For new family - 2010 Forester vs 2014 Mirage G4

[IamVince]

I need your opinions regarding this dilemma:

Due to us having a newborn baby, I believe we need to have a car in cases of emergency and for the comfort of the baby. That said, I cannot take in a new car due to monthly cashflow constraints and relative value for money (i have a finance background kaya kuripot hehehe) hence I am looking at the used car market.

Usage would be mostly city driving with out of town or province visits at 2 times a month. At around 500k budget, I'm looking at either 2014 or 2015 Mirage G4 or 2009 2010 Subaru Forester. I know it's not an apple to apple comparison but the rationale for these are as follows:

For Mirage G4:

Fuel efficient (compared to Vios and other subcompacts)
Cheap to maintain
Few years used (less wear and tear)

Concern:

Safety of car in case of accident (especially rear seat occupants)
Space constraints (baby stuffs)
Shocks seem too stiff

For Forester:

Safety (6 airbags, AWD, bigger chassis than G4)
More space
I like its looks (classic) and the moonroof hehehe

Concern:

Cost to maintain
Insurance cost being an older car and a Subaru


I am not sure whether the 3 years difference in model date is substantial in terms of reliability between the 2 vehicles or does the safety and reliability record of Subaru negate this?

I could also look at Tucson 2009-2011 but I read a lot of concerns regarding its reliability. Rav4 is out of the question as 500k budget would get me a 2007-2008 model, which I believe is not worth it. CRV has almost the same maintenance as Forester, I'd rather go with the latter. I'm not sure with the reliability and cost to maintain of american cars hence did not look at ford or chevy. CX-5 seems sweet but I can't find any at 500k price points.

I hope you can provide me with your inputs to help me frame my thoughts on this

[Egan101]

Forester over the Mirage, it's a no brainer unless your priority is leaning towards fuel efficiency and maintenance cost.

However, for your budget, I would be looking towards getting a compact car instead - a Civic FD (2009-2011) or Civic FB (2012-2015) or Altis 10th gen or Lancer EX. They offer a bigger space than a Mirage, acceptable fuel consumption, cheaper to maintain than a Forester or any other CUV.

[JJB]

Agree with egan. I'd take the the forester over the G4.
Bigger space, higher clearance, better performance-wise and more upscale.
But then again, if you want the more practical choice since parts and maintenance will be much cheaper, then get the G4. parts will be ready in most shops and mechanics are more familiar with mitsubishi than subaru.

I have a 2010 tucson crdi and unlike its petrol version, this CRDI is still somewhat reliable. Only major part that gave out was the magnetic clutch of the aircon. Small parts that tend to break would be common suspension parts, brake light switch, inhibitor switch, trunk mechanism. Otherwise, for a 7 yr old car, i say it's still good if u choose one.
Good luck

[IamVince]

Agree with egan. I'd take the the forester over the G4.
Bigger space, higher clearance, better performance-wise and more upscale.
But then again, if you want the more practical choice since parts and maintenance will be much cheaper, then get the G4. parts will be ready in most shops and mechanics are more familiar with mitsubishi than subaru.

I have a 2010 tucson crdi and unlike its petrol version, this CRDI is still somewhat reliable. Only major part that gave out was the magnetic clutch of the aircon. Small parts that tend to break would be common suspension parts, brake light switch, inhibitor switch, trunk mechanism. Otherwise, for a 7 yr old car, i say it's still good if u choose one.
Good luck

Thank you sir, it seems that the main question for me would be cost over protection for this. I would have to research more if the maintenance and fuel cost differential between the 2 would be very wide over a 5-year period. It is not an easy decision to make

[IamVince]

If I might add, would I be wrong to assume that average maintenance cost between the G4 and forester would be 2x or 3x over a 5-year period given the 3-4 year difference in manufacturing date? Also, is it safe to assume that fuel consumption would also cost 2x to 3x more for the forester?

I know it would be more costly to have the forester but I'm just not sure realistically how much costly it might be.

[IamVince]

Forester over the Mirage, it's a no brainer unless your priority is leaning towards fuel efficiency and maintenance cost.

However, for your budget, I would be looking towards getting a compact car instead - a Civic FD (2009-2011) or Civic FB (2012-2015) or Altis 10th gen or Lancer EX. They offer a bigger space than a Mirage, acceptable fuel consumption, cheaper to maintain than a Forester or any other CUV.

Thank you for your input I'm thinking that the safety feature of a compact is relatively the same as that of a subcompact, or am I wrong to assume this? I might be able to turn a blind eye on the fuel efficiency, but my concern is that the maintenance cost of the forester might be more than twice that of the G4 over a 5-year period. That might be too much of an opportunity loss hehehe.

[CVT]

Forester over the Mirage, it's a no brainer unless your priority is leaning towards fuel efficiency and maintenance cost.

However, for your budget, I would be looking towards getting a compact car instead - a Civic FD (2009-2011) or Civic FB (2012-2015) or Altis 10th gen or Lancer EX. They offer a bigger space than a Mirage, acceptable fuel consumption, cheaper to maintain than a Forester or any other CUV.

If a car suits you because of your preference for a Mirage then I agree to consider the Altis or Civic or even a Lancer....

[confused shoes]

I would get an Innova instead. The Forester is not spacious enough for a baby stuff and a yaya. Plus an in-law.

[arvs18]

With your 500k budget. You could get your family, a Civic FD2 2011 or Altis 2011, or even an Elantra for that matter. Or shell out 50k more you could get yourself the Civic FB 2012.

