2014 is a renaissance of sorts for the Philippine automotive industry. Record-breaking sales (topping north of 200,000 units), tons of events, and a great number of new entrants—for those covering the industry, it’s been a very busy year. Therefore, picking just the top five cars/vehicles of the year isn’t easy, but it’s something we have been doing for the past three years now (2013, 2012, 2011). As always, we don’t break it down into categories or classifications here. This is pretty straight to the point. No bull crap here. There are only two rules to be considered for CarGuide.PH’s Top 5 Picks: first, we should have driven it; second, it must be mainstream (no cars above PHP 4-million).
Now that we’ve put everything in order, let’s get on with CarGuide.PH’s Top 5 Picks of 2014. The list begins, in preferential order, after the break.
#5: Toyota Corolla Altis
Why we chose it: No matter how it performs or looks, people are going to buy the Corolla Altis. It’s the default choice of fleet customers and the practical-minded alike. So, consider everyone surprised (and pleasantly shocked) when Toyota designed and engineered a Corolla Altis that actually is a million times better than its predecessor. It doesn’t matter if it has carryover mechanicals—this is one car that’s more than just the sum of its parts (or what’s written in the spec sheet). It looks sleek, is modern inside and out, and actually handles tidily. It’s also loaded with tons of creature features and still doesn’t break the bank pricewise. Above all, it manages to retain every aspect that has made it the go-to-choice of Filipino buyers: it’s roomy, comfortable, and well-built.
Full Review here and here.
#4: Ford Fiesta EcoBoost
Why we chose it: At the heart of every automobile is its engine, giving it its unmistakable character. It’s for this reason that the Ford Fiesta has emerged as one of the year’s standouts. The Fiesta has carved a reputation for itself as being one fun-to-drive small car. It feels very much like a go-kart, only it seats five plus luggage. Its only let down is its less than convincing engine. Enter the turbocharged 1.0-liter EcoBoost. It’s the small engine that can, gifting the Fiesta enough power to take on the big boys as well as get more out of that yummy handling. It’s also more frugal as well. It’s like having your cake and eating it too.
Full Review here.
#3: Honda Jazz
Why we chose it: Small hatches always make sense for Philippine roads. Not only are they frugal and maneuverable, they are also masters of actually utilizing every available millimeter of interior space. Among all the small hatches currently in the market, the all-new Honda Jazz is the best when it comes to providing the complete package. The return of the magical ULTR (Utility, Long, Tall, Relax) seats is just the start. Add that to a car that’s more economical, refined, and desirable than its predecessor. Honda promised to pull out all the stops with the Jazz and they’ve delivered on that promise. It’s the most desirable car for those on a budget.
Full Review here.
#2: Mazda3
Why we chose it: To say that the Mazda3 has re-written the compact car rule book is a complete understatement. Since its arrival to the market early this year, no other car has gathered the buzz and attention of car enthusiasts and buyers alike. From tip to stern, there’s no denying that Mazda has designed a winner. The head-turning good looks is then followed by the high-quality, driver-oriented interior, and capped off by the advanced Skyactiv drivetrain; being fully-loaded and great value for money works in its favor too. The 1.5-liter is okay, but the 2.0-liter is everything you desire in a car and then some. Aside from delivering the most smiles per mile, the Mazda3 is equally fuel-efficient and environmentally-friendly. No other car makes eco-minded commuting look sexy.
Full Review here and here.
#1: Subaru WRX
Why we chose it: Few cars can claim to be both performance-oriented and practical at the same time and out of that few, only a handful can claim to have the pedigree. This is what makes the Subaru WRX the absolute winner for 2014. Not only does it have all-weather performance provided by its turbocharged Boxer engine (a Ward’s 10 Best Engine winner to boot) and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, it’s actually roomier, more comfortable, and better built than ever before. Plus, it is much easier to push to the limit than its bigger brother, the WRX STI. It may not look as sleek as some other cars out there, but it’s designed to be drivable and that’s all that matters. It’s great in both MT and Lineartronic CVT guise, but the latter makes it the everyday super car that seats five.
Full Review here and here.
No love for the Honda Accord?
ReplyDeleteThe Honda Accord is good. Top 5 good? No. Top 10 good? Probably not. Top 15 good...yes it's there. The Accord's a good car...the most convincing iteration they've come up with for quite some time...BUT...it lacks the bells and whistles that'll make it consider it even above the Mazda6! For instance...it doesn't have cruise control! No cruise control on a P 2-million car?!
