Chevys and Ford are less expensive than their Japanese counterparts because they generally have low resale value. I would generally recommend you have a pal (with a car) teach you on an empty parking lot. Mahal kasi mga driving school.. but on the otherhand, you get the benefit of the driving school arranging your papers kung kukuha ka na ng license.

Lots of good secondhand cars naman eh, it's just that you'll be taking a chance versus a brand new car. I think it's also time to ask for "information" regarding your future car like asking inputs from friends of their favorite talyer, mechanic, etc. so you know what to do when the time comes.