needs advice on buying a car or not

[pachut]

hi! im a newbie here. been contemplating the past weeks if it's time for me to get a car. i'm still not fully decided, i joined the forum so i can see different opinions.

im a single 29yo doctor. we have a family car (1990's toyota corolla) which nobody uses. i do not want to use this because i feel its not reliable anymore. my boyfriend has a car that we use. i do not have any problems commuting (im used to it) except when it is raining, hard to get public transportation and i hate inhaling pollution. my "future" work is about 7 kilometers away from home and is easily commutable. other factors that makes me think of buying a car is it is for my own safety and comfort, save myself from situations where i might share the same public ride with my patients (alam nyo naman, status symbol is important if your a doctor in Manila), and perhaps a milestone for me before i reach age 30.

i have savings enough to buy a brand new car but thinking of getting a second hand instead so that i still have savings left with me. i can also pay half of a brand new car then pay installments in 18months, God willing he provides for me. second hand also, so if i change my mind i can easily dispose without losing too much! my boyfriend doesn't want me to buy a car instead get a place like a condo. some friends tells me get a new car, others just second hand since i'll just use it to and from work and konting lakad on the side. FYI, i knew how to drive a long time ago, im just tamad and hot headed kaya hate driving sometimes.

pls post your opinions. the pros and cons. should i get bnew or 2nd hand will suffice? what kind of car will i get? greatly appreciate it.

[LeOxe]

for me, just get a brand new car. it saves you from headaches due to possible breakdowns that would/might occur in the long run plus it also has a warranty - 5yrs at most depending on brand.

what's your budget for a brand new car?
you could get a hatchback - hyundai i10, suzuki celerio, toyota yaris, honda jazz, etc.
or a sub-compact sedan perhaps - hyundai accent, toyota vios, honda city, etc.

if i were to choose, i would pick the Toyota Vios 1.3 J or E
why? because its price is cheap, low fuel consumption & the reliability that the Toyota badge brings.

[ghosthunter]

*pachut

Money spent on owning a car does not stop at buying it. You also have to consider the ff:
-maintenance stuff like regular tune up, replacement of stuff like tires, etc
-annual renewal of registration (including emissions testing, etc)
-annual insurance dues (accident / theft)
-repairs (accidents, wear & tear)
-parking fees
-rising fuel prices

I hope you have considered these. I am not trying to dissuade you from buying a car. I am just making sure you have considered all the "cons" of buying a car.

Advantages of having a car does outweigh the cons...
-safer travel (day or night)
-no problem carrying stuff to destination (example grocery, boxes, etc)
-dry inside when raining outside
-cool inside when hot outside
-your choice of music (not whatever is blaring from the jeep's speakers)
-travel at your convenience and pace (no need to consider if there is a jeep or mrt nearby)
-faster transit time (no need to wait for buses/jeeps to fill before going)
-no more inhaling exhaust fumes (aircon)
-privacy (tinted windows)
-out of town trips? no problem

[kulotz]

condo
pros
-kuryente lang babayaran wala masyado sa maintenance
cons
-megcocomute parin ng onte pag nagcondo:P therefore mababasa parin sa ulan pollution etc.

2nd hand car
pros
-mura
-pag nakatsamba na maayos yung kotse okei na okei
-pag me kakilala tapos alam na nasa good condition ayus din
-pwede pumunta sa maraming lugar pag me kotse
-mas madali mag grocery

cons
-pag malas sa 2nd hand sakit sa ulo maintenance
-pag nagbreak down yari
-pag nakaw pala sasakyan patayy
-pag mejo hindi maganda makina at malakas ang fuel consumption patay rin
-pinapagasan so mejo mahal

brand new car
pros
-maasahan talga since bago
-pwede pumunta sa maraming lugar pag me kotse
-mas madali mag grocery
-me peace of mind na hondo masisira

cons
-kahit papaano minamaintain parin
-pag nagalusan ang bagong car nakakasama ng loob
-mahal ang insurance

[kulotz]

pag long travel nga pala masyado mas maganda condo kasi delikado yung drive na pagod at antok mas makupad ang reflexess:P

[pachut]

Thank you so much for the overwhelming response. Many gave helpful advice tho I'll say that I am more confused now than before. Hehehe. Siguro I'll elaborate more so you can really know my situation.

