Economical compact car, A/T, which one

[jut703]

I'd recommend the Altis.

The newer 1ZR-FE engine is actually economical and isn't prone to the sludge issues you fear with the 9th gen (ZZ engine). I can only speak from experience with its bigger brother, the 3ZR-FE, which hasn't had any oil-related issues even though I only change oil every 10,000 KM.

The 1.6 Altis is also known to be fuel-efficient, despite its rather old 4-speed slushbox. It's about as good as other automatic subcompacts (~9 km/L in regular city traffic) but has more low-end torque so it putters about without any hesitation. It's also very stable on the highway, and the comfortable ride means long drives won't be as stressful as in other cars.

The shortcomings of the Altis (less-than-stellar space, feather-light steering, uninspiring handling) don't seem to be of primary concern for you or your wife so I really think it fits your needs pretty well. Whether you get the 1.6 G or the more loaded 1.6 V, the pricing seems reasonable given the features of the car.

[Gerbo]

A look at the "power-to-weight ratio" may perhaps offer some clue. Toyota sedans are generally known for being "economical" compared to the competition.

[meledson]

have been doing sta rosa <--> ortigas daily dati for almost 3 years. every 2 months (5000 km) ang PM ng avanza dati. 500 km + per week. 1 full tank per week.

malagas sa gas ang innova. now looking for a trifty compact sedan. I will now use the innova pag may bago na. less than 20km oneway bahay - office.

sa mahal ng toll, no skyway malamang..

[niky]

The Elantra might be the ticket. Light, good gearing, good engine... Only thing is the lack of sound insulation compared to the likes of the Civic or the Focus.

[lowslowbenz]

Executive = Mercedes Benz C-Class ..

[yapoy86]

The Elantra might be the ticket. Light, good gearing, good engine... Only thing is the lack of sound insulation compared to the likes of the Civic or the Focus.

galing naman sya sa avanza eh.. so i think tolerable sa kanya yan cabin noise....

kung 2 lang kayo sakay tapos innova gamit mo.. hindi practical yan.. kasi you will be hauling that big ass all the way to ortigas.. kung madami ka sakay ok lang.. pero kung pampasok lang ok na sedan..

kung 6 speed ang elantra ok yan sa hiway.. mas matipid plus hindi pwersado yung makina sa acceleration kasi mas madaming gears...

[meledson]

galing naman sya sa avanza eh.. so i think tolerable sa kanya yan cabin noise....

kung 2 lang kayo sakay tapos innova gamit mo.. hindi practical yan.. kasi you will be hauling that big ass all the way to ortigas.. kung madami ka sakay ok lang.. pero kung pampasok lang ok na sedan..

kung 6 speed ang elantra ok yan sa hiway.. mas matipid plus hindi pwersado yung makina sa acceleration kasi mas madaming gears...

Wifey drives the innova g. I use the avanza.

[Bogeyman]

If I understand it right, daily drive ni TS is northbound pag papasok, then southbound pauwi, which means rush hour both ways whether on SLEX, C5 or EDSA. Tapos malabo pa siyang mag-Skyway due to added toll costs.

Just curious if the Elantra's 6-speed tranny can make a difference in such highway traffic conditions that already resemble city driving (frequent stop-and-go, idling, etc.). Kung highway driving nang weekend, baka pwede pa.

[Egan101]

How about those older Focus TDCi 6PS hatchbacks/sedans? There maybe a few select Ford dealers who still offer them at a discount.

[meledson]

If I understand it right, daily drive ni TS is northbound pag papasok, then southbound pauwi, which means rush hour both ways whether on SLEX, C5 or EDSA. Tapos malabo pa siyang mag-Skyway due to added toll costs.

Just curious if the Elantra's 6-speed tranny can make a difference in such highway traffic conditions that already resemble city driving (frequent stop-and-go, idling, etc.). Kung highway driving nang weekend, baka pwede pa.

Iyan nga ang route.

Any issues on the elantra?

[TheMikProject]

Iyan nga ang route.

Any issues on the elantra?

