Between trips to Manila for ACR I-cards, my Grandson being born, and life in general I’ve also been looking at new cars (still being flexible). My 1996 Honda Civic (New Old Car) almost has 100,000 kilometers or Approx. 60.000 miles on it, and I might sell it, and take the plunge into the new car realm. Since the Honda is both looking and running well I’m in no particular rush, hell I’ve replaced most of the parts on it so far. I’m still taking my time and doing my due diligence in researching the many types of auto’s available here.
This will be my first new car that I’ve purchased since 1978. Then I took procession of a Lincoln Town Car because it just looked good to me. My reason for previously owned (Read used) cars was simple and logical for me. I was a career Navy man and sailed on many ships at the time, so why store a new car for six to nine months every time I deployed. I was transferred to Shore Duty in 1978 and thought it was time I had a new car.
After many happy years of motoring, I gave it to my father (Still in perfect condition in 1987 I went back to owning used cars. While sailing as a Merchant Marine for ten years, after I left Puerto Rico I paid to store a Jeep CJ-7 in San Francisco for six years, and every time I flew back to the states I rented a car and took the Jeep in to be serviced and put it back in storage the next day. I went to the Philippines Customs and asked what was required to bring it here, I was informed to go ahead and ship it here, they would look at it then, and give me the import cost. Well that sounded like a pig in a poke to me. Picture me pushing it off the pier into Manila Harbor when they tell me the import duty is $ 5,000.00 or more. So I sold it and bought an Owner Jeep here in Olongapo City.
Article continues below pictures. Click on the picture for a larger view.
Now it was not your average Owner Jeep, I had a hard top, with roll up windows with real medal doors, tilt steering and power of course, plus power breaks. Did I mention it was Air Conditioned as well? The downside was my wife refused to drive it because of the 5 speed manual transmission; she just didn’t like rowing the car through town. So since that fateful mistake it’s been Automatic Transaxles from then on.
My first sojourn into the new car market was the Kia Dealership in San Fernando. As I came in the door a young man (Whose job was… I still don’t know what the hell his job is) greeted me and asked if he could help me. I wanted to look at the Kia Rio, 4 door sedan; he took me straight to a Kia Sportage. I smiled and wandered away until I found the car I came to see. I told him my requirements, Air/Con Power Steering and power windows plus automatic transmission, and I’d be a happy dude. The Rio fit the bill and would I like to drive it home today? The price was fair at Php. 700,023.00 but I explained that I had a list of seven more cars I wanted to look at. He went into a sales spiel that would have you scratching your head. Sir, did you know the Rio comes with “Cruise Control” at no extra charge?” He pointed out. Having cruise control in the Philippines? Where in the name of Pete, would you ever get to use that? So I asked if the carburetor was a 2 or 4 barrel. He had no idea the car was fuel injected or not. I’m thinking; “Quite the knowledgeable sales person.”
Payment reared its ugly head and I said it would be cash, but I would use a Visa Debit Card to pay them. “Sir, we charge 2.8% to accept and credit card.” He quickly informed me! I smiled and headed for the door, saying; “Then your dealership has no desire to sell me a car!”
Now the real sales person came forward to talk to me about selling the car to me. Why did they waste my time with the Wal-Mart greeter? This man explained that the company police was to try not to accept credit cards, and a simple bank to bank wire transfer would suffice. That placated me and I told him that if I decided on purchasing his produce I would do it that way. No discount for a cash sale, no discount for any reason, they do not accept trades.
While living in Saint Petersburg, Florida, I was a car salesman at Art Palmy Dodge prior to going back to sea as a seaman. I have found that buying a car here is nothing like buying a car in the United States, so all my crafty knowledge was useless here. During my year in car sales I’ll freely admit I made quite a lot of money. But I never really did fit in, as I was the only person on the car lot that was not a former convicted felon.
That was my first adventure in the car buying odyssey here in the land of enchantment. It truly is “More Fun in the Philippines” But I feel that I now have a better understanding as to how it works. Plus I’m open to any and all advice my fellow LiP readers can bestow upon me. If I was looking for a New Used Car, I’d have it in the carport by now. By the end of this year I think I’ll be driving my wife’s new car. As we used to say at Art Palmy Dodge; “There’s a butt for every seat!”
Paul, your article just gave me another excuse to give to my asawa when she asks me when we can buy a vehicle here in the Philippines. I’ll continue to ride the jeepneys and keep bumping my fat kano head as I enter and depart from them.
Dave;
I understand your point on not owning any car, as the transportation system here is easy and cheap. I decided on a car after my first trip shopping and had to hump all those bags onto the Jeepney. I tried to hire a special but it was a busy day and no driver would do it. Also taking trips with the family, it’s been useful also. But your way is good too.
Paul, I didn’t mention that we do hire a taxi once a month. We do the majority of our monthly grocery shopping in one trip and haul everything back in a big taxi that costs P300 for the trip. Otherwise, I let the jeepney drivers handle my transportation needs. But I admire expats like you that do own their own vehicle and drive. You guys are braver than me!
Hi Paul – Regarding your year in the car sales business…. you know, being the only non-ex-convict would have been an easy problem to fix! You missed out on making a lot of money. Of course, you would have had to take a few years off in between, but at least becoming an ex-con would have been no problem!
Since you like Fords, you might want to check out the Ford Escape, or if you want to take it up a notch the new Ford Explorer is looking real fine these days, looks much like a Range Rover Sport….probably because, as I heard a while back, Ford hired a design engineer who used to design for Land Rover. Good luck whatever your choice!
Paul: I’ve been doing the same thing recently. Though I’ve written about buying a car soon for a while, I’ve finally justified it in my mind and have visited a few dealers over the last month…. And I would agree with you that car shopping here has a few big differences.
1. There seems to be pretty much fixed pricing at most of the new dealers I’ve visited… If you go to one Kia dealer, the next dealer is at the same price.
2. The depreciation hit on new vehicles here is not as steep as in the US (Used cars keep much more of their value here).
