[LivinLOS]

well.. The advantage of buying new is

A) The maintenence is covered and known about.. getting quality maintenance can be tough and people often cut corners..

B) Due to people being poor and looking to save money (and Thais desire never to loose any) second hand prices stay pretty high.. finding bargains is not so easy...

The honda jazz is a pretty good value car.. You will discover that different regions have different import duty with ASEAN countries having better deals (so cheaper cars) and Germany being one of the highest.. Pricing a new BMW or Saab against and asian car is a big difference..

4x4's are not 'needed' especially on phuket but when you are never going to be racing along having a fast car is plain dumb (I am a fast car nut) IMHO and the 4x4's are lareg and comfortable..

If I was buying second hand I would probably go and look up in BKK.. Bettre bargains due to volume of vehicles for sale.. Buying new I would buy from the dealer who will then be servicing it..