Well, di naman natin alam what's going to happen in the future but I also have plans of leaving/migrating elsewhere. This is not yet sure but given the opportunity, I will grab it. My budget is not really fixed, wag lang umabot ng 800-900k coz for me that's too much. I love the new Honda Civic but my funds are not yet enough and my friend who owned one before sold it kasi malakas daw sa gas (1.8 pala makina nun). I am eying now Honda City S type kasi si BF ganito din sasakyan but 2008 model kaya medyo biased ako. I love how its 2009 rear looks but not the front. I am now also starting to look at Toyota Altis din since yung friend ko na binenta yung Civic 1.8 is an Altis 1.6 owner eversince. If brand new, plan ko sya i-loan at least the half and pay the balance in 18 months the most. Para lang may matira na pera sa akin if ever something comes up. I used the calculator found in Honda Phil website and mga 30k lang patong nila for interest if financed in 18months.

If second hand naman, my budget would be around 300k-400k lang. Just the same amount as the half-down payment I'm going to give if I'm going to get a brand new. I want the Honda CR-V 1st model, my doctor cousin owns one and I love it too tho it might be too old also. Second, old Honda City or Toyota Vios coz of its fuel consumption. Third, Nissan Exalta/Sentra para lamig aircon or old Altis/Civic for bigger engine and faster acceleration than the Honda City my BF has right now (pwede pang-akyatan ng Tagaytay). I prefer to get Honda/Toyota brands since value doesn't depreciate fast if ever I have to dispose it di naman ako talo gaano. Or Nissan. Is it hard to sell to a third owner a 2nd hand used car?

Condo? I live nearby my work kaya kakatawa if I get a condo but why not, I wan't to finally feel the independence mamimiss ko lang luto ng tatay ko.

Love reading your comments. Reply po ako sa iba. Thank you!

[pachut]

* Leoxe, i love the fuel consumption of the Vios but sadly I don't like the way the new Vios looks. it's pretty in front but I don't like the rear. I prefer the older Vios in terms of looks.

* ghosthunter, thanks for the pros and cons. i was thinking about that too coz basically when you ride public transportation once you get off it no more worries. buying a new car may save me from early headaches (repairs) but parking is always a pain especially if no slots are available. I better check first if they can provide a slot for me, if not, I may end up not buying.
What do you mean by "not too old"? Can you give me range of years and more or less how much should the odometer (?) reads for a certain y/o car. I prefer M/T over A/T eversince because I get bored with A/T (it is convenient tho). gusto ko lang ng automatic pag steep ang parking like Shangrila Mall. Hehehe! We already have a reputable 3rd party shop we trust, but will also take a look here for comparisons. Thanks!

* kulotz, takot ko din bumili ng 2nd hand what if nakaw pala. i like your CONS sa brand new.

* gastromd, my hours are from 9am to 6pm only. pwedeng ma extend after six but my BF can fetch me after work. you are right, depende sa influx ng pasyente pagod na ako after a days work.

*renzo_d10, the car has not been used since my sis left for abroad. mga 1 year na siguro naka teng-ga. we start it once in a while and magagamit naman. ayoko lang kasi feeling ko nalaspag na ng kapatid ko yung oto na yun. at mukha syang taxi (puti kasi at hindi tinted). malamig naman AC nya.pawis steering din sya. (natuto naman ako sa pawis kaya sisiw na lang for me ang power steering)
hindi naman ako hot-headed (not much). nakakainis lang palampasin minsan yung mga bastos sa kalye magmaneho. nasanay na din kasi ako magdrive sa ibang bansa na miss ko tuloy.