DeleteYou have a point there. The Mazda6 really had set the bar too high. Still, the 3.5L V6 earth dreams engine sure is sweet.
Delete"BUT...it lacks the bells and whistles that'll make it consider it even above the Mazda6! For instance...it doesn't have cruise control! No cruise control on a P 2-million car?!"
DeleteFollowing Uly's excellent logic, I would have to ask a similar question about the #5 entry: "No independent rear suspension on a P1.2M car?!?"
It's not in the type of suspension but how it's tuned. The Altis is a surprise this year despite the carryover mechanicals.
DeleteOn the other hand, the lack of cruise control on the Accord, IMHO is an oversight. Honda should have included that. Heck, the CR-V has it. The Civic has it.
You can only tune a non-independent suspension so far. But let's not kid ourselves, Toyota chose this setup for the Altis for cost savings and increased rear seat and trunk space. They could get away with it because the target market for this model is not exactly the driving enthusiasts who value handling and driving dynamics above rear seat and cargo-carrying space.
DeleteToyota is poorly equipped when compared to other brands for the same price range.
DeleteSir what can you say about the Honda Cruiser limited edition? is it a good buy?
ReplyDeleteHonda cruiser? What the heck is that??
DeleteYou mean the Sound Cruiser edition? I'm afraid it's not worth the extra money over the regular CR-V. Besides, Honda just previewed the 2015 version.
DeleteCris, forget that. Binihisan lang yun ng konti at dinagdagan ng magandang sound system dahil nilalangaw sales ng Cr-V. Bilhin mo lang yun kung lagi ka nagdadala ng karwahe ng patay or kabaong. There are much better choices for a CUV today.
DeleteNice choices, especially the bottom 3! But I hope even just one SUV/pick-up made it on this year's list.
ReplyDeleteNice choices, especially the bottom 3! But I hope even just one SUV/pick-up made it on this year's list considering we (Pinoys) love SUV/pick-up for practical reasons like flood, rough road etc.
DeleteSabihin mo na lang gusto mo isali yung piece of shit na Isuzu MU-X sa list na ito. Well, keep dreaming buddy.
DeleteNo good crossover or SUV this year to make it into the Top 5. That said, if we were to extend the list to a Top 10, there might be a few SUVs and crossovers in that list.
Deletewhy there's is no Honda City 2014 in your top 5? It's very efficient, low maintenance & cost effective specially for middle class..
DeleteThe Honda City is a good car but not great. The Honda Jazz is much better overall.
DeleteFor me the 2014 Mazda 3 should be the number 1. But its a toss up anyway between the Subaru and the Mazda. Both are great cars.
Great job Uly! Happy New Year Carguide!
I concur. This list exposes the unfortunate and disappointing sedan bias of the author. Even a competing website included an SUV in their end of year list.
DeleteSUVs have become the mid-price (P1m+) vehicle of choice not purely for their imposing looks but also for practicality. Venture out of the metropolis and the expressways with a sedan and the poor quality of our roads will demand that you babysit them over every pothole. Fundamentally, we drive cars to get from point A to B so it is IMO ludicrous to sacrifice the ruggedness demanded by our roads for handling and aesthetics.
The size of SUVs used to dent their practicality for city use, but new crossover and subcompact models have already addressed that. MPVs are another practical option which this site has overlooked.
I understand that the author wants the driving experience to be a priority, but he should at least give some credence to practicality since I assume this website has a broad audience.
Says you. I for one agree with the author's pick except for the altis. I'd have prefered a honda city but that's the author's personal pick and I respect that. We all have different preferences and you have to consider that the author is still human like us. Even the idiot below says his top pick is a sportivo and I respect that, its his opinion. Kanya kanyang trip lang, kung gusto mo gumawa ng list, go ahead. Walang pumipigil sa iyo.
DeleteNah, the Mazda can never be #1. The all-around efficiency (not just city driving) and technology are with Subaru. Sure, that's 600k more, but what's an HUD and a happy-go-lucky engine have against an intelligent CVT imitating 8-speed and 6-speed transferring torque to all 4 individual wheels?
DeleteThe Subaru is a true all-rounder.
