Php 1M: Tucson, Escape, Focus, Mazda 3?

[April_Ryan]

Hi!

Early this year, I thought I'd have about Php 1.3 Million as budget for a new car. However, I've since found out that I'm down to Php 1 Million.

Non-negotiables: Automatic transmission

For SUVs, it looks like my choices will be limited to:

1. Hyundai Tucson Theta II 2.0 GL 2WD AT (Php 1,038,000);
2. Ford Escape 2.3 XLS 4x2 AT (Php 1,050,000);

As an alternative, I will consider hatchback sedans (though I'd prefer an SUV as I'm coming from a RAV4-SV). Here are my choices:

1. Ford Focus 2.0 Sport 5dr AT (Php 925,000);
2. Mazda 3 2.0 R AT (Php 1,044,000);

Your suggestions? Any other alternatives I can consider such as the Mitsubishi Strada 2.5 GLX-V which is at Php 1,040,000?

[ChunkyLover]

tucson is the better choice, more bells and whistles compared to the other choices better looks too

[ronw123w124]

tucson is the better choice, more bells and whistles compared to the other choices better looks too

+1, the Ford Escape is simply too old already.

[niky]

The Mazda3 is the most loaded. Sunroof, leather, 17" mags, still a great looking, modern interior. Sporty handling and drive. Getting a bit long in the tooth, but a fanastic bargain at its price compared to similarly loaded cars, which cost 100 - 200k pesos more.

The Focus is the most refined of that group (and yes, I've driven all of them, including the 2WD 6AT 2.0 Tucson), with the best sound insulation, the most solid feel and the best combination of ride and handling. (in other words, stiff enough to feel stable, supple enough to not give you a stomachache over bumps. It also handles better than the Mazda3, but don't let anyone know I told you that. If I recall, the 2.0 gas variant has the sunroof and the leather-cloth seat combo (leather on the sides, cloth in the middle for grip... like the VW Golf GTi), as well as rear AC, but I'm not quite sure. It may not look it on the outside, but the Focus is pretty well equipped inside.

The Escape is the most metal-for-the-money. Old? Hell yes, it's old. But it has more interior space than the Tucson, a bigger back seat, and a waffly, comfortable ride. There's enough torque to motor along despite the archaic four-speed gearbox, and this version is much more fuel efficient than early 2.0 models. A friend just bought one brand new. He wanted a Tucson, but with a baby and the associated stroller/bottle bag/diaper bag/car seat and etcetera, as well as his bike, he needed the space. Did he know what he was getting into? Hell yes. His dad had the exact same Escape model (but a 2007-2008 one), he's driven our CR-V and he's driven our other friend's Tucson 2WD. Perfectly happy with his choice.

The Tucson is probably what you'll end up buying after test-driving everything. It's almost (but not quite) as sporty in feel as a car, the ride is actually pretty decent... stiffer than the Escape but not painfully stiff... and it is not as prone to bottoming out as the top-of-the-line diesel with the adaptive suspension. The interior and exterior looks are very reminiscent of the Mazda3 (which is a good thing) and while it's not the most spacious crossover, it's comfortable enough. Fuel economy with the 6AT is phenomenal, almost as good as the CR-V 2.0 5AT (it might be better, but I've never had both cars on the same route).

Test-drive, test-drive, test-drive. Then look at cars that aren't on your list. There are some interesting cars out there... CR-V 2.0 5AT, stiff-ish, with stiff seats, but amazingly frugal for the size. Still the biggest interior and trunk in the class. Lancer... great CVT. Small trunk. But great CVT and good handling. Biggest front seats in the class. Cruze... good car... though I don't like the 6AT. Sentra... best CVT ever. Okay, plastics suck, but it's got a big interior, a big trunk, a great CVT and a fuel-efficient 2.0.

Lots of choices. Try to consider those that you didn't consider before and you might be surprised.

[April_Ryan]

I think the CRV and X-Trail are out of my price range. I will check out the Lancer as the ASX is likewise beyond my price range. I'm not interested in the Sentra at all.

[sachiel]

The 2.0L non CVT Xtrail is also around P1M only. The CVT ones are the above P1.3M. The 2.0L Sportage is around P1.1M so maybe you can stretch your budget a little.

[LitHeistenick]

how to get nolvadexbuy metformin bakersfieldbuy propecia online,clomid crampingnolvadex online salecure for propecia ***ual side effects
buy doxycycline cincinnatiherbal propecia testmike ditka levitra,compare prices propecialow testosterone propeciafinax generic propecia drug facts
nolvadex nogeneric propecia namesbuy cheap viagra memphis,buy prednisone montgomerybest propecia pricesbee pollen clomid getting pregnant
buy cipro san diegoviagra sale cheap sault ste. marieuse forâ doxycycline,clomid ovulation delaywikipedia cialisclomid baby