* badkuk, when my BF and i had the old corolla checked kasi lagi namamatay, maling piyesa pala nakalagay dun. di ko alam san talyer dinala ng kapatid ko yun, malaki masyado yung i forgot the part, pang 18 wheeler na daw ata yun or what. tapos may piyesa dun ng mitsubishi eh toyota kotse namin. grrr!

* kikoteng, love your advice. napaisip ako dun ha. btw, my old uncle is planning to get a new honda civic/city. baka daw i dispose nya yung 1990's civic nya bigay nya sa amin ulit.

* 1D4LV, plus one point for condo. pwede din siguro bahay na bilhin ko.

*horsepower, hindi naman ako nakakatakot magmaneho. i don't want it to get the best out of me. nakakapag test lang ng patience. im into a lot of relaxing activities and driving again for me in Manila is torture! kaya nga I've been putting off driving hanggat kaya ko eh.

* pborj, i live near mabuhay rotonda and my work is in west ave only. i prefer sticks than matics.

* LVH, nice idea.

*cktlcmd, another reason why I am planning to get a car is to get independence from my boyfriend too! I hate relying or messing up his plans so that he could fetch me or take me to where my friends are. Sometimes he tells me to take his car instead sya na lang mag commute sa lakad nya, I'm not that kapal to accept his offer. Sarap din if someone is driving for you (the best!!!).

[renzo_d10]

Uhm ma`am the financial calculator you see in most car maker websites ( i.e. honda's and toyota's ) aren't accurate. There are additional fees that needs to be paid for thus making your monthly ammo. more higher than what is said in the website. And, if ever you're decided in getting a brand new car, go to different dealers, haggle for discounts etc.

BTW honda doesn't give discounts in cash that much, only for some specific units. But you can haggle the dealer for a freebie ( i.e. rain gutters etc )


Happy car hunting

[ghosthunter]

* ghosthunter,...

What do you mean by "not too old"? Can you give me range of years and more or less how much should the odometer (?) reads for a certain y/o car. I prefer M/T over A/T eversince because I get bored with A/T (it is convenient tho). gusto ko lang ng automatic pag steep ang parking like Shangrila Mall. Hehehe! We already have a reputable 3rd party shop we trust, but will also take a look here for comparisons. Thanks!

"not too old" ... something four years old or under. Odometer should be 10,000 km per year of age. So a three year old car should be around 30,000 km, give or take a few thousand.

Choosing M/T over A/T would leave you with a tired left foot especially in heavy traffic areas. I strongly suggest going for A/T if you are driving in heavy traffic areas. My driving experience started with eight years driving a M/T and there were many times I wished I had A/T. Today I have two cars, my daily car is A/T while my weekend "toy" is M/T.

[gastromd]

9am to 6pm which can be extended pa. i would say, just get a brand new car, toyota altis or the honda city (mas cute honda city for a lady driver compared to the altis, hehe.. easier handling due its smaller size.. tipid pa sa gas.. that's my opinion ofcourse!). and for your liberty, freedom and independence from your bf, hehe. happy car shopping!

[renzo_d10]

I`d hate to say this but I think ma`am pachut couldn't afford the altis even if it's the E variant. Since with all the misc. fees ( chattel mortgage, lto reg, insurance etc ) that needs to be added the 783k(?) altis E will climb up to the 800k mark which ma`am doesn't like since for her, its too much. And I`d like to quote

My budget is not really fixed, wag lang umabot ng 800-900k coz for me that's too much.

[DecentDriver]

Hmm..this seemed didn't end yet... did you buy the car? a brand new one? 2nd hand? refreshed the old car? I'd be interested what was the conclusion of this long awaited decision?... if nothing happened, then, I think you're missing a point.... brand new, 2nd hand or fixing up the old car won't really matter which one you choose relative to your needs, comfort and budget... as you drag the decision, more reasons are filing up for not doing any... in the end, you end up relying on your BF (if is he still around) or commute; and these are the main factors why you're contemplating to get another wheels... back to square one..he3 Make up your mind.. remember, there's no right or wrong decision.. consider all your options.. decide... stand by it -- and that's rewarding life experience. Keep us posted -- there was a good beginning..and w'd like to hear the good ending..

