Need advice from Tsikot Gurus (Best buy for 550K)

[Free & Accepted]

Hi Sirs,

I've been checking your site for almost six months now and I'm really impressed on how you help and assist other people who need advises in buying new or 2nd hand cars.
I was just wondering if you could do the same for me sirs, any suggestion or recommendation would really be much appreciated .

I am a new driver and buying a 2nd hand car, after five years I will sell it to buy a brand new car.

Timeframe in buying: (Oct 2012)
Budget: 550K max.
Use: Daily - Office (Mandaluyong) to home (Cainta), some out of town trips on weekend, but I think the furthest would be Baguio.
Passenger: Daily - Me and my future wife, some weekends with my Friends or family (out of town).
Transmission: Automatic
Car Class: sub-compact
Car Model: 2009 to 2010 (I'm hesitant in buying 2009 models because of Ondoy)

Requirements:
Fuel efficiency (Atleast 10km/liter)
Maintenance Cost
Safety
Comfort in driving
Re-sale Value
Power (Not much important but I'm dying to ask if a 1.3 Automatic car can reach baguio or any further trips fully loaded? meaning 5 people plus baggage?).

Options:
Honda Jazz 1.5 (Fuel Efficient and good space)
Honda City 1.5 (Style and power)
Mazda 2 Sedan (Uniqueness and some says good FC)
Toyota Avanza 1.5 (Not sub-compact but same displacement)
Toyota Vios (least favorite because of the odometer)
But if 1.3 is suffice for long trips then I would consider buying it instead because of good FC but then again, if the FC is not that much different from 1.5 then I would choose 1.5 (Sorry sirs, this is really a puzzle for me).

If you have any other suggestions please feel free to add.

Looking forward for your witty recommendations.

THANK YOU SO MUCH SIRS and God Bless.

F&A

[Gecko Guy]

Medyo mahirap makita yung lahat ng hanap mo sa iisang sasakyan TS.
What's your priority ba?
- FC ------------- Vios panalo dito sa mga choices mo
- Space --------- Avanza
- Power -------- Mazda 2?
- Resale value -- Honda jazz
- Maintenance cost -- pare-parehas lang yan

Suggestion: Consider this: (it's not mine..naka-post sa HCP and looks like a good deal to me)
Item Description:
- Original Paint, Color Dark Blue Mica
- American Racing Mags
- Brand New 31" x 10.5" x 15" Mudstar Tires
- Brand New Motolite Battery
- Exceptional Dual Airconditioning
- Automatic Climate Control
- Front and Rear Cooler Box
- Wood Grain Panel

- Excellent Running Condition
- Newly engine and transmission oil changed
- New Front and Rear Bendix Brakepads
- Galvanized Body (not rust prone as compared to earlier model locally assembled/Non-CKD Safaris)
- All power, Keyless Entry Central Locking, Horn Alarm

- Purchased locally
- Definitely Not Flooded

Price:
Selling at 448k negotiable

Contact:
09178240405

[Free & Accepted]

Hi Sir Gecko Guy,

Thank you for your advise sir, the car below is really tempting, pero parang gas guzzler at mahal ang maintenance sir, I think I would prefer a newer model and pang office hanggang bahay lang talaga, tamang tama lang po yung Sub-compact kasi most of the time kaming dalawa lang ni wifey sa car pero ang gusto ko po sana eh hindi rin po ako mag kaka-promblem incase I went out of town fully loaded.

I'm leaning more on Honda Jazz 1.5 talaga sir, pero mahal pa siya for 2009 model.

Any suggestions for a sub-compact car?

Primary consideration:
1. Fuel efficient
2. Maintenance Cost
3. Safety
4. Comfort in driving

Thank you so much.

F&A

[Free & Accepted]

Hi Sir Renzo_d10,

Thank you for your response, much appreciated.

Honda City is one of my top pick sir, after Jazz, Avanza is a nice ride as well, kaso may nabasa ako sa ibang thread dito na yung Avanza eh tumirik daw po going up to Baguio sir, kaya medyo nakakakaba sir.

