Subscribe to the newsletter to receive the latest content.
When I was young I wasn't a fan of cars. In my mind they're pollutants, but as I age, I begin to understand the benefit of having a car. You have the freedom to go anywhere and anytime comfortably. Hence the start of the hunt for the best affordable vehicle.
I always prefer practicality over anything else, first and foremost the car must be a people carrier. The more the merrier, haha. So my preference is MPV/SUV that is at least a 7 seater.
Aside from being low priced, it must be fuel efficient, if possible a hybrid. I firmly believed that pure electric cars are not mature enough, especially if its a chinese brand. One definitely doesn't want to waste money on those.
Ground clearance and tire size is also important because of the floods and potholes. Below are some of my practical choices:
Hyundai Tucson 1.6T HEV, 2,290,000 PHP, Crossover, 5 seater. 181 mm, 19", 232 hp, 367 nm torque. 15.60 km/L.
Toyota Zenix 2.0 Q Hybrid CVT, 1,991,000 PHP, MPV, 7 seater. 185 mm, 18", 183 hp, 188 nm torque. 18 km/L.
Nissan NV350 Urvan 2.5 GX Van AT, 1,820,000 PHP, VAN, 15 seater. 195 mm, 15", 127 hp, 356 nm torque. 11.25 km/L.
Mitsubishi Montero Sport GLS 2.4 4x2 AT, 1,899,000 PHP, SUV, 7 seater. 218 mm, 18", 179 hp, 430 nm torque. 8.47 km/L.
Toyota Fortuner 2.4 G Diesel 4x2 AT, 1,867,000 PHP, SUV, 7 seater. 193 mm, 17", 148 hp, 400 nm torque. 15.75 km/L.
Isuzu mu-X RZ4E 4x2 LS AT, 1,725,000 PHP, SUV, 7 seater. 230 mm, 17", 148 hp, 350 nm torque. 13.50 km/L. Plan to upgrade wheels to 18" and add parking sensors.
Toyota Zenix V CVT, 1,676,000 PHP, MPV, 8 seater. 185 mm, 17", 172 hp, 205 nm torque. 11 km/L.
Isuzu D-MAX 3.0 4x2 LS-A AT, 1,520,000 PHP, Pickup Truck, 5 seater. 240 mm, 18", 187 hp, 450 nm torque. 20.58 km/L.
Mitsubishi Triton 2.4 GLX 4x2 AT, 1,423,000 PHP, Pickup Truck, 5 seater. 222 mm, 17", 181 hp, 430 nm torque. 16.20 km/L.
Toyota Hilux 2.4 E DSL 4x2 AT, 1,398,000 PHP, Pickup Truck, 5 seater. 279 mm, 17", 148 hp, 400 nm torque. 11-13 km/L.
Mitsubishi Xpander Cross A/T, 1,346,000 PHP, SUV, 7 seater. 225 mm, 17", 103 hp, 141 nm torque. 21-24 km/L. No center arm rest.
Honda BR-V V CVT, 1,295,000 PHP, SUV, 7-seater. 207 mm, 17", 119 hp, 145 nm torque. 24.70 km/L.
Mitsubishi Destinator GLX CVT, 1,289,000 PHP, SUV, 7 seater. 214 mm, 18", 162 hp, 250 nm torque. Promotional price. Turbocharged 1.5-liter 4B40 gasoline engine. City: 6 to 11 km/L. Highway: 12 to 16 km/L.
Suzuki XL7 Hybrid Black Upgrade GLX AT, 1,252,000 PHP, MPV, 7 seater. 200 mm, 16", 103 hp, 138 nm torque. 14 km/L.
Nissan Livina EL AT, 1,174,000 PHP, SUV, 7 seater. 205 mm, 15", 103 hp, 141 nm torque. 18.90 km/L.
Suzuki New Ertiga Hybrid GL AT, 1,128,000 PHP, SUV, 7 seater. 180 mm, 15", 103 hp, 138 nm torque. 26.80 km/L. Can upgrade wheels to 195/55 R16.
Toyota Veloz 1.5 E CVT, 1,104,000 PHP, SUV, 7 seater. 190mm, 16", 104 hp, 138nm torque. 19.30 km/L.
Toyota Avanza 1.5 G CVT, 1,071,000 PHP, SUV, 7 seater. 190mm, 16", 105hp, 138nm torque. 20.80 km/L.
Hyundai Stargazer 1.5 GL IVT, 1,068,000 PHP, SUV, 7 seater. 185 mm, 16", 113 hp, 144 nm torque. 20 km/L.
Hyundai Venue 1.6 GLS 6AT, 998,000 PHP, Cross-over, 5 seater. 190 mm, 17", 121 hp, 150 nm torque. 15-23.40 km/L.
