1.5 m/t Honda City or 1.6J Toyota Altis

[manilenio]

Guys, I need help. I'm going crazy deciding on this matter. I'm going to buy a car really soon (like end of Feb 06), and I still haven't settled this. I'm choosing between the top of the line 1.5VTEC Honda City and the entry level 1.6J Toyota Altis. For a little more than the City, I could already have the Altis. However, I can't bear the fact that the Altis is sooo bare, while the City is fully loaded (ABS, Electronic power steering, dual airbags, 15" mags, etc.). Add to that the fuel efficiency of the City. My gf drives a 1.6J Altis, and she can't fathom my choice of the Honda City. I just want to know one thing: is the City worth it? Or should I still choose the entry-level, sparely loaded Altis 1.6J? HELP!!!

[manilenio]

I would also appreciate some views on:
1. Maintenance costs - I have some idea about the Altis, but not about the City
2. Build quality - the Altis is a good car, but how is the City? Does it age gracefully (paint/interior components)?
3. Fun to drive/safety at high speeds (100kph up)
4. Size - yeah the Altis is bigger, but does that mean better?
5. Fuel efficiency - the City has a 1.5 engine, but if you drive responsibly, wouldn't you get the same fuel savings with the altis 1.6, and still have the reserve power in case you need it?

Thanks!!!

[Flagg]

Ako Altis me. Bigger is better! Yun lang, how good are you at wet driving? Important din yung ABS a. But if you know how to brake wet, you don't need it. That's about all you need from the City imho. Mura lang to get decent local mags & I seriously hope na di mo gagamitin yung airbag anytime soon.

Dba kaw nagsabi na mukhang flowerhorn fish yung City?

Tawag namin ng sis ko sa City 21st century golf cart. Wag po sana ma-offend mga City owners.

[nugundam93]

altis din. solid ang ride, and spacious inside.

[manilenio]

Thanks Nugundam and Flagg, for your views! So, if I understand correctly, Altis kahit entry-level? The City has MP3, optitron gauges, beverage holders, foldable ULT rear seats, etc., pero Altis pa rin? How do you figure? Is it just a matter of taste?

To other guys who want to help: Please keep the discussion between the Honday City 1.5 VTEC and the Toyota Altis 1.6J. I'm not looking at any other cars. Thanks!

[nugundam93]

Thanks Nugundam and Flagg, for your views! So, if I understand correctly, Altis kahit entry-level? The City has MP3, optitron gauges, beverage holders, foldable ULT rear seats, etc., pero Altis pa rin? How do you figure? Is it just a matter of taste?

To other guys who want to help: Please keep the discussion between the Honday City 1.5 VTEC and the Toyota Altis 1.6J. I'm not looking at any other cars. Thanks!

lemme include the vios only for this time as a guide. is the vios as big inside as the city? kasi if YES, then i won't recommend the city because of interior space. i can barely fit inside a vios (taxi pa yung nasakyan ko dati) and i'm 6'1" and 130kg.

sa altis kasi, i have no problems fitting inside it, whether sa harap or likod, wag lang may 6' guy na uupo sa harap at ako naman sa likod niya at lagot legroom saken. hehehe!

[Flagg]

Yung Altis di folding seats? Umm, me di ko kasi need mga options mentioned mo. Except for the cupholders na I think standard for all cars 1995 up. Size and engine is what I like. (Plus I really don't like the City)

[manilenio]

the entry level altis doesn't have diddly squat. No cup holders, no ABS, no MP3, mas malakas sa gas. Power steering, power doorlocks, power windows, power side mirrors, and that's it.

[AG4]

the entry level altis doesn't have diddly squat. No cup holders, no ABS, no MP3, mas malakas sa gas. Power steering, power doorlocks, power windows, power side mirrors, and that's it.

I think they added a driver's airbag for the new Altis 1.6J.

[vinj]

The Altis J has airbags already and an MP3 player. No ABS though.

I'd still get this over the City as its in a bigger vehicle class (which is my priority) and i do presume the value of this will hold better than the City. I almost got an Altis J last month but decided to get a 2nd hand instead.

[manilenio]

The Altis J has airbags already and an MP3 player. No ABS though.

I'd still get this over the City as its in a bigger vehicle class (which is my priority) and i do presume the value of this will hold better than the City. I almost got an Altis J last month but decided to get a 2nd hand instead.

The Altis J has airbags and an MP3 player? Where did you get this info? Last I checked (which was today, with Toyota Otis), it didn't. On top of that, it only came with 14" mags!