Quick question sir, ok lang po ba yung power ng 1.3 compare to 1.5? may nagsasabi sir na nag o-over heat daw po yun, sabi ng ibang taxi driver? and can it go to a far place kahit max ang sakay sir?

[renzo_d10]

Syempre kung ako papapipiliin, dun na ako sa higher displacement.

As the saying goes: "There's no replacement for displacement..."

Yeah, the Jazz is really nice. And the power seems adequate for its size. Hindi underpowered maski yung 1.3L

Kaya lang, yun nga... may sasakay. Sana kung wala, or at least maximum of +2 people lang.

[Free & Accepted]

Thank you so much for response Sir KERSMcRae, The reason why I like Avanza is that after 5 five, I'll be buying an SUV, ika nga sir eh yung Avanza ay magandang car before owning an SUV, at the same time since I leave in Cainta eh marami pong pot holes and madaling bahain sir, pero ang kinakatakot ko lang po sa Avanza 1.5 eh yung power niya sir baka kahit konting up hill eh hirap yung makina nya.

[KERSMcRae]

Hi Sir Renzo_d10,

Thank you for your response, much appreciated.

Honda City is one of my top pick sir, after Jazz, Avanza is a nice ride as well, kaso may nabasa ako sa ibang thread dito na yung Avanza eh tumirik daw po going up to Baguio sir, kaya medyo nakakakaba sir.

Quick question sir, ok lang po ba yung power ng 1.3 compare to 1.5? may nagsasabi sir na nag o-over heat daw po yun, sabi ng ibang taxi driver? and can it go to a far place kahit max ang sakay sir?

May nabasa din ako before sa Avanza thread (ACP) na nabitin siya sa akyatan- but that is 1.3 and with 9 passengers... ??

If not , get a City since kukuha ka naman ng SUV after 5 years.

here are some ads from your choices*:
* - These cars/ads are not mine, nag-search lang ako sa Sulit

(replace asterisks on links with sulit[dot]com[dot]ph )

2009 Avanza 1.5G AT Php580K

http://www.**************/index.php/...=Toyota+Avanza



2009 Avanza 1.5G AT Php545K
http://www.**************/index.php/...=Toyota+Avanza


2009 Honda City 1.5e AT Php545K

http://www.**************/index.php/...+city+1+5+2009


2010 Honda City 1.5e AT Php558K
http://www.**************/index.php/...+city+1+5+2009

[renzo_d10]

I'd pick the Honda City as an all-around city vehicle. Pero since may isasakay ka pa pala, Toyota Avanza 1.5L nalang ako for overall practicality.

[KERSMcRae]

Hi Sirs,

I've been checking your site for almost six months now and I'm really impressed on how you help and assist other people who need advises in buying new or 2nd hand cars.
I was just wondering if you could do the same for me sirs, any suggestion or recommendation would really be much appreciated .

I am a new driver and buying a 2nd hand car, after five years I will sell it to buy a brand new car.

Timeframe in buying: (Oct 2012)
Budget: 550K max.
Use: Daily - Office (Mandaluyong) to home (Cainta), some out of town trips on weekend, but I think the furthest would be Baguio.
Passenger: Daily - Me and my future wife, some weekends with my Friends or family (out of town).
Transmission: Automatic
Car Class: sub-compact
Car Model: 2009 to 2010 (I'm hesitant in buying 2009 models because of Ondoy)

Requirements:
Fuel efficiency (Atleast 10km/liter)
Maintenance Cost
Safety
Comfort in driving
Re-sale Value
Power (Not much important but I'm dying to ask if a 1.3 Automatic car can reach baguio or any further trips fully loaded? meaning 5 people plus baggage?).

