Buying a car - new or second hand

[jbecker]

Hi there,

 

me - or actually my wife is planning to buy a car and nothing helps - she has to get a car

 

Do you know any reliable dealers where she could purchase her dream in Pattaya area.

 

Also do you happen to know any web sites where I could compare prices and see what is asked for second hand cars.

 

Finally, what is your opinion about second hand Honda Accord.

 

Thank you in advance!

 

Cheers

jb

[bangkapiboy]

Carrfour in central pattaya has an active posting board with 2nd hand cars listed. Anyway, I have a 2nd hand car and it has been working well. Honda Accord is a good choice, as the parts are everywhere.

[pattysteve]

http://www.expatmotors.co.th/

 

Here you can compare prices,you may be surprised how expensive they are.

[jbecker]

http://www.expatmotors.co.th/

 

Here you can compare prices,you may be surprised how expensive they are.

 

Thanks a lot for these tips.

 

Prices seem to be reasonable but please remember that we in Finland have one of highest car taxation policy in the world.

 

How much air there are on those prices - and do they offer any cash discounts?

 

Cheers

jb

[monsterman]

Make sure it is a locally made model not an import or u will have problems on service .and buy japanese . honda nissan, toyota, but not mitsubishi.

 

monsterman

[sabang]

If second hand, I reckon you are better buying off an expat than one of the car dealerships here.

Pattaya Trader, or supermarket boards all have cars for sale.

It's probably the safest advice to buy a locally assembled car, Toyota or Honda, but I picked up an 1994 Audi80 for 130,00Bht from an expat, and I am quite happy with it.

[monsterman]

Beware of a certain expat second hand car dealer , who sells very dodgy motors with no backup, (intercar).

 

monsterman

[torrenova]

If you have the cash, or can live with the repayments, buy new. Little depreciation, especially on trucks and no worries as you get warranty and dealer backup.

[spacebass]

The story with Honda is parts are expensive world wide and if you buy from a dealer pay the money and drive the car away do not go away and come back later, so they can take stuff off it.

[sinkorswim]

DO NOT buy second hand. You never know what you are getting.

 

A friend of mine bought a second hand BMW paid 1.6 million baht and then tried to sell it 6 months later and found out it had been in 3 crashes and stolen. He had to sell for 800K and lost alot of money.

 

I purchased a new top of the range Vigo and sold it after 1 year and only losr 150000 baht. Good value if you ask me.

[torrenova]

I've been looking this last week at truck, specifically the Toyota Hi-lux and the Isuzu D-Max. Both will do finance with deposits ranging from 10% to 35% for various models at interest rates around 3%. You can usually get a load of stuff thrown in as well as free servicing fo 50k km.

 

Moving them on price is hard and I've not had a great deal of luck except some cash back (same think really). The free insurance has stopped for the moment so you want at least 20k back for that.

They have loads of stock but price negotiation is difficult.

 

I'll probably get them to set up some test drives next week.

 

Here are some links with prices:

 

http://www.honda.co.th/automobile/en/buying/

http://www.isuzu.co.jp/world/product/dmax/lineup.html

http://www.toyota.co.th/red/en/

http://www.nissan.co.th/home.asp

 

If you can, buy new. The Thais don't care about their cars.

[captcraig2]

I've been told that a farang can get a vehicle financed in LOS without any problems, is this true? I had a taxi driver once tell me to buy a car, have it financed, drive it for my three month stay then simply give it back a day before you leave. I don't have any desire to do any shady dealings like that but I was surprised that a farang could get financed that easy in Thailand....Can they?

[aussiedoug]

quote name='monsterman' date='Jan 9 2007

Beware of a certain expat second hand car dealer , who sells very dodgy motors with no backup, (intercar).

 

Just curious, did you deal direct with Martin or with Mrs. Som??

[mb3house]

It is my understanding that you need a work permit to get financing, or do it thru your Thai partner. Toyota wouldnt give me their finance package, even though I had a multi entry visa. I think they need your employee as collateral.

[monsterman]

quote name='monsterman' date='Jan 9 2007

Beware of a certain expat second hand car dealer , who sells very dodgy motors with no backup, (intercar).

 

Just curious, did you deal direct with Martin or with Mrs. Som??

I have nosed aound his shop several times and spoken to both him and Mrs 3 of my neighbours have bought from him and been fucked over with very poor vehicles and no backup.

I bought my Cefiro 2nd hand in BKK off Siam Leasing when it was 2 1/2 years old full 28k FSH 600,000 (new 1.3m) it is 5 years old now and perfect after 90k.

 

monsterman

[Turbota]

While living here in the PI, I bought a 1 year old very low mileage Toyota Camry from the Toyota dealership here. The Chinese businessman that owned it before me just trades every year for a new Camry, so it wasn't abused .... Great Car!

 

I understand the Camry is now being final assembled in Thailand, so parts and warranty work should not be a problem there.

 

Do you see many late model Camrys there in Thailand?

 

Ron,