Need Your Advise: Buying used car in 2013...

[blesseddad]

Hi mga brothers,

Hope to seek your help because I'm planning to buy our very first car this January or Feb. 2013.
(Honestly I'm 45 yrs old but I never have driven a car and I know nothing about cars.)

I've been reading the posts in this forum for quite sometime and have learned a lot from
you guys. You are such a blessing to people like me...

By the way, the car I'm planning to buy is for daily use (work for weekdays/ pasyal on saturdays/church on Sundays)
(I have a wife and two kids)

Mostly city driving (within Metro Manila)

My budget is 250k and I need a car that is:

1. fuel efficient
2. low maintenance cost
3. madaling humanap ng parts
4. presentable din

many suggested the Altis, Vios , Sentra or Exalta...

What car can you suggest based on my budget? By the way, it includes any repair costs if any..

Thanks much in advance and God bless!

[nujsimon]

Go for the vios Manual Transmission. The many taxi units attest to its easy maintenance, availability of parts and fuel efficiency.

[jrn29]

kung hanap mo , matipid at maraming pyesa , pasok na pasok ang toyota vios dito .. low maintenance din naman ito

[Egan101]

Altis will be your best bet. It has enough space for your family of four, decent fuel consumption, and reliable. Sentra/Exalta (GS or GSX models) has more creature comforts but it lags behind a bit in fuel consumption against the Altis. However, with Nissan's low resale value, you can get a younger car for your budget. Madali lang naman parts for both cars, as they are quite common on the streets. The Vios may top the fuel consumption category but I will not recommend it as you plan to use it for a family car - travelling with kids ain't light and a more spacious car is needed.

[myk384]

Good evening and Merry Christmas! Ito pala mga suggestions ko (may link sa mga reviews ko kung meron man):
THE ULTIMATE USED CAR GUIDE: Used Car Review - Toyota Corolla Altis (2001-2007)
THE ULTIMATE USED CAR GUIDE: Used Car Review - Toyota Vios (2003-2007)
2004-present Nissan Sentra GS
2001-2002 Honda Civic (kung meron pasok sa budget)
2000-2003 Mitsubishi lancer (wag lang ang 1.5 GL kasi carb)

An odd ball pick is the:
THE ULTIMATE USED CAR GUIDE: Wildcard Pick of the Month - Hyundai Matrix (2003-2007)

Happy shopping

[blesseddad]

Good evening and Merry Christmas! Ito pala mga suggestions ko (may link sa mga reviews ko kung meron man):
THE ULTIMATE USED CAR GUIDE: Used Car Review - Toyota Corolla Altis (2001-2007)
THE ULTIMATE USED CAR GUIDE: Used Car Review - Toyota Vios (2003-2007)
2004-present Nissan Sentra GS
2001-2002 Honda Civic (kung meron pasok sa budget)
2000-2003 Mitsubishi lancer (wag lang ang 1.5 GL kasi carb)

An odd ball pick is the:
THE ULTIMATE USED CAR GUIDE: Wildcard Pick of the Month - Hyundai Matrix (2003-2007)

Happy shopping

Hello myk284, I haven't read your posts yet but I'm sure there will be floods of informations there that will be very helpful for me and for others that will read these thread...THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing...

[blesseddad]

Altis will be your best bet. It has enough space for your family of four, decent fuel consumption, and reliable. Sentra/Exalta (GS or GSX models) has more creature comforts but it lags behind a bit in fuel consumption against the Altis. However, with Nissan's low resale value, you can get a younger car for your budget. Madali lang naman parts for both cars, as they are quite common on the streets. The Vios may top the fuel consumption category but I will not recommend it as you plan to use it for a family car - travelling with kids ain't light and a more spacious car is needed.

Thanks Much Egan101! I really like the Altis too because my sister in law has one and you're right about it's reliability, fc, and most of all more spacious than the Vios. Anyway, if ever I will be lucky enough to find the Vios that fits to my budget I think the space is not much of a problem for me because my family will only be with me mostly on Sundays somtimes Saturdays...I will be using it more to go to work.

Still considering the Nissan Sentra or Exalta but I need to gather enough infos about these cars before making a final decision...