3. Throw Kelly blue book out the window here… totally irrelevant.
4. Like the useless undercoating they sell you in the States, here it seems to be DVD players and stereo targeting my asawa, along with useless aftermarket alarm systems that seem to be the big add-ons here. (I know a couple of people here who have ripped out the alarms after buying)
5. For a small sedan, the dealers all offer a stripped down “taxi” version that is much, much cheaper. (I priced the Kia and Vios that way, and both were under P600K… big difference in price, but no options and you get it in white only)
6. Financing is almost always 20% – 30% DP at 17%+++… As a foreigner, the bank will want a higher DP.
7. For used, best place is at Subic, Santa Ana, etc. where the Japanese cars are converted to left hand drive. A filipino needs to do the purchasing there for the best deal (Becky’s uncle went with her in the province, for instance, when we were looking for a truck up there). I also say this because Rebecca was looking at radio, color, etc rather than having any mechanical aptitude.
John;
It’s a trip going to those dealerships here, the reason I’m paying cash is because of those ridiculous interest rates here. When I sold cars in Florida we hated cash sales as then there is no Bank kick back to the dealership. I assume it the same here.
I was laughing at the stripped down “White Car” every dealer has that also, our biggest rip off in the states was the extended warranty. Most people traded in the car before it could ever kick in. And as there is no road salt here you surly will never need undercoating.
It’s a different market here, and I’m picking up a little information each time I visit a car lot. My advice is to avoid the Wal-Mart greeter and find the guy who had the power to make a deal. The hunt goes on!
Bob;
Me in the cross bar hotel with a guy named Bubba? I’ll give that a pass, also no security clearance which is need to get your Seaman Papers. Yeah, right! (LOL) Oh, would the BOI give a person an I-Card as a convicted felon?
Hey Paul,
You still have a low mileage car! I had a Ford LTD back in Michigan that had double that mileage before I got rid of it. The car I had just before I came here was a soft-top sports car. So I checked it out to find the cost of sending it here. What would I do with a 75,000 US dollar car in Tagum City. The roads are not good enough to enjoy it.
I did check into buying a car here. I found a guy here in town that would loan the price of the car for 6 months….same as cash….NO interest! Didn’t like the color? He would paint it any color I wanted. I passed on it. I walk or ride a trike. Going out of town I take the aircon bus and leave the driving to whoever. I get to sit up high and do some sightseeing if the movie stinks.
No Jeepneys in Tagum City. You can catch one at the bus station or the supermarket then they take you out to the boondocks.
Well good luck with buying a new car. 😛
Paul,
I bought a new Ford Escape when first arrived. There is no haggling on price, pretty much fixed. Can negotiate on options like tinting, servicing, etc. Some cars are assembled locally so are cheaper and parts are more readily available. On SUVs, the Escape and Nissan XTrail are assembled locally. For cars, I think the City and some of the Mazdas. i have the list somewhere if anyone needs one.
My company has a lot of expats and we also get referrals from all the embassys. If you need a used car that typically has been driven conservatively, let me know. I would not recommend many pre 2009 cars due to flood, but many of the expats ones should not have been damaged as we are on higher ground. Also make sure they have clean papers. Cars imported through Davao and not currently registered in Manila may have problems. Downside is expat vehicles are mostly tax unpaid so you would need to pay taxes From perusing our recent used car listing:
2008 innova p550k (pretax)
2001 honda crv p350
2005 honda crv p550
Happy motoring.
Hi Don;
Thanks for that info, but I’m going for a new car this last time I buy a car. Any options I want I’ll buy after market as the prices are one half of those at the dealership. I’ll sell my New Old Honda myself, as a few people I know want it. But I’m smart enough to sell it to a total stranger, so I won’t have to hear about it the rest of my life.
I made that dreaded mistake of selling a car about a year and a half ago to someone I know. My goodness, I’ll bet he has invested almost P2000 in it since he bought it, if that much. The only reason he bought it was he thought I wanted to keep it, which I did really. But, yep, not a week goes by I don’t hear something about it. The friendship is now running about 10% of it was, other similar reasons also. Shame on me if I ever do that again. Can you imagine , I sold it to him for a whopping P150,000 and in a year and a half he had to put almost P2000 into up-keep. Darn, it’s only a 1998, why would it need up-keep/maintenance ?
Charlie;
That is exactly what I was talking about, that’s why I just smile and nod whenever a friend shows interest in my car. Yours is a classic example of why I won’t do it. We don’t need that in our life no matter how much they pay you!
Maybe he thinks your a car dealer and he wants you to change the oil? (LOL)
Hi Paul – I agree with you 100% always best to buy new if you are going to keep it for a long time.
I bought new in January 2009 from the local Isuzu dealership as I did not want to buy anyone else’s problems. I’ve never looked back as I have it serviced with them and their workshop is as good as any I’ve seen here in the UK. I’ve found having your own set of wheels gives you total independence to do what you like when you like.
Hope you get what you like but if I were you I’d get something with a little more ground clearance than a saloon.
Happy motoring.
Jim.
Gary;
It’s very hard to put a lot of miles on a car here as the road system is so bad a lot of times you just don’t wanna go. I say if you’re happy without a car, more power to you. But it’s a given for me, I need it plus I want it. My last stab at independence. My family uses it more than me. But I still like to wax it every week. From my house to town is a half an hour by Jeepney, and then you must switch Jeepney’s to go around town. On Subic Freeport there is only Taxis and that is expensive. So a car it must be for me.
Hi Paul. When we bought our car in Bohol is was fascinated by two things. 1. Lack of negotiation. 2. The fact we could drive it out of the show room within the hour.
The frustrating thing we found in Bohol was the premium (small) we paid because we were in the province. We bought a Kia Picanto and it’s been fine.
Cheers
David
David;
I don’t think I know what that “Premium” is you’re speaking of. I’ve not encountered that yet.
I’ll check out the Kia Picanto on my next sojourn shopping for a car.
