New Udon, Looking for Transportation

by **jerems** » May 22, 2011, 7:11 pm

Hello all,

I’m new to Udonmap and new to Udon for that matter. I recently rented a placed just outside ring road close to Big C (the old one). Just on tourist Visa’s due to travelling so frequently for work.
I’m looking to purchase some transportation in the coming months but wanted to throw out a question(s) to all the Udon/Thailand vets about the best route to take.

I’ve fairly comfortable on a bike and have been putting around on a scooter for the most part but was wondering if it’s worth it to purchase a car/truck/big bike? Went looking at a few used lots with my thai friend and seems like the prices don’t drop that much from a new vehicle to close to 5 years old…and the ones that are ‘cheap’ (around 400 000 or so) seem to be in terrible shape or have almost 200 000 kms on them.
I was looking at the new Toyotas and Isuzu trucks that they don’t seem to be priced too badly. Even the new cars seem like a better deal than the used that I saw…

I know the new scooters are only 30 000 – 40000 if I remember correctly but I just can’t see myself on a scooter all the time? And I don’t mind spending a little bit of money to get a vehicle if it’s worth the cost.
I'm contemplating getting a bike big (The Kawasaki ER-6N at 245 000) but from what I’ve read owing a bike like that in Udon is useless or suicide?? I would ride with full gear as often as I could. I noticed you could get some summer gear in bangkok, unless there is a decent place to buy gear in udon? From driving around it’s seems hectic of course but not anywhere near Bangkok level…maybe I just haven’t had enough time to experience the chaos of it all haha.

Other than that I like it Udon so far, people seem friendly and a lot more laid back than in Bangkok.

Anyways, that’s a long post for my first one hopefully it’s not too all over the place, I still have do some looking I think(already back out working) but thought it maybe easier with some your guys/gals input! Then I can be prepared when I get back into town.

Thanks,

Jeremy

by **lee** » May 23, 2011, 9:59 am

Welcome to the forum Jeremy.

My advice is buy new! Vehicles hold their price in Thailand and most are poorly maintained so chances of finding a good one are slim.

by **douglas** » May 23, 2011, 10:22 am

Hi,
Agree with lee. Go for a new one. Toyota were doing a five year or 100,000K garr. last month, also 0% interest if going for H.P. Make a short list of make and models you like and visit the showrooms and see what deals they are offering.
Also if you are going for H.P. or bank loan, you will be very lucky to get one on a used model. Toy. have their own finance company and do a good deal if you are going that way. I did this as i got more interst on my money back home than i was paying to Toy.
Cheers Doug.

by **Prenders88** » May 23, 2011, 10:35 am

I agree with Lee, buy a new car.
If you insist on buying a second hand car, buy from an expat.
Expats tend to take more care of their cars getting niggles sorted out and having regular services.
The Honda 250 CBR-R is better value at around 120,000 baht, it's all you'll need in and around Udon.

by **jackspratt** » May 23, 2011, 10:38 am

If you do finance a new vehicle, look very carefully at the interest terms. In my case, 3.75% was very attractive - until I discovered (after the purchase

) that it was a flat rate, and you will be paying that interest on the total sum financed until your last payment.

I had unfortunately assumed reducing interest, as I was used to back in Oz.

by **jerems** » May 23, 2011, 10:52 am

Prenders88 wrote:I agree with Lee, buy a new car.
If you insist on buying a second hand car, buy from an expat.
Expats tend to take more care of their cars getting niggles sorted out and having regular services.
The Honda 250 CBR-R is better value at around 120,000 baht, it's all you'll need in and around Udon.

Thanks for the tip, was also looking at the Kawasaki 250, what's it like travelling on Highway etc? I would like to do some trips to Nong Khai etc and travel Phen to visits friends of mine once and a while. Which is the reason why I thought the bigger ER-6N would be a better fit, and it looks cool haha.

by **JimboPSM** » May 23, 2011, 10:57 am

Also, if you do use finance for a vehicle be aware of the exchange rate risk if you are planning to cover payments from your home currency over the duration of the finance term - it is not unknown for other currencies to fall against the THB (e.g. in recent years USD & GBP have both fallen substantially) so you need to assess the risk.

Toyota may have their own finance company, but in the past when Toyota Thailand have needed a major cash inflow, they have sold their finance book to one of the Thai banks.

by **jerems** » May 23, 2011, 11:24 am

Thanks for the tips so far everyone, looks like I'll be visiting some showrooms when I get back to see what's out there.

I guess i just have to decide if the Big Bike is the way to go or do the truck or car / scooter thing...or just a truck/car...decisions decisions :-k

That's interesting about the interest, I'll have to watch out for that. Thanks!

JimboPSM, I agree, but the Canadian Dollar has been pretty strong lately and held it's place with the Baht for the last little while so hopefully things stay in the same trend haha. If I do finance and can't get a 0% or close to i'll just do it over 1 year if I can to hopefully avoid any major currency exchange risks.

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