New Car Buying Honda Chiangmai

[johnedward]

I,ve been to two Honda dealers in CM and given 2 different sets of conditions for the Honda Lease program....trying to buy HR-V, 25% down,5yr.lease..Has anyone had any luck buying, and if so, can someone recommend trustworthy dealer with quality service support??..dealers I,ve been to: Airport Honda & dealer buy Payap University.....

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Mazda CX-3 coming soon.

[Tywais]

I got my Civic 2.0 at Airport Honda and service has been excellent and would certainly buy from them again. In my case though I paid 50% down and a two year lease with balloon payment at the end. Hate being in debt for any period of time.

They send me an SMS when service is due and every 6 months for oil change reminder.

[CMKiwi]

There is a new Honda dealership out San Sai way its on the 1001 just past the 121 intersection. Havent been into the place but have seen all the new Hondas outside. The HRV does look good and as Hondas go, they have a very good resale value.

Much is said about the new Mazda CX3 being a better car than the HRV and it may well be, however Id personally stick with the Honda. Call me biased but the GF and I recently brought a HRV whilst we were down in Korat visiting her parents. Its a great car and I cant fault it so far. We looked at Toyota, Ford also but they just didnt have the same level of comfort and economy.

Why didnt we buy in CM? No real reason other than we were in Korat at the time, and it was a great drive back to CM.

[kannot]

I looked at an HRV, went into the showroom asked how long before I could have a blue one..............no have blue, ok how much for a black one................no have black .......ok SILVER??? ........no have, ok what colours are available.................only have white walked out up to Nissan dealer bought new updated Juke..............a great salesman in Honda!!, he said Honda had closed the order book for HRV,s as they had 5000 ordered........seems odd.

Asked Nissan for English manual when ordering, ok they said............... 2 months later "no hab" downloaded off internet "hab now"

I thought the HRV was better made or at least better finished than the JUKE but it was 300k more so it should be BUT I also found the HRV a bit BORING

The new paint on all cars is extremely crap very bad orange peel had to get mine polished out dealer paid 5k towards this, Check your Honda as though they are a bit better they are still crappy

[WinnieTheKhwai]

I drove this yesterday. It nice. And a lot bigger than HRV or CX 3, and with all wheel drive and lots of options also on the cheapest model. (climate control, cruise control, flappy paddle shifters, etc.)

Only problem is that I better hit it off with the single dealership in Chiang Mai, because if I don't then there's nothing else in town. So from that perspective, Honda (or Toyota) really is the most sensible choice.

[CMKiwi]

I looked at an HRV, went into the showroom asked how long before I could have a blue one..............no have blue, ok how much for a black one................no have black .......ok SILVER??? ........no have, ok what colours are available.................only have white walked out up to Nissan dealer bought new updated Juke..............a great salesman in Honda!!, he said Honda had closed the order book for HRV,s as they had 5000 ordered........seems odd.

Asked Nissan for English manual when ordering, ok they said............... 2 months later "no hab" downloaded off internet "hab now"

I thought the HRV was better made or at least better finished than the JUKE but it was 300k more so it should be BUT I also found the HRV a bit BORING

The new paint on all cars is extremely crap very bad orange peel had to get mine polished out dealer paid 5k towards this, Check your Honda as though they are a bit better they are still crappy

I agree with your remark about factory paint jobs, they are terrible. I'm thinking to get mine polished smooth too. Your photos look very good with a mirror like finish. Regarding color choice for the HRV, we had the same problem in Korat. I liked the dark blue version, sorry no have. But they did have pearl white, white, black, charcoal and purple metallic charcoal colors. When asked why no blue, they said that the factory didn't have enough orders to do those yet! Obviously they just make up any story in a hope you will pick a color that they have in stock.

We settled on the purple metallic charcoal one as I didn't see the sense or reason why we should pay extra just to have a pearl white one that they were pushing.

As to the Nissan Juke, it's a strange shape but it's growing on me. Looks like it would make a good rally car! Didn't pick that mainly due to perceived re-sale prices plus I liked the ride height and fitment of the Honda better. Even still the Nissan looks to be a nice car.

[circusman]

Coming to the point now that all these smaller cars are looking the same. Only real choice is reliability and price. Oh, and I hope you like white.

[circusman]

I drove this yesterday. It nice. And a lot bigger than HRV or CX 3, and with all wheel drive and lots of options also on the cheapest model. (climate control, cruise control, flappy paddle shifters, etc.)

Only problem is that I better hit it off with the single dealership in Chiang Mai, because if I don't then there's nothing else in town. So from that perspective, Honda (or Toyota) really is the most sensible choice.

For my taste I would never buy this car. Orange ? Please no. And those wheel covers?

[CMKiwi]

Orange is supposed to be the "power" color apparently. And I agree, it's not what I'd pick as a choice but each to their own. I think it's a Subaru XV isn't it? Got some pretty good reviews but I'd hate to pay for spare parts and servicing.....a tad dearer than other brands I'm told. And I also agree about the mag wheel design, definitely an acquired taste.

[Tywais]

Orange is supposed to be the "power" color apparently. And I agree, it's not what I'd pick as a choice but each to their own. I think it's a Subaru XV isn't it? Got some pretty good reviews but I'd hate to pay for spare parts and servicing.....a tad dearer than other brands I'm told. And I also agree about the mag wheel design, definitely an acquired taste.

Could be worse, they show a lime green at the Subaru site. http://www.subaru.com.au/xv

The metallic grey at that site looks pretty good though.

[CMKiwi]

Agree.....lime green looks more like bile. Maybe I'm just taking the piss.....

[WinnieTheKhwai]

No lime green on the XV in Thailand. So you better like white, silver or black. Orange is the only color that stands out.

