Looking for a new car

[reynoldsreynold]

Good day to all,

Am one of the many readers of this site. Learned many things about cars both good and bad. A young professional working in a Japanese company. I would like to ask for your help guys in buying, tips and which to pick. I have no driving experience. This would be my first car. As of now am thinking for a second hand slk benz model 98-2003, elantra(new model), honda, and accent(maybe the blue). The car will be used for daily driving taytay to ortigas and some out of town trips and sometimes my mom will used it until she buys her own. by the way one who will buy is my mom but the choice is mine hehehehehe. Please I need your help and suggestions thanks.....

[surgeon_jm]

do you have your specifications of the car you wanted?

i maybe biased on this, but are you considering an avanza?
either 1.3J M/T or 1.5G M/T or A/T?
your choice..

i've driven a 1.3 J for 2 years, going 3, and all i can say its the best!

[reynoldsreynold]

For specifications;

1. It should be a sedan (in 6 months time we will buy an SUV for family use)
2. Easy / budget friendly maintenance (no driving experience yet)
3. Dont drink much fuel.
4. AT is preferred, MT might be considered (will study driving)
5. Comfort
6. Wont make me old am 24 years old ( I want it kinda ***y, young)
7. Ave speed since it will be used for city driving( traffic from taytay -ortigas)
but can over take if neeeded.
8. Lastly wont give me a headache ^_^

*Mr. surgeon_jm ... thanks for your suggestion

[Starex_Gold]

New Elantra is the best choice if you are willing to wait. Hindi pa kasi launched. Second would be the Accent 1.6 GLS-Blue A/T.

http://autoindustriya.com/car-review...-gls-blue.html

When we first got word of the upcoming Hyundai Accent, it's easy to surmise that we were excited. In fact we were very excited, given how Hyundai's latest products have shaken up the market so much. So much so that the leading Japanese automotive luminaries must be quite nervous about what they can come up with next.

So what's the deal with the Accent then? Much is expected. But can it deliver?

In the looks department, it definitely lives up to the hype. The design itself exhibits the very best of what Hyundai has to offer, something that was best spoken with one of the most gorgeous everyday cars I've laid eyes on: the Sonata. The sleek, tapered front end is quite busy with plenty of cool details, with steeply raked headlamps, the foglamps that seem to have been lifted straight from a concept car and the new 6-point grille that is becoming a mainstay in current Hyundais.

Towards the side, there's the great feature line that runs from the front and all around the rear end, giving the Accent a feel that it's always on the move, as no surface is ever just left alone as flat, boring slabs of painted steel. The rear is quite busy too, really capping off the Accent as a true design exercise in the subcompact car class, though I would swap out those wheels for nicer multi spoke rims the first chance I get.

The interior of the Accent was quite surprising, and very pleasantly so. The design guys over at Hyundai certainly put in a lot of work into this one, with tactile surfaces, a very pleasant look and excellent ergonomics. The seats are definitely great, and as I remember, it is one of the very rare subcompact cars that use a piano-black finish along with brushed metal trim, giving a new feel of premium class in its category. Put it simply, the new Accent's interior a far cry from the thrift store feel of the old Accent. So far so good.

Getting acquainted with the features is quite easy, with a very straightforward layout for all the controls. The steering wheel has auxiliary controls for the audio system, which features full iPod integration, USB connectivity and plays through 6 speakers. The Accent is also the first in its class to have automatic climate control, along with the standard power features like windows, mirrors, and keyless entry. The trip computer also has a full suite of information available with average speed, elapsed time as well as average and current fuel economy.

In terms of space and practicality, the Accent exceeds expectations. There's decent legroom to go around for 5 adults, while there are several convenient storage compartments and cubby holes around the cabin. Whats surprising is the size of the trunk, which, at first glance, can easily be the most capacious in the subcompact sedan class.

Now we've driven the old Accent many times before, and what got us is how it's CRDI powertrain really delivers what was promised: power and astounding fuel efficiency, as our good friend Tito Hermoso once clocked an astounding 39.67 kilometers per liter of diesel. Currently, the diesel version of the new Accent is still unavailable, but the petrol versions are ready to take up the mantle.

