Need a new 7 seater car.

[Khundon1975]

Well folks, it's time we bought a new car in time for my wife’s visit to Thailand in late January 2011 and for friends to use when in Thailand.
Our old car, a 7 seater Isuzu Adventure master, has done almost 75k and we will keep that as a spare for now as it is spotless and resides in a garage.

What she will need is a full 7 seater SUV or similar, as she will require room for in laws and family for several journeys.

I have been looking at the Mazda CX-9 as there is a dealer on Phetkasam, which would be handy.

I don't want to leave the choice to my FIL as he is a beemer man and we would end up with a damn great V8 X5 or similar.

She will not require a 4x4 but it must have 7 full seats and auto gearbox.

I'm not up on the brands available at the moment and the glossy pics on Google don't really tell me how a vehicle rides etc, so any input on any of the latest 7 seaters would be a great help.

Budget, around 4 Million.

Cheers.

[BaaBaa.]

Well folks, it's time we bought a new car in time for my wife’s visit to Thailand in late January 2011 and for friends to use when in Thailand.................Budget, around 4 Million.

I presume they're not good friends then? Bit tight on the budget KD.

Have a look at these. http://www.ferrari.com/ or http://www.astonmartin.com/

[Khundon1975]

BaaBaa we have many friends using our places in LOS and with the cars you suggested it would not be very practical, as there is always more that 2 at a time.

I think 4 mill for a car that we will only drive ourselves once or twice a year is more than adequate. How much have you spent on a car in Thailand?

Or are you doing your usual piss take? If so

[Francois]

What she will need is a full 7 seater SUV or similar, as she will require room for in laws and family for several journeys.

Hi Khundon1975,

I have the same need and my choice will go on the Toyota Fortuner. This is a good heavy duty car, for around 1,5 million THB. It's roomy, 7 seaters and the 3 liters diesel engine is running without problems.

Well if you can afford this amount, you may consider the BMW X3, diesel. (Around 3 M THB)

[Khundon1975]

Francois

I have discounted a BMW x3 as they don't have a good rep here in UK. Two friends had one and both had no end of trouble with them.

I may give the Fortuner with D4d series 3 litre engine a look, though I had wanted a petrol engine this time and the Mazda has a v6 petrol.

Thanks for your advice.

Cheers.

[PeteC]

Here you go KD. Within your budget and better than an SUV for her needs. There is a sportier model named the Vellfire but not sure if Toyota carries it or you have to purchase from the grey market dealers. Both turn heads here as considered an upper class family vehicle. Pete

http://www.toyota.co.th/en/models/Alphard/main.html

[Francois]

[I have discounted a BMW x3 as they don't have a good rep here in UK. Two friends had one and both had no end of trouble with them.

My son runs one in BKK and has no pbs. However, that's true, some X3 have gotten problems (Gear box ???).

I know that Volvo has no image in Thailand but maybe you could have a look on it (XC 90).

It's amazing coz my son was in France 10 days ago and he spoke about the Mazda

It's a shame that the Honda CRV is a 5 seaters only. It's a good car...

In this range of price have you checked the Toyota Landcruiser ? I love the Prado but it's quite expensive...

[BaaBaa.]

How much have you spent on a car in Thailand?

£0 mate, I'm chauffeur driven.

Or are you doing your usual piss take? If so

I'm offended, I just can't comprehend 4 mill on a run around, good luck to you though.

[Arcan]

When moving to Thailand for 6 months a year we decided to by our own car insted og renting. My impression after internet search and discussions with friends I have the impression that cars produced in Thailand is much cheaper than those imported from overseas, owing to tax system in Thailand. We decided to go for Toyota Fortuner, 3 l, diesel, 2 wheel drive. It seems to be apprx what you are looking for. The price 1,350 mill thb. If I hade bought the same car in my home country, it will cost me 3 times that amount. I think and hope we have done the right choice to us (and our family and friends).

