I’m boarding Mr. Peabody’s Way-Back-Machine and flashing back to February 2014, the day my wife and I walked into the Mitsubishi Car world Subic Showroom which was the second dealership I had visited on the first day of my car shopping adventure. Next, I had planned to drive my new old Honda to San Fernando Pampanga where most of all the car brand dealerships were located in one area.
But Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Ford, and Chevy are not on my list of places to visit. I want to pay cash for any car I bought. I used that plan for every car and motorcycle I’ve purchased since 1978 when I bought a 1978 Lincoln Town Car which I paid 50% down and called the Navy Federal Credit Union, for the rest. When the Credit Union told the dealership to give me the car, the credit manager thought it was some type of scam.
That was the last new car I had, and almost didn’t buy it, because of a stupid salesman. I pointed to the Cream Colored Town Car in the Show Room Window and said; “That’s the car I want!” He then proceeded to show me every Mercury on the lot but not one Lincoln. I assumed he was thinking I couldn’t afford it. I excused myself to use the restroom, but went to the sales manager and asked for a salesman who wanted to sell me a car. I was in my Navy Chief’s dress uniform. So the sales manager was smart enough to show me the car I was interested in and sold me the big cream colored Town Car sitting in the window. I didn’t even take a test ride because it was a new Lincoln and did I really need too?On the way out the door, I saw that first salesman and asked him how much commission did he make on that very expensive car he didn’t sell?
So here I am in 2014 back to buying a new car once again after my 36-year hiatus from new cars. The reason was, I spent most of my life at sea and my cars (And Motorcycles) spent more time in storage than on the road.
My wish list was simple, my wife must want the car, and her budget was around P800,000.00 cash, I still have no use for credit. I like being a ghost with all credit trackers.
Now the trip ended in Subic with no need to drive to Pampanga because the 2014 Mitsubishi had everything on Mayang’s wish list and the price was where I wanted to be. We bought it that day. Now here was something I didn’t know, it has a three cylinder engine (I’ve had bigger engines in motorcycles) But it ran fine and as fast as my 70-year-old arse needed to go.
But herein lies the rub. The warranty was three years or 100,000 kilometers. So now in July 2017 with only 17,000 kilometers on the car (Dear Lord, I live on an Island) but over three years of owning the car, I have no more warranty, I’m on my own. Out in the rain abandoned by my friends at Mitsubishi
Paul, you need your first oil change and tune-up at 100,000 kilometers. Are they joking? That means 12 more years without a tune-up and using the same oil and filter until I’m 82 years old?
I’m going back to servicing my car every six months like I did for all my old new cars. Coolant once a year and the same with tire rotation. BTW I’m still satisfied with the car I bought and the service it has provided me. It still lacks a single dent, ding or bung-bund anywhere on the car. With me saying that I just started knocking on every wooden thing I can find in my house.
Now here is the funny thing, her friend’s car has GPS! Paul how come we don’t have GPS? Ah my love we do, that $500.00 Oppo phone you have has GPS installed (And AGAIN Dear Lord we still live on an island!!!) For P120.00 I can buy you the holder that holds your phone to the dashboard, and it doubles as a hands-free phone device. The car has a backup camera, what more would you need? So we were going to the mall in San Fernando, I suggested she use her Oppo GPS to find the way there. Her answer; “Paul I know the way,” GPS, yeah I rest my case!
I have just one more car in me before I shuffle off this mortal core; my newest dream car is the Chrysler 300 what a Land Yacht they are, and fitting it should be my last car. My friend asked what the interest rate on cars in the Philippines is. Buy me a beer and I’ll tell you; “How the hell would I know?” That beer was so refreshing!!!
We love our little 2017 Suzuki Celerio for which we paid 500,000 pesos cash brand new from the dealer. Ours also has an automatic transmission as we prefer it for the crowded stop and go traffic in PI.
Mike;
I never made it to the Suzuki dealer in San Fernando and I know they are a good car, but the spacious trunk on the Mitsubishi G4 was another plus for me.
But to drive your new car home and not owe a peso…PRICELESS!
My automatic trans-axle is mainly because my wife refuses to drive a stick. (LOL)
Hi Mike.. P500,000 even? I see the listed price of P569,000.. was there that much a discount for cash?
Has it been 3 years already? I swear I still remember reading your article about when you bought the Mitsubishi. When back in the USA, and here, I shy away from U.S. autos. I gave Ford, GM, and Chrysler a chance. I bought their product new and each one started giving serious issues by 60,000 miles. No such problems with the Toyota’s or Honda’s I owned.
Steve;
Yup, three years, my time does fly at my age!
I have no problem with imported cars…wait a minute; most cars here are imported or made here by a foreign company (Even owner jeeps) The reason a Chrysler 300 is good for me (If my wife will just win the lottery) besides I’ll never get it over 30,000 miles on it as I still live on a island. (LOL)
Reality tells me; my next car will be another 3 cylinder car from Japan!
Yeah, 3 years ago and I got hood winked by the Mrs………….We went to San Fernando, and Subic with no 100% desired vehicle. . . just close, but not the one………..so coming home as we were about to pass through Bataan, we stopped in at Nissan 10 minutes before they closed. The sales girl vowed to stay with us and answer any questions we might have. I told her the biggest concern was me fitting in the vehicle (6 Foot 6 Inches Tall). So we looked at a White Pick Up Truck that was still in the storage area. . . I fit! We started on some paperwork (after closing), and as my wife is discussing matters with this young lady, I looked over and saw a mid size car (Sylphy). I laughed and said if I fit she can have her car instead of a Pick-up………………Whoa is me, I fit, we bought it, and had it delivered to the house. Now with over 41,000 kilometers on the car, we are still enjoying it. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/9c21bc0e6e6b3fc8cbc24d6758eeaa872c5e8063217b9cc1c113dfcb36590691.jpg
Terry;
I’ve been driving pre-owned cars for over 30 years, but new cars are good too, but how did you put all those kilometers on your car so fast?
But if I was your height, a convertible or a big sun roof on non-rainy days might work well for you. (You know how my mind works LOL) I had to Google a Sylphyar because I’d never heard of it.
Glad I’m not the only one that never heard of a Sylphyar. Can’t imagine what being 6’6″ is like I the Philippines. I’m 5’6″.
We will be getting a pre-owned truck or suv in the early part of next year. Probably a few years old with very low mileage and much cheaper than a new one. New cars really depreciate in value the 1st year. And of course cash is king.
PapaDuck;
The deprecation starts when you roll it off the lot.and it becomes a used car. But I agree with you, there a plenty of great pre-owned trucks. If I had know my buddy has a next to nothing mileage Chevy Colorado fully loaded including leather seats and Auto transmission, he is living stateside getting his wife US Citizenship and its just been sitting. But it was sold last month. So I know they are around. .
I believe the Mitsubishi Mirage G4 is assembled locally. But the parts are imported from who knows where.
Don;
It matters not where the parts are made, but how well they are made (Wherever that might be) Three years of trouble free driving is what was important to me, and Mirage G4 is only the name used in the Philippines, the rest of the world calls it the ATTRAGE. The reason why is quite funny!