What brand of vehicle manufacturer do/would you drive?

[Spitfire]

Well, what do you prefer? Doesn't matter whether you have a vehicle or not, just voice you preference.

The Thais seem hopelessly inured by Isuzu and Toyota, to the point of obsession, hard to understand sometimes. However, in the UK you don't see many Isuzu anythings really.

It appears to me that the Thais just like to fit in with what's acceptable and normal in their eyes so they won't be singled out, let along make a decision that is 'different', reminds me of that quote in the Monty Python film 'Life of Brian' when they are outside his room window and he tells them they are all individuals and they all reply "We are all individuals" together in one voice.

It seems observationally consistent to say/mention that very few seem capable of 'breaking the done thing/mold' and buying a Ford or a Mitsu, although Mitsu seems to be getting more and more popular with the Thais, especially the Triton and Pajero Sport, both have new versions out 2011.

A friend of mine has bought two vehicles and his Mrs is a government worker at a university, but one is an Isuzu Dmax 2 door and the other is a Honda Civic, probably the two most boringly predictably Thai default vehicles you can have.

I told him he should buy a vehicle with a bit more flamboyance next time, he agreed too.

I also agree that all of them should be OK if looked after properly too.

[crazy88]

Drive a toyota as I found it the best of the pick ups. Would not mind a Range Rover or the new Audi SUV. A Porsche C5 would be nice for those trips to Bangkok also. Mum wants a champagne pink mercedes SLK 550 and B would like the same in electric blue with a mini cooper s for quick shopping trips. Christmas is coming and I am thinking earrings rather than cars for the girls!


Crazy 88

[c.g]

I drive a Toyota yaris, for round town it's fine no problems running up to bkk, currently look at a new car for next year and I am tempted for a ford however the resale price drops so much more then a Toyota or Honda...

[nickinkip]

Hi, I believe Isuzu is or was part of GM and the Vauxhall frontera is an Isuzu, also this model i have seen throughout America branded as there own local, In the states they even brand a Subaru impreza estate as a Saab. all motor manufacturers have local brands within each country, we in the UK are no different? do we buy a Vauxhall or an Opel? The Ford mondeo is not percieved to be a luxury car but put a different body on it and call it a Jaguar x type and it will sell for 5k more. I also think the main reason for them all driving is the spares and reliabillity.

[Lung Per]

Chevy, absolutely Chevy. If not for anything else, for the sound of the horn. Nothing like it!

[Whaler]

The Isuzu trooper was badged as the Vauxhall Monterey in the UK and was quite an expensive 4x4 as it had many options fitted and was only slightly cheaper the a land rover discovery or Mitsubishi shogan/pajero

I drove a trooper 2003 model 3.2l petrol and was a very capable off road and for deep dune trips as it was light only the big petrol land cruisers and Nissan patrols faired better most US 4x4 are just poor in the desert despite having large engines were let down by suspension

The old Nissan terrano was also more capable than it looked

I took an Audi Q7 into light dunes and it out classed a trail blazer easily. The Toyota prado with the big 4.2 engine is a fine 4x4 and in White with full body kit is still one of the nicest looking 4x4 around the new Patrol is just a big box and the Honda pilot a smaller one. The other little 4x4 are just dull

The Mrs Audi TT 2L is a great shopping car and faster than most 4x4 over speed bumps


The crew cabs offer excellent compromise between price/practicality/capability

[PeteC]

I don't know. On any given day/mood I like different things. The Pajero Sport I have now is turning out to be a really good car. For anyone in the market for a 7 seat SUV, the Pajero Sport and the Fortuner come in at about 1,900 kilos. The Isuzu MU-7 is a whopping 3,000 kilos. It is a tank and assume it runs that way on it's 3.0 diesel turbo. It must be very fuel thirsty. It's bigger also with a lot more room in the 3rd row. It's at the point IMO where you'll have problems with city driving/parking here. The Ford Everest is becoming more popular, you see many around now. It has plenty of power and not bad looks but I hope they get rid of that swing away spare tire on the back. Just added length to bump into things with. It also badly needs an electric drivers seat. Even a western size adult feels like you're sitting in a bucket. Too low and my eyes roll at their R&D people not realizing Thais are short people and perhaps their sales would go up if they offered an electric seat. The only Ford that has one to my knowledge is the Focus. The Chevy Captiva is a good SUV also, on par or better than the Honda CRV. See more and more Captivas these days also.