Hi Paul. It was the price difference between a major city like Cebu and Bohol. Its argued it’s a freight cost thing. however a friend purchasd a Mazda from Manila and they included freight. I think it saved him some money but I am not sure how much.
David;
Thee are points I’ll look out for. I wonder if they’ll also charge me for the guy who go to get their lunch everyday?
David:
Thank you for clearing that up for me.
On another note. Regarding the RRP and fixed price at each dealership. Is there such a thing as a consumer commission in the Philippines? Regulating anti competitive practices such as monopolies? No don’t laugh at me : )….stop laughing!
David:
If there is a consumer commission in the Philippines I believe it’s broken. Similar to stop signs you find along the road.
The Consumer Protection Division is out of stock, sir! 😀
Randy;
Thanks for making me laugh until coffee blew out of my nose!
Personally I would be down at the used Sherman Tank lot looking for a deal, forget the horn option…give me the roof mounted 50 cal. buzz gun !!!!
Briam;
That would provide you with many hours of very safe motering. (lol)
Ah, that’s just great Brian, I’ve been thinking recently of a new donkey and fresh sun hat.
James;
Like that guy Juan in Columbia bringing the coffee off the mountain? Do you really believe that was all coffee?
James;
Like that guy Juan Valdez in Columbia bringing the coffee off the mountain? Do you really believe that was all coffee?
I did just buy a 6×6 military truck. Not a tank but still handles nicely in traffic!
Tom;
The old Deuce and a half, is good solid transportation. A tad hard to park at the market, but it is safe. They were the original Victory Liners back in the late 40’s.
My two trucks are Japanese Military and I converted them to ten wheels for hauling Dole pineapples. Tight parking is not really an issue when you can just climb over the other cars in low range.
Tom;
When do they become Dole Pineapples, as you grow them or when you sell them? I was just wondering.
Those trucks do sound cool!
Hi Paul,
Just in case you come to your senses and decide on another used car, here are some tips I posted for someone just yesterday. I grew up in the Detroit area in the 40’s and 50’s, well maybe “grew up” is not the right term. I have no intention on ever becoming a boring “grown-up”. Anyhow, being a product of the motor city cars, motors and such were drilled into our “motor heads”. I was racing drag strip style except on the strip known as”Woodward Avenue” at 14 years old. Then we all almost had to take auto shop in high school, plus I worked for a gas station/repair shop 40 hours+ a week for 5 years while going to mid and high school. Then as an Engineman/Federal boarding officer in the U.S.C.G.. So I am no expert on cars but I do have some back-ground. I also sold to the auto indusrty and it suppliers for many many years and have been in and out of dozens of auto plants 100’s of times. So that’s just a little history. Being a motorhead product of Detroit I had 38 new cars in my 51 years of licensed driving in the U.S.. I never made a dime on any of them. Here in the Philippines I have had 3 previously owned cars so far. That’s the PC term for used car of course. Personaly I am done supporting the auto industry. One always takes big hit the minute you drive off the lot I don’t care what country you are in. I have toyed with the idea of a new car also but then my brain cell wakes up, what was I thinking ? But someoone has to buy the new ones so I can get a good deal on the used one with all the bugs out of it.
So, here below is a little story for someone that asked my opinion.
Best wishes,
I hope someone doesn’t trade me in because I am old. lol
PS: I live on an island , how far can I go anyhow ?
The model year is very often and most likely mis-represented. First look at the little tag where the seat belt attaches to the floor. Unless someone went to the bother to change seat belts the manufacturing date is on that tag.
Also, no matter what country the vehicle was made in the year of manufacture is part of the VIN number. Here they may also call it the chassis number. The year is in code which is standard except for a few countries, but you can find all that information on the Internet. Vehicle Identification Number – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia See this site.
Buyer beware. Most used cars here I have seen have been re-painted, some because they all come here as white, some to hide Bondo and body putty, some to just give it a “new” look. Check the oil, smell the oil ( you should have someone familiar with that ) check the belts, check the hoses, check the coolant, look at the color of the inside of the tailpipe. The list goes on and on. If it has four different size and make of tires, I’d walk away. Look at the brake pedal, it is an indicator of how many kilomoters are on it, if it’s an older car and has a new brake pedal, walk away. Look for wheel cylinder leaks or master cylinder leaks. Pay to have the wheels pulled and the brake wear checked.
Have someone qualified to “listen “to the engine. Many cars have two oil filters(Diesels) and some gasoline engines have 2 fuel filters. Diesels have at least one large fuel filter/water separator. Drive behind the car, watch for dog tracking and smoke, blue smoke is bad. Whew, I am getting too old for this. What do I know anyhow ? I know I have missed many many things on this check list due to time constraints. If I continue I might miss my own funeral. I hate it when that happens.
Best wishes, don’t buy from the guy in the plaid suit or the driven by a little old lady only on Sundays to church or the bar. Beware of real low mileage, that is not necessarliy a good thing. Read read read. Good luck. Volume number 1 of ?
Luck is being prepared when opportunity knocks.
Charlie. All the stuff you say to check? Is that under the flat thing in front of the glass bit? Oh and how do you open it? As you can see I am a fully fledged mechanic…. : )
David:
The motor thingy is kept under the bonnet, the fix the flat tire (or tyre) stuff is kept in the boot, and the windscreen will protect you from bugs getting into the car.
David,
Not if you have a Volkswagen Bettle or a Corvair, and some easy-rides here. The “engine” thingy is in the back.
And not to get technical on Paul ole shipmate, but I see you didn’t hob-nob much with the bilge rats/ grease minkeys, or motor heads, yes, Inspector Cluesau has taught me well, it is minkeys. So not to minkey around too much, your vehicle has an engine, not a motor. The starter “motor” starts the car, the winsheild wiper motor powers the wipers, tha fan motor blows the air, motors are electric, engines are generally either internal or external combustion. Could be a steam engine. Whoever heard of a steam motor ? lol
If you have one of them thar new fangled electric cars it has an electric motor, or perhaps a gas/diesel engine to assist it.
