Buying a mid-range family car; Hua Hin's dealerships

[buksida]

We're about due to upgrade our family wagon and mrs buksi has been dropping not so subtle hints about a new one for a few weeks now. There's nothing wrong with our current car except the fact that it is now ten years old. So, we've been spending some time scouring the dealerships around Hua Hin (since it has a lot more of them than elsewhere) looking at what is available. Our budget is around 600-800k, we need something to accommodate a family of four plus luggage, second hand cars are almost as expensive as new so what the hell.

Here are my findings so far ...

FORD
This was the first dealership we went into, choices within our budget are the Fiesta or Ecosport which is a kind of mini SUV. http://www.ford.co.th/suvs/ecosport
Does anyone have any experience with this Ecosport? It seems a little under powered with only a 1.5 (110 bhp) engine.

It must be noted though that I do have a reluctance with Ford which stems from the poor re-sale value and horror stories I've read on after-sales support. However they were prepared to throw in free insurance and a nice discount for cash payment.

CHEVROLET
Nothing really in the showroom that suited us, all they had was a Sonic which was tiny and a Cruise which was too big. There is a small SUV type car called a Spin but it is what I would term as fugly: http://en.chevrolet.co.th/cars/spin/model-overview.html

HONDA
By far the largest selection of vehicles of all of the dealerships we visited. In the hot zone was the Jazz, City and a 7 seater called Mobilio which certainly ticked all the boxes. http://www.honda.co.th/en/mobilio

Again it seems a little under powered with a 1.5 engine but it wasn't that big a car but huge inside (a bit like the tardis), a test drive will find out. Loved the HR-V but it is a little beyond our budget with the base model starting at 890k.

MAZDA
These were the most professional in terms of sales staff and I had a drive of the new Mazda 2 which looks and goes very well. There is a 1.3 petrol version and a more powerful 1.5 diesel, it has some fancy tech including sports mode and a cool looking HUD for your speed. However the only drawback was the lack of boot space. They also offered a lot of extras and cash discounts.

TOYOTA
When the sales girl could drag herself away from her phone she showed us a rather plain looking Yaris and the Vios that I hit my head on getting out of. The seats are definitely made for Asians (not that I'm a fat bloke, but this car was not comfortable). The top model Yaris at 629k looked very smart but again under powered with a 1.2 (63 bhp) engine, fully laden you'd have trouble overtaking anything (though we have seen these cars flying down the highway). No free insurance or any discounts offered by Toyota Hua Hin.

MITSUBISHI
Across the road now to Mitsu where the staff were asleep and the showroom was a building site. They had one pickup in there and no brochures. Shame as our current car is a Mitsu which has been absolutely faultless (though we did buy it in the Pranburi dealership). The base model new Lancer is 800k and their other offering, the Mirage, was a little too small and somewhat dull.

MG
I was surprised to discover that MGs were available in Thailand and not at stupid prices. The MG3 starts at 479k and goes up to 599k for the pimped out version, this car looks very good and has plenty of poke. Had a drive but hated the transmission which is "semi manual" in that you can change gears without a clutch, there was a bit of a lag to it but I guess all CVT boxes will be like this. Not enough space in the back to carry a case of beer so sadly the MG is out.

SUZUKI
Saw a Ciaz displayed but it just seemed to be an uninspiring copy of the Honda City.

NISSAN
Didn't get to Nissan but the Livina warrants a further look: http://www.nissan.co.th/en/Vehicles/Livina.aspx

Observations
Was absolutely flabbergasted to discover that you can no longer buy manual cars in Thailand - EVERYTHING was automatic (I hate autos). The CVT transmission is nowhere near as responsive as a manual but I guess we have to live with it.

Some of the sales staff also mentioned that a new emissions tax would be introduced on new cars on January 1st which could add 50k to all cars that are not classified as "Eco". Not sure if this was a ploy to get a quicker sale or the real deal - anyone got any more info?

Thoughts on any of the cars mentioned above, and others I may have overlooked, experiences on any of the dealerships, and any other suggestions all welcome!

[Big Boy]

Initial thought on your description of the Vios does not compute. I'm not small, but have hired 3 now - plenty of room and plenty of poke (except going up Doi Inthanon).

Then you put the Honda Jazz in the hot zone - too small for me. I could manage short distances, but I'd be disabled if I did any more.

[Edit] Mazda 2 - I got in, but they needed a tin opener to get me out again. This is not a mid-range family car - it's a car for midgets.

[HHTel]

A 30% excise tax will be applied to sedans and vehicles with no more than 10 seats, with a cylinder capacity of no more than 3,000 cc and CO2 emissions of no more than 150 grams/kilometer (g/km). A 35% tax will be levied if vehicular emissions are 150-200 g/km and 40% if emissions are more than 200 g/km.

A 25% tax will be levied on automobiles using E85 and natural gas, with a cylinder capacity of no more than 3,000 cc and CO2 emissions of no more than 150 g/km. A 30% tax will be applied if the CO2 emissions is between 150-200 g/km and 35% if more than 200 g/km.

Hybrid cars with a cylinder capacity of no more than 3,000 cc and emitting no more than 100 g/km of CO2 will be taxed at 10%. The tax rate will rise to 20% if CO2 emissions go up to 100-150 g/km, 25% if emissions go up to 150-200 g/km and 30% if emissions are more than 200 g/km.

A 3% tax will be levied on pick-up trucks with no space behind the driver and with a cylinder capacity of no more than 3,250 cc, releasing no more than 200 g/km of CO2, and 5% if above 200 g/km.

Pick-up trucks with space behind the driver and with no more than 3,250 cc cylinder capacity and less than 200 g/km CO2 emissions will be taxed at 5%; above 200 g/km CO2 emissions, the tax will be at 7%.

