Choosing Ford or Land Rover

Those with decades of experience recognise 2007 as a tough year for the Thai auto industry. Auto-makers have shifted their brightest executives to replace existing ones, in order to prop up auto sales.

With the decline in new sales, auto-makers have aggressively launched various campaigns to catch the consumer's eye, such as no down payment, instalments with zero interest for several years or even free accessories worth a combined value of 10 per cent of the car price.

Such aggressive promotions have raised complaints from used-car dealers. Certainly, consumers have been enticed to purchase new cars, since if they buy a used one through an auto hire-purchase loan, they must pay higher interest than for a new one. Used-car dealers have put all of their effort into reducing their inventories as soon as possible, because they don't want to put money into cars that cannot sell.

I have received four questions from someone who is pondering two choices in buying a used car.

From Khun Pattanadesh Asasappakij:

I am planning to buy a used car, and my options are a Ford Escape XLT 3.0 V6 AT and a Land Rover Freelander. Both cars were manufactured in 2002 or 2003.

1. I've learned the Land Rover's performance is better than the Ford's, but I would like to know if the difference is so great that a driver feels it immediately when driving.

2. As for maintenance, I would like to know by how many per cent is the maintenance bill of a Land Rover greater than that of a Ford. And are there serious problems finding auto parts for either of them?

3. Which one would be better if I had a natural-gas conversion kit installed? Do you have any suggestions?

4. Why is the price of the Ford Escape 3.0 cheaper than the 2.3 model?

Note: In my heart, I like the Land Rover better than the Ford Escape, but I'm concerned about maintenance costs and availability of spare parts.

I would like to answer all of your questions in one go: Both cars' performances are on a par; the Ford Escape has an edge in terms of roomy and comfortable passenger room; the Escape gives a better soft-ride feeling and acceleration, while its engine noise is lower; however, it has a low grip on curves.

The Freelander offers the better character of an adventure car, given its lighter weight and stronger passenger-room structure. You can prove if a car's structure is strong by a simple method: park the car so that all four wheels are set at different floor levels.

Parking this way can make a car's structure twist, But you can feel that it is more convenient for you to open all the doors of the Land Rover. Land Rover does better at steep off-road angles and muddy terrain, thanks to its lighter-weight body and shorter wheelbase.

For availability of spare parts, both cars are on a par and must rely mainly on service centres. Although the number of Land Rover service centres is smaller, the capabilities of all Land Rover technicians are not much different, because there are fewer models than with Ford. Some technicians at Ford service centres might not be quite familiar with the Escape model, because they are too small in number to allow technicians to gain experience in repair and maintenance.

As the prices of both cars are quite close, the purpose of using the car is the main deciding factor. If driver and passengers number fewer then four, and you want a car that can fit easily into small alleys, then the Freelander is your answer.

The Ford Escape is your choice if you want a car for long-distance riding on highways, in order to accommodate large passengers or more than four, plus a softer riding experience.

For Land Rover-owners, I can suggest an exclusive Land Rover garage, located near Krirk University on Ram-Indra Road. It charges reasonable prices, and customers who use its service are satisfied.

Pattanadesh Asasappakij

 E-mail your motoring questions to Pattanadesh@nationgroup.com.

Ultimate in Luxury

The Luxury LS 460 is a wonderfully comfaortable car fitted with all mod cons, althoough not necessarily the most fun vehicle to drive.