[dr. d]

get a used altis.
there are bushels of them out there, waiting to be snapped up by potential buyers.
they are well-built. there are tons of spare parts and armies of knowledgeable mechanics to make maintenance un-difficult. as long as the previous owner did not abuse it, it should serve you reliably.
"reliably boring" ownership was the term used by an auto writer.

but my standard recommendation to those with baby, if you can afford it, "get an auv or mpv". it has much more space.

[IamVince]

I would get an Innova instead. The Forester is not spacious enough for a baby stuff and a yaya. Plus an in-law.

innova is more spacious pero out of budget na e, it seems that i'll have to leave the in-law behind then

[IamVince]

it looks like I'll consider the Altis and Civic too based on your recommendations, the price point is just right for the 2011-2012 models. thank you so much for pointing it out to me

[CVT]

innova is more spacious pero out of budget na e, it seems that i'll have to leave the in-law behind then

L*ndyo, in-laws are deal breakers.

A 4-yr old Innova[V] then, we bought at P700k... Very reliable and so easy to maintain.

So I guess you can buy a 2010 Innova for P500k, same vintage as the Forester you're eyeing...

[Jun aka Pekto]

Forester just for the crash protection alone.

[IamVince]

Forester just for the crash protection alone.

Thank you sir, actually that's my main reason for considering the forester. I want something that offers protection to my baby in case something unfortunate happens

[dct]

Share ko lang. Meron akong friend na gusto nya benta na mirage nya and buy something bigger kasi may baby na sya. Para daw safe. Pero nakikita ko sa fb nagpopost na nasa harap ang baby karga lang ng nanay. O kaya minsan kandong pa nya nagddrive. Nagseselfie. O kaya pinapatayo sa console box. Sa loob loob ko sino bang niloloko mo. Kahit armour car bilhin mo pag nabangga ka ewan ko lang ano mangyari sa baby mo

Sent from my SM-A9000 using Tapatalk

[Janemar]

I need your opinions regarding this dilemma:

Due to us having a newborn baby, I believe we need to have a car in cases of emergency and for the comfort of the baby. That said, I cannot take in a new car due to monthly cashflow constraints and relative value for money (i have a finance background kaya kuripot hehehe) hence I am looking at the used car market.

Usage would be mostly city driving with out of town or province visits at 2 times a month. At around 500k budget, I'm looking at either 2014 or 2015 Mirage G4 or 2009 2010 Subaru Forester. I know it's not an apple to apple comparison but the rationale for these are as follows:

For Mirage G4:

Fuel efficient (compared to Vios and other subcompacts)
Cheap to maintain
Few years used (less wear and tear)

Concern:

Safety of car in case of accident (especially rear seat occupants)
Space constraints (baby stuffs)
Shocks seem too stiff

For Forester:

Safety (6 airbags, AWD, bigger chassis than G4)
More space
I like its looks (classic) and the moonroof hehehe

Concern:

Cost to maintain
Insurance cost being an older car and a Subaru


I am not sure whether the 3 years difference in model date is substantial in terms of reliability between the 2 vehicles or does the safety and reliability record of Subaru negate this?

I could also look at Tucson 2009-2011 but I read a lot of concerns regarding its reliability. Rav4 is out of the question as 500k budget would get me a 2007-2008 model, which I believe is not worth it. CRV has almost the same maintenance as Forester, I'd rather go with the latter. I'm not sure with the reliability and cost to maintain of american cars hence did not look at ford or chevy. CX-5 seems sweet but I can't find any at 500k price points.

I hope you can provide me with your inputs to help me frame my thoughts on this

Cameraman ng News5, patay sa aksidente sa Cavite - YouTube

2014 Subaru Forester - IIHS Small Overlap Crash Test (Small SUVs) - YouTube

2014 Mitsubishi Mirage small overlap IIHS crash test - YouTube

[niky]

Cameraman ng News5, patay sa aksidente sa Cavite - YouTube

2014 Subaru Forester - IIHS Small Overlap Crash Test (Small SUVs) - YouTube

2014 Mitsubishi Mirage small overlap IIHS crash test - YouTube

That's a Wigo. Which is not sold in Western markets because it can't meet the stricter crash standards (new one finally meets ASEAN NCAP, though I don't know if our target speed is as high as elsewhere. Chinese NCAP used to use lower target speeds).

The Mirage meets all requirements for all its markets. The previous car was poor on the small overlap test, but that hit ain't small overlap, that's major overlap, and the car would have fared better than the Wigo. (2nd gen finally meets small overlap requirements.)

And there are accidents here where people have died in Fortuners, Everests, big vans, and yes, even Subarus.

That said... YES, the Forester is safer than the Mirage, and a whole lot of cars out there. Subaru uses extra strong pillars and their boxer engine layout by default performs better on novel tests like the small overlap... but a Mirage isn't a tin can. It will survive most hits fine.

[dcvingkamotekid]

honestly, i was considering an altis back then prior to getting Mirage G4 CVT. i would say na tipid talaga sa konsumo ng gas pero space, power at parts reliability - altis all the way. di ko kasi kaya presyo ng altis, plain and simple ;)

[arvs18]

honestly, i was considering an altis back then prior to getting Mirage G4 CVT. i would say na tipid talaga sa konsumo ng gas pero space, power at parts reliability - altis all the way. di ko kasi kaya presyo ng altis, plain and simple ;)

Wala naman problema bro sa Mirage G4. Tsaka if na-cocover naman yung needs mo para sa isang sasakyan, mas lalong walang problema dun.

Iba iba naman kasi tayo lahat ng situation, iba iba tayo ng kayang budget range.

On the brighter side, least sayo, brand new yang G4 mo.

Nataon lang din kasi na may 500k budget (which I believe cash on hand) si TS. Kaya nag recommend mga tsikoteers ibang options hehe.