Monday, October 31, 2016

Car Features - Cars Malaysians Can Buy That Filipinos Can't (And Vice Versa)

Comprising of two islands (the so-called mainland and Borneo), Malaysia is home to two car makers: Proton and Perodua. Other than that, this South East Asian country has a variety of car makers just like ours and with a population of 29.72 million people, they do have lots of choices. When it comes to sales, they rank third behind Indonesia and Thailand.

Given that they have nearly 30 plus brands available, there are some models that can be accessed by Malaysians that we will list in this article (and list models that they don't get but we have). The list does not include the likes of engine and body configurations for both countries and we would only focus on popular brands, leaving out small players such as luxury brands and some unknowns.

In case you are wondering, we will not be including Proton and Perodua in this list, as cars in what we don't get would be rebutted by cars we have but they don't get.

Thursday, October 27, 2016

Quickie Used Car Review - Toyota Alphard (2010-2015)

2010-2015 Toyota Alphard

The Good: Top levels of comfort and luxury in a practical package

The Bad: Strained 2.4 engine for such size

The Say: The Lexus of all minivans.

Go For: 3.5 V6
Avoid: 2.4

Price Range: P1,850,000-P2,600,000
Our Rating: ****

Full Review: Used Car Review - Toyota Alphard (2010-2015)
Latest vehicle profile: Toyota Alphard

See the different versions of this vehicle:
2010-2015

Quickie Used Car Review - Subaru Legacy Wagon (2009-2014)

2009-2014 Subaru Legacy Wagon

The Good: Fun to drive, practical wagon body

The Bad: Noisy

The Say: A wagon that you can enjoy on a daily basis.

Go For: 2.5 GT Touring
Avoid:

Price Range: P730,000-P1,200,000
Our Rating: ****

Full Review: Used Car Review - Subaru Legacy (2009-2015)

See the different versions of this vehicle:
2009-2014

Quickie Used Car Review - Subaru Legacy Sedan (2009-2015)

2009-2015 Subaru Legacy Sedan

The Good: Something that is a delight to drive

The Bad: Some bad behavior persist

The Say: Fun to drive sedan for the executive.

Go For: 2.5 GT
Avoid:

Price Range: P730,000-P1,200,000
Our Rating: ****

Full Review: Used Car Review - Subaru Legacy (2009-2015)
Latest vehicle profile: Subaru Legacy

See the different versions of this vehicle:
2009-2015

Monday, October 24, 2016

Quickie Used Car Review - Kia Carnival (2007-2015)

2007-2015 Kia Carnival

The Good: Variety of models available, affordable to buy

The Bad: Heavyweight

The Say: One of the cheapest minivans that is practical, too.

Go For: EX LWB
Avoid: EX SWB

Price Range: P350,000-P870,000
Our Rating: ***

Full Review: Used Car Review - Kia Carnival (2007-2015)
Latest vehicle profile: Kia Carnival

See the different versions of this vehicle:
2007-2010
2010-2015

Quickie Used Car Review - Nissan Teana (2007-2009)

2007-2009 Nissan Teana

The Good: Smooth and plush

The Bad: Bulky and not the driver's car

The Say: Comfortable to be in, but popular choices are a better proposition.

Go For: JM
Avoid: You have no other choice

Price Range: P450,000-P650,000
Our Rating: ***

Full Review: Used Car Review - Nissan Teana (2007-2009)
Latest vehicle profile: Nissan Altima

See the different versions of this vehicle:
2007-2009

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Quickie Used Car Review - Nissan Urvan (1988-2015)

1988-2015 Nissan Urvan

The Good: Simple mechanical parts, availability

The Bad: Outdated by modern standards

The Say: There are fans of this van for a reason.

Go For: Any well maintained unit
Avoid: Overly tired units

Price Range: P300,000-P950,000
Our Rating: **

Full Review: Used Car Review - Nissan Urvan (1988-2015)
Latest vehicle profile: Nissan NV350 Urvan

See the different versions of this vehicle:
1988-2015

Quickie Used Car Review - Nissan Teana (2010-2014)

2010-2014 Nissan Teana

The Good: Luxury oriented, smooth engines

The Bad: Interior tends to get messy, not that much ergonomic

The Say: A car perfect for the backseat rider.

Go For: 3.5 XV
Avoid: 2.5 XL

Price Range: P780,000-P1,100,000
Our Rating: ***

Full Review: Used Car Review - Nissan Teana (2010-2014)
Latest vehicle profile: Nissan Altima

See the different versions of this vehicle:
2010-2014

Monday, October 17, 2016

Quickie Used Car Review - Nissan Grand Livina (2008-2015)

2008-2015 Nissan Grand Livina

The Good: Car like handling and comfort

The Bad: Car like ground clearance and cramped third row

The Say: Seven people can join in for something that drives like a car.

Go For: Elite
Avoid:

Price Range: P280,000-P715,000
Our Rating: ****

Full Review: Used Car Review - Nissan Grand Livina (2008-2015)

See the different versions of this vehicle:

Quickie Used Car Review - Toyota Camry (2006-2012)

2006-2012 Toyota Camry

The Good: Has a comfortable ride contemplated with a spacious cabin.

The Bad: Definitely not for the driver and it drives like a boat.

The Say: Executives like this for a reason.

Go For: 2.4 V
Avoid: 2.4 G

Price Range: P400,000-P780,000
Our Rating: ****

Full Review: Used Car Review - Toyota Camry (2006-2012)
Latest vehicle profile: Toyota Camry

See the different versions of this vehicle:
2006-2009
2009-2012

Friday, October 14, 2016

Car Features - 10 Commonly Repossessed Vehicles October 2016

Today is your payday and you are contemplating on getting a car. Rather than wasting money on new car depreciation, a late model repossessed car is a prudent choice since recent year models are available. This list reveals that one bank has a lot of cars repo'ed.