Options:
Honda Jazz 1.5 (Fuel Efficient and good space)
Honda City 1.5 (Style and power)
Mazda 2 Sedan (Uniqueness and some says good FC)
Toyota Avanza 1.5 (Not sub-compact but same displacement)
Toyota Vios (least favorite because of the odometer)
But if 1.3 is suffice for long trips then I would consider buying it instead because of good FC but then again, if the FC is not that much different from 1.5 then I would choose 1.5 (Sorry sirs, this is really a puzzle for me).

If you have any other suggestions please feel free to add.

Looking forward for your witty recommendations.

THANK YOU SO MUCH SIRS and God Bless.

F&A

among your choices, the Avanza 1.5 is the right vehicle for you. Check the Avanza thread and ask the owners re: actual FC. I think for the A/T is less than 10kpl though.

Or if you can add more on your budget, you can try the Carens. (2.0 nga lang.. )

[Free & Accepted]

Nice to hear that Sir Yapoy86 , actually seldom lang naman ako mag o-out of town mga once a month or once every two months lang po at pang city driving lang po talaga yung use ng car, but Im now beggining to like Avanza.

one more point for Avanza.

Any more suggestions sirs?

[_Qwerty_]

walang problema sa power yang 1.5 a/t avanza.. talo ka nga lang sa FC kung city driving at heavy traffic.. pero kung highway driving ok naman FC nya.. medyo matagtag lang talaga sya..

[Free & Accepted]

Thank you for the input Sir Qwerty... yan pa naman ang slogan ng Cainta "It's more traffic in Cainta" mukhang sub-compact talaga ang option ko.

More input sirs?

[Free & Accepted]

Hello Sirs,

Is it safe to say that the average FC of any 1.5 A/T is 8 km/l in city driving?
Though I know that saving fuel depends on the drivers foot, if that is the case then which 1.5 A/T would be the best for a new driver.

Honda Jazz 1.5 A/T
Honda City 1.5 A/T
Toyota Vios 1.5 A/T
Avanza 1.5 A/T

Kindly assist Gurus.

Thank you so much.

[renzo_d10]

Hello Sirs,

Is it safe to say that the average FC of any 1.5 A/T is 8 km/l in city driving?
Though I know that saving fuel depends on the drivers foot, if that is the case then which 1.5 A/T would be the best for a new driver.

Honda Jazz 1.5 A/T
Honda City 1.5 A/T
Toyota Vios 1.5 A/T
Avanza 1.5 A/T

Kindly assist Gurus.

Thank you so much.

According to preference:
1. Honda City 1.5
2. Hona Jazz 1.5
3. Toyota Vios 1.5
4. Toyota Avanza 1.5

Ok lang naman yung Avanza pero ayoko kasi ng hitsura niya. Although kung color grey, it looks decent enough. Wag lang yung sky blue. Own opinion lang naman

[Free & Accepted]

Sir GTi - very good analogy sir, I will take that into consideration, but isn't it too big for a first time driver sir?

Sir Renzo_d10 - sa akin sir ok lang exterior ng Avanza puwedeng pagandahin pero yung interior niya parang dull sir, isa pa sir naka usap ko yung isang taxi driver na Avanza ang gamit, medyo malakas daw po talaga sa gas sa city driving, eh 90% of the time nasa city lang ako sir, pero I'll test drive ko muna then kung maramdaman kong may connection kami eh I would settle for Avanza .

But ofcourse any other suggetion would be very welcome

Thank you so much sirs sa mga inputs, hope it would keep coming.

[_Qwerty_]

iba sir ang interior nang Avanza matic don sa taxi na nasakyan mo.. J lang yun.. ok naman ang interior nang 1.5G lalo na yung bagong labas ngayon..

been driving a 1.5G for almost 5 yrs now.. i keep track of my FC.. as of April 23, ang average ko so far is 7.90kpl.. that's 66,776.38kms at 8,448.75 liters.. that's around 90% city driving.. heavy edsa traffic and short distance..

Sir GTi - very good analogy sir, I will take that into consideration, but isn't it too big for a first time driver sir?