LOL. Subaru fanboy. Very few would spend P1.9M for a compact sedan and use it as an everyday car. For 600K more of course it should have better specs and features than a regular FWD compact sedan. But it shouldn't be #1, nor even on this list. For P1.9M most buyers would be getting a high-end SUV or CUV; a small sedan, no matter how well-spec'ed, wouldn't even be considered.
DeleteUly ranking the WRX as #1 is as irrelevant and inconsequential as CAGI naming the Mini Cooper S as 2014-15 Car of the Year. Only idiot fanboys would spend P2.6M to get a luxury subcompact hatch. There a lot of excellent and more practical cars at that price level. I bet the CAGI award wouldn't even make an impact on the Mini Cooper S sales. Car of the Year awards for the Philippine setting should be limited to cars below P2M for local relevance, realism, and practical considerations.
But the WRX is less than? P2M which actually makes it a relatively attainable car. And that's partly the reason why it's there. It's like the 86.
DeleteThe Mini winning Car of the Year on the other hand... Hmm...
I agree with you completely Uly. I was pointing out to the guy above that comparing the WRX to the Mz3 is wrong, considering the price delta and intended market. The CAGI award for the Cooper S is just stupidly out-of-touch and laughably irrelevant in the Philippine context. For P2.6M I think most Filipino car buyers won't even consider it as a 3rd or 4th car. I'd get a Ford Mustang V8, Subaru WRX STI, Lexus CT 200h or IS 350, VW Golf GTI, etc.
DeleteBoom. I think you nailed it right on the head there.
DeleteBoom panot! Dapat kasi yung pinapasali sa CAGI eh hindi ex-DJs at commercial models, puro porma at yabang alam nila eh. Tignan mo yung car show nila sa 9TV, gayang-gaya yung Top Gear style of reviewing, pati over-acting kiddie-talking style gustong gayahin yung ginagawa ni Tiff Needell. Lolz.
Delete" Oh, look at that acceleration, it feel's whoooah, woooh, ZOMG, it feels so fast, I'm gonna orgasm, yeeaaahhh, woooh!!!! And the steering, wwoooow, ammmmazzzing, the handling is so grover, it's like parang!!!111 " LOLZ
Well buddy, in case you didn't know there are a lot of SUVs aside from the Isuzu MU-X (not saying that the Isuzu MU-X is no good though). Sometimes it helps to read the newspaper, magazines and websites like this one to know what cars or SUVs (for that matter) are already available here in our market instead of just looking at one brand.
ReplyDeleteAlso, if you know how to read I said, SUV/pick-up. What made you think I'm referring to the Isuzu MU-X? Well, keep dreaming buddy. Enjoy the holidays.
what other suv or pick up is new this year?
DeleteChevrolet Trailblazer (new variant)
DeleteFord EcoSport
Ford Explorer (new variant)
Ford Ranger Wildtrak (new variant)
Honda CR-V (updated model)
Hyundai Tucson (updated model)
Hyundai Grand Santa Fe
Nissan X-Trail
Mitsubishi ASX
Mazda CX-5 (new variant)
Subaru Forester (new variant)
The ecosport sucks. The nissan x-trail looks promising and it seems like it is worthy of being included in a top 10 list should there be one.
DeleteEasy to answer.
DeleteTrailblazer - too heavy, and the transmission takes too long before shifting, and is also very noisy in the cabin (personal experience)
EcoSport - disappointing just like the Chevy Spin, not really a people mover, more likely a tall smart car.
Explorer - bogs down more than it should
Ranger - too heavy to make use of its horsepower effectively, and is mediocre as an all-rounder
CR-V and below - you get the same experience, if not more, from cheaper cars.
Turd-world SUVs should be ruled out of consideration entirely. 1 basic rule should be: if it's not sold in the manufacturer's home country then it should be considered something that won't pass 1st-world emissions and safety standards.
Deletesurprised that Toyota vios, which I think is the bestselling car of 2014, did not appear in the top5. but pretty sure it must be in the top10 at least. surprised also that no Chevrolet car entered the list. neither did a Hyundai.
ReplyDeleteWhy did you think a prettified old tech vehicle such as the "all new" toyota vios would be included in the top 5? The honda city wasn't included and that's an infinitely better car than the toyota vios.
DeleteChevrolet and Hyundai are crap. No surprise about that.
My facts are straight. Hyundai, kia and chevrolet (which sells rebadged korean cars) are absolute piles of crap.
