First car purchase, recommendations are most welcome.

[boxing_summers]

Hi guys,

I've lurked around your forum for the past couple of weeks. I have seen some of your colorful and some very helpful exchanges. I hope you guys can do the same for me. I have been a public transport commuter ever since. One of the items in my bucket list is to own a car. I've been doing calculations and recalculations over and over and I think I now have enough to get my very first car. This is where I need your help with. I will rely heavily on your experience since I have none of my own.

I know you need some things to work with to give a good recommendation so here are some additional information for you.

- Driving background. I've driven before (self-taught), but that was maybe 15 years ago. I used to "borrow" our old owner jeep without my moms consent and drove it around for weeks every midnight before I got busted by my mom. I am now taking proper lessons from a driving school to prepare more accordingly.

- Budget. Maximum of 850,000 Pesos. I have enough to cover 50% of the total car cost, and the rest will have to be bank finance. For 3, maximum of 4 years.

- Fuel efficiency. This would be my top priority. If i can get one of the most fuel efficient cars within the budget then great. I dont really mind if the models are the same used for taxi's. I understand there are variants that make them different. With my budget, I can ill afford to be choosy.

- Transmission preference. Im leaning towards automatic just because of the ease. But in the driving school, ive requested both manual and automatic mainly because of fuel efficiency again. Is the manual still very far ahead of the automatic in terms of fuel consumption? If it is, then I will have to really "master" manual.

- Car use. Mainly city driving. but on occasion, maybe once or twice in a month. Maybe longer trips to tagaytay, subic, maybe even baguio would be nice.

- Number of passengers. Mainly just me, on occasions maybe 4 people.

I understand that there are advanced things to consider like handling, suspensions, wheels, etc., I'd love to know them, but I just havent reached that point yet. Hopefully would experience I would.

So just two things guys, can you recommend a car within range? and also, am I missing an important factor that i should also consider.

Thanks in advance and Im hoping you can help a "rookie" out.

[Sleepcare]

Ano ba yung gusto mong tipong type ng cars?

[boxing_summers]

Hi Sleepcare. Good question. It will be my primary (only in fact) car. If pwede, wag yung masyadong maliit, like the alto. I used to like the picanto a lot but nung lumapit ako, medyo maliit siya if for example I have a family in the next couple of years. I've read somewhere about hatchback or sedan, I dont mind any of the two. As long as I have some trunk space for shoes and gym bag, okay nako.

[Starex_Gold]

My recommendations:

Honda City 1.5E
Honda Jazz 1.5V
Hyundai Accent 1.6 GLS Blue
Toyota Corolla 1.6G

Ano ba prefer mo, M/T or A/T?

[renzo_d10]

I'd strongly recommend the Altis E or G. Technology is top notch ( Dual VVTi ) & looks are refined lately. Practicality at its best. The trunk space, interior, engine bay is generally big. Features are as well, commendable.

However, since the 1.6L Altis is lacking the CVT-i 7-speed transmission that can be found at their top of the line variant expect it to be a bit fuel-thirsty, but not that much though .. like let's say compared to a .... Chevrolet Cruze.

Uhm, since you have stated that 50% from the 850k will be loaned won't you consider a second-hand unit ? Such as the good ol` CVT Honda Jazz which is known to be really fuel efficient. Coz these will be definitely cheaper at your part and you will be at ease since you won't be having any payments to think about - annual insurance. chattel mortgage. monthly bills. etc.

[Starex_Gold]

Nako wag yung CVT ng Honda.. Haha

[boxing_summers]

My recommendations:

Honda City 1.5E
Honda Jazz 1.5V
Hyundai Accent 1.6 GLS Blue
Toyota Corolla 1.6G

Ano ba prefer mo, M/T or A/T?

Thanks for these. I'll look into them. Preferably automatic kasi mas madali, but if malayo ang fuel economy difference, Ill focus on the manual sa practice drives.

[jhnkvn]

Noawadays. I'd have an automatic transmission anytime over a manual. You're not driving a Porsche (hell, even those have PDKs) so don't bother with spirited driving. That way, if you get stuck at EDSA's 2hour bonker traffic, you won't be limp by the time you arrive at your destination.

For the money, I'd get a Honda Jazz 1.5L. Many have tried to dethrone it, but it's still reigns supreme over its category. SRP is 842K.
Normally, I would also recommend the Mitsubishi Lancer EX GLS (850K post-discounts), but seeing how you're mainly doing it on the city, practicality on the pump reigns supreme, hence I won't recommend it.

Another safe choice is a 1.6L Altis. I'd still take the Jazz over its handling though, but if you're the one who tends to go to work with a suit and tie, do the Altis. You'd look idiotic stepping out of a Jazz with one.. parang university student

If you're looking particularly daring, might want to check the Elantra. Not sure how much Hyundai prices them though... especially now that it's just a day-old from actual release, demand's gonna be hot!

[renzo_d10]

Nako wag yung CVT ng Honda.. Haha

Well yes, I myself have some doubts sa CVT nun. Pero it can be avoided naman if the previous owner took care of the car thoroughly. Yun nga lang, very limited ang ganun ang alaga. So be really careful. Ipa-check sa CASA or whatever kung bibili ng 2nd hand. Yung City sa tapat ko, CVT din pero buhay pa rin hanggang ngayon. Hahaha. Pero tipid kasi ng CVT 7-speed. Ang gaan pa ng Jazz/City.

[boxing_summers]

I'd strongly recommend the Altis E or G. Technology is top notch ( Dual VVTi ) & looks are refined lately. Practicality at its best. The trunk space, interior, engine bay is generally big. Features are as well, commendable.