Sir Renzo_d10 - sa akin sir ok lang exterior ng Avanza puwedeng pagandahin pero yung interior niya parang dull sir, isa pa sir naka usap ko yung isang taxi driver na Avanza ang gamit, medyo malakas daw po talaga sa gas sa city driving, eh 90% of the time nasa city lang ako sir, pero I'll test drive ko muna then kung maramdaman kong may connection kami eh I would settle for Avanza .

But ofcourse any other suggetion would be very welcome

Thank you so much sirs sa mga inputs, hope it would keep coming.

[GTi]

Sir GTi - very good analogy sir, I will take that into consideration, but isn't it too big for a first time driver sir?

Sir Renzo_d10 - sa akin sir ok lang exterior ng Avanza puwedeng pagandahin pero yung interior niya parang dull sir, isa pa sir naka usap ko yung isang taxi driver na Avanza ang gamit, medyo malakas daw po talaga sa gas sa city driving, eh 90% of the time nasa city lang ako sir, pero I'll test drive ko muna then kung maramdaman kong may connection kami eh I would settle for Avanza .

But ofcourse any other suggetion would be very welcome

Thank you so much sirs sa mga inputs, hope it would keep coming.

Not really, the dimensions of the Innova are not very far off from a compact sedan. I practiced my driving skills as a beginner driver in a Toyota Revo. It has similar dimensions with the Innova. No sweat! Besides, with a diesel vehicle, you will still be spending less on fuel when compared to a gasoline powered car with similar or even slightly better gas mileage due to the 10 pesos or more per liter difference between diesel and gasoline fuel.

[GTi]

Naku malubak at bahain pala sa inyo. I'd suggest against getting a subcompact, kawawa ang suspension niyan. A modern 1.3L car has no problem going to Baguio considering the rapidly improving hp/L of displacement ratio with the advent of new engine technologies. But as of now, a 1.3L will still be rather taxed going up Kennon Road with a full load.

I'd suggest you get the Innova 2.5D4D. You get heavy duty suspension, high ground clearance, large interior space and a powerful and fuel efficient engine. A close family friend who owns a Fortuner 2.5D4D A/T gets 8.9km/L city driving according to the trip computer (take into consideration that he does not have a heavy foot). Expect the Innova to do better than that due to a lighter body, even better if it's a manual variant. Being a Toyota, it has good resale value so it would be a good choice if you plan to sell it soon.

[zap.FREEDOM]

Hello Free & Accepted!

btw, about what you posted, since taga-Cainta ka, which is known for not so good road condition, pwede ba namin malaman kung magkano budget mo? Ok anyway, Avanza is a decent mpv, it rides like an AUV, medyo bumpy lang ng konte lalo na sa bandang likod konte lang naman (pero firm yung ride niya kapag may load, let's say 4 pax.), about FC, don't have an idea for the AT variant, pero sa M/T ok siya, tama lang kung hindi mo ihahatawhataw..power, hindi naman siya underpower e, tama lang yung 1500cc displacement for it's body, average FC is 10km/L for mixed condition.

OT: why not settle for other options like, Isuzu Crosswind A/T, it is a bit slow medyo truckish idrive, pero its come up with 2.5 diesel engine, matipid rin considering A/T siya, saka matibay, low-maintenance pa. Saka swak na swak to sa road condition ng Cainta, no hassle ka sa lubak, saka good driver's visibility kase nga AUV e. just my cents. Kaya tinatanong ko budget mo baka kaya mo mai-stretched to a price of a pre-owned AUV.

[Free & Accepted]

Hi zap.FREEDOM - thank you for your response, my budget is 550k po, nag tingin na rin ako ng mga Crosswind kaso mga 2003 to 2004 model lang ang makukuha ko, isa pa since bagong driver lang ako sir baka mabangga-bangga ko lang yun kasi medyo malaki, so ok na muna ako sa Avanza or smaller car sir.

Siguro sir after 5 years eh kukuha na ako ng isuzu or hilux po.