DeleteAgain with the longer warranty bullshit. I'll tell you again the extended warranty is plain marketing garbage. Korean cars break down easily. The aftersales service is a nightmare. Their cars are not even fun to drive. What good are those "modern" parts if at the end, the whole car itself still sucks? You're the one who has probably never driven any new cars at all and maybe you're the type of guy who still owns an old kia pride.
The best warranty in the world doesn't really offer the best performance in the world as well. The body roll in the Tucson was too much, there was a stupid smell with that came with the plastics on the new Accent, and probably only the Starex was good with me.
DeleteThe morons above don't seem to grasp the concept of warranties. If those cars are more prone to failures and warranty claims then the manufacturers and dealers for those brands should be losing a lot of money already right? LOL. The longer warranty is in fact an assurance of better quality. The kids above obviously have no experience working at any manufacturing company.
DeleteEh kung ganun logic niyo eh di mas maganda pala dapat 1 year lang i-offer na warranty ng "reliable" Toyota niyo diba. Lulz. Dumb4ss logic.
Hindi naman buong sasakyan ang may extended warranty. Transmission lang ata, which rarely breaks down nowadays. That's why the 8 year warranty is just some marketing bullcrap. It doesn't really make any difference. Korean cars are still crappy and subpar in quality.
Delete"Lang ata"? So hindi ka pala sure ano covered, pero sure ka na unreliable yun kaya ganun kahaba warranty? Lolz. Sa US nga, na napaka-stringent ang consumer protection laws, 6 years ang warranty ng Hyundai/Kia, 10 years sa powertrain at rustproofing. Na-uto ka na naman sa marketing slogan ng Toyota na "reliable" kuno, eh ang dami nila recall worldwide last year, together with Honda.
DeleteRecalling vehicles doesn't necessarily mean the vehicle is bad. Instead of leaving customers with faulty parts, companies go out of their way to check and fix the affected parts. Besides, only a handful of complaints led these companies to initiate the recall. In truth, almost all of the recalled vehicles were functioning normally as if nothing was really wrong anyway.
DeleteBuyers of korean cars on the other hand will have to put up with shitty quality and mediocre performance.
LOL. Word for word ang gaya sa marketing talking points ah. Pwede ka na sa PR department ng mga trapos or ad agencies. Ang mauuto mo lang diyan ay yung mga walang sariling pag-iisip at tamad mag-research.
DeleteWalang inuuto kung ang bibilhin nilang products ay high quality tulad ng toyota at honda.
DeleteAng totoong panloloko eh yung magbibigay ng extended warranty pero ang pangit pala ng overall quality ng sasakyang binili. Di mo naman mareklamo kasi hindi naman sira pero magtitiis ka sa walang kwentang performance ng korean cars. Bakit defensive ka sa korean cars? Napasubo ka at nakabili ka siguro no? Sige ipatuloy mo lang ang justification ng pagbili mo. Nasa denial stage ka pa. Lilipas din yan.
Uto-uto ka na at hindi mo pa rin alam yun dahil over-generalized ang reasoning mo. Lahat ng car brands may models na maganda, reliable at merong models na pangit at hindi maasahan. So sa pag-iisip mo na Toyota at Honda lang ang "reliable" at "high quality" ay isang malaking pagkakamali na agad. Nakapabili at nakagamit na ako ng halos lahat ng mainstream brands kaya hindi ako naging fanboy ng kahit anong brand, hindi tulad mo na hanggang Toyota at Honda pa lang ang nagagamit kaya dun ka naging fanboy.
DeleteHow about the MB B180 or B200? They are under P2M and look great.
ReplyDeleteNo test drive, no consideration :-)
DeleteI'm a probinsyano and I'm sad to see that Isuzu Sportivo is not included in the top 5.
ReplyDeleteFor me Sportivo is top 1. Second is my molti cab. 3rd is my tricykol. 4th is Isuzu MU-X. 5th is Mitsubishi Adventure.
I'm sure many OFWs would agree with my personal list.
And how do you pronounce it, "tricykel"? ...man, that's full of crap! just like "secooond"...go back to your basic English (American or British), you won't find those funny tagalog english pronunciations...Your comment tells me you have lots of hidden insecurities by belittling other people. It's time to wake up and get over it.
Deleteanong tagalog ng sarcasm?