Do take note the list is accurate as of October 14, 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, May 2016, June 2016, July 2016August 2016, and September 2016. Original 2014 article here.

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Quickie Used Car Review - Mitsubishi Fuzion (2007-2015)

2007-2015 Mitsubishi Fuzion

The Good: Rides like a car, good headroom

The Bad: Drinks gas like there's no tomorrow, body roll

The Say: While it has some strengths, there are rivals that do the job better.

Go For: GLS Sport
Avoid: GLX

Price Range: P320,000-P650,000
Our Rating: ***

Full Review: Used Car Review - Mitsubishi Fuzion (2007-2015)

See the different versions of this vehicle:
2007-2015

Quickie Used Car Review - Honda Accord (2008-2013)

2008-2013 Honda Accord

The Good: High levels of refinement and materials used, spacious interior

The Bad: Center console buttons needs time to get used to

The Say: Can be your daily driver and at the same time, the sports car of your dreams.

Go For: 2.4
Avoid:

Price Range: P500,000-P1,100,000
Our Rating: *****

Full Review: Used Car Review - Honda Accord (2008-2013)
Latest vehicle profile: Honda Accord

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

Monday, October 10, 2016

Quickie Used Car Review - Toyota Innova (2005-2016)

2005-2016 Toyota Innova

The Good: Robust, comfortable than the ancient rivals

The Bad: Side folding third row seats, gasoline engine could use more punch

The Say: Definitely an innovation, sticks to its name.

Go For: 2.5 G
Avoid: 2.0 V

Price Range: P360,000-P800,000
Our Rating: ****

Full Reviews: Used Car Review - Toyota Innova (2005-Current)/(2005-2016)
Latest vehicle profile: Toyota Innova Diesel/Gasoline

See the different versions of this vehicle:
2005-2008 Gasoline/Diesel
2008-2012 Gasoline/Diesel
2012-2014 Gasoline/Diesel
2014-2016 Gasoline/Diesel

Quickie Used Car Review - Hyundai Sonata (2010-2014)

2010-2014 Hyundai Sonata

The Good: Comfortable ride, impressive handling

The Bad: Somewhat tight in rear headroom

The Say: Now one of the class leaders, not anymore the wallflower.

Go For: 2.4 GLS
Avoid: 2.0 Limited

Price Range: P495,000-P770,000
Our Rating: ****

Full Review: Used Car Review - Hyundai Sonata (2010-2014)
Latest vehicle profile: Hyundai Sonata

See the different versions of this vehicle:
2010-2014

Thursday, October 6, 2016

Quickie Used Car Review - Kia Sportage (2011-2016)

2011-2016 Kia Sportage

The Good: Low resale value means good purchase as a second hand car, available diesel engine

The Bad: Poor ride quality, cheap interior finish

The Say: An improved beast that has some bad manners trapped.

Go For: Diesels
Avoid: 2.0 AWD

Price Range: P550,000-P900,000
Our Rating: ***

Full Review: Used Car Review - Kia Sportage (2011-2016)
Latest vehicle profile: Kia Sportage

See the different versions of this vehicle:
2011-2016

Quickie Used Car Review - Ford Lynx (1999-2005)

1999-2005 Ford Lynx

The Good: Fully equipped and choice of interior materials are excellent.

The Bad: Engines are buzzy at high speeds, firm ride

The Say: A budget car that has more room and equipment.

Go For: 1.6 GSi
Avoid: 1.3 LSi

Price Range: P100,000-P230,000
Our Rating: ***

Full Reviews: Used Car Review - Ford Lynx (1999-2005)/Used Car Review - Ford Lynx RS (2003-2005)

See the different versions of this vehicle:
1999-2002
2002-2005

Monday, October 3, 2016

Chevrolet Trailblazer - Generation 2.1 (2012-2016)

CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER

This was Chevrolet's first attempt at the PPV market which is popular in the Asian market. This shares a platform with the Isuzu MU-X and is related to the Chevrolet Colorado/Isuzu D-Max twins.

Car Profiles - Chevrolet Trailblazer (2012-2016)

2012-2016 Chevrolet Trailblazer

The Good: Enormous power, spacious cabin

The Bad: Plasticky interior, bulky nature

The Say: An Americanized truck done the Asian way.

Go For: 2.8 LT
Avoid: 

Price Range: P825,000-P1,380,000
Our Rating: ****

Related Review:
Latest vehicle profile: Chevrolet Trailblazer

See the different versions of this vehicle:
2012-2016

Quickie Used Car Review - Hyundai Tucson (2010-2015)

2010-2015 Hyundai Tucson

The Good: Fully equipped at the price, powerful diesel engine

The Bad: Refinement is not good, interior trim quality

The Say: An improvement which is still hampered by bad manners.

Go For: 2.0 GL Diesel
Avoid: 2.4

Price Range: P460,000-P930,000
Our Rating: ***

Full Review: Used Car Review - Hyundai Tucson (2010-2015)
Latest vehicle profile: Hyundai Tucson

See the different versions of this vehicle:
2010-2013
2014-2015

Quickie Used Car Review - Honda Civic (2001-2005)

2001-2005 Honda Civic

The Good: Cavernous cabin, peppy and fuel efficient engines

The Bad: Cheapo interior trim

The Say: Does not have the driving excitement of its elder generations but is a great family car.

Go For: 1.6 VTi-S
Avoid: 1.5 LXi

Price Range: P180,000-P310,000
Our Rating: ****

Full Review: Used Car Review - Honda Civic (2001-2005)
Latest vehicle profile: Honda Civic

See the different versions of this vehicle:
2001-2003
2003-2006