Good prices on them though, they remain just South of 1 million baht.

[Chicog]

Wait until they've finished the recalls first.

[sanuk711]

Sorry can not help you with the lease part---I have lived in Issan for quite some years Udon, which has 2 Honda dealerships & an hours drive each way will give you a large one in each of those towns--- I still shop in BKK, the price & extras for my last car (Accord -----which last year had a waiting list) was well worth the airfares / hotels etc.

It would pay you (or wife) to get on the phone to BKK & talk to some dealers there.........whats the downside to that ?..........

[watcharacters]

I got my Civic 2.0 at Airport Honda and service has been excellent and would certainly buy from them again. In my case though I paid 50% down and a two year lease with balloon payment at the end. Hate being in debt for any period of time.

They send me an SMS when service is due and every 6 months for oil change reminder.

Did you just sign up at the dealer's for the SMS notices?

[Tywais]

I got my Civic 2.0 at Airport Honda and service has been excellent and would certainly buy from them again. In my case though I paid 50% down and a two year lease with balloon payment at the end. Hate being in debt for any period of time.

They send me an SMS when service is due and every 6 months for oil change reminder.

Did you just sign up at the dealer's for the SMS notices?

No, they just started coming in at the appropriate dates.

[elektrified]

There is a new Honda dealership out San Sai way its on the 1001 just past the 121 intersection. Havent been into the place but have seen all the new Hondas outside. The HRV does look good and as Hondas go, they have a very good resale value.

Much is said about the new Mazda CX3 being a better car than the HRV and it may well be, however Id personally stick with the Honda. Call me biased but the GF and I recently brought a HRV whilst we were down in Korat visiting her parents. Its a great car and I cant fault it so far. We looked at Toyota, Ford also but they just didnt have the same level of comfort and economy.

Why didnt we buy in CM? No real reason other than we were in Korat at the time, and it was a great drive back to CM.

I don't know Highway numbers around here but if it is the place I think it is on the Phrao Road (West side), it's not a real Honda dealership but an independent one. I do believe that all the mechanics are trained by Honda though. I think there is an actual Honda dealer further up the road.

[Tywais]

These are the list of dealers shown on Google Maps.

Full list of dealers though suspect some maybe be for MCs. Enter Chiang Mai in the drop down box. http://www.honda.co.th/en/dealer/index

The San Sai one.

[Aussieroaming]

San Sai honda were hopeless when we went to buy an accord. The sales people couldn't be assed on the day to even bother trying to negotiate a price with us.

[CMKiwi]

I could be wrong here, but in my dealings with any salesman over a new vehicle have met with no discount at all. Second hand cars seem to have a bit of leeway but it appears that new vehicle prices are set in stone.

The only difference between dealerships seems to be with freebies they throw in ie Car cover, floor mats and the like. Very unlike Aussie or kiwi land, where its a buyers market and negotiations are all part of the deal. Only the rich or stupid pay the sticker price

If I am approached by a seemingly arrogant salesperson, then I just leave and go elsewhere (Hopefully their opposition).

[WinnieTheKhwai]

While the sticker price is set, everything else they can throw in, including insurance, better finance deals, trade-in on your current vehicle, etc.

That effectively makes your spend very open to negotiation.

[kannot]

I looked at an HRV, went into the showroom asked how long before I could have a blue one..............no have blue, ok how much for a black one................no have black .......ok SILVER??? ........no have, ok what colours are available.................only have white walked out up to Nissan dealer bought new updated Juke..............a great salesman in Honda!!, he said Honda had closed the order book for HRV,s as they had 5000 ordered........seems odd.

Asked Nissan for English manual when ordering, ok they said............... 2 months later "no hab" downloaded off internet "hab now"

I thought the HRV was better made or at least better finished than the JUKE but it was 300k more so it should be BUT I also found the HRV a bit BORING

The new paint on all cars is extremely crap very bad orange peel had to get mine polished out dealer paid 5k towards this, Check your Honda as though they are a bit better they are still crappy

I agree with your remark about factory paint jobs, they are terrible. I'm thinking to get mine polished smooth too. Your photos look very good with a mirror like finish. Regarding color choice for the HRV, we had the same problem in Korat. I liked the dark blue version, sorry no have. But they did have pearl white, white, black, charcoal and purple metallic charcoal colors. When asked why no blue, they said that the factory didn't have enough orders to do those yet! Obviously they just make up any story in a hope you will pick a color that they have in stock.

We settled on the purple metallic charcoal one as I didn't see the sense or reason why we should pay extra just to have a pearl white one that they were pushing.

As to the Nissan Juke, it's a strange shape but it's growing on me. Looks like it would make a good rally car! Didn't pick that mainly due to perceived re-sale prices plus I liked the ride height and fitment of the Honda better. Even still the Nissan looks to be a nice car.

its worth the money doing the paint just make sure they dont go thru it, heres the doors after

[CMKiwi]

Nice result with the paint job. Was this done at the dealers or did they sub contract it out? I ask as Id like to use the same outfit if possible and dont really want to run the risk of some cowboy cocking it all up.

On the car make front, Im glad I got the HRV as the ride has been very good thus far. A good friend of mine runs a car rental company, he had about 4 Jukes and has just purchased an HRV. He says he wont be getting any more Jukes, why? because (as he said) the HRV has more get up and go plus a smoother ride. Another friend took one for a ride and commented that with just a 1800cc motor the HRV is very surprising as to its acceleration. Both also commented on the amount of room in the HRV, for luggage and passenger space.

Is it worth 300k baht more then the Juke? Well thats up to the individual to decide. I think so IMO

Still, both are good looking cars.