If if you have combustion in one of your “motors ‘ then you have a major problem. lol O.K. kiddies, school is out for today.
Tomorrow we will keep it simple “KISS” lol Like Quantum Physics for the beginner. Or in Navy/ Coast Guard language. SNAFU hahahahha
Oh oh, I feel a neutrino moving through my space time molecular voids. Gotta go, wish me luck. Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Charlie,
Your a treasure trove of info. Do you work for Wikipedia lol. Take care have a nice day.
Papa Duck, with all that knowledge in cars, I suspect Charlie had a hand on the ’58 Plymouth Fury named, Christine. LOL
Ricardo,
Wouldn’t doubt it. I liked that movie.
Papa Duck;
Charlie is a walking library of Alexandra. He informs me of many things by e-mail also.
I enjoy it!
Charlie;
Would not then the rear engine cars have the bonnet/hood in the rear also? And the front storage would become the trunk/boot. And logic would also have it that all MOTORCYCLE’S are electric? As my 850 Norton had no electric motor to start it. So it should be called a engine-cycle. I’m now so very confused! Thank’s Charlie! (lol)
Hey Charlie, thanks for all the Special High Intensity Training (SH*T) above. For info, Charlie also gives private training about mechanics so for those who wants it, get on Charlie’s Sh*T list now. Classes will convene in the near future.
I learned something from this training. When the “Check Engine” lights come, pull over, open the hood and if the engine is still there, you’re good to go!
According to my asawa, my cats all have little motors. The more you pet them, the louder they run! 😀
Randy;
You insert the batteries where?
I’ve always heard that the salesman in the ‘plaid’ suit is the only non-criminal on the lot. 😉
Randy;
I’ve never owned a plaid suit in my life!!! (LOL)
Randy
I’ve never owned a plaid suit in my life!!! (LOL)
Paul,
How about a leisure suit with a pink shirt lol.
Charlie;
When an odometer rolls over 100,000 they are designed to never line up again. Run Away!
Most of what you wrote was told to me by the Used Car Manager when I was selling cars so I know its solid advice.
I’m going new this time because it will be the last car I ever buy (unless its totaled) but I’ve had great luck with pre-owned (read used) cars here in the Philippines mostly because of your advice above. My mechanic Kuya Greg approves any car I’ve purchased here in the last 19 years.
As for missing my own funeral, that’s what I’m planning on!
Excellent checklist for would-be used car buyers, Charlie! I would add rocking the front end or rear of the car. If the car bounces up and down, the shocks are bad.
Charlie,
Other problems to look for are transmission and oil pan leaks and head gasket leaks.
Charlie, let me tell you a little story about those VINs. Awhile back, I had a used 1993 Honda that had a VIN that was so short. Each time I renew the registration and fill in the VIN on the application, I get this puzzled look from the DMV clerk. It turned out that the owner of the used car dealership I bought the car from was a crook who paid teenagers to steal cars from DC, MD, and VA, stripped the parts from the stolen cars, put the parts in other cars, sometimes switching VINs, then sell them. He would accept only cash, but never exceeding $10,000 as there was a government requirement to report every sale of $10,000 and over in cash. Many of his customers were drug dealers who paid only in cash. This made him very rich. He was making so much money, he even had TWO state policemen on his payroll whose job was to pass the cars for state inspection. Story short, the law caught up with him and the scam he was running and was given a 10-year sentence and a huge fine. On top of that, the state took everything he had. His only possession on his way to jail was the clothes on his back. I sold the Honda with a short VIN to a neighbor years ago. Everytime I run into this guy in VA, he would tell me about the puzzled look the DMV clerk gives him whenever he goes in to renew the registration for the Honda. 🙂
Ricardo,
What happened to the 2 policeman?
Papa Duck;
The two cops? Retired and own a bar in Key West Florida, sometimes crime does pay. (LOL)
Papa Duck, the two Maryland state troopers were co-defendants in the Federal case. I have no idea what their sentences were. As regards the car dealer himself, the judge really threw the book at him, and how!
Ricardo:
I bought a Mits. RVR from a guy here, and found out it was smuggled into the country, the tag was off an owner jeep, and I was stopped by the LTO and they were going to impound the car, I told them no!. I sold it back to the original guy I bought it from. But it was me at the time with the LTO Officer who was the bad guy, not the customs guy that took the bribe to let it in country , not the LTO guy who also took a bribe and issued the registration on a bogus tag, and last but not least, not the guy whose job it was to smuggle in the cars. Nope, I was the guy who did all the wrong. You can’t fight logic like that.
You were the fall guy. LOL
Ricardo;
That’s what they thought, but I made the gut buy it back to keep his used car dealership out of the investigation. He was happy to do it. I sold it for half price because I used it for three years
With proper maintenance, Honda Civics could go to 500,000 miles.
Why not buy a jeepney? I understand many people own “private” jeepneys in the philippines.
Jamie;
People do, my friend has one that he converted half of the passenger section to a pick-up truck bed. It’s the biggest duel cab you ever saw. With a new interior and paint and big chrome stacks like on a Diamond Rio, it’s something to see.
Why there is no discount in cash sales also bothers me when I purchased a car three years back. The dealership quoted me for an installment price which is slightly higher than the cash price at 19% payable in 4 to 5 years and with a discount of Php35k, the loan is to be financed by banks, not in-house. The existing car loan rates as advertised by the bank was 9.5% to 9.75% at that time so I went to one of the local bank and inquire about their car loan. I was approved for the 9.5% and out of curiosity I asked the Bank Manager why the huge difference in the interest rate between the dealer and the bank when it would be financed by the bank themselves anyway. I was told that the dealership is actually getting a commission from the bank which I reckon would be the difference between the actual rate and the dealer’s quoted rate or depending on the credit worthiness of the applicant. I went back to the dealer and told them that I got the approval myself, it was then they told me that I cannot avail of the Php35k discount as it is an offer only for cash sales. I insist that the bank will pay them in cash prior to release of the car, so they should treat it as cash sales. As they cannot scam me on the 19%, they now insist on not giving the discount. The discount is a marketing tactic, but to me it is plain deception, cheating naive clients who thinks that the dealer is giving them a favor by processing the loan. If they have not offered me the discount in the first instance I would have bought the car anyway, but their trying to manipulate me is what ticks me, so off I went to the dealer next door and bought at cash price. If you can prove to the bank of your ability to pay, process the loan yourself, it’s only gonna take an hour of your time and about 3 days waiting for approval. As a foreigner, getting a loan under your name may pose a problem, but regardless, check with your bank first, they might have something for you better than what the dealers offers.