Kia Sonet 1.5 LX AT, 908,000 PHP, Cross-over, 5 seater. 205 mm, 16", 113 hp, 144 nm torque. 18-24 km/L.
Hyundai Venue 1.6 GL 6AT, 898,000 PHP, Cross-over, 5 seater. 170 mm, 15", 121 hp, 150 nm torque. 15-23.40 km/L.
Toyota Raize 1.2 E CVT, 847,000 PHP, Cross-over, 5 seater. 200 mm, 16", 88 hp, 113 nm torque. 18-21 km/L.
Toyota Vios 1.3 XE CVT, 780,000 PHP, Sedan, 5-seater. 133 mm, 14", 98 hp, 123 nm torque, 15 km/L.
Suzuki New S-Presso GL AGS 674,000 PHP, Hatchback, 5 seater. 180mm, 14", 66 hp, 89 nm torque. 14 km/L.
Pickup can be a practical choice for people and cargo carrier. Can use the CarryBoy City Boy 840 canopy and add AC and bench. Here are videos of Mitsubishi L200 and Izuzu D-Max with FB body. CarryBoy Container 1050 and 1100 are also good. Here's a video of the Container 1050 on a Toyota Tamaraw.
The revived Toyota Tamaraw brand, based on the modular IMV 0 concept is launched in 2024. It is utilitarian in design but capable of accommodating various body types like food truck, delivery van, ambulance, RV, etc. It has a ground clearance of either 164 or 180 mm and 14-inch wheels. Length-wise it has 2 version: short wheelbase(SWB): 4,970mm and long wheelbase(LWB): 5,300mm. Already launched in Thailand, the price of the base model(single cab and chassis) translates to around PHP 788,000 for the Turbo short wheelbase version.
The Tamaraw Dropside Hi is automatic, LWB, 150hp, max torque of 400 nm, 16" wheels, 1,100 kg payload. Instead of the dropside, I prefer a cab and chassis and add an FB body, AC and bench so it becomes a cargo and passenger carrier. Interestingly TopGear have an MPV concept. Don't be surprised but in Indonesia, they already have an SUV concept known as the Hilux Rangga.
Isuzu N-Series trucks have an interesting Automated Manual Transmission(AMT). There's no clutch, just accelerator and brake pedals.
If you like an RV, here's a video of the ADVENTURER4 Expedition by Expedition HQ based in Australia. The vehicle chassis is the Isuzu NPS 75/155 4x4 cab.
Aside from brand new, there's also second-hand, bank-repossessed vehicles. However before buying, gain knowledge by reading this primer first.
In PSBank, if you search for Iloilo as Registered Area, there's a 2022 Toyota Wigo G CVT with a low mileage of 7,567 km, that has a Floor Price of 495,000.00 PHP only. The brand new costs around 729,000.00 PHP.
There is also a 2021 Suzuki Celerio GL AGS with a mileage of 16,763 km, the Floor Price is just 405,000.00 PHP. The price for brand new is 784,000.00 PHP.
In EastWest Bank, searching under Cebu warehouse there is a 2022 Toyota Wigo G CVT with a mileage of 15,168 km has a minimum bid price of only 447,950.00 PHP.
A 2023 Mitsubishi Mirage G4 GLX CVT with a mileage of 7,951 km, has a minimum bid price of 426,600.00 PHP. Another car with the same model and year, but lower mileage of 2,762 km, is demanding a minimum bid price is 526,400.00 PHP. The cost of brand new is 772,000.00 PHP.
There is 2023 Toyota Vios XLE CVT with a mileage of 2,205 km requires a minimum bid of 641,700.00 PHP. The brand new costs 882,000 PHP.
A 2022 Mitsubishi Strada GLS AT with a mileage of 10,631 km is asking for a minimum bid price of 984,600.00 PHP. A brand new is fetching 1,395,000.00 PHP.
You can also find used car in AutoDeal.
Take note that banks dispose these vehicles on an "as is where is" basis. So you need to bring an experienced person with you to assess if the vehicles have any issues.
Toyota has a service called T-Sure where you can buy or trade-in pre-owned vehicles. In their latest list, in Mabolo, Cebu there's a 2022 Avanza E AT with a mileage of 26,000 km. It has a price of 830,000.00 PHP and classed as Value Plus. The brand new is 1,004,000.00 PHP. One advantage of using this service is, they make sure the car it is in good condition and the Elite and Value Plus class have a 1-year and 3-months limited warranty on engine and transmission.
Toyota's Kinto One is an all-in-one car leasing solution. The offer includes: periodic maintenance, tire and battery replacement, insurance, vehicle registration and roadside assistance. There's a wide choice of vehicles. Packages of 10,000-30,000 km/year for individual and up to 40,000 km for business. 3-4 years, up to 5 years lease terms for business. Security deposit equivalent to 2 months' worth of their leasing fee for individual and 10% of their leasing amount for business, 100% refundable. It might be worth exploring if the leasing option is more practical compared to owning a car. The cost of ownership does become more prohibitive as years go by.