DeleteNo lexus? Dang
ReplyDeleteRemember my criteria...no test drive, no consideration.
DeleteThe Lexus IS did make it to the Top 5 Picks in 2013.
Toyota Vios should be on Top 5 list, from looks to it's nice interior leather style stitches... and the best selling car for 2014...
ReplyDeleteLolz! Yan lang ba factors mo kung bakit dapat nasa top 5 ang vios? Matanong nga kita, meron bang touchscreen headunit, reverse camera, push start button, smart keyless entry ang vios mo? Diba lumang 4-speed automatic pa din gamit niyan? Kahit nga yung lumang honda city 5-speed na ang gamit.
DeleteI'm not sure if you're trolling or if you're just a clueless idiot. Isip isip din pag may time. Hahahaha!
boy magisip isip ka din mukang di ka nalabas ng kalsada, at tricycle lang nasasakyan mo, puro vios nakikita ko sa daan, yung mga kotse na sinasabi nila sa top 5 ala pa sa kalahati na nabenta ng vios. bugok! hahahaha
DeleteBobo, di porket maraming bumibili, maganda agad. Madaming naman din bumibili ng fortuner at innova pero matanong ko, magagandang mga sasakyan ba iyon? Kung susunduin ang pag iisip mo, ibig sabihin mas maganda pa ang vios kaysa sa mga BMW kasi mas konte? Isip isip din pag may time!!!! Sa sales ka lang tumitingin! Hahaha. Tangek!
Deleteuwi ka nalang sa probinsya dudong! mukang sa kalabaw ka lang nakikihitch! hahaha and walang taong bobo. tanga lang, tulad mo. check mo muna sa salamin pagkatao mo bago ka manghusga ng iba. mukang di tinuro ang good moral sa mental na pinag aralan mo. hahaha but still for me vios should be in the list... peace!
DeleteThe vios is a good car but i must agree that the 5 vehicles listed above are better and of more value for the benefit of the consumers. Compared to the others, there was no effort to upgrade the powertrain to the benefit of the consumers. Probably their reason is to maintain their lead in the taxi industry which doesn't require much upgrading.
DeleteThe Vios was in the Top 5 Picks in 2013.
DeleteCG what can you say on toyota FJ?
Deletehttp://www.carguide.ph/2014/01/review-2014-toyota-fj-cruiser.html
DeleteTop1 dapat sa taxi list ang Vios, lolz. That's the only thing going for it, taxi and fleet sales. Tignan niyo na lang feeling ng mga private Vios owners when they get mistakenly flagged-down as taxis at night.
DeleteNo ecosport on the list? Top 10? top 15? :)
ReplyDeleteNotice my review:
Deletehttp://www.carguide.ph/2014/08/review-2014-ford-ecosport-15-titanium.html
I don't think it will land even in the Top 10. Top 15...maybe.
How about the nissan sylphy? Any comments or feedbacks?
ReplyDeleteWait for a couple of days...we're releasing our review of the 2015 Sylphy.
DeleteOur review of the Sylphy just came out.
DeleteHow about the new Honda Civic?
ReplyDeleteLet's just say the Civic is getting there:
Deletehttp://www.carguide.ph/2014/09/review-2014-honda-civic-20-el-mugen.html
Not quite a Top 10 contender yet.
May bumibili pa ba ng Civic, lolz. Kahit bihisan pa ng Mugen at Modulo bodykits yan pangit pa rin yan at cheap ang materials at build quality. Kahit yung mga nasa Honda PH nag give-up na sa generation na ito at looking forward na sa next-gen.
DeleteHow about suzuki ertiga. Pls mention some pros and cons for this mpv.
ReplyDeleteSuzuki Ertiga will not be in top 10 or top 15, but it is a sure good MPV if you are on a budget. I know this because I own one.
ReplyDeleteI need any comment on toyota FJ
ReplyDeleteIts a gas guzzler, very impractical, expensive to maintain. Basically you're wasting money if you're going to buy this.
Deletehttp://www.carguide.ph/2014/01/review-2014-toyota-fj-cruiser.html
DeleteLOL at 10:29PM. Just because you can' afford it or the upkeep for it doesn't mean it's a bad car. I'd choose the FJ over a similarly-priced 3rd-world diesel SUV any day. It's the only car in recent memory that has a resale price that is almost the same as its brand-new price. Even the overpriced 1999-2000 Civic SiR can't match the FJ's resale value in %.
