P1.5M budget: 4x2 Santa Fe vs. Full option Mitsu ASX?

[satyricon]

Need your input guys. I'm a noob here, registered to ask for opinions regarding a purchase I've long been planning to make. This decision is really giving me a hard time so I'm hoping you guys can help me out.

My budget tops off at P1.5m and I'm planning to buy a new SUV. Sedans are out of the question considering the crummy road conditions that we suffer through especially during the rainy season. I go to Nueva Ecija about once a week to do business there and take a day off at our farm on my way back to Manila. I usually travel by myself but weekends are another story since I mostly spend them with my kids (two of them plus an ever-present hanger-on) going all over the metro, doing the usual mall run and whatnot.

Considering I'm on a budget, I've narrowed my choices down to two: the 4x2 Santa Fe and the 4x4 ASX. It's not exactly an apples to apples comparison and I guess you guys know why. Things worth consideration are:

Santa Fe:
-nice size, incredible engine, improved consumption (crdi/evgt), upscale interior... but it's only a 4x2 and the image you get when driving one puts you right smack in midlife-crisis category.

ASX:
-Tech galore (paddle-shift, CVT, HID, headlamp washer, etc)
-interior is decent compared to other more plasticky rivals
-AWESOME multi-select 4x4!
-love it or hate it looks --i happen to love it. takes away around 10 years from the driver's age. hehe
... but it is a bit smallish on the inside, the rear seatbacks don't recline, it's new and unproven (would it go the way of the Outie?)

So there, the source of my indecision. Symptomatic of the mid-age crisis I must be going through. Your help would surely prove to be therpeutic.

Thanks and season's greetings to all tsikoteers

[foresterx]

i'd go with the sta.fe on this one, more room and higher ground clearance for when you go to your farm. it would suck for the people who would sit on the back of the ASX on those long trips.

[satyricon]

And did I mention the ASX's telescoping streering, push start/stop button, keyless entry, and 7 dual stage airbags? That weeny bit of an SUV is really feature-packed... i suppose that justifies the hefty price tag

[IMm29]

I would go for the Santa Fe for the powerful engine, comfortable ride, and bigger interior cabin. Sure it does look a bit older, and perhaps that could reflect on the driver, but that would depend on one's taste. I'm closing in on the mid-30s and on the heavy side, so perhaps that's why I value a bigger and more spacious cabin.

If you really needed the 4x4, then the ASX. But then, I feel, if it's really a 4x4 you need, you'd better be going for a 4x4 pick-up.

[satyricon]

i'd go with the sta.fe on this one, more room and higher ground clearance for when you go to your farm. it would suck for the people who would sit on the back of the ASX on those long trips.

Yep, right now I'm leaning more towards the Santa Fe.

[IMm29]

And did I mention the ASX's telescoping streering, push start/stop button, keyless entry, and 7 dual stage airbags? That weeny bit of an SUV is really feature-packed... i suppose that justifies the hefty price tag

If tech and features are your priority, then it seems the ASX is the one to have. To me, it still doesn't justify the hefty admission price coz it's still a weeny bit of an SUV.

[jubs00]

If tech and features are your priority, then it seems the ASX is the one to have. To me, it still doesn't justify the hefty admission price coz it's still a weeny bit of an SUV.

to add: the asx is a bit pricey if you ask me. And why put 4wd on that low slung body?...

[foresterx]

Yep, right now I'm leaning more towards the Santa Fe. Gotta start getting used to the papabols image, though...

nasa nag dadala naman yon bro.

i like the ASX also, i think it really looks great and the features it offers is just tempting. yon nga lang the lack of space is a big turn off for me.

[locoroco777]

I'm sensing a very long debate again here.....

you know the rules people....NO OFF TOPIC WHATSOEVER...


now, with your case sir satyricon...

based from the description of your weekly itinerary,

I think you should try checking out other ladder frame SUV's which is fit to the terrain you described...because really, both of the cars you posted will surely have a shorter suspension lifespan if you use them frequently in unpaved roads and rough terrains...

But if you are really limited to the two vehicles, Heres my take on it....

ASX 4x4

personally, I know what you mean when you say crummy roads, and considering the province you've mentioned, I'm pretty sure the 4x4 can pull you out of "Not too deep but sticky muddy situations" if you know what I mean....

Santa Fe

well, first of all its diesel and it pretty much comply in every description you said you'll be needing for as a daily driven car except for the 4WD part....


hope it helps....Goodluck on choosing...

[satyricon]

I would go for the Santa Fe for the powerful engine, comfortable ride, and bigger interior cabin. Sure it does look a bit older, and perhaps that could reflect on the driver, but that would depend on one's taste. I'm closing in on the mid-30s and on the heavy side, so perhaps that's why I value a bigger and more spacious cabin.

If you really needed the 4x4, then the ASX. But then, I feel, if it's really a 4x4 you need, you'd better be going for a 4x4 pick-up.

Not sure if I'll need the 4x4. I used to own a Suzuki Vitara and I don't remember ever using the 4wd even during the few times I had to drive around some Timberland Heights projects in some of the roughest roads I'v been in... and that's with Mr. and Mrs. Client in tow.

[jetrone]

I guess in summary, you need the Santa Fe, but you want the ASX.

I'd go for the Santa Fe, it will be probably be the more comfortable of the two.

[actor21]

if you are leaning on ASX because its 4x4, why not consider the Tucson its 4x4 and a diesel seating capacity is the same with ASX but a lot cheaper.

but if you are to chose bet sta fe and asx, ASX would be my choice...nice car indeed.