[pachut]

Hmm..this seemed didn't end yet... did you buy the car? a brand new one? 2nd hand? refreshed the old car? I'd be interested what was the conclusion of this long awaited decision?... if nothing happened, then, I think you're missing a point.... brand new, 2nd hand or fixing up the old car won't really matter which one you choose relative to your needs, comfort and budget... as you drag the decision, more reasons are filing up for not doing any... in the end, you end up relying on your BF (if is he still around) or commute; and these are the main factors why you're contemplating to get another wheels... back to square one..he3 Make up your mind.. remember, there's no right or wrong decision.. consider all your options.. decide... stand by it -- and that's rewarding life experience. Keep us posted -- there was a good beginning..and w'd like to hear the good ending..

hello mga sir! im back!!! sad to say im still stuck hunting for a car. i decided not to fix the old corolla anymore and finally purchase my very own first car. (yehey!)

i spent my whole day today looking at ads and researching on different make and models of cars. madaling araw na and i haven't made up my mind on what car to really focus on. its easy to decide in getting a car, the more difficult decision lies pala on WHAT CAR TO GET.

a good friend of mine who is a car enthusiast referred me to a very trusted mechanic who works at Honda T.Sora. we first looked at my high school friend's honda city 2000 type z model. it was not properly maintained by my friend so i opted not to get it. tinanong ko sa mekaniko ko which car is best to get sa lahat ng factors i told him and he recommended a VTI civic. hindi daw mahirap hanapan ng piyesa and maganda daw pormahan. yun din sabi ng kaibigan ko na nagrefer sa akin nung mekaniko. sabi ko sige pag isipan ko coz i like to look for a 1st gen CRV also. i made couple of calls and viewings ng CRV but maybe by fate, i wasn't able to close any deal.

just this week, i attended a post Christmas party where i met new friends who are into buy and selling of cars. they advised me on not getting a CRV since it is not fuel efficient and maintenance is high. aside from that, reaching a certain mileage i have to replace parts that are quite expensive. after a year or so din daw mababa na resale ng CRV so better stay away from it. so even if i wanted to get a CRV, im now again looking at other models. my budget isnt that strict anymore wag lang siguro over than 400k kasama na pagpapaayos/maintenance and transfer costs din. they told me to get a newer model, fuel efficient car that i can still sell later on on a higher price. vios/city/civic/altis. my boyfriend said not to get a compact car since we have one already (yung city nya) and nowadays i find it cramped nga if more than 4 are inside. and the speed also minsan hirap din sa akyatan kung may out of towns. so pinagpipilian ko na lang is yung mga bigger sedans.

so i am stucked with civic/altis. im hesitant to get the VTI kind of civic kasi wala yung "bagong kotse" feel. (arte!) but it makes sense budget wise 200-250k, maintenance, parts and porma. kailangan lang may matiyempuhan ako na maganda pa kahit papaano yung oto so patience patience patience muna. the dimension kind yr 2001+ has that "bagong kotse" feel somehow but i hate how it looks. yung 2007 civic naman wish ko lang afford ko di baw?! im looking at toyota altis also mukha naman maganda pati interiors. mga 2002 model, E or G variant kasi yun lang pasok sa budget ko but when i researched about altis they said that suspension isnt that good and that there is sludge sa makina if not properly maintained. eto dalawang isip ulit ako in getting an altis. balik nga ako sa dati. i might end up getting a vti. sa haba ng prusisyon sa simbahan din ang bagsak.

so here I am, sleepless night isip and hanap ulit, researching on what car to get so i can focus on that kind only when i look at ads.

any help?