Deleteno test drive, no consideration...hmmm...ilan ang na-test drive? ilan ang hindi pa? i agree with most of the choices. pero, di ba mas maganda kung me data kung ilan ang nasubukan. if i missed out on it, my apologies. it will be very useful kasi for people who are relying partly on your reviews before buying one. thanks.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.carguide.ph/search/label/Driver%27s%20Seat
DeleteThere are currently 168 test drives for you to read. Among the 168, perhaps around close to 50 of them are in 2014 alone (I release a test drive every single week).
how about Subaru BRZ and Forester? how did they fair?
ReplyDeleteForester was Top Pick in 2013. The Toyota 86 (and subsequently, its twin, the BRZ) was Top Pick in 2012. But I prefer the 86 (personally).
DeleteAgree with Uly, I also prefer the 86 over the ovepriced BR-Z with its fake side hood vents and ugly black bar mouthguard. But both are underpowered and heavy for a supposed "lightweight" RWD 2-door sports car. For that price I'd get the WRX, much more power and AWD.
DeleteWhat a credible list. But I have to be bias that among the vehicles, I would choose the Mazda 3. Saw one in a mall, and I was absolutely blown away 'bout its gorgeousness. And look under the hood... that block is so perfectly assembled you couldn't imagine it's a Japanese car. I hope the model won't change yet because I'll be buying it this year if money goes around well. And I can't hardly imagine how awesome the Mazda 6 is.
ReplyDeleteI also have to commend Toyota for the Corolla Altis. They offer both MT and AT in every line up of the Altis. Something I would really have loved more if Mazda had done the same thing. And interior wise... many manufacturers can really learn from them. It was just an unexpected interior design, especially the dashboard.
The yet to be released new Mazda2 will be included in the top 5 list this year, I'm sure of it. Some candidates will be the new Ford Escape and Everest. That's my prediction.
ReplyDeleteAsked Mazda Philippines, they won't say when the Mazda 2/Demio will be available in the Philippines-probably middle of this year?
DeletePlan on getting a new car. Help please.... Yaris or vios? Got to be a toyota and altis is expensive. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI'd say, if you're really dead set on either the Yaris or Vios, I'd suggest to get the Yaris. Not only is it a rarer sight on our roads, it's actually slightly cheaper than the Vios too.
DeleteWhy anyone would wanna get a vios over a honda city is beyond me. I'll never understand the logic of these people. Clearly the honda city is superior yet somehow people like this guy still buys toyota's crap.
DeleteWith all due respect, I wouldn't call Toyota's products 'crap'. Even though I personally prefer Honda, there are loads of people who adore Toyota. It's not just about features but also about the reputation of the brand and last I checked, Toyota is still widely revered as one of the most dependable and reliable ones. Sure, the Vios might not be as well specced as the City, but it's also much more affordable. Keep in mind that, especially in our market, it's more about needs; and frankly, the City's features are more "nice-to-have"s rather than "must-have"s.
DeleteOver-hyped Toyota reliability. Most modern cars these days are at par in reliability parameters when compared to Toyota.
DeleteGood day, sirs. What car can you suggest po for travel in manila? Yung medyo hindi mo po proproblemahin yung baha? and yung medjo affordable po and fuel efficient. thank you po.
ReplyDeletePlease be more specific...budget? Preferred vehicle type? If budget no problem, the best anti-flood vehicle that I'll get would either be the Ford Ranger Wildtrak (for pick-up) or Chevrolet Trailblazer (SUV).
DeleteStill, I'd like to hear what you have in mind to find a more suitable car for you.
Ford Ecosport na yan!
DeleteGoodday sir, thank you for the reply po. I was thinking po yung hindi sana lalampas ng 1m yung price? preferrably po sedan or hatchback po. thank you so much po.
DeleteYou're looking for a sedan or hatchback that can ford floods? Be more realistic dude. Nothing like that exists in this world we're living in, unless you're fuckin' James Bond.
DeleteYou can join the OFW bandwagon and get an Isuzu Sportivo. It is priced below 1M and can survive any crap you throw at it since its basically one.
Thank you po sa reply and sorry po di ko po pinagisipan yung sinabi ko. hehe. I was thinking of getting the ecosport po. parang ok naman yung ground clearance. thank you po
DeleteI wonder when the Honda HRV and Mazda CX-3 will be released here? I'm sure these cars will be better than the Ford Ecosport.