Liza;
I have the cash now sitting in my bank in the States, so if I get a cash discount it’s because I’ll really be paying in cash. My Kano friend went the Philippine bank way and found that if you try to pay the loan off early you’ll still pay all the interest due to the end of the loan. Besides rates way above 3.5% .That is another reason I’ll deal with my State Side bank.
But a lot of people will learn some useful information from your comment, things we as Kano’s didn’t realize. And for that I thank you!
I wonder how much the little Multicabs are I see in Davao? Given all the accidents and rough roads on Samal, wouldnt they be well suited? They must be economical given the number of locals who drive them. Do they come in 4wd?
Bill
Bill,
Easy rides/ multicabs as some call them, I have had and seen for anywhere from P90,000 to P 190,000. P175,000 seems pretyy average around Dumaguete,. Even cheaper in Cebu. And yes they come in 4WD. I have had two of them, one a pick-up style and one a van style. Both 4WD and with air-con. You want a 12 valve if you buy one. Don’t expect miracles from the a/c though, Bear in mind the engine is I think 600 cc approx. , but for what it is it has a lot of power for a 3 cylinder. !2 valve again is critical in my opinion.
Charlie
Bill;
Most have a 3 Cylinder engine that sums up my knowledge of them. I just read what Charlie had to say, and he’s a better source than I am.
Hey Paul
That is a nice choice of vehicle your thinking about. Maybe 30+ years ago for the North American market Ford and the Companies introduced the Fiesta, and with variations ever since, continuing everywhere to be sold. Says a lot about a car.
I’d say it it a drivers car and can be into-the-road and quick.
James;
The Fiesta is the one I’m leaning towards, for the very reasons you mentioned. They look good too!
Paul, you said going brand new would be your “last stab at independence”. That being the case, and given that you’re leaning towards another Ford anyway, why not go all out and take a stab at a 2013 Mustang with 444 horses. The only question is, would Mayang be able to handle all those horses when she goes to the wet market in ‘Gapo?
Ricardo;
A Mustang in Olongapo, now that would be a sight.. But the cost of the teo armed guards could get pricy.
No doubt about that, Paul. In the 70s, one of two brothers who were both in the Marines was stationed at Subic Naval Base. He had his ’67 Mustang from Camp Pendleton shipped to Subic. That Mustang made an instant hit with a lot of Pinoys who wanted to buy it from him. Had it not been parked inside the base, it wouldn’t have lasted as long as it did. He had it for so long, I even sent a brand new replacement carburetor from the States as it must not have been available in Olongapo at the time.
Ricardo;
I’ve seen a few of the older Mustangs here, but the new ones not at all.
Paul,
My brother in law has one. He paid a pretty penny for it. Of course he’s president of an engineering firm too. Those new Dodge Challengers are really nice too. Wouldn’t mind one of those either.
Papa Duck;
I’m thinking my day for muscle cars has ended 4 doors and 4 cyl. is me at age 65. But I have fond memories of my Super Bee.
Another great article to start off the week Paul. Your comment about Cruise Control remided me of when I was planning my first visit to The Philippines. My air destination was to Cagayan De Oro and then a 90 minute ride by car on ” The National Highway ” to Iligan City. Naturally not ever being there before, when I read ” The National Highway ” the vision I had in my own mind was something comparable to an Interstate Highway as in the USA. About half an hour on the road and I asked ” when do we get on the National highway ” and I was told ” We’re on it ! ” . Yes, I can easily understand how using Cruise Control could make a new car into a well used car very quickly there.
As with many things there, it looks like buying a new car is a lot different than here, thanks for this informative article and to the ” been there done that ” comments that followed.
It has me thinking also I wonder about the differences in auto insurance.
Oh my, auto insurance ! It’s all yours Bob and Paul. I am outa here on that topic. Nuff siad. Have never had to “use” it. What a blessing.
Bob;
On Auto Insurance, if you have it, never announce it. Settle it on the road and drive away. If someone knows you have it, the pain and suffering is now for life.
But it’s pretty good it will even cover the car for Acts of God, so you don’t have to sue the Church to collect. Typhoo, flooding Ect.
Bob;
The National Highway is not even required to be paved. Luzon in the last few years has gone to a highway system similar to the states (Albeit every inch has a toll) but even on it Cruise Control is useless, as the lane changing to get over on the guy in front would render it mute!
I had the same feeling during a port call in Belize while on a Caribbean cruise, Bob. We were on a long stretch of a rutted two-lane highway all the way to visit the Mayan ruins at Altun Ha. This same highway extends from Belize into southern Mexico. The signs on the side of the road say, “national highway”.
Ricardo;
Do you think the “Nation Highway” is interconnected? Kind of like Alaskas’s interstate Highway system?
Paul, it is said that the Mayans may have come from Asia, crossed the Bering Strait, traveled through Alaska, continued on a southerly course across America and the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, establishing settlements along the way from southern Mexico to what are now the Central American countries of Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras. So, yes, you’re right, the “national highway” in a sense was interconnected even back then, and in some respects may have followed the route of the ancient Mayans. And, they didn’t have Mustangs or Vegas. LOL
Ricardo;
They say that there was a natural land bridge between Asia and the America’s and people just wandered in and scattered about. As good a way as any for them to have got here. I guess that would be the real highway 1.
