Help Choosing Brand New Primary Car with 1.5-2.3Mn budget

**Flipchip** · May 27th, 2011 01:28 PM

Good day everyone,

I need assistance in picking a car. Ive been reading a lot of forums, magazines, internet articles and gone through a lot of test drives for the past 1.5 months.

However, I still havent made up my mind.

Some details to those who want to help out: Just came from a Hyundai Santa Fe. This will be my primary car and my budget is 1.5 to 2.2 million. I don't really need the 7 seats. I drive alone 75% of the time and have a driver some of the other time. Every Sunday, i drive the car with two women and 1 kid on board. Sometimes, I have the driver on Sunday so there would be 5 of us and I will be seated at the back. My primary place of work is only 15 mins away from my place in Ortigas. I usually go out of town 2 times a month (Subic/Tagaytay). I would appreciate something that is really easy on the eyes.

Here are some values I want in the car with a score of 5 being the highest
Looks 5 (Photogenic.)
Prestige/Executive-look/Image/Chick-factor 5 (Im a 31 yr old up single yuppie/businessman)
Comfort 5 (I am sensitive to side to side motion and vehicle behavior on uneven roads on low speeds which I found in the SF)
Roominess 4 (The back is good enough for 2 adults and 8 yr old kid)
Kit 4 (I am a techie. Coming from the Santa Fe, I would expect at least 4 cup holders, HID)
Interiors 4 (I like good leather and modern touches. Easy to clean leather so I am avoidng beige)
Ease to use 4 (rear sensors and a possible upgrade to a rear view camera is a plus, I appreciate good visibility as well)
Speed 4 (I need something that would easily overtake laege slow vehicles when going up Tagaytay or when in 2 lane provincial roads. I appreciate punchy acceleration but am not a speed freak.)
Handling 4 (I am usually a safe driver but do like hitting corners every now and then)
Maintenance cost 3.5
Resale Value 3 (Most likely will not be selling this car for at least 6 years, unless maintenance of failing parts gets to be a problem)

I have looked at the Honda Accord, Mazda 6, Subaru Outback, Subaru Legacy GT sedan and wagon, Mazda CX9, Subaru Forester XT, Hyundai Sonata, BMW 318i, Toyota Camry. Did I miss anything? Please share with me your opinions and suggestions. I am looking at brand new cars only.

Thank you in advance for your replies.

**ghosthunter** · May 27th, 2011 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by Flipchip

Good day everyone,

I need assistance in picking a car. Ive been reading a lot of forums, magazines, internet articles and gone through a lot of test drives for the past 1.5 months.

However, I still havent made up my mind.

Some details to those who want to help out: Just came from a Hyundai Santa Fe. This will be my primary car and my budget is 1.5 to 2.2 million. I don't really need the 7 seats. I drive alone 75% of the time and have a driver some of the other time. Every Sunday, i drive the car with two women and 1 kid on board. Sometimes, I have the driver on Sunday so there would be 5 of us and I will be seated at the back. My primary place of work is only 15 mins away from my place in Ortigas. I usually go out of town 2 times a month (Subic/Tagaytay). I would appreciate something that is really easy on the eyes.

Here are some values I want in the car with a score of 5 being the highest
Looks 5 (Photogenic.)
Prestige/Executive-look/Image/Chick-factor 5 (Im a 31 yr old up single yuppie/businessman)
Comfort 5 (I am sensitive to side to side motion and vehicle behavior on uneven roads on low speeds which I found in the SF)
Roominess 4 (The back is good enough for 2 adults and 8 yr old kid)
Kit 4 (I am a techie. Coming from the Santa Fe, I would expect at least 4 cup holders, HID)
Interiors 4 (I like good leather and modern touches. Easy to clean leather so I am avoidng beige)
Ease to use 4 (rear sensors and a possible upgrade to a rear view camera is a plus, I appreciate good visibility as well)
Speed 4 (I need something that would easily overtake laege slow vehicles when going up Tagaytay or when in 2 lane provincial roads. I appreciate punchy acceleration but am not a speed freak.)
Handling 4 (I am usually a safe driver but do like hitting corners every now and then)
Maintenance cost 3.5
Resale Value 3 (Most likely will not be selling this car for at least 6 years, unless maintenance of failing parts gets to be a problem)

