The Pick-Up Truck Thread

[buksida]

After almost two months, our search for a decently priced used pickup has been pretty much fruitless. Nobody seems desperate to sell as they're asking silly money for old trucks, so buying new makes more sense for an extra 25% or so.

I know Chevrolet is ceasing production in Thailand, but they're offering seriously good deals on new four-door pickups at the moment:
https://en.chevrolet.co.th/offers-and-f ... ffers.html

The equivalent Toyota, Ford, or Isuzu is at least 200k more, and Chevvy is offering a three-year warranty and servicing which sweetens the deal even more. We keep our vehicles for a while (the last one, a Mitsubishi, we had from new and kept for 14 years) so not worried about resale.

Does anyone on here have a Colorado? If so what are your opinions on it?

[VincentD]

Buksi, don't even touch anything coming from GM (Chevy)! They are basically rebadged Daewoos and are one of the worst for quality. We had some of those as company vehicles (Captiva, similar to the pickup, and the Optra) worst ever vehicle to drive. Even Ford has better quality, though their aftermarket servicing and dealership network leave a lot to be desired.
A good, cheap bet these days would be a Mitsubishi.

[buksida]

Thanks for the heads up, since you're the only one that replies to this I can presume everyone else on the board is driving a car or SUV (apart from BB's Ford). It was the 200k off that reeled me into the Chevy, but driving a bag of bolts doesn't sound too appealing, plus there is the parts factor a few years down the line.

We've owned and dealt with Mitsubishi before and found the vehicle and after sales service spot on so will have a look at the Triton. The Nissan Navara is also competitively priced. Won't get much change from a mil on a Toyota or Isuzu.

[Big Boy]

It was the shape of the Mitsubishi that made me want a truck when I came to Thailand. I was very disappointed when I couldn't even get behind the wheel to test one because it was so small. OK, there is a clue in my name, but beware, thay are considerably smaller than the other trucks on the market.

[buksida]

No fear, we'll be test driving a few of them. Mrs buksi does most of the driving anyway (I prefer two wheels) so the choice will largely be hers - I just set the budget and do the research!

[PeteC]

Here's a review from about 17 months ago concerning the Triton "mid-life facelift". I think the same design and equipment is in their current 2020 model as well.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/auto/review ... 019-review

[VincentD]

I didn't like the older 'Darth Vader' style Mitsu truck, later version is more inline with standard looks. I sat in a Navara (but quite a while ago) and was quite impressed with the torque of the manual. However given the relationship with Renault one wonders what the future will be. I'm still happy with the Xtrail (not a pickup fan) but the older Toyota Vigo isn't too bad. Did not like the reflection of the dash from the instrument panel at night though, hurts your night vision.
If you're going for a new truck and can fit I still would root for the Mitsu. Value for money. Nissan Terra is quite appealing if you like diesels and something big but I didn't like it when I saw it in the showroom. Also costs more than the Mitsu.
Whatever wheels you get, do avoid CVT transmissions. I still prefer manuals, but a standard torque converter auto with differential lock is almost as economical as the manual.
My two baht worth.

[buksida]

Good info. Looking forward to test driving a few of them. We live in the sticks so a pickup is pretty essential (cant get a motorbike or kayak in the back of a saloon). Currently have a Vigo Prerunner which has been faultless, but it belongs to the family so time to pass it back to them. The new Mitsu does look pretty good for a truck, the Nissans and Mazdas are a bit bland. Fords look the part also, but the reported aftersales/service problems is a concern, and Isuzus are beyond budget. Agree on the autos - it'll be manual all the way for us, we don't live in a city!

[Big Boy]

Fords look the part also, but the reported aftersales/service problems is a concern,

I am probably the reporter you are referring to, and yes, after sales was diabolical for 3 years. I think I might have mentioned it

The last 5 years has really seen them get their act in order, and I cant fault them. I guess it depends on individual dealerships. If you like the Ford, please don't discount it based on what I said. Go and check out your local dealership yourself. Like anything, there is good and bad everywhere.

In my 8 years with this car, it had the faulty turbo, which was replaced under warranty.............. eventually. Outside of that I've had one more problem, the Power Train, which was resolved promptly. Other bits I've had to replace are pure wear and tear i.e. I'm on my 4th battery, 3rd set of tyres and umteenth set of wiper blades . I've never had a car that has been so maintenance free before. Very reliable.