However, since the 1.6L Altis is lacking the CVT-i 7-speed transmission that can be found at their top of the line variant expect it to be a bit fuel-thirsty, but not that much though .. like let's say compared to a .... Chevrolet Cruze.

Uhm, since you have stated that 50% from the 850k will be loaned won't you consider a second-hand unit ? Such as the good ol` CVT Honda Jazz which is known to be really fuel efficient. Coz these will be definitely cheaper at your part and you will be at ease since you won't be having any payments to think about - annual insurance. chattel mortgage. monthly bills. etc.

Thanks renzo. Dagdag ko sa iisipin if I might be better served by a second hand unit for the reasons you mentioned.

[Starex_Gold]

If you're looking particularly daring, might want to check the Elantra. Not sure how much Hyundai prices them though... especially now that it's just a day-old from actual release, demand's gonna be hot!

938K for the mid-variant A/T

[renzo_d10]

Panget ng bagong Elantra. Walang dating. Altis pa rin ako.

[[archie]]

main prioroty FC? ill go for the 1.3 city or vios.

altis, well my sister had one before and at best, it does 8km/l city driving. although its a very comfy car compared to the city or vios (in fact miles away in terms comfort), the honda city will give you around 10-12km/l city driving. vios on the other hand is also a great practical car. both the city and vios gets my vote in terms of FC but if i have to choose one, ill go for the city 1.3s

but if your thinking long term, altis and civic (medyo hindi pasok sa budget, dagdag konti) would be my choice. better space (specially if you were to have your own family). comfort level is as ive said, better than the vios and city. the only problem i see on the civic is its seats are too hard (trade mark ng honda) and altis has very comfy seats.

for me its a toss up between practicality vs long term.

[boxing_summers]

Noawadays. I'd have an automatic transmission anytime over a manual. You're not driving a Porsche (hell, even those have PDKs) so don't bother with spirited driving. That way, if you get stuck at EDSA's 2hour bonker traffic, you won't be limp by the time you arrive at your destination. - Thanks. Im leaning towards automatic.

For the money, I'd get a Honda Jazz 1.5L. Many have tried to dethrone it, but it's still reigns supreme over its category. SRP is 842K. - Yes, dami ko nakita magandang reviews nito. Some say yung 2010 version mas okay, some say mas economic daw 2011. In terms of fuel efficiency, would you know if ano sa dalawa mas matipid sa gas? And pa follow-up narin for any car, kung city driving, 12km/l is that considered already as fuel efficient?

Another safe choice is a 1.6L Altis. I'd still take the Jazz over its handling though, but if you're the one who tends to go to work with a suit and tie, do the Altis. You'd look idiotic stepping out of a Jazz with one.. parang university student - No I actually just go to work in a plain collared shirt and jeans. So Jazz and Altis will be on my list since dalawa na kayo nag recommend nito.

If you're looking particularly daring, might want to check the Elantra. Not sure how much Hyundai prices them though... especially now that it's just a day-old from actual release, demand's gonna be hot! - Sige, ill do a quick check on the hyundai site for this elantra model

Thanks again for the reply, much appreciated

[Sleepcare]

Kung FC ang usapan, sa city or jazz ako. Pero kung comfort, sa altis ako.

[Starex_Gold]

Nakalimutan kong sabihin matagtag yung Jazz, mas matagtag pa sa Civic FD haha

Pero maganda ang handling

[boxing_summers]

main prioroty FC? ill go for the 1.3 city or vios.

altis, well my sister had one before and at best, it does 8km/l city driving. although its a very comfy car compared to the city or vios (in fact miles away in terms comfort), the honda city will give you around 10-12km/l city driving. vios on the other hand is also a great practical car. both the city and vios gets my vote in terms of FC but if i have to choose one, ill go for the city 1.3s

but if your thinking long term, altis and civic (medyo hindi pasok sa budget, dagdag konti) would be my choice. better space (specially if you were to have your own family). comfort level is as ive said, better than the vios and city. the only problem i see on the civic is its seats are too hard (trade mark ng honda) and altis has very comfy seats.

for me its a toss up between practicality vs long term.

Salamat Archie. Ill add the 1.3 City and the Vios to the list. I did see the bronze (Im not sure if its bronze talaga) Honda City, and maganda siya tingnan.

So far i got Jazz 1.3 and 1.5, City 1.3 and 1.5, Accent 1.6 GLS Blue, and Altis to consider. Ill have to do more digging.

[renzo_d10]

main prioroty FC? ill go for the 1.3 city or vios.

altis, well my sister had one before and at best, it does 8km/l city driving. although its a very comfy car compared to the city or vios (in fact miles away in terms comfort), the honda city will give you around 10-12km/l city driving. vios on the other hand is also a great practical car. both the city and vios gets my vote in terms of FC but if i have to choose one, ill go for the city 1.3s

but if your thinking long term, altis and civic (medyo hindi pasok sa budget, dagdag konti) would be my choice. better space (specially if you were to have your own family). comfort level is as ive said, better than the vios and city. the only problem i see on the civic is its seats are too hard (trade mark ng honda) and altis has very comfy seats.

for me its a toss up between practicality vs long term.

10km/L City driving ang Altis 1.6L M/T, archie.

Yung figures mo, pang 2.0L Altis CVVT-i 7-speed na iyan.

[boxing_summers]

Kung FC ang usapan, sa city or jazz ako. Pero kung comfort, sa altis ako.

Thanks for this sleepcare. I guess this is why hondas are very popular. Pero tingnan ko rin tong altis, ill do a quick look at their site to see if its in my range.

[[archie]]

10km/L City driving ang Altis 1.6L M/T, archie.

trust me, 8km/l altis pure city.