2nd Car Shopping

[a9828]

Hi, pls help us evaluate for a 2nd car. here are the details:

- petite woman driver
- current vehicle is a 2010 ford escape xlt

2nd car details
- will be financed for 3-5yrs since we plan to keep it
- must be m/t (FC is considered, must be frugal)
- will be driven by lady owner also
- to be used only within the city for quick trips to groceries, school
- 18yr old daughter will learn to drive and eventually use it (petite also)
- intially looking at 0.8-1.2 engines, but open to go up to 1.3 since vehicle will be kept for at least 5yrs anyway
- important to have height adjustable driver's seat
- important to have tilt-able steering wheel (puwede ibaba or itaas)
- must have central locking for safety (though amenable to have casa install this as long as warranty is kept)
- front power windows preferred but not necessary
- driver airbag critical, passenger preferred
- budget can go up to around 725k

we've looked at following and here are our comments:

suzuki alto (new 800 model)
- cheapest of all options
- very small and basic (no power features)
- very good FC for previous generation
- uncomfortable driving position
- not appealing to buyer

suzuki celerio (1.0 MT)
- nice design
- reviews say m/t is very fuel efficient
- though steering wheel can't be tilted, low enough for buyer
- no seat height adjustment
- middle panel with aircon vents too high (blocks driver's view)

suzuki dzire (1.2 MT)
- good price
- very spacious cabin for its class
- no power features (basic car)
- untested, no real reviews (risky buy)

hyundai (eon GLS)
- well deisgned interior
- nice toys inside
- good FC reviews (officemate has GL)
- buyer not liking the look from in the front (mukha raw taubin but i think depende lang sa color)

hyundai (i10 MT)
- old model
- interior is ok
- not sure about FC, mixed reviews)
- hyundai is nearest casa to the house

mirage (GLX M/T)
- underwhelming interior (seems to be common to mitsubishi lately)
- buyer apprehensive about recent recall

fiesta (1.4 M/T)
- buyer's current favorite
- mixed reviews on FC (fords are usually gas guzzlers)
- has all basic needs

mazda 2 (1.3 MT sedan)
- has great FC, based on reviews
- has all basic needs
- priciest of the options
- malayo ang casa, some horror stories

vios j/e (1.3 MT)
- must be the new vios if ever (buyer can't driver with info at the center)
- uncomfortable ride
- very frugal car, excellent FC
- trusted brand

city (1.3 MT)
- probably the biggest sedan for the budget
- not too good casa experience with previous civic

avanza e (1.3 mt, 7seater)
- value for money
- not much feedback yet on FC
- toyota brand but nearest toyota casa is still new and untested


main considerations:
- buyer must be able to drive it comfortably when needed
- FC is important to displace fuel cost from current CUV
- speed is not really needed but car safety is
- color must be on the lighter side, dark gray / black / dark blue are not options

hoping for additional inputs on the mentioned models. pls comment on the observations: confirm or reject if needed. thanks in advance!

[dr. d]

pretty tall order, considering we are all of us unique as to height, size and shape. and also to our taste in beauty.
my suggestion, is for your driver to try out each choice.
my choice? the vios.

[jut703]

Red Mirage GLS MT. Looks good, has enough space, very frugal, and has a lot of features for its price. Push-button ignition, GPS, and auto climate control are features that are hard to find in its class. Engine is very peppy too - I've only driven the CVT but I can only imagine the MT to be much more fun.

Either that or the new Vios. No idea how it drives, but I like how it looks and is a bigger car than the Mirage.

[Mikemike07]

Vios would be the best according to the criteria. You need the size in order to be a little bit safer. Madaming g*go na bus driver. What if merong antok na antok or under influence na di masyado tumingin sa sides nya biglang nagswerve. Ayun. Not saying that having a bigger car will prevent these kind of things. Pero at least masmapapansin ka kung malaki.

[basti08]

Having a Mirage GLS CVT, I'd choose the all new Vios 1.3E. I'm pretty certain a manual GLS will be more efficient though. The Mirage is unbeatable for the features. I don't find the KOS very convenient to use though. Actually, it's kind of a hassle pa nga. Very convenient are the auto climate control, DVD/GPS headunit, variable speed intermittent wipers though. Btw, Go for the Vios 1.3E. All Vios now has dual airbags. The 1.3E adds foglamps, 15 inch wheels, ABS. For sure it has tilting steering and height adjust seats cos my gen2 1.5G already has those features. And it's just 727k. Downside is that it is very new and no promos nor freebies that are satisfying. ultimo TPL, 3 years registration, chattel, compre lahat sagot mo.

Goodluck.

[GTi]

I'd suggest you consider subcompacts over superminis. Worth considering are the Rio 1.2SLX, 1.4EX M/T, City 1.3S, and the Vios 1.3E. The City and Rio have excellent handling, spacious interiors and large trunks. The current Vios is rather cramped, though there may be changes with the upcoming version.

I suppose the best way to find the right car would be to test drive each, or at least visit one at the showroom.

Personally, I find no need for airbags. A modern and competent crash structure first and foremost, seatbelts, and perhaps also ABS are more important. We've only recently started buying cars with airbags, and not because we particularly wanted to. Airbag systems are also very expensive to service when something goes wrong with it in the long run.

[ax30g]

I'm wondering how come hindi kasama ang Almera sa choices?

[CVT]

^ ^ ^ I've never seen an Almera in our local streets....

Mukhang hindi popular sa mga Pinoy....(hindi ko rin type)

19.5K:thatsit:

[mateomarco]

saw once along c5...a brown one shade lighter as compared dun sa brown ng toyota (Vios, Innova)...hindi ako napasecond look...

[ax30g]

nakakita na ako cguro mga 2. di nman pangit pero di rin maganda