Best Options for 300k Automatic?

[JackFlash]

By now you must be getting dizzy reading all the tips. If you don't like the small, cramped brand new cars that fall w/in your budget, then go for used.

To help you shop, here's a link from Buy & Sell Philippines: http://carfinderphilippines.net/buy-...ing-used-cars/

I found the tips very useful when I bought a used car some time back. In addition to what's in the article, I also suggest...

1. Magnets. Yup, ref magnets. Stick them on the car's body, especially toward the corners, along the seams where bumps are most likely to happen. If the magnets don't stick, there's a good chance extensive body work has been done. Makapal ang masilya in the areas where the magnet can't come into contact w/ metal. Walk away when this happens.
2. When you find the car you like, you can text a certain no. (which escapes me now) to find out if there are no registered liens against the vehicle and that the vehicle is not stolen.
3. Be prepared to still spend some money for additional fixes. Even if you brought along a mechanic in your used car quest, remember that he ain't psychic. Some defects may still have escaped his eye during the pre-buy inspection stage.

That's it. Happy hunting and enjoy the drive.

[fish_out_of_h20]

Wow! People here are amazingly helpful! Thanks, thanks a lot...
Yes, yes I'm keeping each point in mind. I'm compiling all the points I've read in a document for review. This is all new to me... The 350k might be used as dp if I buy a new car, btw.

renzo_d10, i'll see how patient I could be and wait for bnew. I
have a feeling this is like the "marshmallow test". I'll check out
your recoms...

starex_gold, yup definitely not a 350k bnew car no Cherys. Why would
Chevys suit me? Is it bump and dummy proof? =)

KERSMcRae, thanks for the advice. I've thought of having a 2nd hand
practice car first too. Just that am planning to use the car I'm
getting now for a long time. Kaya lang as my friend said "ibabanga
ko lang naman daw sya" she's knows me well...

granro01, yup my worst fear is that a 2nd hand car will stall and stop
in the middle of traffic! noon, and cars honking yikes!

testament11, you're very encouraging but unlike you I might not
be able to improve on my auto trouble shooting skills. I tried having
my bro teach me mt on top of my paid instructor, he was shouting so
we stopped having those. I'll take your tip and buy the car finder. I'm
also trying to familiarize myself with the make/model/year = value.

mda, yes the ideal situation would be a hassle free bnew. as you said
I have to make some computations on how much I could afford.
I'm just anxious about committing to the monthly payments.

Jackflash, the tips are very smart they're going on my compilation =)

I've been doing a lot of research one with excel sheets of car brands and prices. I've noticed that one of the cheapest AT is a Sentra GX 1.3... This will suit my budget if I wait by dec I think. I'll be reading more about it...

When I think about it, the cash diff between bnew and 2nd hand might just be too big. I have a female friend who drives a 2nd hand and she seems fine aside from timing belts and noises. Hmmm... her car's a good size and it still looks good naman.

Guys, I have so much to think about your replies will help me sort them out. :grouphugg: I plan to keep looking at second hand listings and talk to the SA for the best deal on the sentra. Process ko muna infos...

[ghosthunter]

I've been doing a lot of research one with excel sheets of car brands and prices. I've noticed that one of the cheapest AT is a Sentra GX 1.3... This will suit my budget if I wait by dec I think. I'll be reading more about it...

If you are interested about Sentra GX 1.3L, here are some previous discussion threads you might want to read:

http://tsikot.yehey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52389

http://tsikot.yehey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51318


Other cars that might be of your interest and budget:

Kia Picanto
Hyundai Getz
2000 Toyota Corolla Altis (lovelife body, looks like this)
2003/2004 Toyota Vios (hard to find at 350K but possible)

I am not recommending the previous model Honda City/Jazz with the CVT tranny because of potential problems directly with the CVT A/T tranny.