You’re absolutely correct, Paul. According to theory, there was a ridge above sea level connecting the Asian continent with the North American continent before the ridge sank into the ocean and became the Bering Strait, and when people from Asia are said to have just walked into North America, not across Bering Strait which I have stated earlier. My bad. In any event, that had to be the longest highway 1 in the world. 🙂
Your Civic is just getting broken in. We have nearly 200,000 miles (320,00K) on a 1998 Civic, and it runs like a new car. You may just want a new car or need a larger vehicle, but the Civic could serve you for many more years.
My son drives the 1998 Civic now, and I drive a 2008 Honda Fit (Jazz in Ph). In my opinion, this is the best car that I have ever owned. It is small on the outside and uses little fuel, but it is huge for its size inside, and the fold away rear seat makes it very versatile for hauling bulky items.
Thanks for the article. It was informative, and since I’ll be coming to the Philippines next year, I’ll find it useful.
Scott;
You’re most welcome, I guess then, my work here is done! I think I’ll go have a beer! (LOL)
Paul, the last time I saw the Walmart greeter, he was in the back of the store mopping the floor and stocking the shelves.
I heard of one Walmart Greeter who got fired for telling a customer they have to have a little smart to unstuck a couple of carts! ha ha.
Mars;
When I ran the Commissary in Puerto Rico I sit in amazement at people trying to separate carts. It’s not rocket science
The man who invents grocery carts that are easy to separate from each other and get ta patent for them is going to be a millionaire. 🙂
Ricardo;
From an ole Commasarry Officer: Lift the handle and drop and pull, it’ll work everytime.
Ricardo;
If I’d have seen that I would have complained to the manager that no one greeted me on the way in. That way if I ever need that job, I’d be protected!
The problem was he was the same Walmart greeter who met you at the door, you know, the same one who couldn’t tell the difference between a carburetor and fuel injection. For losing you as a potential customer, he was re-assigned to the back of the store mopping floors. 🙂
Ricardo;
Selling Kia’s to pushing a Cadillac (Mop Bucket)
Ricardo;
He traded in his Kia for a Cadillac. (Mop Bucket old Navy term)
Hi Paul,
Your present car at 60,000 miles is virtually brand-new by Philippine standards! Given that you have a good mechanic that can keep that used car in great shape for years, I vote for the new/old card to stick around a while longer. Especially in the Philippines it seems dull for me to “go by the book” and opt for a new car. It’s so much more of another adventure, to take a chance to find and maintain a good used SUV, car, motorcycle multi-cab etc. More wheeling and dealing, but much more interesting! Of course it’s my husband, driver and mechanic that do all the work, but we’ve had good experiences so far like you. What’s Mayang’s vote? 🙂
You’ll do what works best for you though–good luck with whatever you choose to do. Queenie
Queenie;
Thank you for my second great laugh of the morning. What’s Mayang’s Vote: Of course she wants to drive a brandy new car! What’s Mayang’s vote indeed. (lol) But I think I’ll go for the new one just this once, just for her. Most of our friends have new cars and we must keep up with the Jones. At one time prior to me retiring, we were the Jones!
Oh well Paul–that sounds like a plan then! I’ve found you a vintage bumper sticker from the sixties that you could put on your new car though, as a bow to the old—it says “Sailors have more fun!”
Queenie;
That “Sailors Have More Fun” was never true. That truth is it was the girls who dated sailors that had all the fun!
Now it’s the “Smith’s, Thompson’s and Jones’!” 😀
Senior,
All I can say to this article is this. I’d rather go to the dentist than buy a new car.
So with that said when I get ready to buy my car over there I’m going to have to bring a used car salesman. Know of any??
Bruce:
They kept me on the new car lot, because of my non-felon status. But I’ll still drive you around to look at what’s available
In the 70s when the Vegas and the Pintos first came out, the used car salesman was typically dressed in a machine-washed Sears pastel polyester suit with wide lapels, bell-bottomed trousers, a funky floral shirt, wide white belt, and a pink tie. He wore 7/11 sunglasses and his sideburns were as long as Elvis Presley’s. I bought a lemon of a Vega with aluminum engine block that melted within a couple of years from him. 🙂
Hi Richard,
Just curious, did you have an Edsel also ? Corvairs were nice also until they rolled over a few times. ( smile )
Charlie;
I didn’t then but I wish I did now; they are money in the bank if you have one. My cousin had a Corvair Spider Convertible, and it was hot. Ralph Nader be damned
Just got my driver’s license when the Edsel came out, Charlie. But my first car was a used 49 Merc lowered to the ground and the grille had extra teeth from a 53 Chevy to give it the custom look of the day. The used-car salesman told my Dad, who was buying it for me, that the car was previously owned by a cop, therefore it was in good shape. My Dad bought it – the sales pitch as well as the car. The asking price: $600. Took me 3 years to pay it off. LOL
Ricardo;
Funny but I had a 1951 Merc. Convertible leaded in fenders and dropped over the frame chrome lake pipes until I got my first ticket. I traded a 1947 Harley for it which I’d bought for $75.00. That V-8 flat head was quick.
Never could imagine driving in philippins
Driving in the Philippines is not that bad Traffic in general does not move fast enough to cause serious accidents. Heck, I ride a Harley in Manila. Its the pollution that gets to me.
Don;
I was stationed in Charleston SC and I rode at the time an 850 Norton Commando. I went down a side street that was a one-way with cars parked bumper to bumper on both sides leaving one lane of travel. It was a hot July day and I’m dead ass behind a sanitation truck making pickups. I could not turn around, I could not fit between the parked cars to use the sidewalk, and I had to smell that garbage for the next 35 minutes. Now that’s pollution!
Don, I drove a new Honda Magna 750cc around Zambales province for three years (couldn’t find a Harley). It was the most fun I ever had with a drivers license.
Invincible;
And your reasons for not driving here would be?
