 13, 2013 Your lucky then. Your not near Ubon.................. Actually, we're in Don Mot Daeng Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
transam Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Your lucky then. Your not near Ubon.................. Actually, we're in Don Mot Daeng Oh, the posh place............... , have tarmac and the holes are on the golf course........ 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guzzi850m2 Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 It all depends, are you going touring in it? I did in my ex honda city and I felt very small in it up in Isaan amongst all those pick-up trucks. I fell more safe in my new ranger and other cars/trucks give me more room too. Have you considered the new ford ecosport with the award winning 1lit 3 cyl engine, small suv, getting good reviews, see topic in motor forum about it. If you like the viros why not try the honda city, a better ride all around than a viros, looks better too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mogandave Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 How much driving are you planning on doing? I lot of guys that driver very little seem very concerned about fuel economy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisB87 Posted October 13, 2013 Author Share Posted October 13, 2013 How much driving are you planning on doing? I lot of guys that driver very little seem very concerned about fuel economy. I'll be doing 80 km per day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kwasaki Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Test drive everything available to you around your area and go with your gut instinct for what you like, if you mess up the Thai mrs, partner or whatever will for sure let you know whether you made a good choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiang mai Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Get a new diesel pickup truck, fill it up once a month and just drive it, sturdier, high line of sight and easily repairable anywhere in Thailand. Thanks, how much would a car like that cost to run per month (assuming i only fill up once)? I fill up my pickup truck once a month and it costs me 1,500 baht and that's all I spend on motoring each month since I've got three years/100k miles warranty, an oil change/service every six months costs around 2.500 and a car wash every two weeks at 50, that's it. Compared to my fifteen year old Lancer that used to guzzle gas and costs around 3k every month for some kind of repair, it's all quite idyllic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IMHO Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 CNG in Isaan doesn't seem like the most logical choice, unless you like planning your trips around filling up, and like queuing at gas stations full of 18 wheelers LPG's day as a cheap fuel are slowly coming to an end too. A 4-door pickup is going to cost you around 73K/year to fuel. A VIOS is going to cost around 71K/year. A 1.0L Ecoboost Fiesta around 50K/year Subtract up to 20% from these if you're going to make an effort to drive economically, add about 20% if you're going to pretend you're Vettel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gsxrnz Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 I reluctantly bought a double cab truck three years ago. Turns out to be the best decision ever. Drives as good as a car. Better vision. Really handy for general shopping, never mind the big purchases such as a fridge etc. Unlimited sets of golf clubs go on the deck. Flooded roads are a breeze. Economy is great. Up-country roads are no problem with 4WD - I've had mine nearly vertical in low ratio on dirt roads and they just keep on chugging. OK, maybe 30 degrees, but you get the idea. If somebody offered me a new Fiesta for my truck, I'd never swap. I don't love it, in fact I think most trucks look hideous - but practicality wins the day in Thailand. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiang mai Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 CNG in Isaan doesn't seem like the most logical choice, unless you like planning your trips around filling up, and like queuing at gas stations full of 18 wheelers LPG's day as a cheap fuel are slowly coming to an end too. A 4-door pickup is going to cost you around 73K/year to fuel. A VIOS is going to cost around 71K/year. A 1.0L Ecoboost Fiesta around 50K/year Subtract up to 20% from these if you're going to make an effort to drive economically, add about 20% if you're going to pretend you're Vettel. Am not sure about your cost of fuel estimates, my 4 door pickup costs me 2k a month at worst hence 24 per year. One tank gives me 900 kms which is ample for my monthly needs, three times that (your estimate) wuld mean a person is driving 30k plus a year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mogandave Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 The OP indicated he would be driveing 30,000 Km a year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post chiang mai Posted October 14, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted October 14, 2013 I reluctantly bought a double cab truck three years ago. Turns out to be the best decision ever. Drives as good as a car. Better vision. Really handy for general shopping, never mind the big purchases such as a fridge etc. Unlimited sets of golf clubs go on the deck. Flooded roads are a breeze. Economy is great. Up-country roads are no problem with 4WD - I've had mine nearly vertical in low ratio on dirt roads and they just keep on chugging. OK, maybe 30 degrees, but you get the idea. If somebody offered me a new Fiesta for my truck, I'd never swap. I don't love it, in fact I think most trucks look hideous - but practicality wins the day in Thailand. I agree totally, I was somewhat reluctant to buy my double cab Vigo after having previously owning a CRV, I went ahead with the purchase anyway on the grounds that it was a sensible thing to do rather than something I absolutely wanted to do 100%. With hindsight it was a smart move, the cost picture is self explanatory but the safety aspect of having a large rugged vehicle where the driver sits up high is a real selling point. One of these days I may even get to use the pickup part of my truck but until then I treat it and regard it as my car. