Is it advisable to buy import (subic) SUVs?

[Andrei28]

Ano feedback sa mga imported SUVs galing sa Subic? Im considering the 3 door Pajero in general. Di hamak naman kasi na mas mura talaga sila kesa mga local. The only problem is converted sila from right to left hand drive. Ano feedback sa kanila? Magkano kaya price range ng mga year 2000+ models? Are they worth it?

[Bogeyman]

This thread might help you.

[niky]

Normally, I'd say stay the hell away from Subic imports, but since they don't sell the 3-door Pajeros here, I guess it won't hurt local sales. (???)

The problem, like you said, is the conversion. You have to make sure that they did a total swap with parts from a LHD Pajero... that includes mirrors and headlights. There are a lot of nice 2000 and up Pajeros, even some Pajero Evolutions, but those are very expensive.

[carlocaraddict]

no, i wont advice you to buy subic SUVs. Mahirap na makipagsapalaran. I heard others saying "tsamabahan" sa galing ng conversion. I wouldnt risk. Nuff said.

[pajerokid]

Di ko tinitipid yung safety ko. Besides, yung gagastosin mo sa pag ayos ng conversion, will almost nullify the price edge.

Eto lang masasabi ko.... Even the best conversions dont pass my personal scrutiny. (Except yung LC100 and LanEvo VII conversions na nakita ko, but these are more of exceptions rather than the norm)

[basti08]

suggestion lang, kung ikaw ay maraming nalalaman sa pasikot sikot ng oto... ang 101's ng conversion, really on a limited budget, or just really badly like a 3dr Pajero then by all means...YES!!!! pero isang situation lang...yung tita ko nakabili ng Lite Ace FXV frm Subic Acr*polis....b*ll$#it yung kotseng yun...lemon na lemon at since di marunong tita ko sa kotse...the car just keeps from getting bad to worse.

OK sana yung mga Subic na yan...kaya lang kung basta sakay ka lang na tipo ng tao tulad ko...di tayo pwede jan.

[Wouie]

we've got one, a converted LC80. okey naman kaya lang yong handbrake nasa kanan pa rin but it doesn't bother me.

[rlp1099]

don't look at purchase cost only

you got to be able to pencil in total cost of ownership

big ticket purchases like that kailangan tignan mo na rin resale value para if u really have to dispose of it you can expect a reasonable return

[vinj]

If you really want a 3 door Pajero and can spare the time to do a proper conversion (BTW, there is no such thing as a "conversion kit") and repairs then you can try but generally i'd stay away from them as the money you'll spend on getting one and the repairs afterwards will also get you a local Pajero already. Resale value will also go down the drain (and it's hard to resell).

My officemate has a Toyota Surf (4runner) and so far they've spent well over 100K in repairs. When i rode it and drove it, it doesnt feel anywhere near a LHD car in feel and solidity. They want to sell it but there are no takers.

[CVT]

Andrei28 - my personal views are :
1. Safety is number1.
2. Their conversion job is not good enough.

[lexfu]

if you're new to cars, especially if it's going to be your first car then avoid buying a converted one.

[falken]

A friend of mine just recently sold his Subic acquired Isuzu Bighorn for almost less than 1/2 the price he paid. Di pa niya sinama yung ginastos niya for repairs.

[Andrei28]

Thanks for the info. I guess isasama ko yung frend kong mekaniko sa subic. Dun kasi sa isang link http://tsikot.yehey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22970 sulit naman daw mga import Pajero. That's if matino yung makukuha mo.

[ian_rex]

sulit naman daw mga import Pajero. That's if matino yung makukuha mo.

that is kung may matino ka ngang makukuha. i remember when a friend of mine let me drive one of those. ay caramba. thought it was going to collapse.

if you're new to cars, especially if it's going to be your first car then avoid buying a converted one.

correct. there are many locally used quality cars out there.

[garyq]

Madami ng discussions here yan. Search the forums bro.

[Field Master]

Here's my personal view,
I happened to have many japanese friends living in Japan in course of my 10 years employment in electronics firm although my employer is an American. During after the office meeting with them we talked every topics we could think of under the sun and what interest me most is of course: CAR. From these talks I come to the conclusion that japanese (not in general but limited to my japs colleague) although they are culturally strict and discipline they tend to ignore the usual PM requirement of their car. Reason is that these cars will not stay with them long as the government encourage and put premium for cars to be replaced every 5 years. So their PM investment is good to service them for 5 years. Afterwhich these PM-ignored car will be dumped to 3rd world countries such as ours.
I have friends who bought delica and paj (pardon to subic car owners) from subic yard and I have seen how the underchassis was disregarded for years. So beside the conversion works and safety, PM is another thing you should consider.
This is just me and hope I dont offend any body here.

[BlueBimmer]

if its a Pajero Evolution, i'd take it immediately. if just a normal paj, not worth the risks.

btw saw a paj evo in davao, looks tame but hanep ang arangkada.

[carnovice]

To share:
- An officemate bought a Subic Toyota town ace 4yrs ago. Electrical and AC was messed up then.
- My barkada bought a 3dr Pajero over 2yrs ago (Subic auction) and he rarely had repairs done. Upgrades like tires, mufflers, shocks and AV system -YES, but take note na "upgrades." Usual maintenance done of course. He was lucky -to date.
- About 4mos after he bought it, I convinced my dad to sell his Surf and buy a 3dr Paj also. We bought it from a "Subic" buy and sell guy at Marikina. We had the AC reworked because the "local" AC technician who initially did it was inexperienced with "conversions." Few months later, my dad replaced the aux fan.
- About 4mos after my dad's Paj, I bought mine from one of the guys at Garage Custom. I've had the transmission oil leak repaired few months after that and last Monday, had the balljoints, tierods, etc.. done. (note: only the balljoints needed repair but had everything done para one time na lang.)

