Sub-Compact Car Options

**tuazon7** · July 4th, 2011 11:36 AM

Considering on getting our 2nd car, mostly to be driven by my wifey. Have several options in mind but has also some apprehension as described below. Need your inputs please...

1st option - Honda Jazz 1.5 A/T , but an all-new model is coming out most likely in 2 years time
2nd option - Ford Fiesta Hatch Sports, heard issues on the front suspension and rear 'kalampag'
3rd option - All-New Suzuki Swift A/T, only 4-speed auto and no first-hand experience on a Suzuki
4th option - Soon to be release All-New Toyota Yaris A/T, looks like a Vios
Last option - All-New Accent Hatch, still has not that confidence on a Hyundai (no pun intended)

**ghosthunter** · July 4th, 2011 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by tuazon7

Considering on getting our 2nd car, mostly to be driven by my wifey. Have several options in mind but has also some apprehension as described below. Need your inputs please...

1st option - Honda Jazz 1.5 A/T , but an all-new model is coming out most likely in 2 years time
2nd option - Ford Fiesta Hatch Sports, heard issues on the front suspension and rear 'kalampag'
3rd option - All-New Suzuki Swift A/T, only 4-speed auto and no first-hand experience on a Suzuki
4th option - Soon to be release All-New Toyota Yaris A/T, looks like a Vios
Last option - All-New Accent Hatch, still has not that confidence on a Hyundai (no pun intended)

SWIFT: Suzuki is supposed to come out with an all new SWIFT soon. But even then, the swift is a small car, just good enough for four people and a few days worth of groceries. The only thing noteworthy about this car is it looks somewhat like a MINI.

JAZZ: Honda (I think) will have all-new models available later this year for the Jazz. If you can wait a few months... If not, the current Jazz still offers excellent value for money. Even if you resell this car a few years later, it will hold on to it's value pretty well. Interior is most spacious for cars in this category, capable of fitting five people inside and a whole week's groceries. Fuel economy is good but nowhere near the 1st generation Jazz.

FIESTA: Ford's small car offering is still somewhere in the air if it's good value in long term ownership. Some owners have had complaints of "kalampag" from it's suspension. I have no idea what was done to fix the issue. Personally I would rather get the Mazda2 1.5L since I feel it drives/handles much better as well as being cheaper too. BTW, Fiesta & Mazda2 are both four-seaters, you can squeeze a 5th passenger but it won't be comfortable for those at the back seat.

Other options for under the price of a Honda Jazz 1.5L (P842,000)
-Nissan Sentra GSX 1.6L (P760,000)
-Mitsubishi Lancer GLS 1.6L (P745,000)

**niky** · July 4th, 2011 12:46 PM

1st Option: Will your wife be willing to wait another two years for a new car? Current car is nice. 5-speed suspension is well-suited to the 1.5, unlike the 1.3. Great space. Good handling and ride. Best interior quality in the class. Great acceleration... best I've tested so far in this group.

2nd Option: Old Jazz had "kalampag" too. Fiesta has the best refinement, noise insulation and the most solid-feeling build. 1.6 has nice punch, but DCT sometimes indecisive. "Sport" variant a little too stiff... Trend rides much better... probably best in class. Cabin a bit short and narrow compared to Jazz and Accent. Best-in-class handling. Fuel economy seems to be equal to or better than the Jazz 1.5.

3rd Option - Haven't driven it yet. Looks nice.

4th Option - Current Yaris is a bit cramped. Fiesta isn't bigger inside, but at least it has a large trunk... the Yaris has a tiny hatch. The new Yaris promises to be much bigger, but it will probably only get here by next year. The current 4AT is a commendable powertrain. Good off-throttle response and fuel economy. Don't know details on new powerplant yet.

5th Option - No word on availability yet. Sedan variant has soft suspension... a bit too soft. After driving it, I can understand why owners are complaining it bottoms out. Hatch will likely be stiffer. Despite this, sedan is a good buy. Only 4AT, but has "ECO" mode like Toyota's, which is great. Not quite as good in terms of savings as the Fiesta (we have yet to do them back to back), but still very good. Accent has GREAT space... possibly the first car in this class to beat the Jazz/City combo, and the sedan has a big trunk. If you will consider a sedan, then this is a good choice.

Also consider the Mazda2. The Mazda2 1.5AT shares honor with the Fiesta for best-in-class handling. The engine isn't the most powerful, but performance and fuel economy are very good because it's light, and the AT is short-geared. Space is similar to Fiesta and Yaris. The ride is actually supple. It's cute, to boot. Interior build quality is better than the Fiesta, similar to Honda, though the interior is a bit dark compared to those two. And it's cute, to boot.

