Thailand Expats

Expat · #1 18-04-2005, 00:50

Moving over in a couple of months & will need wheels.
I noticed alot of expats have big 4X4s. Is it because you need 4 wheel drive in the monsoon?
What are the advantages of buying new - I was in Phuket last month & someone told me they got 1 years free insurance & alot of extras etc.
I would love a mini cooper but they are twice the price in LOS.
Honda jazz looks popular - Any recommendations?
Any good second hand places?

LivinLOS · #2 18-04-2005, 11:29

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..

domifletch · #3 18-04-2005, 12:55

I have read on www.thailandguru.com that a farang legally cannot buy and own a car in Thaialnd, due to the protective laws in LOS.
The link is http://www.thailandguru.com/transport-car-own.html

I knew that is was impossible to buy a land (only 30 years leasing contracts, except if you are American), but looks a little bit strange for a car.
I guess it would be possible to find some tricks, for example by putting the car on the name of a Thai people, but maybe some expats on this forum could give you more advices.

LivinLOS · #4 18-04-2005, 13:41

Well Thailand guru is wrong..

I own cars big bikes and scooters all in my name.. Was told you had to be on a 'real' visa not a 30 day visa on arrival but that did not seem to be the case for me either.. Te hardest bit is filling in some forms in Thai.. Tip the people in the transport office and they will do it for you..

Nicke · #5 18-04-2005, 17:27

He is not a guru after all.

Both the car and the motorbike is in MY name, no hassle with paperwork since the dealers take care of that for you.

You need a non immigrant visa, notification of stay from immigration office and perhaps a work permit. I showed my work permit but I think LivinLOS said in another thread this was not required.

Honda Jazz and Toyota Vios are popular cars now and good value for the money (They are manufactured in Thailand). Last year the laws changed so large 4x4 cost more due to the tax raised by 5% and economic cars (2.0 litres or less) got a reduction of 5%.

Quote:

Originally Posted by domifletch

I have read on www.thailandguru.com that a farang legally cannot buy and own a car in Thaialnd, due to the protective laws in LOS.
The link is http://www.thailandguru.com/transport-car-own.html

I knew that is was impossible to buy a land (only 30 years leasing contracts, except if you are American), but looks a little bit strange for a car.
I guess it would be possible to find some tricks, for example by putting the car on the name of a Thai people, but maybe some expats on this forum could give you more advices.

urtheman · #6 18-04-2005, 17:49

You don't have to be Thai or even have a one year permit to own a car or bike.
Sometimes in my part of the island during rainy season a vios or jazz would not have the clearance required due to flooding. This maybe happens 3-6 times a year otherwise I really like the jazz.

Cheers!

Expat · #7 18-04-2005, 17:57

Thanks for replies so far. I have non-immigrant visa - bank account - house etc. so think I can get in my name…
I have had recommended to me www.suremotors.com for second hand but the prices seem close to the prices of a new Toyota avanza (7 seats but only 1300 cc)@ 500 K bht.
The Honda jazz looks good as well but costs a bit more.
Does anyone have either car and are you happy so far?

Nicke · #8 18-04-2005, 18:20

I visited Sure Motors when I were looking for a car last year but I thought thery were expensive to be second hand cars so I bought a new Toyota Vios from a Toyota dealer instead.

Many expats also drive Suzuki Jeeps, they can be found for 80-180,000 baht at second hand market. In the past I often rent a Suzuki when I needed a car and I think they are quite OK.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Expat

Thanks for replies so far. I have non-immigrant visa - bank account - house etc. so think I can get in my name…
I have had recommended to me www.suremotors.com for second hand but the prices seem close to the prices of a new Toyota avanza (7 seats but only 1300 cc)@ 500 K bht.
The Honda jazz looks good as well but costs a bit more.
Does anyone have either car and are you happy so far?

stevem · #9 18-04-2005, 20:45

You don't need a big 4x4, but they handle and take care of thise motorbikes with ease. Depends on your requirements, we brought a Toyota Vigo pickup and its great.

gregor200 · #10 14-07-2005, 14:13

Think you should consider a car, with spare parts and maintenance easily and inexpensive available in Thailand, i.e. a thai manufactured car, like isuzu dmax, toyota tiger, honda city. Living in the countryside, I would prefer a pickup like the isuzu, because it drives better during monsoon and bad roads.
On the other hand I had a honda city rented just now on Phuket for 1000 baht per day. Nice car, didn´t use so much gasoline and easy driving in the hills of Phuket.