I have looked at the Honda Accord, Mazda 6, Subaru Outback, Subaru Legacy GT sedan and wagon, Mazda CX9, Subaru Forester XT, Hyundai Sonata, BMW 318i, Toyota Camry. Did I miss anything? Please share with me your opinions and suggestions. I am looking at brand new cars only.

Thank you in advance for your replies.

I think you were referring to the CX-7 and not to the CX-9 since your budget wouldn't reach the price range of the CX-9.

Anyway, from your post I think you would be happy with the following:

Honda Accord
Hyundai Sonata Premium
Mazda CX-7
Subaru Legacy GT sedan

My overall pick would be the Sonata Premium with looks as primary consideration.

If performance/speed was placed higher, the Legacy GT would be top pick.

**Flipchip** · May 27th, 2011 05:22 PM

The CX9 is now 2.35M or less because of the JPEPA discount. Thanks for reminding me about the CX-7. That car is quite looker, and in a more manageable size and better fuel consumption than the CX9.

Going to test the Hyundai Sonata next week and try to see if the suspension is to my liking. My brother has the Legacy GT wagon and it was frightengly fast with all the mods he put in. It's been in the casa for the past 3 weeks though. I test drove the Legacy sedan from MI and found the ride too firm.

**sm2by** · May 27th, 2011 05:31 PM

Sonata Premium is the one i'd choose, rear leg room is capacious plus that panoramic glass roof. You also get airbags all around 6 or 7, plus the Huge LCD Touchscreen Media Center and NAV with Ipod/AUX connectivity. I also think the premium also has the back-up cameras installed already.

**Starex_Gold** · May 27th, 2011 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by sm2by

Sonata Premium is the one i'd choose, rear leg room is capacious plus that panoramic glass roof. You also get airbags all around 6 or 7, plus the Huge LCD Touchscreen Media Center and NAV with Ipod/AUX connectivity. I also think the premium also has the back-up cameras installed already.

Wala nyan sa local Sonata.

**sachiel** · May 27th, 2011 06:04 PM

You can try Xtrail CVT and Teana 3.5L as well. Nissan's suspension is tuned more for comfort than sport so the ride won't be firm.

**jhnkvn** · May 27th, 2011 07:34 PM

Get the Sonata Premium and have spare change to buy a 100 inch TV for the kids. LOL!

Teana's not bad until you factor it's been on the US market since 2006 and is going to be refreshed soon after. Beige isn't my cup of tea either.

Sonata's like a Honda Accord. Accord still drives better on a personal opinion but it's advantage is very slight. Went with the Sonata at the end. Iba talaga looks, you WILL get stares and turn heads. Remove the badges (not the H logo) and you'll have a clean look (like mine) and have random motorists scratching their heads trying to figure if it's an import or not.

CX7... nah, didn't like the butt. Beauty should be complete, not just the front.

CX9, actually like it! Haven't drove one but people say it's a real treat to drive.

Before buying my unit, I test drove most of the midsize sedans out in the market (save for the Teana). Actually took the leap of faith by buying the Sonata and NOT test driving it (ganun na ako ka-atat), I'd say I'm not disappointed.

**Flipchip** · June 4th, 2011 09:55 PM

Thanks for the help, everyone. I have decided on a new BMW 3-series sedan with the idrive multimedia/info system. While the new model will come out next year, just couldnt resist the current discounted package. I also dig the 2011's looks which I still looks very fresh. Can't wait to drive my first bimmer.

**s600** · June 5th, 2011 12:13 AM

hi flipchip, may i know what model did you get and what's discount package? you can just PM me, im planning to get a 3 series also. thanks and have fun drive your first bimmer.