DeleteMy question to you is: how many times will you actually drive through floods? How many times will you actually make your car go through one?
DeleteHaving great water wading depth is good and can be your last resort when you really need to get home in an emergency, but will you sacrifice comfort and convenience for it? The EcoSport is indeed good for that or even the Jimny jacked up with an aftermarket snorkel and suspension.
But if comfort and practicality tops your list and crossing floods won't be the norm, get the Honda Jazz. You'll thank yourself for doing so.
Onga naman, stupid rin itong mga pumipili ng mataas na sasakyan dahil kuno sa "floods". The best driving tip for rainy days is to AVOID going through floods. Simple as that. If unavoidable, wait for it to subside. Sino nagsabi kelangan mo daanan yung flood? As for the OP, get a small hatch or sedan for that 1M price. Vios, City, Jazz, Yaris, Mz3 1.5 are better choices than the EcoSport, which has a very bad tranny logic in stop&go traffic. Hindi pa rin nila maalis yung sakit ng DCT nila.
DeleteSirs, thank you po sa replies. Really appreciated it po. I'll take into account everything that you contributed in making my decision po. Thank you po ulit.
DeleteMarami din pala manglalait dito.
DeleteThe reason the Adventure and Crosswind still selling a lot because for most Filipino families THIS IS the most value for money vehicle. Reliable, practical (sits extended members of the family), and economical. Why hate? Buti na lang nalampasan na natin yong assembled jeeps.
By the way, top 5 or top 10 lists especially if cuts across categories are meant as guides. Different criteria means or weighs differently among buyers.
Thanks Mr. ANG. Will post upon aquiring the yaris. Thanks for the advise. For the city fan guy, please respect the decision of people and don't make comments on toyota if you don't own or used one for a long time. Been a toyota user since 1987 toyota Corona 12r. Been a Honda user once a civic sir loved the performance but the simplicity and service reliability of Toyota is still taken into consideration. Any way still... Thank you for your comment
ReplyDeleteHonda and Toyota's reliabilty are on par. There's little to no difference except maybe toyota's slightly cheaper maintenance but that's it. All else, the honda city/jazz trumps the vios/yaris. You know, why don't you set a test drive appointment and see the difference.
DeleteNo worries. And for the record, I've always believed to each his own. If you want to go for the Vios/Yaris over the City/Jazz, then do so. It's the same if you prefer Korean cars to Japanese. The bottom line is that you must be getting a car that fits your needs and preferably, your wants as well.
DeleteAh ganun, ignore niyo lang ba yung mag recalls ng Toyota at Honda all over the world during the past year. Sige tiwala lang kayo sa sales pitch nila ha.
DeleteHow about Mitsubishi products sir? What can you say?
ReplyDeleteThey launched only a handful of products in 2014. We drove the ASX GSR:
Deletehttp://www.carguide.ph/2014/10/first-drive-2015-mitsubishi-asx-gsr.html
Just avoid the 3rd-world Mitsu products, I'd trust the Mirage more than the Montero or Strada. At least yung Mirage binebenta rin sa Japan, meaning it passes that country's emissions & safety standards, unlike those 3rd-world diesel truck-based crap.
DeleteGood day, sirs! What first car can you suggest for manila? It has to be an SUV and price range is less than 1.5M. I currently have my eye on the 4x2 a/t Isuzu MU-X because of all the features it has for the price. I am an incoming freshman not from manila. Looking for one that will last 10 years haha! (Reason is because I will continue until medicine) I prefer one that at least has GPS and a backup camera to help me in manila. Also I'm thinking of waiting until the start of classes on August to be able to choose from the new cars that might come out this year.
ReplyDeleteTL;DR
Looking for first car that will last 10 years
Great service repair from the brand
SUV
GPS & Backup Cam
EDITS (I am an incoming college freshman)
DeleteWag MU-X. Unless you're gonna carry lots of people or you'll be travelling to the provinces, avoid it at all cost. Its too big, it will be more expensive to maintain and you'll look like a total douche.
DeleteIf you want a vehicle with good ground clearance, easy to maneuver, comfortable and cheap to maintain, get a crossover. Subaru XV and Mitsubishi ASX are great choices. If you want a sedan, the Mazda3 2.0L or a Toyota Altis 2.0L is probably one of the best choices out there. The Honda Civic 2.0L is also a decent choice since it has a reverse camera.