Elantra 1.6AT owner here. Sir, if you are still interested in the Elantra, I'd tell you wala naman siyang major issues for the past 1 year na ginagamit ko siya. In fact aside from regular maintenance, problem ko lang usually is the occasional flat tire. May isa lang akong issue na napansin, and I don't know if this would bother you. Sometimes, when you go over large humps at above average speed, may "thud" siya coming from the suspension, na parang hindi agad nag-react yung suspension and it stays in the air for a while. But I guess this is normal lang naman because you shouldn't go over humps at ridiculous speeds anyways. )

Other than that, I think you'd be happy with the Elantra. I get 7.5-10km/L at bumper to bumper traffic everyday, and it never fails to put a smile on my face every time I drive it.

As for the sub-compact segment, I'd pick the Celerio 1.0 or the Mirage 1.2 for fuel efficiency. Some say these cars could get 10-13km/L pure city driving. But it'd be best if the owners of these cars answer this. )

[rmolivar]

If I understand it right, daily drive ni TS is northbound pag papasok, then southbound pauwi, which means rush hour both ways whether on SLEX, C5 or EDSA. Tapos malabo pa siyang mag-Skyway due to added toll costs.

Just curious if the Elantra's 6-speed tranny can make a difference in such highway traffic conditions that already resemble city driving (frequent stop-and-go, idling, etc.). Kung highway driving nang weekend, baka pwede pa.

I have the same daily route (Sta. Rosa-Ortigas-Sta. Rosa) via c5 and get roughly 11km/l in my 1.8 elantra (4 passengers, including driver) .

[nirvblakr]

Yung VIOS namin na 1.5G AT 10-11kms/L. 60% city and 40% highway. Pag yung yaya nagdadala 8-9kms/L.

[dr. d]

would you be innerested in a diesel innova? it's thriftier on fuel than your gas innova.
i have two innovas. it beats deciding what to drive..

[meledson]

would you be innerested in a diesel innova? it's thriftier on fuel than your gas innova.
i have two innovas. it beats deciding what to drive..

Mas mura nga ang diesel kaysa sa gas tapos mas maganda ang FC. kaso mas mahal ang diesel na makina at mas mataas ang maintenance. parang na balance lang.

The way, the way my wife parks, di kakasya ang 2 na innova. hehehe.

[jojoR]

eto o, accent hatchback diesel na automatic

Hyundai Philippines previews the Accent Hatchback - Auto News

[meledson]

eto o, accent hatchback diesel na automatic

Hyundai Philippines previews the Accent Hatchback - Auto News

Puwede, although, medyo na nakakakaba kung isa sa mga first owners, Hindi pa tested locally tulad ng Lancer, Civic, o Altis.

[vefyjeph]

I am currently driving Elantra 1.6 AT. I think around 11-13km/L nakukuha ko. 80% highway / 20% city. I am not sure how much gas nauubos sa parking. hehehe. Most of the time weekend ginagamit. Maybe it would improve kung lighter foot ako from stop. Nasanay kasi from Honda before na mas madiin dapat tapak sa gas.
I think Altis, Lancer, Focus and Civic would be good choices as well. Nilagay ko ata lahat. Hehehe.

[ghosthunter]

I'd recommend the Altis.

The newer 1ZR-FE engine is actually economical and isn't prone to the sludge issues you fear with the 9th gen (ZZ engine). I can only speak from experience with its bigger brother, the 3ZR-FE, which hasn't had any oil-related issues even though I only change oil every 10,000 KM.

The 1.6 Altis is also known to be fuel-efficient, despite its rather old 4-speed slushbox. It's about as good as other automatic subcompacts (~9 km/L in regular city traffic) but has more low-end torque so it putters about without any hesitation. It's also very stable on the highway, and the comfortable ride means long drives won't be as stressful as in other cars.

The shortcomings of the Altis (less-than-stellar space, feather-light steering, uninspiring handling) don't seem to be of primary concern for you or your wife so I really think it fits your needs pretty well. Whether you get the 1.6 G or the more loaded 1.6 V, the pricing seems reasonable given the features of the car.

The Toyota Corolla Altis 1.6L is a good car. It has dependability, good fuel economy figures, reasonable price, and relatively comfortable cabin. But driving it is not inspiring nor involving. Honestly, the car feels "dead" to drive. A simple tool to get from A to B.

For the same price range, there are other cars that can be a better choice.