**jhnkvn** · July 4th, 2011 01:22 PM

As a recommendation, I'll also support the Mazda2. Model refresh still seems so far away, very fun to drive and sips fuel due to lightweight chassis. Your only problem is the firm ride and the subpar NVH insulation. It isn't a mommy car, but if your wife wants a future sports car in the future, it's a good car to start.

For a safe recommendation, Jazz 1.5L is a good pick. I wouldn't worry about model refreshes. The Jazz still looks the same ever since its first generation brother and seeing how Honda is being conservative with the upcoming Civic, I doubt they'll change the magic formula soon. Even if they did, Jazz retains of the industry's best resale values and once the rear flat folding seats. I think Mrs. Commander would be very pleased

**vin23** · July 4th, 2011 05:09 PM

Other options for under the price of a Honda Jazz 1.5L (P842,000)

The Jazz already received an MMC last march and now priced at P857,000 for the 1.5v variant.

**tuazon7** · July 4th, 2011 09:01 PM

thanks for all the responses. had been to Ford and Suzuki this afternoon, so far, the all-new swift rings better than the fiesta on the looks category. had not test drive yet any...

please keep it coming...

**Starex_Gold** · July 4th, 2011 09:15 PM

Honda Jazz 1.5V

**vin23** · July 5th, 2011 07:57 AM

Originally Posted by tuazon7

thanks for all the responses. had been to Ford and Suzuki this afternoon, so far, the all-new swift rings better than the fiesta on the looks category. had not test drive yet any...

please keep it coming...

Nagagandahan din ako sa new swift. Got the Mini looks and the interior looks great. Kaso parang sobrang sikip.

**tidus1203** · July 5th, 2011 08:21 AM

Ang ayaw ko sa new Swift is the engine. Downgraded from the last model. Mas malakas pa engine ng last model. Although lumaki sya than before...

**vin23** · July 5th, 2011 09:29 AM

Originally Posted by tidus1203

Ang ayaw ko sa new Swift is the engine. Downgraded from the last model. Mas malakas pa engine ng last model. Although lumaki sya than before...

Yun nga eh pinaliit pa nila. Pero ang reason nila is mas refine and mas malakas sa acceleration yung K14B engine nila ngayon. Ang tanong eh makuha kaya ng simpleng mamimiling pilipino yung idea nila? Ang dating kasi agad sa ordinaryong buyer, "ay? newer model lower engine?". Nonsense, pero ganyan ang logic ng mass buyers.

Reference:
Suzuki Philippines launches all-new Swift - News | TopGear.com.ph

**keithdb** · July 5th, 2011 01:24 PM

safe pick is the jazz, reliable as always and the looks is still modern by todays standards. the others are all new so may mga issues pa mga yan, just look at the accent issues thread.

**ghosthunter** · July 5th, 2011 05:40 PM

New 2011 Suzuki Swift article: Suzuki gets frisky with the all-new 2011 Swift

**synysterG** · July 5th, 2011 05:57 PM

ang haba ng waiting list ng jazz diba?
about sa issues sa other new cars, that's what the warranty is for

**Ry_Tower** · July 5th, 2011 06:22 PM

Ford Fiesta S ako or the new facelifted Jazz

**tuazon7** · July 7th, 2011 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by synysterG

ang haba ng waiting list ng jazz diba?
about sa issues sa other new cars, that's what the warranty is for

actually, kaya preferred is brand-new to avoid these hassles even if may warranty pa po. but, thanks for the feedback...down between the jazz and the swift now...not unless, the all-new yaris comes along...

**vin23** · July 7th, 2011 04:41 PM

Ayos din yung Swift. Ala Mini ang dating. Ayos ba yung space para sa inyo?

**ghosthunter** · July 7th, 2011 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by vin23

Ayos din yung Swift. Ala Mini ang dating. Ayos ba yung space para sa inyo?

Parang Mini rin yung dating sa space.

**vin23** · July 7th, 2011 05:28 PM

Originally Posted by ghosthunter

Parang Mini rin yung dating sa space.

Natawa ako dito! Haha!

**tuazon7** · July 7th, 2011 05:39 PM

Originally Posted by ghosthunter

Parang Mini rin yung dating sa space.

Maliit talaga ang space pero mostly for daily commute lang naman ang use. Have an MS for the weekend trips...

**vin23** · July 7th, 2011 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by tuazon7

Maliit talaga ang space pero mostly for daily commute lang naman ang use. Have an MS for the weekend trips...

If that's the case ayos din new swift. If ngayon ka bibili wala ka rin kasi makukuha na Jazz.

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