Buying a (new) car in 2021/22

[ផោមក្លិនស្អុយ]

Recently I’ve been looking, along with a friend, who is also potentially interested in buying a car for his family.

The prices of new cars here seem to have become a lot more reasonable recently - although the second hand market still looks pretty mental.

There seems to be decent offerings on new, small family cars from Ford and Toyota for around $26/27k. These are all small 1L (turbo) engines, but as Cambodia is pretty flat and speed limits are so low, they prob would be adequate.
Then there are a few Chinese brands (GAC/Soueast plus others) offering Mini SUV types for low $30 thousands, I’ve no idea about their quality but they do seem to be giving a lot of car for the money and appear to be pretty well finished, some are advertising that they have Mitsubishi engines. These seem to be around the 1.5L size (no turbo) - again given the road conditions and speed limits probably adequate.

They all offer finance (up to 7 years) but it’s expensive money, most are around 9-10% APR. I guess that most of the new cars on the road are financed on these long term plans.

Then there are the colours - what is it about white? Probably more than 50% of cars on the road here are white, I hate white cars but perhaps should consider resale value…

Any thoughts from the more vehicularly educated forums members?

[Lucky Lucan]

Then there are the colours - what is it about white? Probably more than 50% of cars on the road here are white, I hate white cars but perhaps should consider resale value…

White reflects the sun.

[ផោមក្លិនស្អុយ]

Then there are the colours - what is it about white? Probably more than 50% of cars on the road here are white, I hate white cars but perhaps should consider resale value…

White reflects the sun.

I’m sure that has something to do with it, yes. But does it reflect so much more than a silver car?
We don’t really see so many people wearing white clothes, or living in white houses (yes, I know there are other reasons for that)

I’ve heard before that black cars=old money, white = new money. Generally, it seems like a plausible unwritten rule.

Possibly, part to do with reflecting sun, part a lack of imagination, part not wanting to stick out, part the society acceptance that a white anything is ‘saart’
I dunno, I’m guessing.

[YaTingPom]

Chinese car quality is questionable and often has old tech, yes they are Mitsubishi and Nissan engines but old and unwanted. The whole tie ups are a bit of a sham.
Plus resale value is a lot less and getting it repaired is another matter. Some offer 4 years warranty though so unless you buy new I wouldn’t bother.

Ssangyong (owned by Mahindra) and are reliable and look ok, Tivoli for example, are cheap and reliable (all those mini vans are old Mercedes tech and go for 500k). Tivoli make an XL/Air extended version. Nice car.

If you’re after small go Vitz/Yaris.

[YaTingPom]

Id buy a 2010 Camry over a new Chinese car.
Those MGs might be worth a punt but they were shite when the Brits owned them.

To add. Many of the “2021/2022” models offered are often the older versions, even from Toyota, Nissan etc, and they’ve had a facelift since then. It seems to be a general Cambodian thing.
The Ford EcoSport is made in Thailand but looks like it was designed and built in China. Funny looking thing with tiny wheels. Cheap though.


I’d buy this over a new Chinese jobby.
https://www.khmer24.com/cars/ssangyong- ... 51633.html

[Spigzy]

Then there are the colours - what is it about white?

(you'll have to use your browser zoom sorry!)

[ផោមក្លិនស្អុយ]

Vitz/Yaris/Picanto just too small for me.

Ford EcoSport and Toyota Raize a little bit bigger and both are similar prices and worth consideration.

Will definitely have a look at what Ssangyong have in this size/price. Very hard to judge size of cars from Facebook pics so will probably go to showroom myself. I'm more inclined to buy new and get the 3/4/5 year warranty.

[YaTingPom]

Vitz/Yaris/Picanto just too small for me.

Ford EcoSport and Toyota Raize a little bit bigger and both are similar prices and worth consideration.

Will definitely have a look at what Ssangyong have in this size/price. Very hard to judge size of cars from Facebook pics so will probably go to showroom myself. I'm more inclined to buy new and get the 3/4/5 year warranty.

Tivoli is similar in size to a CRV, AIR slightly longer, but it’ll look bigger. Sub Compact Crossover, that didn’t exist in CRV days.

The Raize is a rebadged Daihatsu and smaller that a Tivoli.

Keep in mind the Raize isn’t an official Toyota dealer import and I doubt the EcoSport it either.

[ផោមក្លិនស្អុយ]

Vitz/Yaris/Picanto just too small for me.

Ford EcoSport and Toyota Raize a little bit bigger and both are similar prices and worth consideration.

Will definitely have a look at what Ssangyong have in this size/price. Very hard to judge size of cars from Facebook pics so will probably go to showroom myself. I'm more inclined to buy new and get the 3/4/5 year warranty.

Keep in mind the Raize isn’t an official Toyota dealer import and I doubt the EcoSport it either.

What does that mean?
They are being sold thru official dealer showrooms...

[YaTingPom]

Vitz/Yaris/Picanto just too small for me.

Ford EcoSport and Toyota Raize a little bit bigger and both are similar prices and worth consideration.

Will definitely have a look at what Ssangyong have in this size/price. Very hard to judge size of cars from Facebook pics so will probably go to showroom myself. I'm more inclined to buy new and get the 3/4/5 year warranty.

Keep in mind the Raize isn’t an official Toyota dealer import and I doubt the EcoSport it either.

What does that mean?
They are being sold thru official dealer showrooms...

That’s ok then.

[v12]

Go for the real stuff, a Merc, a BMW, a VW or a Range Rover.

Color: Black or Burgundy. Not much time left to make a proper impression.

[ផោមក្លិនស្អុយ]

Go for the real stuff, a Merc, a BMW, a VW or a Range Rover.

Color: Black or Burgundy. Not much time left to make a proper impression.

If I was in UK then yeah I'd prob do that. But the price of those in the crazy second hand market here really turns me off.
I'm not really keen to drop 30k on a 10-15 year old car of unknown origins and questionable upkeep.

[logos]

What about an old lexus?
Mileage sucks but it'll last forever and fairly easy to repair

[spitthedog]

Good old Toyota's are generally more reliable than VW's, Merc's etc.

Built to last with simplicity, rather than built for performance.

Performance comes at a cost. Too much going on, comes at a cost.