Used Car Review Compilation (8/28/2012 Update)

NOW UPDATED WITH LINKS TO NEW ARTICLES. LIST WOULD BE UPDATED ONCE IN A MONTH.

UPDATE AS OF AUGUST 28, 2012.

I've started creating used car reviews since December 2011 in a weekly basis and it would be very hard for several of my blog visitors to wade around my blogsite. So, to simplify your life, I would be compiling all used car reviews done by me and this list would be updated once a month and you'll see the possible vehicles that I would be making a used car review in the future, and the existing ones. You may also suggest a car that you want to see in this page by commenting. Do take note I would not be reviewing all used vehicles locally, only those that are desirable as a used car purchase, or cars that demand as collectors items. All existing models are not included.

So, here are the cars. Links are provided for available articles.

Used Car Review - Mitsubishi Lancer GSR (1997-2002)

As the nation say goodbye to the Filipino month, Myk Belmonte treats everyone by featuring a daring vehicle. Filipinos feast on sedans, vans, AUVs, and even SUVs; but a two door coupe? Very rare in the Philippines, indeed. The vehicle for this week brought in two door fun for mainstream money.

1997-2002 Mitsubishi Lancer GSR

History

In the automobile kingdom, there exists a common four door body known as the sedan and his lesser brother, the two door style aka coupe. The latter body configuration was commonly seen in high performance vehicles which one can enjoy the ride (adding other passengers is a tight fit). But, there exists two door coupes that are tuned for luxury or everyday driving - and these represent a small niche of the automobile chain.

Among the Lancer family, only the first, sixth, and seventh generation variants had the two door configuration. The seventh generation model was the last Lancer having two doors on its body (apart from the regular sedan and a wagon). The Cedia body - introduced in year 2000 in Japan and years later in several markets - that preceded it never offered a coupe.

Launched a year later after the sedan version, the Lancer GSR was a niche vehicle that filled the void left by the Honda Civic hatchback years before. If the Lancer sedan were Aga Mulach or Toni Gonzaga, the Lancer GSR would be Nino Mulach or Alex Gonzaga, less popular siblings of famous artists. The GSR (there also exists a Lancer GSR from 2006-2007 in a sedan body) fills the role in a special market, adventurous single people. Production ended in 2002, without a direct replacement from the Lancer lineup and no successor from GSRs sedan counterparts sold locally.

Value and Costs

If you are in the market for a two door car but with less cash, the Lancer GSR is a bargain. With prices between P170,000-P250,000, it is slightly higher than the sedan but for a good reason. The Civic hatch - which is years older than the GSR - would set you back the same amount but the engine is fed via a carburetor and most of the units you'll see are already modified, making the hunt for a stock Civic hatchback a needle in a haystack. Beware of modified units that are made to imitate the Lancer Evolution (besides, the Evo was never offered in two door guise), these can be a pain to own.

One good thing about this vehicle is that, it shares vehicle parts with its sedan brethren. Nearly from the engine, suspension, and several major components are identical. In fact, other mechanical parts are available in original, replacement, and third party flavors. One common problem among Mitsubishi sedans in the 90s is the suspension system, so do have an eye on it. The idle air-control mechanism is such a rare replacement part, if yours break, get a new one rather than working on a stopgap measure.

Exterior and Interior

Majority of the GSRs exterior styling is derived - and can use the same synonyms - from the sedan. But the two front doors are slightly longer in length than the sedan, which is a disadvantage in parking lots. The roofline is shorter and same is true with the wheelbase. This vehicle emphasized sporty looks than overall practicality.

Loyal Lancer Pizza owners would feel at home inside the GSR, with the layout of the controls and the dashboard design being similar to the sedan version. Both driver and front passenger would get adequate room while the rear occupants - with the roofline a bit less - would complain for less room, that's if the occupant has above average height.

Engine

While the Lancer GSR is offered with the 4G92 1,597cc engine, two power updates had been done. Initial models have 115hp at 6,000rpm and 138Nm at 5,000rpm while 1998 and later models get 124hp and 150Nm with the same revs. The change in figures can be attributed to a different camshaft configuration, and an updated knock-sensor equipped EFI system. Performance wise, the Lancer is loves to be revved at but the adrenaline rush cannot be found.

