Sub-Compact Car Options

[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)

[ghosthunter]

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)

[drich_enriquez]

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.

The Swift can accomodate 5 person and natitiklop yun sandalan sa likod. Yun sinasabi mong 4 people lang ang kaya is the Alto.

[synysterG]

The Swift can accomodate 5 person and natitiklop yun sandalan sa likod. Yun sinasabi mong 4 people lang ang kaya is the Alto.

ang ibig siguro sabihin ni sir GH ay "good enough to seat four people COMFORTABLY". kasya naman talaga limang tao kaso kung malaki katawan nung mga sasakay siguro medyo cramped na. hehe

[ghosthunter]

The Swift can accomodate 5 person and natitiklop yun sandalan sa likod. Yun sinasabi mong 4 people lang ang kaya is the Alto.

True that you can fit 5 people in the swift but you wouldn't want to go anywhere far because those in the back seat will be complaining real soon about the loss of blood circulation in their extremities.

[vin23]

I checked the new Swift yesterday. Pag upo ko sa driver's seat napa "wow" ako. Sakto pala! Hindi naman ganun kasikip. Then I found out na naka adjust na all the way to back yung driver's seat. Then I also check the 2nd row seats. Halos hindi na ko makagalaw. My knees were literally grazing the front seats and my head is almost touching the car's ceiling. Hindi ako katangkaran. My height's just average.

[ghosthunter]

I checked the new Swift yesterday. Pag upo ko sa driver's seat napa "wow" ako. Sakto pala! Hindi naman ganun kasikip. Then I found out na naka adjust na all the way to back yung driver's seat. Then I also check the 2nd row seats. Halos hindi na ko makagalaw. My knees were literally grazing the front seats and my head is almost touching the car's ceiling. Hindi ako katangkaran. My height's just average.

Like I said, MINI din yung interior.

For my money, I would rather get a small car with more interior space.

[niky]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Honda Jazz 1.5V

[vin23]

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.

[ram_dlsu]

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)

Tuazon,

let me share my opinion on your options:

1st option - Jazz - is indeed a great car. Best in Space, Superb FC (3 years in a row award for Most Fuel Efficient and placed 2nd in the DOE Eco run 2009), Highest Resale Value among all your choices. However, there is a long line for the new mmc Jazz, so if you pick this car prepare to wait. Also, it's the most expensive among the lot. As for the All-New model, we'll expect another 2 - 3 years for that. That's rather a long wait for your wife.

2nd option - Fiesta Sport - looks really good, 1.6 engine, priced really great. The only sure thing Jazz beats this car at is space. As for the suspensions, marami nga reports but since I only got to test drive this baby and couldn't give you a reliable comment on that.

3rd option - Swift - Have yet to see the new model, but I think its really really small in terms of space. mabibitiin kalang when you need to load stuff.

4th option - Yaris - The all new toyota yaris was launched Dec 2010 in Japan. though, i think we can expect this car mid-2012 earliest, thats even long wait. I saw pictures, I think it's smaller in terms of space than the Jazz but it looks good and you know its built to last since it's a Toyota. Here's a link : 2011 Toyota Yaris at Australian International Motor Show 2011 | Car Advice | Reviews

Last option - i feel the same way as you do. The new Accent Hatch won't arrive till next year tho according to Top Gear Phil.

Soooo..... If you plan to buy within 2011, your choices are Jazz, Fiesta and Swift. But if you're planning on buying next year, you can wait for the new Yaris which I think should be in the top 2 choices if it was available.

Tho... I think your wife should be able to test drive all and get her inputs since she'll be using it mostly. Also do a ranking on what aspects of the car do you prioritize. Fuel Economy? Looks? Handling? Space? Resale Value? Exclusivity? etc. Good luck!

[scharnhorst]

go test drive a mazda2 and feel what we're all raving about. hehe.

[vin23]

Ok din Mazda 2. Pero mas prefer ko yung sedan 1.5 MT.

[tidus1203]

Ok din Mazda 2. Pero mas prefer ko yung sedan 1.5 MT.

Ayaw ko lang yung looks ng sedan, mas maganda yung hacthback...

[caloyski5]

Ok din Mazda 2. Pero mas prefer ko yung sedan 1.5 MT.

amen! for 725k, ok siya. you get a sweet handling, slick shifting, spritely little car. :D

afaik, better drag co-efficient din yung sedan versus the hatchback :P hehe

[cjv_justice]

amen! for 725k, ok siya. you get a sweet handling, slick shifting, spritely little car. :D

afaik, better drag co-efficient din yung sedan versus the hatchback :P hehe

meron na bang naka retrofit projector HLs sa inyo mga M2ners? I keep having that picture in my head of an M2 with that setup...

BTT: Mazda 2 or Honda Jazz...