What car is the best for a drive to Isan

[Odense]

What is the most comfortable car for a nice leisurely drive upcountry in thailand a "Toyota Vigo 4x4 4 door auto" or a "Chevy Corolado 4x2 auto 4 doors" ?

The Vigo is slightly cheaper to rent - but that is not really an issue.

[jumpman233345]

First off ,my ISP is sky broadband ,,,, On a more serious note I would say a 4x4 will be far better than any 4x2. Especialy if its got good suspension ,toyota is japanese ,chevy is american.

Am sure you can figure the rest out (clue ,.It starts with a T)

 

tc

[Odense]

I am pretty sure the Chevy in case is built quite close to Pattaya - in Rayong - and many of the (smaller) Chevys in Asia and Europe are Korean (Daihatsu) but I guess you are right anyway

Toyota also has factories in Thailand - but I don't know if the Vigo is built here - my guess would be yes too.

Edited November 12, 2009 by Odense

[crazyman]

Just out of interest how much are they charging? Do you have limited kms. I'm thinking of hiring a car next visit.

[Odense]

It turns out that even though I decided I prefer the Vigo (and I still do) I did not really have a choice - I had already a contract on the Vigo and we had inspected the car for damages when I asked about what I would show to the police if/when I was stopped in one of the checkpoints.

 

The woman from Chalee Car Rent told me I should not show the police the rental contract that it would only confuse them and make them think I stole the car. I should tell them that she was my friend and that I had borrowed the car from her.

 

I am convinced that this means that Chalee Car Rent does not have proper insurance on their cars and I would not risk that so my rental of the Vigo was canceled.

 

I quickly went to Expat Car Rent where the Chevrolet Colorado Z71 luckily still was available. That car (even though it is 2WD not 4WD as the Vigo) brought me from Pattaya to Ubon Ratchathani in 8.5 hours (15:30 - 24:00) and the drive was OK even though I would have preferred the mountain roads between Kabinburi and Prachinburi in daylight.

 

The roads from Pattaya to a little after Nakorn Ratchasima (Korat) towards Buriram are great 2 2-lane roads making it easy to overtake and after that point they are mostly OK (single 2-lane roads making it more dificult to overtake the sometimes very slow lorries) with a few not so good stretches. All in all the trip is not difficult.

 

Today we enjoyed a nice lunch at the lake near Ubon. 8 people - many dishes and several doggybags packed - a large green Fanta, a large orange Mirinda and a large Chang (for me )- all in all 1120 baht :-)

[Odense]

Just out of interest how much are they charging? Do you have limited kms. I'm thinking of hiring a car next visit.

 

Unlimited km.

I am paying the list price from Expat Car Rent - I think that is 1490 baht/day for the Chevy Colorado - but if you rent a smaller car or rent it longer it will be cheaper per day. Chalee was a little cheaper - up to you if you will chance it insurance wise

Edited November 14, 2009 by Odense

[crazyman]

Thanks for the info. I'll check out Expats when I'm back.