Driving Impressions

Similar to the sedan version, the Lancer GSR holds well to the streets but handling won't beat the Civic EK during that time. You can attack corners due to the swiftness it provides, but it shows its limitations on tight bends. Visibility - especially at the rear - can take some time to be accustomed with, due to the raked lines and - in some models - the stock spoiler can be a distraction. To single guys out there, you and your beau can fit perfectly but tag along her friends at the rear, they will complain for cramps later.

Verdict

There is a good point for not being popular. Donito Nonaire is one underrated boxer, while the Mitsubishi Lancer GSR is one unnoticeable vehicle in the market back then. It had good points as well as the bad, but with the economy in the loom during release time, the Lancer GSR might have been a hit with bachelors back then. It is a steal for P200,000 - if you are looking for something unique.

Popular Cars of Iloilo City

Fresh from my three day visit in this city, I could now share some observations with you on what our Illonggo brothers and sisters drive. Pardon if I do not have any pictures since my camera took a day off from its 2012 PIMS trip. From the Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan, then passing through Santa Barbara and Pavia up to the city itself, I have seen what they buy and drive. In this case, I will be counting vehicles that have their license plates that starts with the letter "F".

Based on my count, pick-up trucks, AUV's, and mid-size sport utility vehicles from mainstream brands rule the street with the Nissan Frontier (from the earlier versions to the Navarra), Ford Everest, Mitsubishi Montero Sport, Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi L200 Strada, Mitsubishi Adventure, Toyota Innova, and Isuzu Crosswind dominating Iloilo streets. Since this is a province, it would be natural for some to purchase pick-up trucks since they might have their own farms or fish pens. While the vehicles mentioned that do not have beds are also popular among Filipino consumers.

If Manila streets are flooded with Vioses and Corolla Love Lifes, in Iloilo's mall taxi bays are the numerous Vios, Avanza,Sentra and Accent taxis. Yes, these three vehicles are the cabbies pick there and in fact, you'll see more current generation Accents and Avanzas performing their taxicab duties there than in Manila! The default Corolla Love Life are dwindling in numbers, same case with the Sentra B14. To quote my Taxicabs across the Philippines article, their taxi company name are styled with effort.

Among passenger cars, the Vios, Corolla (including the Altis), City, and Sentra are the Ilonggo buyer preferences. Older models of the Corolla and Sentra are still plying the streets up to now testifying to their reliability. I have also seen Fiesta hatchbacks than the Mazda equivalent, despite the presence of a Mazda dealer. Compact SUV's that had captured the hearts of the locals are the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Nissan X-Trail, and the Chevrolet Captiva. And I have seen more Nissan Grand Livinas than in Manila!

To conclude, the locals (compared to the Manila people) are adventurous when it comes to their car choices and what is limited in Manila it is like rice in Iloilo. And in fact, it is a halo-halo in vehicles in there.

Here are some Youtube videos of Iloilo street scenes.

Used Car Review - Toyota Liteace (1989-1999)

College life is fun right? With the school related events, parties thrown by your friends, numerous heartbreaks, sleepless nights due to the thesis and term papers, and the road trips. Myk Belmonte invites you to go back in time with this vehicle and reminisce. Keeping with this month's theme, don't forget its assembled in the Philippines.

1989-1999 Toyota Liteace

History
Vans during the 80s and 90s in the Philippines come in various shapes, sizes, and price ranges. Large ones include the clan (family and gangsters) favorite L300 and Hiace, to the American inspired Honda Odyssey and Mazda MPV, and taking up the smallest part of the van chain are the Daihatsu Hijet (the one that install your telephone and cable lines use), Nissan Vanette, and the Toyota Liteace. The popular Tamaraw FX (and the descendant named Revo), Isuzu Hilander, Mitsubishi Adventure, and other backyard assembled AUVs don't make the cut since they don't have sliding doors.

With names of Townace, Masterace, and Van (I'm serious about this); the Toyota Liteace was first launched in 1978. It was a wonder which provided seating for seven to eight people in a short wheelbase, good for city driving. The engine is located under the driver's seat and a 4WD option was made available. Production stayed until 2007 under four generations.

