Why the lack of "Convertible, Cabriolet, Drop-Head, Soft-Top" cars in LOS?

[Jib Teenuc]

I know they DO exist (just that I don't ever recall seeing one).

Is it because of the security (easy to break into with now't more than a sharp knife)?

Is it because people prefer air-con over the wind in their faces?

Or another reason and/or combination of reasons?

Possibly I'm even wrong and have been all but tripping over thousands of them without noticing.

Would dearly like to discover which of the above (assuming any) is/are correct.

[Gsxrnz]

Thais don't like sunshine - or being darker They don't like red cars either.

Edited November 9, 2013 by Gsxrnz

[HardenedSoul]

It's generally too hot.

38 degree blazing hot sunshine while stuck in a jam is no fun at all.

Having said that, I've seen quite a few people driving around top down at night when it's far cooler.

[Jib Teenuc]

Thais don't like sunshine - or being darker They don't like red cars either.

Yeah, that figures as far as the idigenous population is concerned.

But what about the ex-pats?

Are they, perhaps, over-priced due to their relative rarity and transport/importation/duty costs?

[Mightyquinn]

Probably the dubious amount of tax that will be placed on them if its only falang that would buy them.....

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[h90]

I think I saw 1 once.

[Naam]

I think I saw 1 once.

on Sunday mornings 06.30 you can see me and my dogs in an open convertible.

[PeterSmiles]

I think I saw 1 once.

on Sunday mornings 06.30 you can see me and my dogs in an open convertible.

Which one is usually behind the wheel ?

[CharlieH]

I rode a motorcycle once with shorts and t shirt around Samui for 45 minutes, felt great cool breeze etc from the bike riding along. Until I stopped back at the hotel, I was burnt to a crisp!

Unbelievable how strong the sun is here even when you think its cloudy, white folks without proper protection will fry !

As said Thais dont like getting darker (mostly) hence why they use umbrellas while walking in the sun or wear long sleeve jackets on motorcycles etc, to cover up.

[h90]

I think I saw 1 once.

on Sunday mornings 06.30 you can see me and my dogs in an open convertible.

My dog as well smells so badly that I would only transport him a convertible

[Jib Teenuc]

I rode a motorcycle once with shorts and t shirt around Samui for 45 minutes, felt great cool breeze etc from the bike riding along. Until I stopped back at the hotel, I was burnt to a crisp!

Unbelievable how strong the sun is here even when you think its cloudy, white folks without proper protection will fry !

As said Thais dont like getting darker (mostly) hence why they use umbrellas while walking in the sun or wear long sleeve jackets on motorcycles etc, to cover up.

Very good pint, CharlieH.

Did very much the same on a bicycle, one afternoon.

I was heat-stroked and sick for a good couple of days (and that was in an English summer!!).

I think I might be starting to understand why so few Drop-Heads in LOS.

[Jib Teenuc]

It's generally too hot.

38 degree blazing hot sunshine while stuck in a jam is no fun at all.

Having said that, I've seen quite a few people driving around top down at night when it's far cooler.

Yeah, I can see how uncomfortable it might be stuck in a traffic queue without even the direct sun-rays' protection afforded by a tuk-tuk or baht-bus.

Seems the way to go is to get one with an electronic hood and only hit the switch when motoring at speed (and even then still risk sun and wind burn) or drop the hood after the sun goes down.

[vtjforyou]

Only 3,9 mthb for the cheapest eclass benz convertible but local people are too stingy to buy one :-)

[CharlieH]

Only 3,9 mthb for the cheapest eclass benz convertible but local people are too stingy to buy one :-)

Yeah...and thats 30 years salary for the average Thai !

More than 2 times the price of a house in rural areas, and they need a 30 yr mortgage for one of those.

Edited November 9, 2013 by CharlieH

[lemoncake]

I think I saw 1 once.

on Sunday mornings 06.30 you can see me and my dogs in an open convertible.

Which one is usually behind the wheel ?

The taller one

[lemoncake]

Probably the dubious amount of tax that will be placed on them if its only falang that would buy them.....

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Agree, the price. All would be imported and classified as luxury or sports car so price would be somewhat ridiculous.

Peugeot 207 and 307 are hard top convertibles and reasonably priced but in Thailand it's double if not triple

Edited November 9, 2013 by lemoncake

[ignis]

Lots now a day are steel, [electric folding] so unless you know the make you would think it is a saloon/coupé

There are a few soft tops about here..

