Thursday, June 30, 2016

Quickie Used Car Review - Hyundai Accent (2006-2010)

2006-2010 Hyundai Accent

The Good: Fast on its heels, fuel saver

The Bad: No safety features, not fun to steer

The Say: A viable alternative to those sub-compacts offered by the Japanese.

Go For: 1.5 GL Power
Avoid: Ex-taxi units

Price Range: P250,000-P350,000
Our Rating: ***

Full Review: Used Car Review - Hyundai Accent (2006-2010)
Latest vehicle profile: Hyundai Accent Sedan

See the different versions of this vehicle:
2006-2010

Monday, June 27, 2016

Quickie Used Car Review - Honda City (2009-2014)

2009-2014 Honda City

The Good: Huge interior space, reliable

The Bad: Rev demanding 1.3

The Say: High levels of quality trickled down to a sub-compact package.

Go For: 1.5 E
Avoid: 1.3 A

Price Range: P340,000-P550,000
Our Rating: ****

Full Review: Used Car Review - Honda City (2009-2014)
Latest vehicle profile: Honda City

See the different versions of this vehicle:
2009-2011
2012-2014

Friday, June 24, 2016

Car Features - Japanese Branded Cars Sold in Japan and Ten Long Running Japanese Nameplates

Our first part showed vehicles that are sold in the Philippines but NOT (emphasis on the not) available in Japan due to numerous factors. In this part, we will be featuring vehicles that were both sold in the Philippines and in Japan especially that our market is heavily dominated by the Nippons.

With ten Japanese manufacturers here in the Philippines which, give or take, command an estimated 60% of the market in terms of sales, no doubt they do have models which are both unique outside the Japanese market. Most of our ASEAN neighbors get the same Japanese vehicles like us but some are unique to each other. Their counterparts back home may have variations to suit local tastes such as engines and other stuffs but they are still the same car.

Not to forget, we shall discover the ten long running Japanese nameplates which stood the test of time. However, we will be counting their period which are sold inside Japan and years as export only vehicle is not considered.

Car Features - Japanese Branded Cars Not Sold in Japan

If there is one market that is hard to enter for most foreign brands, it would be Japan. Although luxury brands from Europe and Volkswagen had found success, the Americans and Hyundai struggled especially Hyundai pulled out back in 2009 and Ford will withdraw the Japanese market by the end of this year. Yes, the Japanese may be somewhat patriotic but they also love foreign goods which match their market.

While the Japanese market had been the epitome of vehicle technologies such as hybrid engines, navigation systems inside the cars, adaptive cruise controls, turbocharging, among others; car sales had been falling ever since the youth aren't interested on owning a car (their public transportation is very efficient to begin with). Japanese branded vehicles are hits outside the country with examples like the Toyota Camry as the best selling car in the US, Japanese pickup trucks are best sellers in Thailand, Suzukis are widespread in India, and New Zealand favors Toyotas. With the country exporting a large number of new and used vehicles, nearly everyone has a taste of what the Japanese has to offer.

In this article, we shall discover Japanese branded vehicles sold in the Philippines which are not sold in Japan which covers brands that are either existing or gone which includes Daihatsu, Honda, Isuzu, Lexus, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Suzuki, and Toyota. We are including the cases of the Toyota Corolla and Honda Accord which have two different versions aimed for markets outside Japan. Another case is the usage of a Japanese market name for a vehicle not sold there, which we will include in this list. Last one is whether that particular generation of the vehicle is not sold in the Japanese market.

This would be a two part article with the second one be dealing with the Japanese branded cars that are also available there.

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Quickie Used Car Review - Toyota Vios (2007-2013)

2007-2013 Toyota Vios

The Good: Reliable, gas sipper, plenty of units in the market

The Bad: Dull steering, gauges located in the middle, allergic at high rpms

The Say: Does not hurt the wallet, but does not excite the soul.