The Liteace was made available to the Filipino consumer in 1989 and became an instant hit. Slightly longer (and more roomier) than the Hijet but consumes less road space than the L300. From families to rich college students (think of Bagets and Tabing Ilog) to transport their barkada to anyplace, this little wonder captured the hearts and wallets of buyers. Production ceased in 1999 with the Hiace taking over the role that the Liteace did for Toyota. We cannot consider the Avanza as the direct descendant of the Litace despite having the same length and possessing small displacement engines.

Value and Costs
For a price equivalent of a brand new compact sedan with a 1.6 engine back then, you can now obtain a second hand unit from P90,000 to P140,000. Basic models from 1989 to 1992 would set you back below a hundred grand or a snip while 1993 and up power loaded GXL variants takes up the upper side of the range. There are Liteaces (and even the Townace equivalent) from Japan wandering in the used car market, be cautious with them since problems regarding their conversion, air-conditioning systems, and decade old electronics that malfunction.

Before driving this van out of the dealer's lot, have you checked these in the unit you've been looking? Inspect the cooling system's reliability (overheating is a common occurence for Liteaces), the air-conditioning mechanism (good luck if hot air blows your hair), the sliding door's capability to protect occupants from water entering during the rainy season (body damage can be the culprit at worst while there is a need for replacing the sliding-door rollers at best), and the carburetor system works properly.

Exterior and Interior
You and I have the same comment that the Liteace is old, but the design does not look current nor looks dated. Early models had their headlamps wrapped in framed seal beams, but swapping it with later model headlamps would remedy the cosmetic issue and also gives you better vision at night. Rust is not a problem unless the previous owner had crashed the van or the daily route involves flooded streets.

Despite the small exterior, the Liteace is big on interior room - with seven warm bodies loving the space provided. The interior bits are high on function factor but low on the bling; but you won't mind since cleaning the dashboard is easy via the usage of a high quality rag (not the pranelas sold in the streets). Notice the steering wheel, it is tilted in a 60 degree position, so get used to it if you are accustomed to sedans.

Engine
We wish that the Liteace sold locally had a diesel engine, but Toyota Motor Philippines decided to equip the small wonder with a 1,486cc 5K gasoline engine that has 64hp at 4,800rpm and 102Nm at 3,200rpm on tap. It does not have any fuel injection system, but a carburetor to feed the engine. As what physics dictate us, having a weaker engine (no thanks to the carb engine and low power output combo) and a heavy body would result to low fuel consumption, but it can travel up to 145kph (as what the speedometer dictates) without stress.

Driving Impressions
Sit on the drivers seat, and you will experience driving a mini bus with your friends or family - no thanks to the angle of the steering wheel. But you won't mind it since it will give you an advantage when it comes to visibility, couple it with the high seating position. The mounted steering wheel can be a problem if tackling tight parking maneuvers that the metro has to offer. The ride is on the comfortable side, that's if you avoid potholes littered anywhere in the streets. Your passengers won't complain in general, unless the air-conditioning system conks out.

Verdict
Filipinos are social persons, we love to travel and hang out with our friends (from your high school batch mates to the people you've met online) and our families. With a multitude of vans of different sizes and prices, the Liteace is a bargain if one prioritizes a limited budget and size factors. Jump in and enjoy the ride! Family and barkada bonding? More fun in the Philippines and with the Toyota Liteace.

Cars of the 2012 Philippine International Motor Show

As I write this piece, vehicle sales from January to July of this year saw 105,394 (based on my calculations from available data) vehicles driving from dealership floors, a 10 percent increase over the same period in 2011. And since this year is a prosperous one, more new car releases are in the pipeline, good for both buyers and enthusiasts. As Mang Inasal said, "the more the merrier"; same goes with the car industry. So, your Ultimate Used Car Guide visited the 2012 Philippine International Motor Show to check out the latest models and new releases that would surely be an interest to the reader.

Here are some significant vehicles that are hits, and don't doubt why other brands are not here since they are not CAMPI (Chamber of Automobile Manufacturers of the Philippines) members.

Used Car Review - Honda CR-V (2002-2006)

Some say Filipinos would do anything (yes, just anything) to get something. Practically this applies to cars, especially the ones sold in the Philippines. Myk Belmonte explores this popular SUV that jumped a class that is known among Filipino motorists. The story about this is hidden in this article.