[blesseddad]

kung hanap mo , matipid at maraming pyesa , pasok na pasok ang toyota vios dito .. low maintenance din naman ito

Maraming maraming salamat also jrn29 sa input! Yes Parang type ko ang Vios kung may makikita ako na fit sa budget...still considering other options.

[blesseddad]

Go for the vios Manual Transmission. The many taxi units attest to its easy maintenance, availability of parts and fuel efficiency.

Thank you very much nujsimon! Actually Vios is my first choice because of it's fuel efficiency..but I'm also considering a much bigger size car like the Altis for a comfortable ride...still undecided

[GTi]

Hi mga brothers,

Hope to seek your help because I'm planning to buy our very first car this January or Feb. 2013.
(Honestly I'm 45 yrs old but I never have driven a car and I know nothing about cars.)

I've been reading the posts in this forum for quite sometime and have learned a lot from
you guys. You are such a blessing to people like me...

By the way, the car I'm planning to buy is for daily use (work for weekdays/ pasyal on saturdays/church on Sundays)
(I have a wife and two kids)

Mostly city driving (within Metro Manila)

My budget is 250k and I need a car that is:

1. fuel efficient
2. low maintenance cost
3. madaling humanap ng parts
4. presentable din

many suggested the Altis, Vios , Sentra or Exalta...

What car can you suggest based on my budget? By the way, it includes any repair costs if any..

Thanks much in advance and God bless!

For lower budgets, it is always my advise to get the manual variants only. Old matics tend to be more unreliable and thirsty.

For sedans I'd suggest the 1.6L M/T variants of the 2nd gen Ford Lynx (2002-2005), ZZ Toyota Altis (2001-2008), or the N16 Nissan Sentra (2002-current). The Lynx and Sentra are similar in terms of resale value, though my preference goes to the Lynx which is endowed with better looks and features. The Altis, being a Toyota, has a higher resale value. That is to say you'd be getting a much older car or one in poorer condition as compared to a similarly priced Sentra or Lynx. This one however gets the best gas mileage.

Or, if you would want something more economical, durable and practical, the 1st gen Adventure diesel also fits your budget. Fuel consumption is similar to a typical 1.6L gasoline engine, but consumes diesel fuel which is P10/L cheaper than regular unleaded gasoline. You also get to seat twice the people you will be able to seat in a sedan, or haul huge amounts of cargo.

[blesseddad]

For lower budgets, it is always my advise to get the manual variants only. Old matics tend to be more unreliable and thirsty.

For sedans I'd suggest the 1.6L M/T variants of the 2nd gen Ford Lynx (2002-2005), ZZ Toyota Altis (2001-2008), or the N16 Nissan Sentra (2002-current). The Lynx and Sentra are similar in terms of resale value, though my preference goes to the Lynx which is endowed with better looks and features. The Altis, being a Toyota, has a higher resale value. That is to say you'd be getting a much older car or one in poorer condition as compared to a similarly priced Sentra or Lynx. This one however gets the best gas mileage.

Or, if you would want something more economical, durable and practical, the 1st gen Adventure diesel also fits your budget. Fuel consumption is similar to a typical 1.6L gasoline engine, but consumes diesel fuel which is P10/L cheaper than regular unleaded gasoline. You also get to seat twice the people you will be able to seat in a sedan, or haul huge amounts of cargo.

THANKS MUCH again GTI not only for your reply to my posts here but also for your replies to other Threads here at Tsikot as well. The informations that you shared are very helpful especially for newbies like me...

Actually, before I came across some of the threads that suggested the Altis or Vios, I personally like the "Ford Lynx" but a friend of mine mentioned that Ford are not as durable as the Toyotas or Nissans...she owns one and she said she spend much on repairs, etc. I'm not sure if she's right about this because I think Ford should be top of the line....?

( for her FORD means "Fix Or Repair Daily"...) Of course I can't just believe her until I gather informations from those who really tried the car for quite sometime...Can you please share your opinions about this? Thanks again in advance!

[chard23]

sir mag vios ka nalang. same budget din tayo hehe.
goodluck sa hunting!

