Used and Older Cars??

I hope this is not the millionth time this question has been asked. Why do I see so few used and/or older cars in LOS? I have been to LOS twice and I have not seen nearly as many older cars as I see in the US. What is done with older cars? I know, they are sent to the US, 55555

I don't know where you go, but I see old cars, pickups, and trucks. Of course those 20+ years aren't so common because not very many were sold back then. Ten years ago the number of cars on the road here was much less, and I imagine there were very many less 20 years ago.

Hi,
Agree with you, expat, about older cars. I think some of the trucks and lorries date back to the fifties by the look of them. I often wonder how they keep going with the loads they carry. Mind you the older ones are easier to service yourself. The modern cars need to use a computer to set them up. And if you disconnect the battery you can be in big trouble, if you do not know the codes.
Cheers Doug.

It seems to be a new trend in Bangkok to drive old-timers these days. You can regularly spot old minis, old Volkswagon Beetles, old Mercedeses, etcetera. There are many small car repair shops in back-sois in Bangkok that repair old cars / old-timers.

I see about as many older cars here as in the states, like old beetles, bmw's, trucks. Hell my car is about 6 years old now. They all look the same anyways, so hard to tell. Time for a change, but stocks low, with 3 month wait.

I really don't have any idea other that the tropical weather seems to effect plastic and rubber in a negative fashion that seems faster or more intense than what I experienced in the US.
I have a 99 Sentra that I constantly spend money on for repairs because it is much more cost effective than wasting money on a new car.Just recently,the car was stalling out at stops,problem...disintegrated Air filter.
Also,I am under the impression that in general,Thais don't do the regular maintenance that is recommended,which might be a reason the cars don't last!

Thais don't do the regular maintenance that is recommended

Well I have a hard time buying that, for every time I go to the Honda shop for service, its jammed, just maybe one other falang and all the cars being serviced look newer then mine.

RLTrader wrote:

Thais don't do the regular maintenance that is recommended

Well I have a hard time buying that, for every time I go to the Honda shop for service, its jammed, just maybe one other falang and all the cars being serviced look newer then mine.

As I said,I was under that impression!I really don't know!

RLTrader wrote:

Thais don't do the regular maintenance that is recommended

Well I have a hard time buying that, for every time I go to the Honda shop for service, its jammed, just maybe one other falang and all the cars being serviced look newer then mine.

That just might be because they are being bought through leasing contracts and the guarantee is subject to the manufacturers servicing schedule being adhered to, therefore it becomes a leasing requirement .It is noticeable that most of the vehicles being serviced at independent car shops are over 5 years old .Which tends to give credibility to this theory. .

I have my oil changed at an independent car shop, reason was when I had Honda do it they didn't have synthetic oil. Don't know if same now or not? I like the service I get there, and I don't have to drive half way to KK and they too are very busy. But I guess the cars are older there, just never thought about it when there.

I think most business minded and /or middle upper class working Thais do service and mantain their cars , its not expensive when compared to the price of a service in Europe (i think)

...another theory .... when i visited Toyota (pattaya) was always mobbed with Thais , on closer inspection one driver /owner accompanied by the entire family and friends all in the AC tv lounge getting stuck into the free coffee newspapers and lastest movie in the nice relaxing chairs ,, the kids in the play area ,,,, a day out possibly , i must say wasnt quite like that at Toyota Udon my last service.

Btw im not knocking Thais just an observation .

mash

Think its the old, "no one does it like us" thing. Now I have always changed my oil every 3,000 miles, until BMW started shipping their cars with synthetic oil, so got use to their service schedule.

Now my brother always just added a qt. and he was a teacher and taught auto mechanics in high school. Think his cars lasted as long, but when looking under the hood, I would never want to work on it, impossible to find a shiny spot.

nkstan wrote:I really don't have any idea other that the tropical weather seems to effect plastic and rubber in a negative fashion that seems faster or more intense than what I experienced in the US.

Try living next to the sea and see what salt water does to your car. From my experience vehicles last a lot longer here in LOS.

Hi,
jacksprat. Had a rover in 2004, back home, Took head of to do repairs, Valve gone. like a fool i disconnected the battery. Had to get the rover dealers to come and connect their computer to it, to commpletely reset the cars computer. Was under the impression that all computer controlled cars were the same. Cost me more than if i had put car into rovers for the original repair.
Cheers Doug.