2002-2006 Honda CR-V

History
Filipinos are social and family oriented, we love to bond and spend time with our friends and families. Vehicles that have more than five seats (six is a tight fit) are best sellers locally - with 60% of all vehicles sold last year belong to the commercial vehicles classification. With a sedan, you could fit five warm bodies with minimal space for their cargo placed in the trunk. AUVs are a staple among Philippine roads and some manufacturers slap front benches that can accommodate three in a pinch among pick-up trucks and SUVs.

With chassis code RD4, the second generation CR-V - released in year 2002 - had more weight and gained a considerable number of inches. The success of this SUV prompted Honda to release a smaller SUV with the Element as its name and even Chinese car manufacturer Shuanghuan to draw inspiration for their version (unlicensed) called the Labiao SR-V, with legal action from Honda against copying the exterior's design. It bid farewell to the multi-step rear tailgate that required the opening of the glass latch first.

The second gen CR-V became available in Honda dealers the same year with the worldwide release. The distinct feature among CR-Vs sold internationally is the optional third row seats. This was done by placing it on the supposed cargo area and making the rear suspension more sturdy. It was a strategy for Honda to avoid the additional taxes imposed on vehicles that can carry less than 10 people. During its selling time, this SUV became Honda's best seller (with more than 9,000 units sold in 2003 itself) and was billed as the sophisticated AUV. Sales ceased in 2007 to give way to the RE1 CR-V introduced during that year.

Value and Costs
Question: what does the Toyota Revo with a diesel engine and the Isuzu Crosswind of the same period do have in common? Resale values are not far behind each others. Between P400,000-P470,000 for a decent unit, the second gen CR-V competes with the above mentioned vehicles and its "true" competitors of the same time. With many units to choose from (it sold extremely well), choosing a unit is a piece of cake.

If I were to compare it with the Revo, Crosswind, or Adventure; maintenance costs would be unfairly high but if you compare it with the CR-V's peers (with name plates of Escape, RAV4, X-Trail, or similar) it costs the same. While there are no threatening issues surrounding the gen 2 CR-V, have a keen eye on the rear suspension - especially if its still intact - which has been stiffened to accommodate the added weight of the third row seat and a recall issued by Honda Cars Philippines in March 2012 which involved 2002-2004 CR-V's lighting switch assembly . Another good news is that parts are easy to obtain.

Exterior and Interior
For those who are blessed with eagle eyes, you'll notice that the CR-V's styling is derived from the previous generation with some cues from the ES chassis Civic sold during the same time. You may say that it looked more elegant than sporty if you compare it to the older model. Blacked-out bumpers come standard in 8-seater models, but watch out for scratches.

The wonder of the this iteration of the CR-V is in the interior. Space is decent enough for front seat occupants, with the parking brake and automatic transmission shifter are mounted in the dashboard. But if we talk about ergonomics, the SUV (or AUV) is a mixed bag. The 4x2 8 seater's - or 10 "cheater" in local parlance - second row seat has four seatbelts (yes, four crammed in one bench!) as standard. If you want to experience the lumpiang ubod feeling, get this SUV and have four people (who have taken a bath if possible) wear their seatbelts. The third row placed for more seating capacity is nothing to praise, with comfort and room non-existent. The interior has easy to use controls, but dull to look at.

Engine
You can have your CR-V back in 2002-2004 with just one sole engine option, a K20A 1,998cc gasoline with 150hp at 6,500rpm and 194Nm at 4,000rpm. In mid-2004, a K24A1 2,354cc is offered as an option with figures of 160hp at 5,500rpm and 222Nm at 4,500rpm on tap. Do take note that the K20A is front wheel drive while the K24A1 engine has all-wheel drive as standard. The 2.0 engine can achieve low end torque peaks which is relaxing for long drives, but the 2.4 power plant's extra displacement, power, and torque didn't do justice.

Driving Impressions
Engineers from Honda decided to ditch its sporty driving characteristics and put refinement in the dictionary. Your passengers would feel the plush but firm ride due to the stiff suspension set-up to accommodate the extra payload. Attacking corners is less inspiring than the previous one but it is agile with the loss of some feedback. If you want comfort from the daily grind or cruising, this is one good choice.

Verdict
Some say that Filipinos do have that diskarte in life, and even manufacturers and distributors in the Philippines would even do anything just to offer their products in an affordable manner. The Honda CR-V is one of these vehicles that injected the diskarte. Imagine this, they've placed four safety belts in the middle plus slap in that third row (even if its at the expense of passenger room) to avoid taxes imposed on non-AUVs.