[zap.FREEDOM]

i pick the hyundai Sta. Fe, ika nga ng nabanggit nila, strong and powerful Engine (hyundai taglay ang dakilang CRDI), large Cabin and nice look(ok na rin ung design nya, kahit simple lang) although di ko naman sinasabing pangit yung design ng ASX(angas nga e, shark looking and jet fighter inspired grill is a plus for me sa design ng ASX) ah, pero share na sila sa design ng EX (when it comes to front profile) e,


pero sabi nyo e gagamitin nyong for urban purposes and province use din, dun sa farm nyo, hmm,...bakit SUV pa, parang hindi bagay e, magddrive ka ng SUV sa Farm,..baka pwedeng PICK UP na lang po,...(hindi naman sa pinakikialaman ko yung decision nyu ah, suggestion lang)

STA.FE...

[satyricon]

Like i said, this is one decision that has really been eating on me.. I'd love to have a 4wd just in case I need to get out of a rut, but it's pretty much useless the rest of the time.

About the ladder frame, pick-up based suggestion, I suppose it's either a Montero or Fortuner that comes to mind. Cheaper by a bit and that stance shouts testosterone overload... But then I've heard of a few of 'em turning turtle, the harsh,choppy ride, not to mention those two are the staple of auto-thieves' radars, like blinking angry red targets. That's why i scratched 'em out of my shortlist.

Do keep it coming. I need to get myself a Xmas gift before I spend all the money on something else entirely or lose it at a poker table

[satyricon]

pero sabi nyo e gagamitin nyong for urban purposes and province use din, dun sa farm nyo, hmm,...bakit SUV pa, parang hindi bagay e, magddrive ka ng SUV sa Farm,..baka pwedeng PICK UP na lang po,...(hindi naman sa pinakikialaman ko yung decision nyu ah, suggestion lang)

We already have one for farm use, a workhorse tough as nails mitsubishi strada

I can't imagine using a Santa Fe or an ASX for farm work, other than to take home a box of freshly harvested mangoes and a large bag of veggies. A Santa Fe would be ok so long as I stay on the dirt tracks, I'd be riding in relative comfort. A sudden heavy downpour though and those tracks turn into a light mudtrail, and I'd be wishing I had a 4x4. In my case, a midget softroader with minimal ground clearance and jetfighter pretensions. Choices, choices....

[Idoy]

We already have one for farm use, a workhorse tough as nails mitsubishi strada

I can't imagine using a Santa Fe or an ASX for farm work, other than to take home a box of freshly harvested mangoes and a large bag of veggies. A Santa Fe would be ok so long as I stay on the dirt tracks, I'd be riding in relative comfort. A sudden heavy downpour though and those tracks turn into a light mudtrail, and I'd be wishing I had a 4x4. In my case, a midget softroader with minimal ground clearance and jetfighter pretensions. Choices, choices....

Then get another Strada 4x4.

Kidding aside. I'll pick Santa Fe. You're not going hardcore 4x4 all the time, so a terrain passable by a jeepney will be ok with a 4x2 SUV.

ASX is techie. Santa Fe is sheer brute.

I'll go with the latter.

[ghosthunter]

*satyricon

Just buy the Mitsu ASX 4x4 2.0L and have a happy life. It is obvious that you are deciding between "practical" and "heart's desire" in a SUV.

In choosing the ASX, your only major compromise would be fuel consumption and some space (which you don't really need anyway).

Personally I would rather choose the ASX 4x2 but since you do drive on unpaved roads, having the 4x4 might be handy (although it doesn't have that much clearance under the vehicle.

[Starex_Gold]

note to me and the korean fan boys: this is a Mitsubishi ASX sales thread capitalizing on the popularity of the Santa FE

FTW!

Hyundai Santa Fe for me. Pero kung gusto talaga ng ASX, yun nalang kunin mo.

Pero kung kailangan ng Santa Fe, yun ang dapat. Unahin ang kailangan bago gusto.

Sa CUV walang silbi ang 4X4. Yung Tucson at CR-V ko 4X4, wala rin naman nangyayari..

Re:

Santa Fe:
-nice size, incredible engine, improved consumption (crdi/evgt), upscale interior... but it's only a 4x2 and the image you get when driving one puts you right smack in midlife-crisis category.

I don't mind driving a base model Santa Fe. At least we afford to buy one. At isa pa bata pa naman ako. Nyahaha

[satyricon]

*satyricon

Just buy the Mitsu ASX 4x4 2.0L and have a happy life. It is obvious that you are deciding between "practical" and "heart's desire" in a SUV.

In choosing the ASX, your only major compromise would be fuel consumption and some space (which you don't really need anyway).

Personally I would rather choose the ASX 4x2 but since you do drive on unpaved roads, having the 4x4 might be handy (although it doesn't have that much clearance under the vehicle.

...i think you just hit it on the head: It's the porma/tech induced thrill promised by the ASX and the laid back, cool and collected, maturity reflected by the SF. Still doesn't make it any easier.

[Capt.Bob]

...i think you just hit it on the head: It's the porma/tech induced thrill promised by the ASX and the laid back, cool and collected, maturity reflected by the SF. Still doesn't make it any easier.

it's mind over matter mate... or fulfill what your heart desires
first and foremost is to test drive both cars... this will give you a reason not to regret your decision afterward... if you don't want to look mature as your real age then get a 2-seat sports car hehe
well for me? i'd still pick an SF over an ASX anytime