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Thai another day

I recently moved to Chiang Mai in Thailand from Kenya and Ethiopia where I drove a RAV-4 that was ideal for my needs and the prevailing conditions. In Thailand, I am torn between a second-hand RAV-4 and a Honda CR-V which I want for touring the country and neighbouring countries. The Honda is the more common of the two cars and is assembled here. Based on your knowledge of Thailand which of these would you recommend, or drive yourself? I expect to be able to afford a five-year old specimen of either make. Budget about USD 20,000. Any caveats or advice will be very welcome. Is there a way to check flood damage to a car?

Asked on 9 October 2011 by PS, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Answered by Honest John
I don't recall seeing many RAV-4s in Thailand. Plenty of CR-Vs. Obviously the current model is best. All are petrol 2.0 or 2.4 litre. Better to go for one with a low specification and 17" wheels than the old shape CR-V with a high specification (used cars are much dearer in Thailand). The obvious alternative is a pick-up. I rate the Isuzu D-Max and Chevrolet Colorado (same thing) as the best. But you have to get a post 2007 model with the I-TEQ chain cam 2.5 0r 3.0 diesel engine. I've bought both a high spec D-Max and a low spec Colorado. But low spec lacks a limited slip rear diff, which the vehicle really needs. Honda Thailand lost half a year’s production to the floods and its Ayutthaya factories will not be operational again until April 2012. With a third of Thailand under water at one point, hundreds of thousands of vehicles suffered flood damage. The interior of a vehicle that has been flooded will stink. The areas that escaped flooding entirely were Udon Thani and Sakhon Nakhon, so maybe better to buy there.
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