Please recommend a sub-750k AT Car

**ice15** · July 2nd, 2013 04:08 PM

This will be my first post here and I really need your help...

I finally got the approval of my wife to get a car there in PHL.

We are based overseas and the car will be basically used during our vacations and my wife's business trips.

Here are basic things that I need

1. Price... It should be less than 750k... I have to put a limit.
2. Trunk Space... I need at least 3 bags to fit... 2 pcs Check in and 1 pc Carry on luggage.
3. Leg room... It should comfortably fit 3 passengers of at least 5'7 in height
4. A/T... my wife will drive it during her business trips
5. Reliable... Car will be used by my in laws when we're not there, I don't want to hear car problems while I'm in another country.
6. Fuel efficiency... min of 8kms/liter (its the mileage I got when I owned a 1993 Corolla).
7. Durability... Car will be used for a minimum of 10 years
8. Friendly customer service... As I said, car will be mostly used by in laws and I will be asking them to take care of the car's PMS.

Options...

Nissan Sentra 1.3 GX (AT) - our first choice... Since its cheap! We know 2 people who used to own one and we did not hear any significant complains about the car... Only issue I have against it is its age...

Hyundai Accent 1.4 GL - I have seen 2 issues against this car, the knocking engine and the soft suspension...

Ford Fiesta Trend 1.4 (5-Door, AT) - Not sure if it has the trunk space I need, but (IMO) best looking car in my choices

Ford Fiesta Trend 1.4 (4-Door, AT) - Looks good... Planning to see an actual unit on my next vacation.

2014 Vios - this will be a hard sell to my wife since it will definitely be used by Taxi companies. Its also the most expensive (2013 model is around 750k already and will have a difficult time not to consider the City at 780k)

**Altis6453** · July 2nd, 2013 04:43 PM

Well, the Sentra GX is also used as a taxi (although not the A/T version).

I gotta agree though, that despite it's age and pedestrian looks, the GX makes for a good and comfortable ride. Just don't expect excellent fuel consumption marks.

**Manilablock** · July 2nd, 2013 05:00 PM

Vios ka na Sir, lalo na kung 10 years mo gusto magamit, at least sa spares hindi sasakit ulo mo.

**vinj** · July 2nd, 2013 05:03 PM

I'd choose the Vios amongst the above choices. Doesn't matter really if "ginagawang taxi" (that's one of the worst excuses not to choose a car if you ask me).

How much is the new Almera a/t?

**JohnM** · July 2nd, 2013 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by vinj

How much is the new Almera a/t?

P760,000 for the Almera Base A/T according to BPI's calculator on Top Gear.

**viper888** · July 2nd, 2013 05:33 PM

Have you checked the Rio AT
its 720k I think with a 5 year warranty
The only problem is if you check the Rio thread, fuel economy ranges wildly from 5-17km/L

How about an Avanza
Im not sure how much it is, Its trunk space is much bigger than any of your choices, should be very easy to maintain
Its a bit boring sadly (if that matters to you)

**leenamnam** · July 2nd, 2013 05:58 PM

Originally Posted by ice15

This will be my first post here and I really need your help...

I finally got the approval of my wife to get a car there in PHL.

We are based overseas and the car will be basically used during our vacations and my wife's business trips.

Here are basic things that I need

1. Price... It should be less than 750k... I have to put a limit.
2. Trunk Space... I need at least 3 bags to fit... 2 pcs Check in and 1 pc Carry on luggage.
3. Leg room... It should comfortably fit 3 passengers of at least 5'7 in height
4. A/T... my wife will drive it during her business trips
5. Reliable... Car will be used by my in laws when we're not there, I don't want to hear car problems while I'm in another country.
6. Fuel efficiency... min of 8kms/liter (its the mileage I got when I owned a 1993 Corolla).
7. Durability... Car will be used for a minimum of 10 years
8. Friendly customer service... As I said, car will be mostly used by in laws and I will be asking them to take care of the car's PMS.

Options...

Nissan Sentra 1.3 GX (AT) - our first choice... Since its cheap! We know 2 people who used to own one and we did not hear any significant complains about the car... Only issue I have against it is its age...

Hyundai Accent 1.4 GL - I have seen 2 issues against this car, the knocking engine and the soft suspension...

Ford Fiesta Trend 1.4 (5-Door, AT) - Not sure if it has the trunk space I need, but (IMO) best looking car in my choices

Ford Fiesta Trend 1.4 (4-Door, AT) - Looks good... Planning to see an actual unit on my next vacation.

2014 Vios - this will be a hard sell to my wife since it will definitely be used by Taxi companies. Its also the most expensive (2013 model is around 750k already and will have a difficult time not to consider the City at 780k)

Vios, for your 8 basic needs you needed. The 1.3 has excellent FC even it's an AT.

**ghosthunter** · July 2nd, 2013 06:01 PM

TOYOTA AVANZA 1.3L E A/T P743k

Downside is that it is a boring car to drive but it gets the job done with no fuss.

1. Price... It should be less than 750k... I have to put a limit.

P743K

2. Trunk Space... I need at least 3 bags to fit... 2 pcs Check in and 1 pc Carry on luggage.

More cargo space than any other car within your budget limit.

3. Leg room... It should comfortably fit 3 passengers of at least 5'7 in height

Avanza's high roof line should be address the height issue. It seats four to five in relative comfort.

4. A/T... my wife will drive it during her business trips

available in M/T and A/T

5. Reliable... Car will be used by my in laws when we're not there, I don't want to hear car problems while I'm in another country

It is a Toyota and sometimes used as a taxi by some cab companies. So it is quite reliable.

6. Fuel efficiency... min of 8kms/liter (its the mileage I got when I owned a 1993 Corolla).

1.3L engine should give good economy as long as you are not in a hurry to reach your destination.

7. Durability... Car will be used for a minimum of 10 years
8. Friendly customer service... As I said, car will be mostly used by in laws and I will be asking them to take care of the car's PMS.

I think "Toyota" brand should suffice for these two questions. Just choose the right casa to service your car properly (hint: avoid Toyota Quezon Ave).

**Retz** · July 2nd, 2013 06:09 PM

I suggest you get the 2014 Vios. This is the best looking Vios yet to date.

**ice15** · July 2nd, 2013 06:55 PM

Sorry, but Avanza is out... I personally prefer a car

Will definitely look at the Vios when I'm there around end of the year...

I'm narrowing my choices between the following:

Sentra - because its cheap!
Vios - got the most votes... so far
Fiesta - looks good
City (depending on the price of the Fiesta and dealer discounts)

Sadly, looks like taking a Hyundai/Kia is too risky right now.