[buksida]

You're not the only one who has reported problems with Ford, both mechanically and with the customer service.

The Mitsu we had before ran flawlessly for 15 years, just replacing battery and tyres so I'm inclined to go with what we know. I will test drive a couple of Rangers though, but Ford won't be our first choice.

[Big Boy]

Of course, I wouldn't want to try to influence you one way or the other. After sales at Ford was diabolical, and I'm sure what I've said will have stuck in your memory. I didn't want to be responsible for turning you against what has been the best car I've ever owned,

Ford has been excellent for the last 5 years, but I doubt I've felt aggrieved enough to report that.

[VincentD]

I believe I was the whinger trying to discourage BB from getting the Ford in the first place based on my experiences when I owned a Ford Escort (1994 Orion). Had it for seven years, the car itself was not bad but it was not built for tropical weather. I even had to change the wiring harness! Spares were a nightmare as Ford Sales is a separate entity and does not support the dealerships. The dealerships themselves are not the problem, supply chain is. When the fuse box shorted out, they would not replace it, I had to shell out for it myself. Note that the fuses should blow, not the fuse box itself. Being in ndt, I had access to an x-ray machine and identified the short, which they still refused to acknowledge. So, no more Ford for me.

[Spitfire]

If you are going for a pickup or SUV then I'd say Mitsu Triton or Pajero, hands down. I have a Triton from new and it's 10 years old with nothing go wrong at all other than the usual consumables ... Pajero is way more cost effective than it's peers and the MU7 weight is a shocker in comparison. As long as these trucks are serviced and taken care of then most are OK but I'd say the Mitsu is way ahead on these two but has little to offer beyond these two vehicles.

[caller]

I still have the Mazda BT5O Pro I bought via here and I still enjoy driving it every time I get behind the wheel. No real issues to speak of and seems well serviced by Mazda. I just put 4 new tyres on it but baulked at Mazda's prices so ended up at the place just before the airport tunnel if heading north. Very good prices and service.

[buksida]

Well, the research is continuing, and coming to a conclusion, we've been to five separate dealerships and had vastly different experiences. Pickups come in many flavours: entry/mid/top specs for 2wd/4wd, manual/auto, two/four-door, high rider/low slung, and of course the million baht plus pimped out ones. We wanted the mid-level, four-door, manual, high-rider version, with a budget of approx 800k.

The first test drive was the Chevrolet Trail Boss which is their second from top model and the only one they had left in Hua Hin. It had a better spec than all the others, looked the part, and was a seriously good drive with a lot of power out of the 2.5 turbo diesel. It also had electronic steering, traction control, hill assist, and was very comfortable. Price was 668k (reduced from 850k) but we had to pay tax, rego, and insurance on top of that bringing the on the road price to a very attractive 710k. The only downside was the concerns about after-sales service and parts considering the company situation in Thailand though there was a 3 year or 100km warranty.

Next, it was over to Mitsubishi to look at the Triton Double Cab Plus 2.4 GLS, the mid range model. This drove more like a car than a truck and also had a lot of grunt with that 181HP lump under the hood. The entry model didn't have much (you had to pay extra for a rear bumper) but the mid level one had plenty of features and gadgets including rear camera and parking assist. It also had a 5 year or 100km warranty. Book price was 819k but they immediately sliced 45k off this for a cash sale, and threw in free insurance and a few extras such as the bed liner (which isn't standard on any of them). On the road price came out at 783k which is only 10% more than the Chevy.

Toyota's equivalent mid level Hilux Revo Prerunner had a 150HP 2.4 engine but very basic spec level. There were none available to look at or even test drive and the book price started at a heavy 872k. Toyota would not discount a baht and even charged 7k extra for the rego, but did throw in free insurance and a few bits. It worked out at over 100k more than the Mitsu with a lower spec and fewer horses. That's where it ended for us.

Isuzu's Dmax Hi-Lander was a better looking machine and better priced at 825k for the mid-range Ddi L DA model. It had a small 1.9 liter engine but it also claimed 150HP. We wouldn't find how it went because, again, none available for test drive but they did let us have a look around one that had been ordered. No free insurance for cash buyers, they were trying to push finance, and no discount off the book price so it was another quick exit from that dealership.

We haven't tested anything from Nissan, Mazda or Ford yet but at the moment the Mitsu has the lead and I think it will be tough to beat.