Moving To The Philippines - Want CR-V

[Expatio]

Hi everyone, I am not a Pinoy but I have been there many times and am going there for 9 months soon, before moving there permanently in 2012. I do not speak Tagalog and my Bisaya is limited to about 50-100 words.

Introductions over; I need to buy a motor when I go there and a new CR-V is on the top of my shortlist. I have experience of both petrol and diesel versions of 3rd Gen models as my brothers have one of each.

I will be living on Leyte island which has no Honda Car dealers as far as I am aware. There are lots of Honda Bike Main Dealers and I bought a Honda Wave Dash 110R last April from one in Maasin City. I had to leave six weeks later and they still didn't have it registered.

Anyway; back to the CR-V, I presume I will have to buy in Cebu or Mindanao, or even Manila.

I would like some advice on both the buying procedure (registration, plates, insurance etc), and what to expect from main dealers (we call them main stealers over here; especially when it comes to aftercare) when purchasing. How much discount or freebies if any should I expect for a new CR-V 4x4 2.4 if paying cash?

Also on a technical note, does the Filipino CR-V come with factory privacy glass (rear tint)(as on the website photos) or will I have to get aftermarket tinting? Also I will need a tow bar. Is that readily available?

Salamat in advance.

[voltscastillo]

i suggest you buy in manila.

i also heard that there's a toyota dealership in tacloban now, so you might want to give the toyota fortuner a look because you'll need more rugged suspension bits here in the phillipines.

that said, if you're already set on the honda, then you might want to head over to honda quezon avenue. generally good service, before and after the sale (my family bought a couple cars there).

you can't technically haggle prices here (i presume you're buying cash)... if you do haggle, the cost you shave off the asking may result in you getting less freebies like auto tint and floor mats. the best you can do is shop around the honda dealerships around the metro and see who's got the lowest price (thats why i suggested you buy in manila). and just like in your part of the world, we have the EX and LX trim classifications, only called different, like, 4wd (ex) and 2wd (lx). hefty price jump on 4wd models here, though.

you can probably ask the dealer to just tint the rear glass black and then apply magic/silver opaque tint on the windshield and front windows. you'll need tints where you are about to live.

you'd have to wait a couple weeks for the plates to arrive. and initial insurance and registration (includes MOT or inspection) comes free with the car and is good for 3 years most of the time.

wait for the plates, then begin the drive from manila to leyte. i've done this, and it's a great way to experience the southern half of luzon island :-).

[Expatio]

Thank you for your reply voltscastillo

I didn't know there was a Toyota dealership in Tacloban. I know there is Mitsubishi one.

A friend of mine bought a Fortuner earlier this year in Cebu. TBH I thought it was very rough sitting in the back. But I am not completely gone off the Toyota Fortuner or even Mitsubishi Montero.

If I do go for the Honda CR-V, it would be the 4x4, which only comes in 2.4 petrol. There is no 2.4 in my country. There is a 2.0 Petrol and 2.2 diesel. Since late last year you can get the diesel in Auto too. We have ES; ES Sport; EX all in either diesel or petrol. All bar 1 of these is available in Auto; totaling 11 different specs (5 A/T, 6 M/T).

I do like the Idea of driving from Manila to Southern Leyte.

[tsupermario]

go with a brand where there is a casa near you

[watusi]

go with a brand where there is a casa near you

agree!

For the tinting, you can negotiate with the dealer to have this installed in your future car for free.

[Expatio]

go with a brand where there is a casa near you

That would mean Mitsubishi or Mitsubishi

Cebu is just a shortish boat trip from Leyte/Southern Leyte

[tsupermario]

That would mean Mitsubishi or Mitsubishi

then go test drive the montero

[Mguy]

I guess you're European since that's the only place where they sell the Diesel CR-V, the one we've been longing for here.

Tell you frankly, there is no need to worry if there is no local dealer within your area. For servicing, what you could do is have the parts delivered to you wherever you are in the Philippines and look for a trustworthy garage to do the fixes for you. I have a friend who lives in Palawan and has a Toyota Fortuner. He gets his parts straight from the CASA in Manila and orders it before hand when its due for its preventive maintenance. The CASA even delivers the routine checklist what needs to be done during that period.

So go to the dealer of you choosing, and they could tint your car to your liking as well which is a common freebies for all units.

[ronemshoff]

I have a 2007 Honda, CRV 2WD, V6, in Cebu for sale. 20,000 miles, gold, like new in everyway, always garaged, only driven by wife. leaving philippines so in hurry to sell at wholesale. call Ron in U.S. 209-981-1149, or Maribeth in Cebu at 639-1749-03821.

[Expatio]

*Mguy. Yes I am European

You should be able to guess if I give you a hint.

Republic mainly Catholic (same as The PH )

So if I get it serviced in a local 'proper' service company, do I still keep my waranty intact.

[Expatio]

*tsupermaria

Yes, I will test the Montero for sure. Unlike the fortuner, it is actually sold here under the guise of 'Pajero Sport'.

But I will not buy a car just because it is the only availble near where I live. It only cost a few thou to bring a car from Cebu.

[Expatio]

*voltscastillo

The Montero does indeed sound good. My neighbour here has a black one and it looks nice enough.

Have spent a total of 12 months in Southern Leyte in the last few years. The roads here are not as bad as they used to be.

I don't think the car I will buy will need to go months without maintenance, if it is required, and it certainly will not get abused

I am/will be living on the coast (beach Lot); but have never seen seaspray except in Maasin during a typhoon. But there is the issue of salt for sure. Is there any known problems with rust in my shortlist of 3 motors?

[Expatio]

*Ronemshoff

A 2007 V6?
I didn't know they made the 3rd generation (or any generation) with a V6 under the bonnet.

I am sorry I have to decline. Besides it not being 4x4 and I hate gold (and red), I really want to buy a new car. Thank you.

[Mguy]

So if I get it serviced in a local 'proper' service company, do I still keep my waranty intact.

They should have an accredited repair shop in major cities where they have no dealership. But if need be, you could also take a RORO to Cebu. And with the CRV, you could do it in lesser trips since the service intervals is 10000 kms or 6 months whichever comes first.