Honda City vs. Toyota Vios

[Playdo]

I'm trying to decide between the Honda 1.3 S and the Toyota Vios 1.3E. I'm just aiming for an entry level car. I'm leaning towards the Vios because the City looks very odd to me. I think the Vios has a wider space inside and better performance (?).

I've lived in the U.S. for most of my life and have bought cars there. There are some things that are different here in the Philippines that I need to ask:

1) Is the SRP here firm and non-negotiable? In the U.S., SRP is just "suggested" retail price. The dealer expect the buyer to haggle the price down, nobody expect to pay the actual SRP. Here in Manila, I went to 3 dealers and none of them would budge from the SRP. The 4th dealer I went only gave me P5,000 discount. Is this normal?

2) In the U.S., every year there's a new car model that comes out. The 2001 Pathfinder, 2002 Pathfinder, 2003 Pathfinder, 2004... etc. Is this the same in the Philippines? If that is so, then should I just wait for the 2004 Vios or 2004 City? I mean, it's already October. I went and ask the salesman about this, but I don't think I trust his answer. When do you think the 2004 version of these will come out?

[ssaloon]

yup, you're right. prices here in the phils are fixed and non-negotiable.

with reference to your question on the model year of the vios/city, its basically the same body if you're gonna wait for the 2004 model since it was released 3rd quarter 2003. if ever there would be any changes, it would probably be just in the amenities/accessories department IMO.

for more on the vios vs. city topic, feel free to use the tsikot search engine. there have been numerous discussions regarding this topic already.

good luck on deciding which car to purchase, bro!

[kimpOy]

true, maybe you can ask for discount on insurance, and the telephone numebr of the female sales agent he..he

buy your car next year for resale value purposes..

[ssaloon]

question, kung binili yung kotse ng december 95, 96 model na ba ito or still 95?

[kimpOy]

imho 95 pa rin,
kasi nung 95 bumili kaming L200 pickup,
and registered as a 95 L200,

well that is without focus pocus...
or acquired 96 ek ek

[ssaloon]

syeet... bawas value sa auto ko huhuhuuuuu!!!

[altec]

The SRP here is usually non negotiable. But there are some casa tht gives additional discount if you really ask for it, konti lang, maybe 5K and it depends on the unit. If the unit is hot selling, mahirap. Among stores of the same brand, try to compare not just the SRP but also what they offer for free: tints, seat covers, insurance,LTO, etc.

[krscla]

SRP siguro dito sa atin ay "standard" retail price. Hehe, kung "suggested" kasi magkakagulu-gulo considering na iilan lang naman silang may pera na nakapagbukas ng dealership dito. Ok din na ganito ang setup sa part nila dahil walang siraan sa presyo. Sa mga libreng mats, tints, seat covers, mababang insurance, LTO, etc. nalang sila naglalaban.

[ghosthunter]

The Honda City actually has a bit more interior room than the Toyota VIOS. Also cargo carrying capacity of the City is better than the VIOS.

[Supierreman]

regarding the SRP... pag may kakilala ka na malakas dun sacasa isabay mo sa fleet sales nila. laki discount nun.

Yung sacivic ko bought Dec 24 97... sa sales receipt it was registered as a 98 model. pero sa rehistro syempre 97 pa rin. when I sold it I mentioned it was a 98 model acquired in Dec 97 :D

[mk]

pag dalawa lang pipilian mo....go for toyota vios. mas maraming free compare to city...
vios - free, seatcover,matting,rust proof,LTO, tint
city - free matting only....

[ghosthunter]

what?!? no free date with the pretty girl at the marketing department? hehehe :D

[mazdamazda]

Originally posted by ghosthunter
what?!? no free date with the pretty girl at the marketing department? hehehe :D

that comes only when you buy a camry or rav4... :nerd:

[badkuk]

speaking from experience, mazdamazda? ;) ;) Peace bro!

IMHO, the City's interior is a lot smarter...the rear seats seem a bit more comfy...ung tipong di ka maiinip when you're stuck in traffic.

i'd like to see how these two cars perform during the rainy season though

[mk]

what do you mean "performance by the rainy season"? performance on brakes?...

[badkuk]

just curious re how it would handle the usual flood waters here...kung madali bang tumirik...the brakes as well

[ozcity]

afaik electirc powered yung power steering ng city not like
vios na hydraulic powered..hindi ba delikado na mabasa yung
sa city?

[badkuk]

onga no, pag grounded? Pero ano bang mangyyri, as in total loss of steering control ba? Or magiging pawis steering lang uli?

[encotgaw]

Which is better? A City 1.3 CVT of Vios 1.5 AT? The following are important to my wife who will be driving the car:
1) Interior space/functionality
2) Fuel efficiency
3) Overall interior comfort
4) Safety features
5) Price / Value

Appreciate getting expert feedback from Tsikot members. Thanks.

[ghosthunter]

I've posted this before but I can't find it anymore so I'll post it again in this thread.

Honda City vs Toyota VIOS

Its like comparing apples & oranges in terms of performance potential. I assume you are planning to get the hi-end of either car?

The Honda City only comes in 1.3 liter engine. With only around 85HP, there is NO performance potential except if you are planning an engine swap. It would quickly sprint from 0-90kph quickly but trying to get beyond 100kph will have to be measured by a calendar, not a stopwatch.

Handling is kinda weird. The steering wheel gives absolutely no feedback from the front wheels. Its like playing one of those driving games at your local video arcade and even those would give better feedback than the Honda City. The rear end would slide when pushed but control is difficult. The easiest way to slide and control it is to use the hand brake technique, weight shift technique makes this car skittish. Stock tires are made by Michelin and gives enough grip. Not much road noise either.

The Honda City comes with ABS and airbags, fully fold down seats and good all around view. But none of these would contribute for a good car for "performance" upgrades. Maybe if the Honda FIT would be released locally with a better engine.

The toyota VIOS has the 1.5 M/T & A/T versions. The 1.5 liter engine has around 107HP and a very light body (lighter than the City by around 50Kg). In terms of looks, the recent Fort VIOS test drive had a VIOS on display with body kit & mags. Looks good. Engine potential, you might have a problem upgrading the exhaust but the intake would look like a straight forward job. The major downside is the speedo/tach guage cluster. Its fully digital and you might have a problem installing a "standard" shiftlight & big tachometer. Lowering... no idea if the rear suspension can be lowered or even how.

As standard, the VIOS handles pretty well through corners and willing to slide sideways controllably if pushed hard enough, although having crappy Goodyear NCT3 tires doesn't help in meeting the car's full potential. Stock suspension handles pretty well, surprisingly not stiff for a light car but it would plow the front end somewhat in hard cornering.

Note: the VIOS lacks ABS & airbag but makes up for more engine power, manual tranny option and predictable handling.

My vote would be the Toyota VIOS.