I promise I’ll not comment about the name you use! But driving here is just a matter of learning the lack of rules, then surge forth with impunity. For then you truly will feel… Well you know, I promised.
Richard, you are either “much” older than me or you came from a state where you got your license at 14. One of my best friends moved to Michigan where I am from and Dave alreday had his license at 14. Now, what the heck state did he move from , Kansas maybe? I’ll have to ask him. Oh well I drove for 4 years before I bothered with getting a license. The cops, I mean , police didn’t bother me seeing I worked at a gas station and drove a wrecker anyhow. lol
Paul, it’s not American but Mercedes makes a nice car (6 cyl. diesel). Please take care of it and I’ll even pay to have it shipped down here when you are done with it. Black or metalic silver is nice on one of those. :o)
Charlie, if memory serves, I think I was 17 when I got my very first California driver’s license in Monterey, barely arriving in the USA at the age of 15. Monterey back in those days was just like any other southern California town – full of hot rods and custom cars. The famous custom car builder, George Bariss, had a body shop on Del Monte Avenue in Monterey. I was hooked on hot rods right away, and had a hard time persuading my Dad to buy the used, previously cop-owned 49 Merc mentioned above for me, but he did after I promised that I’d get a job and make the monthly payments. I picked strawberries in Salinas valley during the summer and worked as a busboy on weekends in the winter while in high school to make the payments. Can’t remember how much the payments were now, but we bought it for $600. I used to get ticketed by the California Highway Patrol frequently for the car being too low. Because I was a minor, I had to appear in court with an adult, but didn’t want to ask my Dad to accompany me. He would have raised hell. So, I asked this older Filipino guy I used to work with in the restaurant to appear with me in court, pretending he was my Dad. The judge never asked him if he was my Dad, though. LOL
Here’s a screen shot of the famous souped-up, custom 49 Merc:
http://www.angelfire.com/on4/zambalesforum/JRreminiscences.htm
Charlie;
Mercedes! I don’t want to have to go back to work!
Paul, Charlie, Ricardo,
How about the old AMC line of cars like the Pacer, Matador and Gremlin. Who could forget those lol.
I am trying very hard to forget anyone would even buy one. lol
Charlie:
As I said above; “There’s a butt for every seat.” (lol)
Comment no. 145:
Or, the Filipino proverb:
“Walang palayok na walang kasukat na tungtong.”
Translation: Every pot has a matching lid.
Papa Duck;
The Navy (Or GSA) gave me an AMC Matador as my recruiting car. We called it the beast, but the best part was no other recruiter wanted to borrow it!
Ricardo;
Ah! Those were the days my friend! I often wondered who was buying those Vega’s! (lol)
Lol, Coasties buys Vegas’ too. One of my shipmate had one, we where homeported at Amphibs Little Creek and since he was the one with the car, we have to buy the gas if we want to go somewhere. That car is so slow with the gas pedal hitting the floor. We used to drive it to Baltimore and Charlottesville and had a hard time going uphill. Yep, the 4-cyl alum engine heats up, I think you can cook fish on that block!
Mars, the stock Vega GT was an eye-catcher when it first came out. Mine was orange with white stripes across the deck, top, and hood, with GT rims. It was a stick shift as well. Later on, I had the rear end raised, had the rear wheel openings cut out to make room for oversized slick tires. It was a sight to behold, and was fun cruising it down the main drag of Monterey on Friday nights.
Mars;
My buddy at Little Creek (At the Dew-Drop-In bar on the left by the bridge into Ocean View) had a 1664 T-Bird with no reverse, so we all had to leave the bar to push jim out of his parking space. Sailors!
Ha ha, I’ve to that place Dew Drop Inn, also the Windjammer? on the right if heading back towards the tunnel. I have a ’73 Mustang Mach 1 V8 w/ Cleveland engine. One night I got boxed in by a VW Beetle in the sandy parking lot and was standing there figuring out how to get out when about 6 Marines noticed my predicament and picked up the VW and carried it out of the way so I could get out. The driver probably didn’t notice where he originally parked his Beetle–it’s the effect of to much Shaeffer, Pabst BR or cheap wine at that time- is it the Morgan David–saying at that time “if it cost more than $1.99 a gallon, it’s a good wine”.
Mars;
Oh, the Windjammer it this was not a family frendly site, I could tell stories that would cause a sailor to blush. I remember that lighted dance floor!
Marz, it was Ripple or Spanada for me back then. If I wanted a good buzz fast, I would move up in class to MD20/20 😉
Ha ha Ripple wine. That’s it, same really bad headache the next day!
Randy;
If you want fast mix Hoppin’-Gator with Ripple, and then try to find your ship.
Hey Mars, Paul,
I had to sell my second ever owned car a 1957 Cevy hardtop when I entered boot camp in the Coast Guard in Jan. 1963. I don’t remember what I paid for that jewel but the payment was $69.00 a month, and as you know that was $1.00 a month more than I even made ! I thought I was going overseas also so why park the car for 4 years or more ? Ah, another bad decision. Selling the car that is.
Anybody wanna race ? lol I don’t know about where you live but “if” you can get up to 60 kmh here you are flying. Had 3 Iroc tuned port injection Camaro’s , spedo went to 160 MPH so of course I had to bury the needle, why not ? It’s a little tough to do that here even if I had one.
Oh , by the way Paul, I was just jerking your anchor chain on buying a used car. Please buy a new one Paul, and all you folks out there. I need a glut on the used car market so I can buy another one in about 5-10 years. So I guess I better post on preventative maintenance so maybe I’ll be lucky enough to get one of your new old cars. Can I pick the color now ? Please. I am sort of partial to metalic blues. Thank you.
Charlie, a ’57 Chevy, or any other car and model years in those days, only looks good if they were two doors. I’ve never seen a customized car with 4 doors. If there were, they were ugly.
Charlie;
I’ve seen a few muscle cars here, and I also was wondering where you could use them. A 1.4 engine is about all I’ll need for my time here in the Philippines, also factoring in the cost of gas now.