Used Car Buying Tips - Buying Repossessed Cars

Updated: August 30, 2015. The original article was posted in August 8, 2012.

According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, the term repossess means "to regain possession of" or in the financial sense, to take possession of (something bought) from a buyer in default of the payment of installments due. This article deals with vehicles bought back by banks (or financial institutions) since their owners cannot pay their amortizations billed by banks every month. With the automotive industry selling more than 200,000 since 2013 and all in low down payments being the norm, it is no surprise that more and more repo cars come to your local banks. If you are willing to take the plunge or looking an alternative to buy a used car, read this first before gambling

Where Do I Buy Repossessed Units?
Usually, banks (the largest ones) do have them at their warehouses. These include PS Bank, Union Bank, RCBC Savings, Banco De Oro, BPI, EastWest Bank, Maybank, Chinabank, and Sterling Bank. Other banks do have listings so better check them out. Toyota Financial Services have their repo units along Pasong Tamo Makati. You may Google them out or browse the Sunday Classified Ads of Manila Bulletin.

PS Bank warehouse in Libis, Quezon City

Majority of the units are latest model year vehicles, since financial institutions cannot finance vehicles older than five to seven years old. Majority of them are in varying states of condition, from the untouched to the poor ones. And most of the vehicles are sold in a "as is, where is" basis, and some do have their warranties intact (but read it properly, since some might be forfeited because of some provisions).

Majority of repossessed cars are late model vehicles, with some have no license plates

What To Look At?
Don't do this alone, bring a trusted mechanic with you to check what's fishy with the car you are considering. Check the oil from the engine and the transmission, if they have been replenished and good as new. If possible, make kalikot or open the things that you can open (such as caps in the engine and the handles). As with buying a used car, make sure to drive it around and test every gears (some don't allow a brief test drive). Have a camera ready to take pictures of the car since some douche bag may steal some parts. Expect some inferior quality tires and dead battery, and even some interior stains. Some have been flooded or totally wrecked, so do have an eye for them and avoid. And lastly, check if the registration is named after the bank, with some incidents like a stolen vehicle record may occur.

Some repos are in tip top shape (above), while some have accidents and are in bad shape (below)

You may either participate in a bidding style or buy it one the lot (but remember, lot prices are slightly higher than auction prices). If you participate in the auction, make sure all documents are submitted to their main office and an initial deposit is paid. If you buy straight, make sure that the car is in good condition. If you have the car (or won), all legal documents are in your responsibility.

If Something Goes Wrong
In that case, better have someone in the bank to take care of you. If there are car problems, make sure it could be remedied ahead.

Buying a repossessed car could be a happy moment or a sad day for one. The good thing is they are recent year models but the bad they could be neglected. Besides, it wouldn't hurt to look at them since who knows, you might want that car, for less.

There are some luxury cars, like this Jaguar, that you may dream of

Source:
http://tsikot.com/forums/car-insurance-financing-auto-loans-talk-134/buying-bank-repossessed-cars-23875/

Used Car Review - Nissan Sentra Exalta (2000-2001)

Filipinos deserve nothing but the best after a long tiring day. But, do remember that it must be on a budget. And Myk Belmonte scouts around the used car land for bargains that can be had for less. So, you can now tell your friends that your car has luxury items for less cash without joining Showtime or Eat Bulaga.

2000-2001 Nissan Sentra Exalta

History
If you mention the word "luxury", lavishness and tons of money come to mind. Not all people can afford a BMW, Benz, or a Bentley (drool more) - especially in the financial and maintenance sense. Other manufacturers such as Toyota, Ford, and Volkswagen (sister brands of Lexus, Lincoln, and Audi respectively) lend their mass market vehicles and put glamorous features (such as excessive chrome, leather all around, and tons of gadgets).

Yulon Motor of Taiwan purchased 75% ownership of Nissan's newly-built assembly plant located in Santa Rosa, Laguna. Did you know that Yulon had a relationship with Nissan since 1967? Yes, they produce Nissan vehicles under license and also assembles Chrysler, Geely, GM, Mercedes Benz and Mitsubishi. Apart from vehicle assembly, the company engages in vehicle importation. They bring in Infiniti, Nissan, and Renault vehicles to Taiwan.