At the heart of the all new Accent is an entirely new powertrain, consisting of a Gamma engine displacing 1.6 liters. The engine produces a very healthy 124 horsepower and 156 newton meters of torque. The engine is complemented by a 4-speed automatic transmission which, on the spec sheet, looks underwhelming, but actually delivers very decent fuel economy figures at 16.4 kilometers per liter on the highway (100 km/h average) and 12.7 kilometers per liter in city conditions (light to moderate traffic). In terms of nois suppression there's no question about it, as on most road surfaces, the Accent delivers the quietest cabin in the class.

The first night I got the Accent, I was well and truly impressed with it. But after just a day of driving, something came up that I can't wrap my head around: the ride. The Accent is decently sprung for vigorous cornering, but judging from the seat of your pants, the shock absorbers are not up to scratch. It feels severely underdamped, leading to a bumpy feel when youre driving alone, or a wobbly drive when you've got a car full of passengers weighing it down. The rear suspension in particular, has a tendency to bottom out even while taking speed bumps at reasonable, almost gingerly speeds.

For the design, features, quality feel, fuel economy, the amazing warranty (5 years, 100,000km) and noise refinement, I would have gladly given the Accent the full five stars; the same that we gave it's more upmarket brothers like the Sonata, Genesis Coupe and Tucson. But until the suspension issues are addressed (hopefully Hyundai would), the Accent will have to settle for three.

[reynoldsreynold]

It looks cool. Our schedule for buying will be april to may. Does elantra and accent have a long que?

For specifications;

1. It should be a sedan (in 6 months time we will buy an SUV for family use)
2. Easy / budget friendly maintenance (no driving experience yet)
3. Dont drink much fuel.
4. AT is preferred, MT might be considered (will study driving)
5. Comfort
6. Wont make me old am 24 years old ( I want it kinda ***y, young)
7. Ave speed since it will be used for city driving( traffic from taytay -ortigas)
but can over take if neeeded.
8. Lastly wont give me a headache ^_^

*Mr. Straex gold thanks.

[Starex_Gold]

It looks cool. Our schedule for buying will be april to may. Does elantra and accent have a long que?

*Mr. Straex gold thanks.

SG nalang.

The Accent doesn't have a long que.

But the Elantra is not yet available, hindi pa dumadating yung test unit. Siguro by May 2011 pa magiging available.

[foresterx]

1st how much is your budget, 2nd just to make it clear are you going to buy a sedan now then sell it after 6 months to buy an SUV or keep the sedan and buy another car which will be an SUV?

[reynoldsreynold]

budget is around 1M below( including other expenses like insurances etc.) but I may add (personal money). I will used the car for about 5 years++ or as long its in good running condition. The car will be mine ^_^

For the suv my mom will buy her own. (model is already decided)

thanks for all your replys...

all suggestions are welcome thanks.

[saipeme]

no headache and friendly maintenance?...don't consider 2nd hand and european cars my vote goes to elantra.

[ghosthunter]

If you have the budget, suggestions are:

-Ford Fiesta 1.4L
-Mazda 2 1.3L
-Hyundai Accent
-Honda City 1.3L
-Toyota Vios 1.3L


Among those listed above, I would suggest the Mazda2. Up to you if you like the hatchback or sedan version.

[myk384]

Sir, if you can't wait, the Accent Blue is my vote....

[edricdude]

if you can wait, I'd go with BroSG's advice. the Elantra.
if you can't I suggest the Ford Fiesta, a damn good looking car and not bad to drive at all; the Chevy Cruze; Lancer EX; Hyundai Accent

[reynoldsreynold]

* Mr. saipeme, thanks for the suggestion am thinking of the coolness of the slk but I cant face its maintenance to be honest, maybe someday if am on financial freedom state.
*Mr.ghosthunter, i will consider your suggestions, am going to do my research on it.thanks
*Mr.myk384, our purchase is scheduled between april to may, am on the research stage now. your from cainta next to our town taytay. thanks
*Mr. edricdude, the elantra look ***y hehehe if ever there will be two hyundai at our house hehehehe... i will reaseach on this,thanks

Thanks for your suggestions i will update you guys and ask questions to you thanks a lot!