Go For: 1.3 E/1.5 G
Avoid: 1.5 S

Price Range: P250,000-P500,000
Our Rating: ***

Full Review: Used Car Review - Toyota Vios (2007-2013)
Latest vehicle profile: Toyota Vios

See the different versions of this vehicle:
2007-2010
2010-2013

Monday, June 20, 2016

Quickie Used Car Review - Suzuki Celerio (2009-2015)

2009-2015 Suzuki Celerio

The Good: Fuel friendly (with the manual), easy to drive

The Bad: Power sapping automatic, tight third row

The Say: While it has some virtues, it gets lost on a sea of sub-compacts.

Go For: GL
Avoid:

Price Range: P245,000-P450,000
Our Rating: ***

Full Review: Used Car Review - Suzuki Celerio (2009-2015)
Latest vehicle profile: Suzuki Celerio

See the different versions of this vehicle:
2009-2015

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Quickie Used Car Review - Suzuki Alto (2007-2013)

2007-2013 Suzuki Alto

The Good: Fuel efficient, reliable

The Bad: Limited interior space, plasticky interior

The Say: Basic transportation in small mass for less.

Go For: 1.0 K10
Avoid: 0.8 Standard

Price Range: P135,000-P240,000
Our Rating: **

Full Review: Used Car Review - Suzuki Alto (2007-Current)
Latest vehicle profile: Suzuki Alto

See the different versions of this vehicle:
2007-2013

Monday, June 13, 2016

Car Features - 10 Commonly Repossessed Vehicles June 2016

Its just less than a month before we have a new president and vice president taking over and the economy is just doing fine, my friend. People still has that buying mood of purchasing cars but finishing that monthly payments is a different tale. This list aims to help buyers on which bank to go in finding a specific vehicle they want. Let us see after June 30 on how many vehicles will enter repo lots (this month it had increased in numbers) and if Duterte's administration will do good for the industry as a whole.

Do take note the list is accurate as of June 13, 2016. Sources include: PS Bank, Banco De Oro, RCBC Savings Bank, East West Bank, Unionbank, Maybank, BPI, and Security Bank.

See the top 10 of  the following months: October 2015November 2015, January 2016February 2016, March 2016, April 2016, and May 2016. Original 2014 article here.

Used Car Review - BMW X1 (2010-2016)

Is this compact SUV worth the effort? Myk Belmonte decides to investigate it further.

2010-2016 BMW X1

History
If you think that BMW's X family is too small enough, we have some bad news for you. Since the X5 and X3 were successful, they had added the X6 but as a niche vehicle in 2008 and introduced their smallest member in the form of the X1 the following year. Ok, BMW added the X4 in 2014 slotting between the X3 and X5 and a seven seater SUV which rivals the Audi Q7 and Mercedes Benz GL/GLS Class is on the pipeline.

Started as the X1 concept previewed at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, production commenced the following year at BMW's Leipzig plant with local assembly in various countries later on. Based on the 3 Series touring platform, it slots below the X3 when it comes to size and price. Do take note that both vehicles share the same underpinnings of their passenger car counterpart.

Asian Carmakers Corporation, the official distributor of BMW vehicles in the Philippines, welcomed the fourth member of the X family in the form of the X1 in January 2010. Two models were first launched, the xDrive 20d diesel and the xDrive 28i gasoline which can only be purchased via indent basis. A mid-cycle update occurred in August 2013 which became the sDrive 18d which was only rear wheel drive, as opposed to the pre-facelift's all wheel drive system.

Value and Costs
Since this is BMW's entry level SUV, brand new prices do range from P2,400,000 to P3,900,000 throughout its selling life and that price range alone may also give you the 3 Series, whose platform is based on. If you want one second hand, first generation X1 models cost between P1,500,000 to P1,800,000. As an unspoken rule for premium brands like this, it pays to check out their certified pre-owned units since they are inspected and backed-up by an extended warranty.