[p_borj]

get a brand new Toyota Corolla Altis instead of a Honda City/Civic or a Toyota Vios, madaming naka-altis ang satisfied sa rides nila I assure you that. Not sure though kung may M/T variant ang Altis.

Hindi mo kasi sinama ang Mitsubishi Lancer pero kung sinama mo yun, lancer ang recommended ko sa iyo.

ayun naman pala, baka magmigrate ka rin, why not savor the moment habang kasama mo pa ang father mo ngayon sa bahay diba. What I mean is darating din naman talaga ang panahon na magiging fully independent ka. The thing is, mukhang settled ka na po mam kumuha ng car. Sorry for your bf kung na-persuade ka naming tsikoteers hahaha. Just think of it, going to places wherever you want pag may car ka.

[ghosthunter]

should i get bnew or 2nd hand will suffice? what kind of car will i get? greatly appreciate it.

Second hand car will be fine as long as its not too old. I would suggest something like the Honda City/Jazz or Toyota Vios or even Nissan Sentra 1.3 GX A/T.

These cars are relatively easy to own since they have smaller engines and quite popular as well. Prices for brand new are: (assuming A/T as first choice when available)

Nissan Sentra 1.3L GX A/T P650,000
Honda City 1.3L A/T P756,000
Honda Jazz 1.3L A/T P762,000
Toyota Vios 1.3L J M/T P590,000
Toyota Vios 1.5L G A/T P785,000

Second hard options: (examples from http://www.buyandsellph.com/)
2003-2006 Nissan Sentra 1.3L GX A/T P300K to P400K
2004-2006 Honda City 1.3L iDSi A/T P350K to P450K
2004-2006 Toyota Vios 1.5L A/T P400 to P460K

So buying a second hand car (3 to 4 years old) will save you 1/3 to 1/2 of the price buying new. Downside, you have no warranty if anything on the car starts to go wrong.

If that happens you have two choices, go to the nearest "casa" or bring the car to a reputable 3rd party repair shop. To save you money, I would suggest to bring it to a 3rd party repair shop. There are shops that we can recommend and others we would advise you to avoid like the plague.

[gastromd]

it's always nice to buy a new car. but ofcourse, as what ghosthunter said, you also have to take into account other expenses like gas, parking fee, tune up, registration and insurance. ask ko lang, are you a resident physician or a consultant? kasi it will make a big difference with regards to your decision....
if you are a resident physician, then i would say just have your boyfriend or a family driver send you to the hospital and have them pick you up afterwards kasi, residents definitely go on 24hour duty and you will be tired enough to drive home (although 7kms away lang ang house mo, kainis lang if there's too much traffic). but if you really wanted to have your own car, i guess a second hand car in good condition will be a better choice (unless ofcourse you wanted a brand new car to spare you of the headaches that might come from the used car)
but if you are a consultant, then you definitely have to have a new car to help you travel around different hospitals wherein you have patients/referrals to see...
HTH

[renzo_d10]

My answers are in red and in bold.

hi! im a newbie here. been contemplating the past weeks if it's time for me to get a car. i'm still not fully decided, i joined the forum so i can see different opinions.

= hello mam pachut.

im a single 29yo doctor. we have a family car (1990's toyota corolla) which nobody uses. i do not want to use this because i feel its not reliable anymore.

= if that car you're referring to isnt properly maintained then, most likely yes you will encounter problems with it. But then, if it's maintained and checked up properly, then you don't have to worry.

my boyfriend has a car that we use. i do not have any problems commuting (im used to it) except when it is raining, hard to get public transportation and i hate inhaling pollution. my "future" work is about 7 kilometers away from home and is easily commutable. other factors that makes me think of buying a car is it is for my own safety and comfort, save myself from situations where i might share the same public ride with my patients (alam nyo naman, status symbol is important if your a doctor in Manila), and perhaps a milestone for me before i reach age 30.