Sedans, Honda is offering their nifty Accord V-6 3.5 liter again. Runs on 3-4 or 6 cylinders depending upon how you are accelerating/cruising. Not enough for the government to give it a tax break though and it comes in just a tad under 3 million. So basically you're spending $100,000 on a car valued in the USA around $30,000

The Nissan Teana is a nice sedan. Standard is a 2.6 V-6 with plenty of grunt, but under the horsepower/displacement limit and gets the government tax break. Line up a 2.4, 4 cylinder Camery or Accord against the Teana for a quarter mile and I think the Teana wins by several car lengths.The Teana also has that special continuous variable transmission exclusive to Nissan.

As we know though fancy sedans here, including BMW, Mercedes et al, are more status symbol than useful, practical transportation. Where is there a highway to run at 120K + for hours on end?

Most practical for the bump and grind driving most do in this country is still a pick up or SUV, with the small 'city' type sedans for anyone who never gets out of Bangkok or similar. Pete

EDIT: Forgot...ticked Honda above only because of their service. Better than Toyota IMO and Mitsu service is almost non-existent. Their dealers are in the dark ages. Ford and Chevy try harder, but often have mechanics playing cards due to lack of work volume.

[STEVE G]

I've got a Toyota pick-up and to be honest, I'm pretty imprest with it.

[VincentD]

First car I ever bought here was a small Mitsu LAncer. The dealership was at the front of my soi and I needed a small car to ferry my son to and from the babysitters. I found it too light; everything about that car was a compromise. Got a Ford Escort (called theOrion in some markets) and found that to be quite a capable car. Unfortunately after several years spare parts become a problem, so that went. I now drive a (slightly tweaked) Saab turbo

Would be interested in a Nissan X-trail 4X4 if it came in the diesel variant. Getting 95 octane benzene (not that gasohol rubbish) is getting to be a bit of a pain.

[Spitfire]

Come to think of it, while we're on the subject, but I've often wondered why they don't sell the Mazda 6 here. Surely it would be good competition for the Camry/Accord etc?

Nice saloon for it's class.

Also, come to think about it too, but why don't Honda do a pickup? It's pretty much the only one that doesn't.

[VincentD]

Come to think of it, while we're on the subject, but I've often wondered why they don't sell the Mazda 6 here. Surely it would be good competition for the Camry/Accord etc?

Nice saloon for it's class.

Nice, yes. Unfortunately because of import tax structuring, and the fact that Mazda isn't really one of the big players in the local market, don't hold your breath. Grey market, maybe.

Also, come to think about it too, but why don't Honda do a pickup? It's pretty much the only one that doesn't.

Snob appeal. When they started to use a couple as taxis, Honda promptly bought them back. Interesting that VW (google 'Amarok') is actually building a pickup. Wonder if it'll ever get here?

[hhfarang]

EDIT: Forgot...ticked Honda above only because of their service. Better than Toyota IMO and Mitsu service is almost non-existent. Their dealers are in the dark ages. Ford and Chevy try harder, but often have mechanics playing cards due to lack of work volume.

Yes, exactly Pete! I've read horror stories about the Toyota service here and their overcharging and performing unnecessary service. It seems to be an edict from the company to rip customers off if all the complaints I've read about Toyota Thailand are true.

When we arrived on these sunny shores low many years ago, I wanted an SUV. I looked at Honda and Toyota and while they were virtually the same price at the time, the Toyota had more cabin and storage room so I almost got it. The only reason I ended up with a Honda was because of extras thrown in free by the dealer in Pranburi and the way they made me comfortable about the deal.

Now, after driving the narrow, double parked sois for six years, I'm glad I chose the narrower Honda, not to mention the great Honda service. We own two Honda's now (the missus was always gone in the first one when I needed it so I had to buy her one!) and have had them serviced at both Pranburi and Hua Hin and Honda dealerships here give the best and cheapest service I've ever experienced anywhere in the world.

Also, I've now ridden in several Toyota SUVs and they ride like a truck whereas my Honda rides and handles more like a sedan. I like the softer ride better but I stay on pavement whenever possible.

[chuk]

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport.

[bozzman101]

yes the new scam in toyota is to call you on the phone and say your asir con filter is dirty and need a new one

the reply was you did ot 2 monthas ago have you forgotten this???????????
phone went dead suddnley!!!!!!!!!!!!
got strange looks when collecting the car brought up the point about the filter the nongs english dried up quickly!!!!

[buksida]

Voted Mitsu as I've had one for 5 years and never had a problem with it or their servicing. Additionally Mitsubishi (Pranburi) were the only dealership to take the 15 year old shed I was driving at the time as part exchange - none of the others wanted to know!