Jack · #11 14-07-2005, 20:21

Given what happens when the big rains come, you DO need a 4X4 in our opinion. That's if you need to drive around the island, instead of just around Phuket Town.

We find that a Honda CRV works well and is also big enough to ward off the little motor bikes that make driving through the hills in the Kamala area and north a bit of a challenge.

stevem · #12 14-07-2005, 23:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregor200

Think you should consider a car, with spare parts and maintenance easily and inexpensive available in Thailand, i.e. a thai manufactured car, like isuzu dmax, toyota tiger, honda city. Living in the countryside, I would prefer a pickup like the isuzu, because it drives better during monsoon and bad roads.
On the other hand I had a honda city rented just now on Phuket for 1000 baht per day. Nice car, didn´t use so much gasoline and easy driving in the hills of Phuket.

The dmax is really finished off badly, like inside. Was initially looking at a damx, but after seeing what was being offered, thought better of it. If your looking at a pickup, then you should really look at the Toyota Vigo. The Vigo is great, rides high and handles well.

stevem · #13 14-07-2005, 23:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack

Given what happens when the big rains come, you DO need a 4X4 in our opinion. That's if you need to drive around the island, instead of just around Phuket Town.

We find that a Honda CRV works well and is also big enough to ward off the little motor bikes that make driving through the hills in the Kamala area and north a bit of a challenge.

My wife and I both like the CRV, but you can do better for value for money. If your not going off road, then a 4x4 isnt really needed. The roads here during the wet, are no different then back home during a big downpour.

Expat · #14 15-07-2005, 09:16

Now in Phuket busy setting up house, I have rented a Toyota Corolla and although it's buttugly the A/C works a treat. Looking to buy from someone leaving Phuket as I had to sell my car in France cheaply before leaving.
Toyota/Honda seem the most likely options... A CRV would be great but seems pricey

Expat · #15 31-07-2005, 20:05

Nearly went for a Nissan cefiro but ended up with a Chevrolet Optra.
Seems a good car - anyone got one?

jojo78 · #16 10-08-2005, 13:10

A friend told me that new car prices will be coming down at the end of this year because of a tax reduction, not sure if they meant imported or locally assembled cars.

Has anyone heard of this?

Deadbolt · #17 11-08-2005, 01:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by domifletch

I have read on www.thailandguru.com that a farang legally cannot buy and own a car in Thaialnd, due to the protective laws in LOS.
The link is http://www.thailandguru.com/transport-car-own.html

I knew that is was impossible to buy a land (only 30 years leasing contracts, except if you are American), but looks a little bit strange for a car.
I guess it would be possible to find some tricks, for example by putting the car on the name of a Thai people, but maybe some expats on this forum could give you more advices.

Does this mean that if you are American you can buy land in Thailand or that you can lease for a longer period of time?

Deadbolt · #18 11-08-2005, 01:38

I thought I had seen this question here before, but I can't find it anywhere. Anbody know how hard it is to bring a motorcycle (Harley) to LOS for a short period of time. I'm thinking about trying to bring my hog over for bike week.

domifletch · #19 11-08-2005, 02:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deadbolt

Does this mean that if you are American you can buy land in Thailand or that you can lease for a longer period of time?

http://www.thailand-lawyer.com/land_purphase.html

The last paragraph concerns your question... sorry, I was wrong, American have some privileges, but they can't buy a land

More info on http://www.state.gov/e/eb/ifd/2005/42188.htm

swiftdave · #20 11-08-2005, 03:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deadbolt

I thought I had seen this question here before, but I can't find it anywhere. Anbody know how hard it is to bring a motorcycle (Harley) to LOS for a short period of time. I'm thinking about trying to bring my hog over for bike week.

Rent one there, cheaper and easier

Deadbolt · #21 12-08-2005, 22:08

Thanks for the info everybody