The Pick-Up Truck Thread

[bazza]

Thanks Steve unfortunately the American Ford Ranger is completely different

[STEVE G]

Thanks Steve unfortunately the American Ford Ranger is completely different

Ah yes, I've just had a read and for some reason America has a different one from the rest of the world. I've just found out that a Thai built Ranger is basically the same as a Mazda BT-50 which I hadn't realized before.

[usual suspect]

Am I correct when I say the Thai-built Ranger is (& has been for a few years now) exported to Europe, Austrailia, & Africa..& all these models being built nearly the same..?
(The most honest, factual road-test I found on my XLT was on a South-African forum).
With a bit of internet forum-trawling (as I did) I'm sure BB can find (& hopefully) download the manual in English-language.. Chock-Dee & happy hunting BB..

[Big Boy]

As long as I can put the key in, turn it and the engine starts I'll be quite happy. If I then put it into gear and it moves forwards and backwards, what will I need a manual for? Surely, a car is a car. I've never read a manual in over 30 years of accident free driving - is this car going to be that different?

[VincentD]

As long as I can put the key in, turn it and the engine starts I'll be quite happy. If I then put it into gear and it moves forwards and backwards, what will I need a manual for? Surely, a car is a car. I've never read a manual in over 30 years of accident free driving - is this car going to be that different?

BB
It's a Ford. They build a lot of 'saftey' features into it and hide them around. Example: On my old Escort/Orion, a cut-out circuit breaker was hidden in the left driver's door pillar, behind a plastic panel. Also, the chassis number was on the inside of the driver's door, accessible only through another plastic panel.
Be glad they're not (I hope) putting in those tracking and black box recorder type electronics they seem to be fond of doing over in the US. Without telling you, of course.

[Dannie Boy]

I agree about the manual in as much s 90+% is either self evident or not required, but having said that, the clock on my radio looses about a minute every 2 weeks, so every couple of months I reset the time and without the manual, I would never have worked out how to do it.

[Big Boy]

Well, Monday is the day My new car is due to be delivered .......... oh, wait a minute, did we say 2 months? Your car has arrived in Bangkok, but it will be another month before it is delivered to Hua Hin

Wonderful Thailand

They won't even consider letting me collect it from Bangkok

To appease me, they said they would try to hasten delivery. Or in other words, we know that we told you lies sir to get you to part with your money. We will now do our best to have your car delivered in the same timescale every other dealer advertised - see, we are the good guys.

[PeteC]

Well BB, not much of a surprise. When you finally get it you'll have to decide about service after about a year or so. If you don't take many long trips, you may start to hit the "time" clause rather than "mileage". Mitsu service is so dire IMO that after 2 years I stopped taking my Pajero Sport to them at all. I think those boys had dreams of working for Honda or Toyota but never made it and all ended up at second tier manufacturer service centres. At present, I would put Mitsu, Chevy and Ford in that category simply because their networks and processes in Thailand are not mature.

I've never checked if my 5 year warranty (drive train) is void by taking it somewhere else for simple fluid changes and check up's. I've kept documents and kept my fingers crossed. Frankly, most of the dealers besides Toyota and Honda can't survive by just selling cars. They need the service revenue badly therefore you may have to check the very fine print about warranty terms. I never have with my Mitsu, F it.

After a year or so you'll know if you have a sound vehicle and can save money and a lot of time by finding a good local mechanic in HH who can do your service rather than the dealer. Pete

[Big Boy]

Yes, as you will see from my earlier posts, I never really believed their delivery date. It's still annoying though.

[usual suspect]

BB..Once you get ya new truck, and are enjoying driving around in it I'm sure this delivery-delay will soon be forgotten..

[Big Boy]

but it's confined to barracks until then

[Big Boy]

Back on topic, my car is now one month overdue. I was going past Ford 2 days ago, and saw what I assumed had to be my car being offloaded.

A quick phone call when I got home revealed that somebody else had ordered the exact same spec as mine . My car will be on the next shipment from Bangkok

[Big Boy]

The saga continues...... After being told last week that my car was going to be on the next consignment from Bangkok, I was quite pleased when a neighbour told me that they had seen a car matching the description of my car being delivered yesterday.

I waited the rest of the day for the phone to ring to discuss collection - nothing.

I had to go past the Ford showroom this morning, so popped in. Sure enough, there was a car sat there that could easily have been mine - exact same spec. The lady in the showroom got on to the computer, and initially said it was mine . I was overjoyed - when can I collect it?

Oh wait a minute, there's a lady who's been waiting a month longer than you - it might be hers I've got to phone them at 1:30 today to see if I can have it

Are these guys at Ford after a bit of tea money before they'll let me have my car? They won't get it, so it looks like another prolonged period of walking everywhere

[VincentD]

I've got to phone them at 1:30 today to see if I can have it

In another hour you'll know. However, from personal experience, getting business done with a local over the phone is a big no-no. They are used to face-to-face. So if you're in the showroom at 1:30, you'll have a much better chance than if you just wait at home. It's much easier for them to say 'No can' over the phone than face-to-face.
Doesn't matter if you still don't get the truck today, your presence will be noted by the sales staff.

And if the Gods really do smile in your favour, make sure the paint is dry before leaving the premises...

Really hope you get it, though.

[Big Boy]

Ah well, I suppose I need to look on the bright side. Dealing with Ford, I don't have to worry about such trivialities. The likelihood of me ever getting my car are reducing by the day. No car, no need to service it. I will not pay tea money.

I'm now seriously considering cutting my losses, getting my deposit back and starting again. Regardless of how good the car is, the people at Ford talk with forked tongue. If I'd gone with Toyota, Isuzu or Mazda I'd have a vehicle now.

If this mystery woman has been waiting over a month longer than me, how much longer would I have to wait. Or is the mystery woman just another Ford lie?