[fish_out_of_h20]

ghosthunter, thanks for the links. I've been reading on it too! When and if
I get serious with the Sentra I'll post my questions there also =)
I'll look into your other recoms

[mda]

ghosthunter, thanks for the links. I've been reading on it too! When and if
I get serious with the Sentra I'll post my questions there also =)
I'll look into your other recoms

The sentra isn't bad.

What other cars are you considering/are in your price range at this point?

[fish_out_of_h20]

mda, i've been reading about the sentra threads a lot! the only disadvantage is that it can't go fast. (no prob with me...) Now, I'm trying to find out if I can take it to baguio or drive it on batangas dirt roads. (yes, vacations are very impt to me ) Or will the car's performance limit me.
Another option for bnew is Getz. Yep, I'm cheap =) If I can, I'll try to work out to DP as much as I could afford and have very very low monthly. Something I don't even have to think or bother about. But this is not a near option. Haven't researched on others yet so I'm just basing
on price now.

I've also bookmarked and circled ads on second hand Altis. As said by people here, it's a dependable car and the service centers abound. I think I would even prefer this option than a bnew Getz.
I also saw a deal on Nissan Exalta Grandeur. I don't know much about the car model so I have to research on it.

Any more thoughts?

[mda]

mda, i've been reading about the sentra threads a lot! the only disadvantage is that it can't go fast. (no prob with me...) Now, I'm trying to find out if I can take it to baguio or drive it on batangas dirt roads. (yes, vacations are very impt to me ) Or will the car's performance limit me.
Another option for bnew is Getz. Yep, I'm cheap =) If I can, I'll try to work out to DP as much as I could afford and have very very low monthly. Something I don't even have to think or bother about. But this is not a near option. Haven't researched on others yet so I'm just basing
on price now.

I've also bookmarked and circled ads on second hand Altis. As said by people here, it's a dependable car and the service centers abound. I think I would even prefer this option than a bnew Getz.
I also saw a deal on Nissan Exalta Grandeur. I don't know much about the car model so I have to research on it.

Any more thoughts?

All great options. The Altis (especially the 2002 up) is one of the more dependable cars. Just make sure it wasn't abused by the previous owner (maintenance/accident records would help).

I'm pretty sure the Sentra 1.3 will go all the way to baguio. Dirt roads also won't be a problem because I don't think you can go 60kph in an unpaved, rough road anyway.

The getz is also a good car. Smaller engine but also lighter, if a bit more cramped than the sentra.

Test drive before you buy!

The older exalta, not sure.

[ghosthunter]

mda, i've been reading about the sentra threads a lot! the only disadvantage is that it can't go fast. (no prob with me...) Now, I'm trying to find out if I can take it to baguio or drive it on batangas dirt roads. (yes, vacations are very impt to me ) Or will the car's performance limit me.

The roads in Batangas wouldn't be a problem if they are hard packed dirt roads. If they are soft or muddy, well, you might need a SUV with it's higher clearance for that type of surface.

[ghosthunter]

Another option for bnew is Getz. Yep, I'm cheap =) If I can, I'll try to work out to DP as much as I could afford and have very very low monthly. Something I don't even have to think or bother about. But this is not a near option. Haven't researched on others yet so I'm just basing
on price now.

Getz is a good car but it's small. Seats four in comfort. Not much space in the cargo/trunk area. Fuel consumption is average or even a bit higher than expected for such a small engine/car.

I've also bookmarked and circled ads on second hand Altis. As said by people here, it's a dependable car and the service centers abound.

The older model Corollas are actually more dependable. The 2002 and newer Corolla Altis has a problem with its engine developing "sludge" if either you used the wrong oil or missed an oil change schedule. This can later develop into more serious problems.

I also saw a deal on Nissan Exalta Grandeur. I don't know much about the car model so I have to research on it.

Some technical info:
http://www.motioncars.com/carchart/h...tra_exalta.htm

Car review: (done back in 2001)
http://www.motioncars.com/drives/08...._02/index.html