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IMHO Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 CNG in Isaan doesn't seem like the most logical choice, unless you like planning your trips around filling up, and like queuing at gas stations full of 18 wheelers LPG's day as a cheap fuel are slowly coming to an end too. A 4-door pickup is going to cost you around 73K/year to fuel. A VIOS is going to cost around 71K/year. A 1.0L Ecoboost Fiesta around 50K/year Subtract up to 20% from these if you're going to make an effort to drive economically, add about 20% if you're going to pretend you're Vettel. Am not sure about your cost of fuel estimates, my 4 door pickup costs me 2k a month at worst hence 24 per year. One tank gives me 900 kms which is ample for my monthly needs, three times that (your estimate) wuld mean a person is driving 30k plus a year. 80 x 365 = 29,200 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiang mai Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 Hmmm, that doesn't sound like fun but I accept your estmate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisB87 Posted October 14, 2013 Author Share Posted October 14, 2013 Thanks guys! Some interesting responses. Yes guzzi850m2, i would consider the EcoSport. So it seems like most are recommending a pickup.....so which brand and model would you recommend? with efficiency and reliability in mind (i am totally clueless about this stuff ) Thanks again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maprao Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 I have both a small car and a pick up. When I drive to Bangkok or Pattaya I drive the pick up. It bounces out of hole and uneven highways where as the small car would probably lose the tire. Personal choice. The small car Yaris is used around town and the village only where I know the roads well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiang mai Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 Decide whether you want a petrol or diesel model, two or four door, two or four wheel drive, manual or automatic, then buy a Toyota Vigo , highest resale value and easily repaired anywhere at little cost, expect to spend anywhere between 600k and 1 mill., based on your spec. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wong! Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 Seeing as the roads around Udon are terrible, we bought a truck. Second choice vehicle would be a Fiesta. A Vios would be 1,847,994th on the list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace of Pop Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 No Doubt You have lost Me and a Few Others. Bangers to Sin City isnt bumpy .Car or Truck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiang mai Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 No Doubt You have lost Me and a Few Others. Bangers to Sin City isnt bumpy .Car or Truck. It can be if you drive as the crow flies! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arthurwait Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 No Doubt You have lost Me and a Few Others. Bangers to Sin City isnt bumpy .Car or Truck. Parts of the motorway are like the moons surface. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mogandave Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 Decide whether you want a petrol or diesel model, two or four door, two or four wheel drive, manual or automatic, then buy a Toyota Vigo , highest resale value and easily repaired anywhere at little cost, expect to spend anywhere between 600k and 1 mill., based on your spec. Or buy an Isuzu for all the same reasons if you do not a ten year old platform. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gsxrnz Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 Your Missus won't care about the model of the truck you buy, but I guarantee she'll have an opinion about the colour and when is the most auspicious day to buy it. She'll go and consult the fortune tellers about what day to buy the truck as well as the colour. She'll come back with an answer along the lines of "if you want a black truck, must buy on a Thursday, or if you want a blue truck, must wait until after xx date. Fortune teller says must not buy a brown truck ever". Oh, and in your budget you'd better allow a thousand baht to pay for the blessing of your new purchase at the local Wat, complete with the dots and gold sheet on the roof lining. If you can, make sure the Monk isn't too blind and manages to put them in the centre of the rooflining, otherwise looks a bit dodgy. And NO, this is not a joke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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