Sir, I can't say no to SUV because my mom thinks that if I ever get into an accident I might die because I was in a crossover or a sedan.
DeleteThat's not true anymore. Even smaller subcompacts already have 5-star crash rating, have more advanced crumple zones and are safer than say, a Toyota Fortuner. Given, the MU-X also has a 5-star crash rating but it won't make any difference if one drives like a maniac. A crossover will pretty much match or even exceed a typical college student's needs.
DeleteOkay. I'll try to convince the boss haha!
DeleteSo far from your suggestions, I think I like the Mazda3 most cause it looks really nice. What's the difference between Mazda3 2.0 R Skyactiv 5DR Speed and Mazda3 2.0 R Skyactiv 5DR? Is the Nissan X-trail a viable option? Should I wait for new car releases for the year? I am set to purchase on August pa naman po.
Mazda3 2.0R Speed has body kits, black rims, white leather interior and bose speakers. Personally, I'd rather choose the ordinary Mazda3 2.0 since black leather is easier to maintain and I'm not a big fan of body kits since it will scrape the ground a lot.
DeleteThe Nissan X-Trail looks good, lots of features at a reasonable price, unlike the CR-V. Many foreign reviews of the X-Trail are already out and they're mostly positive. If you can wait, then get the X-trail.
Does Mazda have good servicing? I really don't want to buy a car that has bad service repair because it would be a really big problem for me as a student if I can't get to school. And if I really can't get anything other than an SUV, is there anything bad about the MU-X that I should know about? What other SUV that has GPS and back-up cam would you recommend besides MU-X and why? Also will a new fortuner, montero, and everest come out later this year?
DeleteI don't mind looking like a douche because I know I am not and besides I'm going to admu and big cars are probably not gonna make me look like a douche haha!
In my experience, Mazda's service is ok. We have a Mazda2 as our second car and so far no problems plus it has a 3 year free maintenance.
DeleteIf you truly want GPS and Reverse Camera, then check the Mitsubishi ASX GSR. It has all the features you'll need and throws in some extras like the panoramic sunroof.
One last question sir. Does the MU-X have keyless passive entry?
DeleteThe top models have keyless passive entry. If you're really determined getting the MU-X, by all means go ahead but honestly, its just too big for a first car and if you're going to drive it in Manila, finding a parking space in the schools are a pain in the ass even when you're driving a smaller car. You should be prepared for more expensive maintenance because of its bigger engine displacement and you'll also have to change filters more often compared to gasoline cars.
DeleteIf I were you, I'd get the smallest car since it will be used only in the city. If you're going to be travelling to the provinces, that's a differeny story.
Okay. I'll try to convince the boss haha!
ReplyDeleteSo far from your suggestions, I think I like the Mazda3 most cause it looks really nice. What's the difference between Mazda3 2.0 R Skyactiv 5DR Speed and Mazda3 2.0 R Skyactiv 5DR? Is the Nissan X-trail a viable option? Should I wait for new car releases for the year? I am set to purchase on August pa naman po.
The Mazda3 Speed is available only in Snowflake White or Soul Red, has the Bose sound system, has dark alloy wheels and aero kit, and white/black seats.
DeleteAs for the Nissan X-Trail, it's a lovely crossover and can be considered...I liked it during the first drive activity we had, but I'm looking forward to a more extensive test soon.
Mga Sir! I'm planning to buy a car (my 1st one). Choices: 1. Nachecked ko na ang Altis parang ang bigat niya tingnan with 1.6 (di kaya lugi ako sa gas nun). 2. Civic ayaw ko ng porma nun. 3. Chevy Cruze - mukhang gusto ko sya sa porma at 1.8 na rin... Hingi naman po ng advise para di naman ako magsisi bandang huli...
ReplyDeleteWag Cruze. Chevy kasi eh. Mahal ang parts tapos lumang model na rin at mababa pa ang resale value. Civic na base model na lang. Bihisan mo lang, ok na.
DeleteHi, Im torn betweeen the altis 1.6 and the 1.8 civic MT models. Which car has the best sounding engine upon revving and better overtakes on open road? Which car is more reliable let's say for the next 10 years? Thanks for the advice (y)
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