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[ArranP]

Hello,

Are there any real drawbacks to owning a European Car (Audi Volvo Opel Peuguot etc.) in Thailand (outside Bangkok).

My initial concerns are maintenance and servicing would be difficult and expensive and therefore it maybe more prudent to stay with the Japanese Brands.

Arran.

[nakhonsi sean]

Hi

Depends which make and model you own. I have an old W123 Mercedes and have had no problems. Every one can work on it and parts are easily available. Never had to wait more than 24 hours for a part. Friends with Volkswagens often have to wait weeks for parts or order them from abroad themselves!

[Gary A]

It is my opinion that it is not worth taking a chance of being broke down in the middle of nowhere and having to look for someone to repair a foreign car.

[nakhonsi sean]

Gary A, on 2009-02-22 14:29:29, said:

It is my opinion that it is not worth taking a chance of being broke down in the middle of nowhere and having to look for someone to repair a foreign car.

I understand those sentiments but I think it depends on what you are looking at. Newer Japanese v newer European I would probably trust the Japanese car more. However, my old Mercedes against an old Japanese car of the same value? Would go with the old Merc every time! All mechanics I have been to seem to be able to work on it just fine and parts are plentiful and cheap!

[chiangrai]

just bought a peugeot 205,didn't know before i bought it that parts would be more expensive,
had to buy a head light swich,4k,ordered from bangkok,4 times as expensive as toyota,
got a fright

the radiator pipe went,bangkok didn't have it,said i must wait a month for it to come from europe,
2k,
got another fright and got a thai guy to make some thing up,

then i thought that if anything major went i would wright it off but have since got a number for peugeot copy spares in bangkok,
would love to know one in chiang mai,

still don't regret i bought it,
it has a charictor and driving feel that you just don't get from japan

[Jareddiving]

I owned a 205 but cant think of anything that impressed me much..

After the 205 i had a Toyota Mr2, that was fun..

Not a 205 jeeeezzzz.

[phatpete68]

ArranP, on 2009-02-22 07:34:06, said:

Hello,

Are there any real drawbacks to owning a European Car (Audi Volvo Opel Peuguot etc.) in Thailand (outside Bangkok).

My initial concerns are maintenance and servicing would be difficult and expensive and therefore it maybe more prudent to stay with the Japanese Brands.

Arran.

I own a Ford Laser Tierra 1.8 Ghia 2004, we use it mostly in Suratthani and Ford have their own service center in the town (very professional). My experience is that both Japanese and american cars (Like Ford and Chevrolet) are very easy and inexpensive to own in Thailand. If anyone have another experience in this matter please let me know.

I have been at Ford doing service and small repairs without any problems or draining my wallet

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[monty]

Depends very much on what European car.

I have an old Volvo, spare parts are not an issue as there are a gazillion Volvo's of that era on the road (240, 740,940, technically almost identical).

Go for Audi or Peugeot, and things do get indeed complicated/expensive. Not enough of them on the road to create a network of spare and knock of spares...

[ThaivisaInsurance]

ArranP, on 2009-02-22 13:34:06, said:

Hello,

Are there any real drawbacks to owning a European Car (Audi Volvo Opel Peuguot etc.) in Thailand (outside Bangkok).

My initial concerns are maintenance and servicing would be difficult and expensive and therefore it maybe more prudent to stay with the Japanese Brands.

Arran.

One problem is that generally insurance costs more for European (foreign) vehicles but suggest one also looks at this for old vehicles ;

http://insurance.thaivisa.com/our-products...wn-service.html

[Lorin]

Insurance is much more expensive, but with new BMW for example you will have no trouble at all, as service and repairs are free for 3 years.