The Yulon acquisition had the Nissan Sentra Exalta introduced to the Philippine market in the year 2000. It was billed as the direct (and only competitor during that time) rival of the Toyota Corolla Altis 1.8. It utilized the GA16NE engine (the Sentra Super Saloon uses a different type from the GA engine family) and saw the usage of chrome and leather. This model paved way for the usage of the Exalta badge for the N13 Sentra from 2001-2003, it reverted back to simply Sentra in 2004. Variants include the simpler SLA and the fully loaded STA.

Value and Costs
The price of luxury can be had for less than a million bucks when brand new. 10 years later or so, affordable luxury can be attained for P210,000-P260,000. Nissans (in general) do have poor resale values, so these are bargains for used car buyers. You'll also encounter N13 Sentras of later age in that price range, so have a keen eye if its an original Sentra Exalta B14 you'd seek.

Electronic gadgets are a dream for one's car, but their breakdowns can cause headaches. If you're inspecting a unit, pay particular attention to these gadgets (especially in the STA variant) if they function well. The idle air control valve, mass airflow sensor, the alternator, and battery should be checked thoroughly since the gadgets put extra load for the MAF sensor and the air control valve. The rear suspension is soft due to the comfort biased nature and must be checked for weird noises that warrants a replacement. Leather is nice until they have scratches and stains. Spare some money for repairs and you'll be rewarded with a worry free journey. On the flipside, mechanical parts (most of them) are similar to other Sentra B14's.

Exterior and Interior
Not much is to be said with the exterior, since it uses the body of the B14 Sentra where it was based on. Color coded handles are standard - as opposed to the blacked ones in the lowly trim lines. The STA does have the sunroof as standard equipment. You may dismiss this variant as luxurious or tacky looking.

If there's one thing to discuss about the Sentra Exalta B14, it would the interior. Occupants receive a roomy interior but the rear is tight for six footers. Both variants receive wood accents, rear backup sensors, and sapphire starlight gauges. The SLA does have a manual transmission, and basic power amenities; the STA is paired with an automatic transmission and a laundry list of features - which includes the availability of a sunroof, 12 disc CD changer, retractable window shades, leather seating, retractable mirrors, automatic climate control, hands free system (for older Nokia phones), and a four disc braking system.

Engine
If Sentra Super Saloons use a GA16DNE engine mentioned on my Sentra B14 article, the Exalta utilizes a GA16DE 1,596cc for both SLA and STA variants. The carry 110hp at 6,000rpm and 140Nm @ 4,000rpm, almost similar to the other GA engine found on local Sentras. If the SS has the potential to speed up, the Exalta can be described as slower once you get behind the wheel. Why slow? This is because of the added heft caused by the electronic gadgets and the comfort bias rear suspension.

Driving Impressions
If you're the type who longs for the freeway or long drives, the Exalta is the perfect match. Your passengers would feel in comfort since the suspension is tuned for them, and the combo for the leather is nice. But, handling is not as agile as the EK Civic and due to the comfort priority, expect numb handling. Better avoid zigzag roads and tight curves if you want to fully utilize this car's potential as an alternative to expensive luxo sedans.

Verdict
Different people have different definitions of the word luxury. The Sentra Exalta (in B14 platform) is one wonder during its time for offering luxury features at mass market prices. Just remember that luxury items (such as gadgets) are nice to have, but break them and it would mean catastrophe. If you're not a badge snob and adventurous at a same time, why not consider the Sentra Exalta B14?

Used Car Review - Ford Lynx (1999-2005)

Since August is the Buwan ng Pambansang Wika, Myk Belmonte and your Ultimate Used Car Guide celebrates it by featuring vehicles produced and assembled in the Filipinos. Our first featured car for this month is a gem made by Filipinos, bet you didn't know this is exported to our ASEAN neighbors.

1999-2005 Ford Lynx

History
If in case you lived under a rock throughout your life (or six feet underground, in case you are reading from heaven that has free Wi-Fi connection), Ford had a financial stake on Mazda since the latter's financial troubles during the 1960s, and this resulted to numerous tie-up projects between Ford and Mazda. Notable vehicles developed under the union include the Ford Ranger and Mazda B Series pickup trucks, the Ford Explorer and Mazda Navajo SUVs, and the Ford Laser and the Mazda Familia sedans; with the Ford counterpart being the subject of this article.