Double cab pick-up trucks with no more than 3,250 cc cylinder capacity and less than 200 g/km CO2 emissions will be taxed at 12%, while those emitting above 200 g/km will be taxed at 15%.

Twenty-five percent will be levied on passenger pick-up trucks with a cylinder capacity of no more than 3,250 cc, releasing no more than 200 g/km CO2, and 30% if more than 200 g/km.

The Finance Ministry is expected to earn revenues of THB25 billion (US$813.8 million) from excise taxes in 2016.

[Top Croc]

Buksi, I have just finished checking out whats available in HH. I am looking for a larger SUV but in the process also looked at replacement car for my wife.

Ford have 2 black Ford Focus S, 2000cc, very well fitted full options and very good performance, they are old stock I believe and heavily discounted. They quoted 900 but I think there is a bit more wiggle in there. Normal sales price I think was 1.3??. They lose resale but over 10 years who cares.

My wife has a Honda City, has done 106K and runs like a clock she does not want to change or I would grab a Focus. The City is unbelievable in use-able space in the boot and inside the cabin, carries more cargo than a large long wheel base sedan I own. Super reliable and cheap to run.

My advice, go for the Focus and have lots of fun or the City as a super wife car that's OK for you.

[Big Boy]

A further thought, I've tried the Honda City as well - just the rich man' s Vios really. Sat behind the wheel, there's very little difference.

[VincentD]

Sister in law just got a Nissan Sylphy which she's really happy with, upgrading from a Honda City. The base model has a manual transmission.

Stay away from Fords the dealerships have not improved much. (BB?) Ecosport has the spare on the tailgate so assume not a lot of space available. Also look at the spare wheel provided; many eco cars now use a 'spacesaver' spare for which spare tyres are not available. Look for one with a standard size spare.

Mazda 5 might be worth a look if finance permits..

I'm still happy with my X-trail so won't be changing anytime soon. My two baht worth.

[hhinner]

Was absolutely flabbergasted to discover that you can no longer buy manual cars in Thailand - EVERYTHING was automatic (I hate autos).

City, Mobilio, Livina web pages show MT versions available. When we bought our City 3 years ago the showroom had no MT for a test drive, but I really disliked the AT in the car I tested and ordered a MT version anyway. In my opinion the manual box is as good as any I've ever used. Some options I would have liked weren't available on the MT version but no big deal. There was a 4 month lead time on Citys at that time. Hopefully it's improved since then. The wife wants another City if and when we buy a new car and that will suit me fine (unless it's AT only).

[buksida]

Just sat in my neigbours Vios, and hit my head again - he is a big bloke and also complained about it, its not for us.

Thanks for the confirmation on the new taxes ... as if things weren't expensive enough in this country!

Will have another look and ask about the Focus tomorrow, still have concerns about the after sales/dealerships though.

Mazda CX-5 looks sweet, but starting at 1.2m its way beyond budget.

Asked about manuals in all of the places we went to and got the same answer - "mai mee", no MT versions available any more.

[dalmatiandave]

I prefer MT and yes fine on roads in my home country but living here, doing a lot of mileage and traveling often through Bangkok, I am happy to have an AT.

[Big Boy]

Just sat in my neigbours Vios, and hit my head again - he is a big bloke and also complained about it, its not for us.

You must have a bloody big head, or you're wearing stilettos again (I thought they were just for the weekend ). I'm over 6' 5", and haven't had a problem with 3 different Vios'.

Having said that, there were several Ford Granada (particularly the Scorpio) that I had to refuse in the UK because of all of the crap that had been squeezed in as extras - maybe you're trying top of the range Vios', whereas I've been in basic models.

[STEVE G]

FORD
This was the first dealership we went into, choices within our budget are the Fiesta or Ecosport which is a kind of mini SUV. http://www.ford.co.th/suvs/ecosport
Does anyone have any experience with this Ecosport?

Someone came around our house in an Ecosport and I had a good look at it as I'd never noticed the model before. I didn't drive it but my impressions otherwise were pretty high, it's a good looking car and seemed well made with a decent interior. The owner told me that he had just been to Chang Mai and back in it and it was a comfortable and economical journey. It would certainly be something I would consider if I was looking to buy a car of that size.

[mudcat]

We have a Chevrolet Spin which we are pleased with (seats seven with all but the middle row center having shoulder belts, pretty good road car but ok around town ). BUT Chevrolet has discontinued it in Asia leaving a long supply chain back to Brazil so even with the B63,000 price cut to B699,000 would not consider it today.

[VincentD]

Ford Focus is a nice car. A friend at work bought one and I was impressed with the options.
However quality and the dealership support are questionable.
His headlight stopped functioning after two months,went to replace under warranty. Note that these are HID lights and the whole unit is replaced, about 10,000+ baht per side. No stock so mechanic just swiped one off another Focus in for repair and said would put the new one in that car when the spares arrived.
Wind deflector fell off after three months; it's just glued on with tape.
Note that this dealership is in Bangkok, not in the provinces.

HID replacement bulbs are expensive but should last a very long time. My Nissan required the replacement after eight years, cost about 5,000 baht.
For info.

[Big Boy]

Stay away from Fords the dealerships have not improved much. (BB?)

The Ford dealership at Hua Hin has had a change at the top. It has improved significantly, but still has a way to go.

[Gregjam]

Just picked up a new truck at Nissan Pranburi. Would recommend paying them a visit as the service I have had has been excellent. They worked hard to sell the truck and have followed up since collecting it earlier in the week. Much better than the service we had from Toyota Hua Hin where I bought a Vios. Good car but now go to Cha am for servicing, a world of difference. If you are still interested in the Nissan it might be worth a trip to Pranburi.