[Stu-Pot]

Your 4M budget is way too much for a car you may only use a few times per year. Whatever you do, don't tell the salesman that figure!

For less than 1.5 M you can buy (& all will suit your requirements!)

Toyota Furtuner- go with the 3.0 diesel, as they are bulletproof
Isuzu Mu-7
Ford Everest
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

All very popular & proven cars, and also pretty easy to sell on when the time comes.

[dozer]

Well folks, it's time we bought a new car in time for my wife’s visit to Thailand in late January 2011 and for friends to use when in Thailand.
Our old car, a 7 seater Isuzu Adventure master, has done almost 75k and we will keep that as a spare for now as it is spotless and resides in a garage.

What she will need is a full 7 seater SUV or similar, as she will require room for in laws and family for several journeys.

I have been looking at the Mazda CX-9 as there is a dealer on Phetkasam, which would be handy.

I don't want to leave the choice to my FIL as he is a beemer man and we would end up with a damn great V8 X5 or similar.

She will not require a 4x4 but it must have 7 full seats and auto gearbox.

I'm not up on the brands available at the moment and the glossy pics on Google don't really tell me how a vehicle rides etc, so any input on any of the latest 7 seaters would be a great help.

Budget, around 4 Million.

Cheers.

This is the one for you,

http://www.toyota.co.th/th/models/Alphard/main.html

Beautiful vehicle,I only use it for long trips and have a driver so we can sit back and enjoy the trip.

[Spitfire]

Well KD,

I'd go with the suggestion of spending 1.5 on something nice but resale value is good, keep the 2.5 change for something else............

........like an extra house.

[Khundon1975]

Thanks Dozer and Prcscct but unless I'm mistaken, the Alphard is a 6 not 7 seat-er, so that one is out I'm afraid. Nice vehicle though and a 3.4 Petrol.

Francois Honda CRV (and some of their dealerships) have a poor reputation in my book, especially in Thailand. The Land Cruiser only do a 3.2 engine in 4x4 models, the 2wd has a 2.5 engine. Bit sluggish when fully loaded, but I will give it further thought. Cheers.

Stu-Pot I looked at the MU7 a year after getting the Isuzu and discounted it, as the spare wheel is now under the back row of seats and consequently the passengers in the back row lose headroom. The back row of seats in the Ford are, I think, occasional jump seats, so not suitable for anything other than short journeys. The Volvo XC 90 looks nice and there are 4 dealers in and around BKK, so no problem getting FIL to take it for a service. Can't find a price at the moment but I expect it would be above budget when a few option boxes are ticked.

Spitfire I don't need another house thanks, they are more trouble than a new car or a new wife.

Finally BaaBaa Sorry, no offense meant mate. I have a chauffeur when I need one in Thailand. Doesn't drink, imbibe, take Yaba, or pass wind. So I married her. Unfortunately she drives like her father (who drive like he is Lewis Hamilton on speed) and he has a blue/red lights on his car. Actually, I like driving in Thailand, even in BKK.

As to the budget, well our last car was around 1.45 Mill back in 2001, spread that over 9 years and the cost is not too bad. Unlike car depreciation here in the UK.
Plus, if we traded it in, we may get a bit of money back. Not sure how much though, that's why we are keeping it.
I would like to leave the choice to my wife, unfortunately she chooses her cars by color.
This is where she shopped for a "Blue one" a few months ago in the UK.

ATT00025.jpg (26.23 KiB) Viewed 1047 times

Thanks everyone, it's looking more and more like the Mazda, but I will keep looking.

[DSB]

Have a look at the Chevrolet Captiva, the legroom in the back seats are better then the Fortuner, IMHO, and the diesel has a more powerful engine than the petrol.

[PeteC]

Honestly, I don't think you'll ever find a true 7-seater with 7 full seats unless a full size van. One seat is always the middle of the second row and that's not really a 'full' seat but kind of a half seat with a lap belt. Pete