Maintaining one is much higher than your Japanese PPV (duh) but the same with its contemporaries from Germany. Parts are compatible with the 3 Series, so there is nothing to worry with. If you aim for AWD, xDrive models have it which were sold from 2010 until mid-2013 and this could be done through a test drive which could potentially see if unusual noises upfront which may mean transfer case issues. sDrive models are rear wheel drive and sold later on which does not inherit the problems of the "X" models. Another thing to inspect for high milers is to start-up the vehicle and hear for any rattles which means to change the timing chain or the tensioners.

Exterior and Interior
You may mistaken this vehicle for a station wagon than a crossover SUV (which BMW wants to market), especially that its outside appearance is long and low which suggests for more concrete usage than something for the beaten path. Do take note the facelift models gain run flat tires, which sounds good at high speeds but when you run out of tire sealant, you'd be thankful for regular tires.

Don't expect X3 levels here, since the interior is a letdown especially it does not look luxurious if you are picky enough. The front seats suggest that they are for spirited driving but those who will seat at the back may not like it, despite adequate space for their heads and legs. All models get the iDrive system, automatic start/stop function, and cruise control.

Engine
We shall discuss the diesels since you will encounter them more often. Both xDrive and sDrive models are powered by BMW's N47D20 2.0 which puts out 177hp at 4,000rpm and 350Nm at 1,750rpm for 2010 to 2013 models and 143hp at 4,000rpm and 320Nm at 1,750rpm-2,500rpm for 2013 to 2016 units. Although these figures may be conservative, the diesels provide lively performance for city driving but go high speed driving wouldn't motivate you more. Updated models get an automatic start/stop function which aims to cut fuel consumption in low speeds, making things more fuel friendly. Another engine option is in the form of the N52B30 3.0 gasoline providing 258hp at 6,000rpm and 310Nm at 2,600rpm but since this one is a rare find, we wouldn't bother with this.

Driving Impressions
Don't let the size and positioning fool you, especially that the X1 is one fun to drive beast. You can live with this vehicle as a daily driver and the electronic power steering makes things easier. Going with the xDrive models gives you hydraulic assist but makes the steering and chassis heavier. Choosing the sDrive variants will reward you a lighter chassis since no all wheel drive system exist to fiddle plus it is more responsive to drive.

Verdict
Life is a compromise, especially that you van get a crossover SUV which can be a city tourer but driving dynamics is missing or a sedan that is fun to drive but not practical to live with. Although the X1 combines these two aspects in one body but as an all around, there are better options that you can find.

Thursday, June 9, 2016

Quickie Used Car Review - Kia Picanto (2004-2011)

2004-2011 Kia Picanto

The Good: Easy to maneuver, gas friendly, and has more inside

The Bad: Airbags or ABS brakes not available, five is a squeeze

The Say: For the requisite city trips, the Picanto is a great choice.

Go For: 1.1 LX
Avoid: 

Price Range: P155,000-P300,000
Our Rating: ***

Full Review: Used Car Review - Kia Picanto (2004-2011)
Latest vehicle profile: Kia Picanto

See the different versions of this vehicle:
2004-2007
2008-2011

Monday, June 6, 2016

Quickie Used Car Review - Hyundai i10 (2008-2014)

2008-2014 Hyundai i10

The Good: Heaps of space in a tiny package, cheap to run

The Bad: Lack of safety gear in some trim levels

The Say: A practical hatchback that wont break the bank and your resources.

Go For: 1.2
Avoid: 1.1

Price Range: P180,000-P420,000
Our Rating: ****

Full review: Used Car Review - Hyundai i10 (2008-Current)
Latest vehicle profile: Hyundai Grand i10

See the different versions of this vehicle:
2008-2010
2011-2014

Thursday, June 2, 2016

Quickie Used Car Review - Hyundai Getz (2005-2011)

2005-2011 Hyundai Getz 

The Good: More room and equipment for less

The Bad: No airbags, low grade interior

The Say: Definitely a bang for the buck.

Go For: 1.1 GL
Avoid: 1.5 CRDi

Price Range: P120,000-P300,000
Our Rating: ***

Full Review: Used Car Review - Hyundai Getz (2005-2011)

See the different versions of this vehicle:
2005
2006-2011