= You have a point ma'am. Though commuting is easy and cheaper than having a car, you wont still feel the comfort that you're going to have when having a car. And yes, having a car adds up to your safety.

i have savings enough to buy a brand new car but thinking of getting a second hand instead so that i still have savings left with me.
i can also pay half of a brand new car then pay installments in 18months, God willing he provides for me. second hand also, so if i change my mind i can easily dispose without losing too much!

= If your money is just enough for the whole car itself then don't buy one. Expect miscellaneous fees thats going to be added. For example the Periodic Maintenance Cost ( PMS ), the gas prices, the insurance cost etc.
And, mind you, if you pay the car through financing there will be an increase into the overall unit price. Expect around 100-200k.

my boyfriend doesn't want me to buy a car instead get a place like a condo. some friends tells me get a new car,

= Car then condo

others just second hand since i'll just use it to and from work and konting lakad on the side. FYI, i knew how to drive a long time ago, im just tamad and hot headed kaya hate driving sometimes.

= ma'am just remember, don't be hot-headed. If you need to give way, give way. Don't pursue into going in the very narrow spaces available. And, music can calm you in some ways.

pls post your opinions. the pros and cons. should i get bnew or 2nd hand will suffice? what kind of car will i get? greatly appreciate it.

Buying a brand new car will still be the best. May I ask how much is going to be your budget? But for the meantime, since you're a lady driver, a sub-compact would be the best for you. Here are some

1. Hyundai Getz - pricey at 630k. Runs on CRDi engine

2. Hyundai i10 - bad FC for a very little car, yet, cheap

3. Suzuki Alto - very fuel efficient and cheap. No A/T transmission available

4. Suzuki Celerio - cute, cheap, has A/T, 1.0L downside is, it doesnt have power windows at the back

5. Toyota Vios J - Cheap, bare, but bigger than the said examples above. At 595k, no A/T transmission, no power windows. But still, nice car

6. Toyota Vios E - carries 14" rims. Has power ammenities except for power mirrors. at 664k, not bad.

7. Nissan Sentra GX - has a/t ( i think ) . has power ammenities too except for the keyless entry.

8. Honda City A - best car among the others stated. Though it doesnt carry alloy rims and keyless entry system. It's still going to recieve a :2thumbsup: for me. 2 available colors only. Silver and Bluish Silver. Price is at 676k no A/T

9. Honda City S - Cheaper than the Vios G. At 716k it carries all power ammenities, steel rims and what can I say? It's one heck of a car. Available in certain colors: Red, Silver, Bluish Silver, Black, Beige.

10. Hyundai Accent - 690k. Too bare. No power ammenities. No alloy rims. Yet runs with diesel

11. Kia Rio - price is 700k + . Yet runs on fuel. Overpriced for me though.

12. Kia Picanto - small. price is around 600k plus. Runs on fuel. Better than Getz in terms of style.

2nd hand cars: there's a lot to choose on from. Just bring a mechanic with you if you're going to check one. Check all the papers etc etc then you're off

Hope this Helps.

[artpogi]

I'd say prioritize the condo, then after a few months or a year, get a car.

[MAXBUWAYA]

get a condo, then borrow BF car. Let him commute.

If not possible, Just get your own car.

It will give you the mobility that you never thought possible.

[badkuk]

ba't nyo po nasabing di na safe ung old corolla? have you had any decent mechanic take a look at it?

Iniisip ko kasi, pagtiyagaan mo muna ung car for a few more years while you save up for a car, condo, etc. yun nga lang, things will definitely start breaking down on you if your car is that old(speaking from experience). ang sa akin lang, so long as the mechanicals, brakes, etc. are ok, pagtitiyagaan ko pa rin. And, like you said, parang di ka pa sure sa sarili mo kung me gana kang magdrive everyday.

Of course, if you do feel na di na nga siya safe...you really can't put a price on your safety/health ;) And if you really go on 24-hour shifts...parang mas OK na lang na mag condo.