A normal everyday car seen lots here as a soft top, but is anything but normal in price here

http://www.taladrod.com/w20/Search/CarDet3.aspx?cib=1286900

Edited November 9, 2013 by ignis

[ignis]

Probably the dubious amount of tax that will be placed on them if its only falang that would buy them.....

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Agree, the price. All would be imported and classified as luxury or sports car so price would be somewhat ridiculous.

Peugeot 207 and 307 are hard top convertibles and reasonably priced but in Thailand it's double if not triple

Odd that and the difference in price http://www.one2car.com/PEUGEOT_207/K07130366

against the old model with a soft top http://www.one2car.com/PEUGEOT_306/K06120258

[A1Str8]

Coz they pang mak.

[Mightyquinn]

Maybe set up a business buying ordinary cars and just cut the roof off... Can't be any worse than some of the cars I have seen driving around! 555

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[h90]

Maybe set up a business buying ordinary cars and just cut the roof off... Can't be any worse than some of the cars I have seen driving around! 555

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you can't do that on "normal" cars.

They need the roof for stability of the car.

[Mightyquinn]

I was joking about cutting the roof off h90... However, there is a company in Scotland that do offer the service and put in a T-Bar to strengthen the chassis. They never look the same as factory made rag tops though..

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[geronimo]

I've seen a dozen or so, all high end luxury cars. I think the sun thing is one reason but some filthy rich like the idea of whizzing down a freeway with the wind running through their hair.

[arthurwait]

Of course the obvious is cost after taxes.

Next air con and not sweltering under a hood.

Girls that go with guys that can afford them don't like the sun or their hair messed up or they ten packs of whitening foundation being messed up.

I have seen a few , top down at night and some Thais and farangs driving open top jeeps.

One a BMW convertible being driven by a farang around Nana with a bar girl in the passenger seat, can see how that will end.

Dust is the other problem, in the car and again sticking to the war paint.

Plus your chances of seeing one depends on where you live. Most Thais that can afford them live in Bangkok and the Eastern seaboard. Same as most Farangs that can afford and want them, but live in the boonies and Nakhon Nowhere and your chances are a lot slimmer.

[arthurwait]

Maybe set up a business buying ordinary cars and just cut the roof off... Can't be any worse than some of the cars I have seen driving around! 555

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Nearly bought an old rust bucket mark one escort for a project, but the guy couldn't produce a book and kept changing his stories including how many years tax hadn't been paid. Sort of regret it now as it was cheap, but the bloke struck me as someone not to trust.

Anyway, a week or two after I declined it turned up parked outside his business down the road with the roof chopped off and him standing by it looking puzzled with the bonnet up.

I can't imagine why.

[arthurwait]

Maybe set up a business buying ordinary cars and just cut the roof off... Can't be any worse than some of the cars I have seen driving around! 555

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

Nearly bought an old rust bucket mark one escort for a project, but the guy couldn't produce a book and kept changing his stories including how many years tax hadn't been paid. Sort of regret it now as it was cheap, but the bloke struck me as someone not to trust.

Anyway, a week or two after I declined it turned up parked outside his business down the road with the roof chopped off and him standing by it looking puzzled with the bonnet up.

I can't imagine why.

[wprime]

Get a wiff of the BKK air and you'll understand. The new E class cabriolet is a strong seller though.

[wilcopops]

You may have noticed this is the tropics - unless you relish the idea of several skin cancers on your scalp, I would steer clear of any open top vehicle. You may also have noticed that most people in Thailand think that going out in the sun is reserved for "mad dogs and Englishmen".

[richard_smith237]

A Soft Top in Thailand:

1) Generally too expensive

2) Its usually too hot

3) Its always way too humid

4) The Sun is way to strong at this latitude

5) Extreme weather / storms

6) Pollution in the city, dust in the sticks

To date, I’ve only ever seen one soft top with the hood down… and that was a foreigner driving a Porsche 911 down Sathorn Rd.

But, it would be great to make a tour of north Thailand over December in a Soft Top…

[Jib Teenuc]

Lots now a day are steel, [electric folding] so unless you know the make you would think it is a saloon/coupé

There are a few soft tops about here..

A normal everyday car seen lots here as a soft top, but is anything but normal in price here

http://www.taladrod.com/w20/Search/CarDet3.aspx?cib=1286900

WOW!!!

That is some pricw for a 10 year old VeeDub.

Chuffing 'eck, I can feel a business-plan bubbling.

Thanks for the reply (and link).

Jib T