[number001]

The Altis J has airbags and an MP3 player? Where did you get this info? Last I checked (which was today, with Toyota Otis), it didn't. On top of that, it only came with 14" mags!

According to Toyota's spec sheet, the Altis J doeshave SRS airbags but driver's side only.

[manilenio]

According to Toyota's spec sheet, the Altis J doeshave SRS airbags but driver's side only.

Not to make a point, but only for clarification... Taken from Toyota Philippines' website (www.toyota.com.ph):

ABS (1.6E AT/MT) With; (1.6J MT) Without
Airbags (1.6E AT/MT) With; (1.6J MT) Without
Wheels (For all 1.6 variants) 6JJ x 14 Alloy with Center Chrome Ornament
Price: (1.6E AT) P816k; (1.6E MT) 780K; (1.6E) 723K

[vinj]

The Altis J has airbags and an MP3 player? Where did you get this info? Last I checked (which was today, with Toyota Otis), it didn't. On top of that, it only came with 14" mags!

It was on the spec sheet and model unit i checked out (color silver)... I'm pretty sure this was the J since it had the dial type A/C controls and i had to double check with the agent just to be sure. I was wishing for ABS over Airbags though.

Try asking also other Toyota dealers, I was dealing with Toyota P. Tamo...

Goodluck on your soon-to-be purchase.

[niky]

The Altis holds its value ridiculously well, but so did the first generation City.

I haven't seen many second gen Cities up for sale, but they'll probably continue that trend. So, in resale value, this one's a tie.

The City is much bigger inside than the Vios. When I was shopping, I was looking at both as back-up cars for the RS. The City's space impressed me a hell of a lot. It has even more headroom in the back than the Lynx does, and much more legroom than the Vios. But my "commander" didn't warm up to the first-gen City's looks, thus, we don't have one... yet.

The new City, at least, looks sedately handsome, unlike the awkward pre-facelift ones. It has a much bigger trunk (500 liters... Kid Audio uses one as a showcar because of this) than the Altis (400+), and at the same price range, is fully loaded with all the safety equipment and borloloi you need. The top of the line City would be a smidge quicker, more economical and a lot more fun to drive than the bigger Toyota. A friend with a 1.5 VTEC Jazz thrashed his all day on track and on the highway (never went slower than 140-170, high revs the whole time) and still got 14 km/l on the day. That's what the Altis gets in economy cruising.

Downsides include a slightly harsher ride and less elbow room (but my relatives drive theirs four-up to Baguio... no complaints at all), poor thigh support in the front seats (only matters in traffic) and maybe higher Honda aftersales service costs. but as the City has a smaller engine, the difference is negligible.

The City is also already on a 10,000km service interval, so it saves you a bit there (don't know if the Altis is 5k or 10k). And no, the VTEC doesn't have 8 spark plugs, so that won't cost you any more than in any other car.

I'd pick the City here if you're looking at value for money. The Altis, only if you really need the extra space. Bring your family along to the Honda showroom and see for yourself if it fits you.

[Psylocke]

Being a City owner I say forget the City. Easy choice, get the Corolla Altis. Check my sig for details.

[Autobeat]

I suggest the Altis. If you're not that convinced with the J, have you considered looking for a 2nd hand 1.6G? You may even have a lot left for maintenance, refurbishing, and accessories. Good luck in your final choice.

[manilenio]

Being a City owner I say forget the City. Easy choice, get the Corolla Altis. Check my sig for details.

Honda quality is less than Toyota's? I mean, generally speaking, which is more durable in the long run, and less problematic right out the gate (read: dealership)? I read a lot of horror stories from Psylocke's thread but haven't seen any for Toyota. I'm now almost considering the Altis J again, considering I won't be driving too fast to really need ABS and airbags. I'm not too much of a music freak to actually need the MP3 player (although it'd be nice), and Optitron gauges are really just for show than anything else. I can replace the 14" mags with 15", buy cup holders (P99 each), plus maintenance costs would be cheaper in the long run (considering Honda's outrageous prices). Overall, I'd be driving a full sedan for just 3k more than the City, with more leg room, bigger body, and pogi points.

[Flagg]

Altis pa rin me .... unless ur willing to go 2nd hand, go BMW! Kasya sa budget yan. (see my post re 325i at Margaux's MX, Jazz thread)

[davy88]

Altis since it's bigger and i think will last longer....

although city maka AT ka, yun lang