[b0y37]

I would go for Vios or Altis.

Nissan Sentra/Exalta kasya rin sa budget, but as per my experience, malakas sa gas. Mabigat din kasi yung body nito, as compared sa kasabayan nya na Corolla. SAka hindi ganon ka efficient yung GA16 na makina.

The Hyundai Matrix, is also a good choice (space + power + FC), but Im not sure if madami ang piyesa nito. Though pareho (CMIIW) sila ng engine ng Accent 1.5 CRDI, mahihirapan ka makahanap ng aesthetic parts.

Mitsubishi Adventure is a good choice too. Mabagal nga lang. But hey, who needs to be fast when you're with you your family dba.

[myk384]

Or if you are open to AUV's, much better. Ang pwede mo piliin is an early model Adventure, Toyota Revo (with link to a review), or a late model Isuzu Hilander

Kung may mahanap kang first gen Starex eh di problem solved!

[blesseddad]

sir mag vios ka nalang. same budget din tayo hehe.
goodluck sa hunting!

Hi chard23, nakabili ka na ba? pag dalawa nahanap mo paki refer sa akin ang isa he he...

[GTi]

THANKS MUCH again GTI not only for your reply to my posts here but also for your replies to other Threads here at Tsikot as well. The informations that you shared are very helpful especially for newbies like me...

Actually, before I came across some of the threads that suggested the Altis or Vios, I personally like the "Ford Lynx" but a friend of mine mentioned that Ford are not as durable as the Toyotas or Nissans...she owns one and she said she spend much on repairs, etc. I'm not sure if she's right about this because I think Ford should be top of the line....?

( for her FORD means "Fix Or Repair Daily"...) Of course I can't just believe her until I gather informations from those who really tried the car for quite sometime...Can you please share your opinions about this? Thanks again in advance!

You're welcome bro. Sorry for the late reply, I was out for a few days. As for the Lynx, its actually a rebadged Mazda 323 which means it is as much a Japanese car as the Toyota Corolla beside it sans the badges. Of course we do not know how your friend used her car, or in what condition it was previously if she bought it 2nd hand. If its a matic, it probably quite understandable. Or maybe its that the time has come to change worn out suspension parts. That hurts and stings. Not just with the Lynx but in any car. There are actually quite a number of Tsikoteers who are Lynx drivers and are very much satisfied with their rides.

I see, so you're also interested with the Adventure? FC differs greatly in traffic conditions, route, time of driving and driving style. For example. I usually use the 2001 Toyota Revo GLX diesel in our house. Daily commute is merely around 8kms balikan, city driving, including bumper to bumper traffic. I get around 7.5km/L. But during the last week, driving to different destinations with longer distances, lighter traffic and lesser stop and go although still within Metro Manila got me around 8.8km/L! Meanwhile out of town driving nets me 9.4km/L with speeds of 100-120km/h in NLEX and 130-145km/h in SCTEX, meaning pedal to the metal driving. More mellow driving should easily get me in excess of 10km/L. The Adventure's diesel engine is very much similar to the Revo's. I'd estimate around 7-9km/L city and 9-12km/L highway. It'd probably do better if you have an even lighter foot, but the lower numbers is about as bad as it can get while in good condition.

[blesseddad]

Hi GTI, thank you again for your reply. Tanung ko lang sana kung anung year yung 1st generation ng Adventure? I think I need to consider this one too...thanks in advance.

[myk384]

Hi GTI, thank you again for your reply. Tanung ko lang sana kung anung year yung 1st generation ng Adventure? I think I need to consider this one too...thanks in advance.

Ang first generation ng Adventure is from 1998-2000.

Second gen na yung nirevise siya ng 2001 and third 2004 at 2009 ang fourth.

[blesseddad]

Ang first generation ng Adventure is from 1998-2000.

Second gen na yung nirevise siya ng 2001 and third 2004 at 2009 ang fourth.

Thanks again for the reply Myk384, ask ko lang kung may idea ka kung ilang kpl ang Fc ng Advaenture? May discussion ba dito sa Tsikot about Adventure? wala kasi ako mahanap na thread ....thanks much!