I guess after 4 pages of comments and suggestions, you're really just down to the ff. choices that suit your budget:

  1. Suzuki Jimny ranging from P698K to P805K, depending on trim. Choice of MT and AT (w/c you're not too keen on).
  2. Chery Tiggo * P783K for the manual, 1.6L engine.

You said you like to drive fast. Define fast. If over 100kph, both will do the job, with the Tiggo squeezing out more speed bec of its larger engine. But if you want faster than that, it's the 2.0L Tiggo * P883K, but it's AT.

Jimny will be a tight fit for the rear passengers (but who cares if you don't sit there right?). Tiggo will seat 5 comfortably (as long as they're not members of the Lakers). And if you don't mind 1st gen CR-V or Rav4-like proportions, you could consider this. Remember the 1st CR-V was built on a Civic platform. Meaning if you have no problems driving a Civic, you can think of a CR-V as a taller Civic.

If you're brand conscious, IMO Suzuki has a slight edge vs. Chery. Prestige-wise, both don't belong on the same stage as Toyota or Honda, at least in this segment. But if you couldn't care less about what the public might say, then Made in China is it.

If you need more info or choices, someone suggested motioncars.com. Here's the link: http://www.motioncars.com/ Go to 'the.car.chart' link on the left where you can compare the makes and models of various cars in the local market. Notice that when you look at cars labeled as "Entry Level SUV", the pricing ain't exactly "entry level."