Dig this, Francisco Motors, a 100% Filipino owned business have recently introduced an all electric jeepney, costing only 985,000 PHP! The quality seems good as the electric kit is supplied by TEMBO, a NASDAQ listed company and based in the Netherlands. This is a boon to the operators that have so far not upgraded due to the prohibitive price of modernized jeepneys that can go as high as 3 million pesos.
As you noticed, I prefer automatic cars, it saves a lot of hassle when driving. I also like high ground clearance. To increase ground clearance the practical and easy way, use coil spring spacers between the coil spring and the vehicle's chassis.
If budget allows it's a toss-up between Toyota Avanza and Mitsubishi Montero. My fiancee prefers Montero, although I'm leaning towards the Avanza because of the durability and support Toyota is well known for. Price wise its a practical choice and can use it as Grab car. We haven't decided yet, it all depends on how much is the actual budget when it comes, but we hope it will be enough so we will end up buying one of the vehicles listed here.
If loan is preferred, this car loan calculator provides an idea how much is the monthly payment based on the chosen down payment.
Use sedan and SUV to earn using GrabCar, here's how to join. Don't dive head first, read these articles to make sure its a good fit: The Real Cost of Being a Grab Peer or Uber Partner, How Much Can You Earn Per Month as a Grab or Uber Driver in the Philippines, Grab Philippines Drivers Earnings Still Need Social-Protection, and The Sad Numbers Behind a Grab Driver Income. Take note that vehicle should not be more than 3 years old from date of manufacture upon registration. Vehicles can operate for up to 7 years from date of manufacture and each operator can register a maximum of 3 vehicles. Lease to driver at 1,000/day or 60-40 split of the day's income after fuel expenses in favor of the operator. After 7 years, opt to sell it as second hand for a cheap price. While waiting for a buyer use it as car rental.
Another option is MaximCar.
Here's my two and three wheel options: TVS XL 100 moped is selling for 31,990 PHP only. It is utilitarian in nature, one can add sidecar made of light materials. It is an Indian brand and is one of the largest producers of 2 wheelers. A moped is a bike powered with gas, if there's no more fuel you can just pedal, haha. It already has a crash guard! Kawasaki CB100B is priced at 52,200 PHP. Yamaha YTX125 motorcycle is 55,900, you can also add a sidecar on this workhorse or turn it into a tricycle designed like a Honda.
Honda NAVi is a 109 cc scooter designed like a traditional motorcycle with automatic transmission giving 48.4 km/L mileage. Speed is limited to 80-90 km/h. Price: 56,900 PHP. Yamaha Mio Gear S with 125 cc Blue Core Hybrid engine that enhances fuel efficiency giving 63 km/L. Price: 81,900 PHP.
This tricycle is set-up like a jeepney, with the motorcycle centered in front. This video is showing how it is being built. Here's a 12-passenger set-up and with more details. This one is designed literally like a jeepney, and a unique set-up where the motorcycle is placed on the left side.
TVS King is a 3 wheeler worth 199,800 PHP. One advantage over 2 wheels is, it is covered, useful during rains and hot summers.
Here's a simple guide to renew driver's license.
I also happen to like e-bikes and I'm looking at Nakto's Ranger All-Terrain Electric Bicycle, and E-Velo Grizzly.
Some of the cheap 2nd-hand dump trucks, dropside and FB body trucks on Carousell:
Isuzu Elf 4W Double Cab Cargo Dropside Japan Surplus CBU, 575,000 PHP.
Isuzu Elf 6W Cargo Dropside, Japan Surplus CBU, 595,000 PHP.
Mitsubishi Fuso Canter Mini Dump Truck, Japan Surplus, 698,000 PHP.
2020 Hyundai 10-Wheeler Dump Truck, 750,000 PHP.
ISUZU ELF MINI HIGH SIDE DUMP TRUCK(BLUE), 4HL1, 780,000 PHP.
ISUZU ELF MINI DUMP TRUCK, 790,000 PHP.
2022 Isuzu 4HF1 Manual Engine NKR ELF Mini Dump Trucks, Japan Surplus CBU, 820,000 PHP.
Sobida Isuzu Elf NKR 4HL1 Dump Truck N-series, 830,000 PHP.
Isuzu 4HF1 Manual Engine, ELF NKR FB Body, Japan Surplus CBU, 850,000 PHP.
Affiliate Disclosure: Post may contain links to affiliate websites, and we may receive a commission for any purchases or actions made by you on the websites using such links. Thank You.