Paul,
Just my opinion but take a pass on the KIA.
Ford is nice. And my friends back home need the business.
Charlie;
I would have agreed with you when Kia first introduced the Kia No Pride, what a piece of rooling garbarge that was. Now they make a good car. Do you remember the first Honda 600D?
Oh yeah, Charlie/Paul, I bought a red ’72 AMC Matador while station at Kodiak, Alaska. Bought it for $300.00 form another coastie leaving the island and sold it for the same amount when I left four years later. There’s tons of room in that thing. I carried two coolers, about half a dozen fishing rod and reel, tackles boxes and a couple of wader in the trunk and still have room to spare. Room for 6 inside. I call it my La Bamba cruiser. That thing had only 50,000 miles on it for 18 years, not much road at Kodiak.
Mars;
I never slighted the Matador, I loved driving that tank, all the other recruiters drove the new AMC Concords. It was the Bomb!
Paul, I believe Korean cars nowadays like the Hyundai are giving a lot of European and Japanese cars a run for their money.
Paul,
I think you earned a new car at this point. But we will miss your stories about your new/old car lol. I always hated buying a car. Thats why i always went to the dealership when it was closed so i could look w/o a salesman following me around. Than i would go the next day and try to make a deal. My dad is very good at dealing with salesman. He will save every dollar he can. When i live there i will not own a car, at least not right away. Take care.
I am sure you have a CarMax where you live, Papa Duck. It’s the new way of buying a “pre-owned” cars. I am so sold on CarMax: the quality of service, the staff (no cheap polyester suits here, they wear uniforms), financing options, and the quality of the cars they sell. At CarMax, the sales staff respect your space. They greet you at the door politely, but they don’t follow you around to make you uncomfortable. They’ll come to you only when you need them. All the cars on the lot and showroom are certified, having undergone a thorough maintenance and safety checklists. CarMax is almost perfect at what they do, I don’t even have to pop the hood or kick the tires before I make a purchase. If a car has a dent or a scratch, CarMax doesn’t sell it.
Ricardo: The last 4 used cars I bought in the States were from Carmax, and the last two new ones (The Carmax in LA had a new car showroom too)… I totally agree with you that the flat pricing (fair pricing) and lack of BS made it a decent experience. Glad to hear they are still going strong.
I’m a fan of Carmax also for the no haggle experience. Like you John, I bought a new Toyota Camry in their dealership in Laurel, MD both a new and used car dealer. They even have a Carmax dinner club where they invite those who bought cars for a free dinner few months after the sale. Quite an experience. No stress car buying experience.
John, another thing I like about CarMax is you can walk in there and drive away with the car with real license plates (not the temporary paper tags they give you at other car dealerships), all within the space of 3 to 4 hours max, including prepping up the car and topping it off. My favorite store is the one in Sterling, VA, near Dulles airport.
Correct, They have their own DMV of sort. No temporary tag servicing tboth DC, MD and VA, and no hassle for you to do state inspection yourself.
Papa Duck;
The trick is to shop for a new car at the last day of the month when the dealership has to start paying interest on every car the next day. Blow off the Maroni as it’s a joke to begin with (The sticker on the rear door window) and tell the manager you will pay $300.00 over the dealers invoice price (his profit is added into the invoice price approx. $500.00, That’s a book on the sales managers desk) Ask to see it, and both you and the dealer will be happy with the deal. But it only works at the last of the month.
Hi Paul – You’re really gonna buy car? Cool. If you compute all the money spent having your new/old car fixed.. well then, it’s not a bad idea to just buy a new car. Buy a Honda.. because you’ll never see that as taxi.. he he he 🙂
Sugar;
The truth is the cost of yearly driving is less with a used car. I’ve kept track of the price ofthe car, pluse maintance and gas and it really is cheaper.
Hey Paul,
You can use the cruise control in Quiapo, can’t you? bwahaha Funny!
Gerard;
Cruise control in the Philippines is as handy to have as those rear window defrosters,
My colleague just imported his BMW, fully loaded with heated leather seats!
Don;
Does he turn off the A/C while the seat is turned on?
Paul…
I was wondering if you knew why they charge you more for using a debit card?
I bought some furniture here and when I went to use my debit, they said they couldn’t give me the sale price. When I said debit is the same as cash, they just gave me a ” funny” look.
The Kia you looked at seemed somewhat cheaper there, than here. I looked at the Kia hatchback at the mall the other day, and it was going for 999,000. Yes it was loaded with fancy wheels and all, but seemed like a lot of pesos. When I inquired about the sedan, I believe he quoted 780,000. Anyway have fun shopping for wife’s new car 😀
Greg, there is a merchant cost involved in using a credit card machine and it is usually a percentage of the transaction. And, with a low sales price, it could wipe out their entire profit on the sale. Here in the states, many stores are now passing the charge on to the customers, even for debit cards. They began doing in without informing the customer upfront (sneaky) and we noticed it showing up on our receipts. I’m starting to carry more cash around with me these days for that very reason.
The times be changin……
Greg;
I’ll defer to Randy’s answer on why they charge extra to use credit cards. BTW some bigger stores like Royal Puregold and SM do not. (Or they hide it)
On the Kia Rio sedan that is a big difference in price, it must be a more wonderful car. (lol) The Rio Hatchback is a lot more money, but not the car I’m looking for.
Randy I’ll have to look for that fee as I use the debit card for everything. My first car was a ’66 Chevy Nova with a 283 and three on the tree. Lot’s of fun for the brief life span it had. Public transportation is so cheap and convenient in the Philippines I may never buy a car there. A new motorbike is a definite maybe though. 🙂
Mark, Randy is talking about a credit card, not a debit card. I bank with Suntrust, and they DO NOT charge a fee for using a debit card. I also have a credit card issued by them. They also do not penalize you if you go over the line of credit, which I never do anyway.
Here’s an interesting side note US made Hondas to be sold in the Philippines:
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/361356/hcpi-launches-usmade-vehicles