[Starex_Gold]

Ah may Hyundai na pala kayo. hehehe, anong model?

[reynoldsreynold]

*SG, nope as of now we dont have any cars, my mom will buy a tucson after 6 months of purchase of the car the tucson will be used for her trippings /site visits in mountains, meetings, etc. Hehe the elantra looks cool and ***y hehehe. but am still open for other models...

[jhnkvn]

You can't go wrong with a Honda Civic for fuel efficiency and maintenance-free operation :D

Si sir SG bias talaga yan sa HARI. Napabili tuloy ako ng Hyundai pagkatapos ng "sales talk"

[Starex_Gold]

You can't go wrong with a Honda Civic for fuel efficiency and maintenance-free operation :D

Si sir SG bias talaga yan sa HARI. Napabili tuloy ako ng Hyundai pagkatapos ng "sales talk"

Hindi naman Influence lang talaga ng Korean cars. Hanep eh hahaha. At hindi ako sa HARI bias, sa brand mismo bro. Kasi sa totoo lang mas gusto ko yung parallel import na version ng Hyundai e

BTW, after owning a Civic FD, I don't believe it's fuel efficient at all. Mas matipid lang siya sa Optra and that's it. haha

[jhnkvn]

Haha, HARI nalang tintype ko since ang haba ng Hyundai *palusot*

Fuel efficiency is still majority dictated by your driving style.

For example: I dunno why jeepney drivers protest over rising gas prices if they do this... [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukXYSHvRYdc] (link from one of the threads in AI's forums that made me LOL)

Mazda2's a scrooge on space. They're better off chucking the rear seats off and giving the person a huge cargo bay instead IMO. But they're a real treat to drive.

The Fiesta is like a heavier Mazda2 with more toys chucked in.

The Cruze needs a better engine. And if Chevy PH wants people to buy the diesel version, they need to start lowering the price besides, they've improved their service, but it's not to the point of less headaches. Sasakit lang ata ulo mo sa paghanap ng Chevy dealership eh.

Really liked the Accent 1.6L interior. It's better than the Lancer even! But we can say that newer cars have better interior compared to 2007-release cars.. but Hyundai really had Mazda-like interior refinement here for the subcompact market. But...

You can add a few pesos more and get a Lancer EX which you'll smile when it comes to the purr of the engine. Handling would often be stated best-in-class but I still favor the Mazda 3 driving "fun". Tacky plastics in the dashboard and the wood trim is absolutely horrible. (As GH stated in past Lancer threads, purchase those carbon vinyl stickers)

Civic FD may be old (since 2006 pa sila) but there's no denying their greatness. Spare parts are easy to find.. too easy. In fact, Vios lang ata tatalo sa kanila sa spare parts eh The 1.8S hits the sweet spot.

Can't recommend the Mazda3 and Focus right now. Their replacements are inevitable.. Huge discounts though but you'll get a frown once their newer models arrive and you're stuck with the old one.

And if I hear "city driving use only", get those AT trannies! Automatics are nearly ESSENTIAL in city driving.

Feel ko matagal pa Elantra eh >_> just a personal hunch. I'm expecting it before the new Honda Civic hits the shores though. Which reminds me...

The new Civic should arrive by Summer. You might want to wait for it due: (1) It's a Honda (2) Di ka magkakaproblema sa spare parts.. by the looks of it, baka parts ng FD pwede pa gamitin hehe..

From the above cars, I'll still pick a Civic FD. You might want to get them second hand at around 600k and spend a few thousands on mods (body kits, etc.) and still have a lot of spare cash for the kids.

P.S. SG's interior pictures of the Accent doesn't do justice. The interior refinement is a step above its class. In fact, the plastics on the Altis looks even cheaper.

[eljo3025]

Wait for the New Elantra and the New Civic. Then buy which is the better selling unit.

[SiRbossR]

The Ford Fiesta S is for you.