So.., you may want to consider the following just as we did:
- Decide to buy a "Subic" 3dr Paj if you do not want a local 5door
- Passenger room - it was not intended as a family car, especially if you have young teeners already
- Maintenance - Checks and DIYs are preferably done regularly and "personally." I would have to agree that converted vehicles and first time car owners (especially if no DIY maintenance experience and interest) do not go together
- Buying from "local" source against going outside Manila - you can test drive and really scrutinize the Paj; you can check the papers; you don't need to go to Subic (for viewing and bidding at the least)
- Bring a mechanic - preferably, experienced with Subic Paj, this does not assure you of getting an "excellent" Paj but will minimize the risk of costly repairs. (fact: kung gusto talaga tayo lokohin ng seller, kaya talaga nila but, we can minimize it)
- Set your expectations - you are buying a converted 2nd hand after all

Other stuff (outside the usual checks of the mechanic):
- during road test, do not "baby" the Paj be acceptably rugged, remember that this is an off road vehicle that you "might" buy
- check out how much the tires have worn out
- check if turning radius of front wheels are equal/balanced
- check if the 4wd indicator is blingking continuosly (sensor issue.., or can be worse)
- Try the 4wd mode in low and high speed
- check if the compass and other stuff works
- check if the adjustable shocks (soft/med/hard) work (distinguish between soft and hard settings)
- check if #2 AC setting works
- check if both windows go all the way down and up again
- check brake lights of rear spoiler (if equipped)
- check for the orig jack inside the right side rear panel; the steel extension is under the left rear seat
- try/check everything else you see in the Paj

IMO, the "other stuff" above will put you in a better position to decide and haggle with the price. I checked A LOT of Paj before buying ours, so don't rush. Also, having spoken to a few early (3-4 years ago) buyers of Subic Paj, the conversion today is "better" than their time.

Bottom line, having set expectations and minimizing the risks makes it "easier" and fun :-)

Call Prich of Garage Custom, he can help you

btw, the only "major" problem we had with my Dad's Surf is the AC condenser which the buyer replaced. The buyer is still happy with the Surf, buti na lang, hehe.. :-)

[nap123]

To share:
- An officemate bought a Subic Toyota town ace 4yrs ago. Electrical and AC was messed up then.
- My barkada bought a 3dr Pajero over 2yrs ago (Subic auction) and he rarely had repairs done. Upgrades like tires, mufflers, shocks and AV system -YES, but take note na "upgrades." Usual maintenance done of course. He was lucky -to date.
- About 4mos after he bought it, I convinced my dad to sell his Surf and buy a 3dr Paj also. We bought it from a "Subic" buy and sell guy at Marikina. We had the AC reworked because the "local" AC technician who initially did it was inexperienced with "conversions." Few months later, my dad replaced the aux fan.
- About 4mos after my dad's Paj, I bought mine from one of the guys at Garage Custom. I've had the transmission oil leak repaired few months after that and last Monday, had the balljoints, tierods, etc.. done. (note: only the balljoints needed repair but had everything done para one time na lang.)

So.., you may want to consider the following just as we did:
- Decide to buy a "Subic" 3dr Paj if you do not want a local 5door
- Passenger room - it was not intended as a family car, especially if you have young teeners already
- Maintenance - Checks and DIYs are preferably done regularly and "personally." I would have to agree that converted vehicles and first time car owners (especially if no DIY maintenance experience and interest) do not go together
- Buying from "local" source against going outside Manila - you can test drive and really scrutinize the Paj; you can check the papers; you don't need to go to Subic (for viewing and bidding at the least)
- Bring a mechanic - preferably, experienced with Subic Paj, this does not assure you of getting an "excellent" Paj but will minimize the risk of costly repairs. (fact: kung gusto talaga tayo lokohin ng seller, kaya talaga nila but, we can minimize it)
- Set your expectations - you are buying a converted 2nd hand after all

Other stuff (outside the usual checks of the mechanic):
- during road test, do not "baby" the Paj be acceptably rugged, remember that this is an off road vehicle that you "might" buy
- check out how much the tires have worn out
- check if turning radius of front wheels are equal/balanced
- check if the 4wd indicator is blingking continuosly (sensor issue.., or can be worse)
- Try the 4wd mode in low and high speed
- check if the compass and other stuff works
- check if the adjustable shocks (soft/med/hard) work (distinguish between soft and hard settings)
- check if #2 AC setting works
- check if both windows go all the way down and up again
- check brake lights of rear spoiler (if equipped)
- check for the orig jack inside the right side rear panel; the steel extension is under the left rear seat
- try/check everything else you see in the Paj

IMO, the "other stuff" above will put you in a better position to decide and haggle with the price. I checked A LOT of Paj before buying ours, so don't rush. Also, having spoken to a few early (3-4 years ago) buyers of Subic Paj, the conversion today is "better" than their time.

Bottom line, having set expectations and minimizing the risks makes it "easier" and fun :-)

Call Prich of Garage Custom, he can help you

btw, the only "major" problem we had with my Dad's Surf is the AC condenser which the buyer replaced. The buyer is still happy with the Surf, buti na lang, hehe.. :-)

Nice info

[Andrei28]

Thanks for the info. By the way, how much did you buy your Pajero carnovice? Anong year model mo? Satisfied ka ba?