From the Laser's inception in 1980 that spawned five versions later on, the fifth (and final) Laser was introduced internationally in 1999. Under the chassis codes of KN & KQ and using the Lynx and Tierra nameplates, it received lukewarm sales in most of established markets (the Focus is hot stuff in Europe and the Escort is loved by Americans). It continued to be sold in several countries until 2005, with the European Focus replacing it. Mazda did the same strategy that Ford had done, with the Familia/Protege sedans got succeeded by the Mazda3.

The Ford Lynx was an important vehicle for Ford Group Philippines when it was unveiled in September 1999. The Lynx (they've decided to ditch the Laser badge to avoid associations with the 80s wonder) is exported to our South East Asian neighbors and the practice continued until 2005. Throughout its selling date, it was only - unless you count the Lincoln Town Car that was sold briefly - Ford's passenger car entry in the country. It got the axe in the middle of 2005 in favor of the Focus that was sold worldwide. From introduction to early 2002, GSi and Ghia variants paired with a Mazda sourced engine were the only choices; an update in 2002 had the LSi 1.3 version and the RS trim (which will be reviewed separately) completed the Lynx line-up in late 2003. A Centennial Edition was made available but in limited quantities.

Value and Costs
In general, Ford vehicles get low resale values in the Philippines due to their gas guzzling nature (this is technically not true). With that in line, you can have a recent model Lynx in the price ranges of P150,000-P320,000. There are no mechanical changes done, so I advise buyers to focus on the overall condition and standard features available. Modified and abused units are a big no-no, so steer away from these.

To tell the truth, cost of maintaining a Ford is not a pain to the wallet. Parts of original, replacement, and third party are accessible, but with this being a discontinued model, expect to wait for some components to arrive. If you're eying for a Ghia variant; check if the power folding side mirrors function, the sunroof operates properly (standard among 2002 and later models), and if the CD changer works. MAF Sensors are sensitive, especially if the previous owner placed after market air filters or gas saving devices.

Exterior and Interior
Describing the Lynx can be either stately looking or executed in a tacky fashion. Pre-2002 models do have 15 inch silver coated rims that can look ugly if it has scratches. While the front portion of the vehicle looks decent to the eyes, the rear area doesn't jive with the rest of the body. 1999-2001 vehicles possess a banana shaped tail lamps that can elicit comments of "awkward looking", this has been remedied in a 2002 update.

The luxury car theme continues inside, with the Lynx having a luxury focused interior that even put the Japanese competition into shame. Silver-lined interior trims are standard among earlier models, bronze shaded ones replaced the silver ones in 2002. And the Ghia trim had items reserved for higher priced vehicles that come as standard. Care to know? A 6-disc CD changer (the iPod and MP3 killed this), a moonroof (just pray it doesn't rain), and leather seating (useless if you live in Tugueguerao). The driver seat padding is much better on post 2002 units, while passengers have ample room in the rear.

Engine
You'll be shocked when I say this to you, both 1.3 and 1.6 engines standard in the Lynx are supplied by Mazda. This is not a typo, both of these engines also powered the Mazda Familia sold during the 90s. From launch, the only option is a 1,597cc ZM-DE that has 118hp at 5,500rpm and 148Nm at 4,000rpm. For the lower market, a 1,323cc B3-ME is offered with 85hp at 6,000rpm and 112Nm at 4,000rpm. Do take note the B3 engine delivers fuel via an electronic fuel injected way. Both engines are rev happy, even without valve timing technology.

Driving Impressions
At low speeds, the Lynx behaves well - something unusual for the class. Credit this to the sound insulation, which Ford did its job well. If you've gotten one with an automatic transmission, the transmission knows how to downshift, but the usual shift shock (common among matics) is there. It handles well but not as outstanding as the one in the EK Honda Civic. It does the job well done, but definitely not outstanding in a way.

Verdict
Having a car that has been afflicted with low resale values can be an advantage to the used car buyer. The Ford Lynx is a bargain if you prioritize price and a number of standard amenities. It does not standout in a way but delivers the goods. And if you are nationalistic, driving a Lynx is also one way to show appreciation for the Filipino people who built it.