hi all,

just wanted to share my visit to 4 car dealers today, in my continuing search for my first car.

Ford-Balintawak

The sales people were attentive and helpful, they had displays of all the cars they were selling (except, i think for the 1.3 GSi), and they let us fiddle around with it. No test drive yet, though.

Went in thinking of buying the 1.3 GSi, but after comparing the monthly amortization due after 30% downpayment, left with dreams of owning the Lynx Ghia M/T (cloth seats with moonroof, the works, including in-dash cd changer, for about P745,000).

Nissan-Balintawak

the salespersons were again ok, although they didn't have displays of some of their models. liked the looks of the Exalta, but the equivalent of the "Lynx Ghia M/T with the works" which we saw earlier cost about P8+++++. Loved the Nissan Frontier (4x2), and it costs about P775,000. However, we were advised that with the advent of the proposed new taxing scheme (which, btw, i know nothing about) prices of the Frontier were expected to go up by P40T by April 16 and again later. Going up to P775,000 is already a reach for me, so i guess it's bye-bye to the Frontier.

Honda-Balintawak

no aircon, only one salesperson. weren't interested in selling, only accepting reservations because of new taxing scheme which will allegedly take effect on June. Salesperson did say, however, that they will be launching by June (and will start displaying by April 25) a new Honda, in the 1.3 and 1.5 class, allegedly parang Altis daw ang looks. They expect their cars to be cheaper daw, with the new tax scheme except in the 2.0 class and above. Price of Civic equivalent to the "Lynx Ghia M/T with the works" was at P835,000. Whoa! Maybe i'll check out the new line of cars first.

GM Autoworld - Quezon Avenue

Checked out the JIMNY. In terms of looks, tops on my list (they had blue one on display). Leg room at the back definitely an issue. I'm 5'6" or so and I don't think I can sit at the back for a long drive without cramps or something. Good thing i'll be driving it (if ever, hahaha!). Not much space also for baggage (out of town trips, baby stuff like crib etc). A/T version costs only P655,000, the M/T special costs P629,000. I even scheduled a test drive, which I didn't do for any of the others.

Are there any safety considerations for the JIMNY? Because if it's just the bumpy ride, I think I can deal with that because I was prepared to buy a pick-up anyway. No test drives on it, no reviews anywhere so I don't know what to expect. I also don't know much about cars so I don't even know what to look for, what to be suspicious of, what to test.

Well, I hope my experience helps all others who are interested in getting any of the cars I tested. Keep posting!