Automobile Blog March Archive

Jeepneys of the Philippines

By Car Agent at 03/25/08 16:04

If you are living or you have lived in the Philippines, you will know how the concoction of car brands compete for each other.

In a study, it says 35-40% of the population owns a car or any type of vehicle, while the others do not even have a single motorcycle. Majority of the population in the country rides the most popular mean of transportation, the jeepney. They have become so many in numbers that they already considered as one of the noted culture of the country. They are usually covered with flamboyant decorations, colorful body, and most especially, crowded seating arrangement.

They were originally from the US Military. They were left in the country after the world war II and since then, they were used by the locals for public transportation. A jeepney originally resembled like the Willys-Knight, car manufactured for the US military dating back decades ago. But as years went by, local manufacturers of jeepney made subsequent changes that can be seen on the modern jeepneys.

Most of these jeepneys were made from surplus or old trucks, usually from Japan, then turned to a jeepney. These productions are primarily located in Cebu and Cavite.

The modern look of a jeepney nowadays resembles more likely of a Hummer or an oversize van from Toyota Tamaraw or a Mitsubishi L300. Jeepneys are produced in bulk, that is why their number rapidly increase. The major roads and highways of the country are not seen without jeepneys. Its a very normal scenery to go out, and ride a jeepney to where you are bound to. They are usually coined as 'Hari ng Daan' or 'King of the Road'.

A few years ago, the government issued a resolution that jeepneys cannot operate if it does not comply with the environmental guidelines. They must not emit deadly black smokes, emission testing must be done regularly, jeepneys cannot operate beyond the specified route and others. This is done to promote the wellness of the jeepneys as it also reflects the whole country.

The Smart Car

All of us wants safety when we drive. Security on the road is one of the greatest concern of drivers. But some accidents really just can't be avoided. Even if you are careful, but the person who is driving opposite you is not, then an accident will still happen. For this case, Smart Cars were already introduced.

The Smart Car were originally built for convenience in the parking space. Because of its size, which is relatively small, you can park your car nosed-in unlike normal size cars of which has to be park paralleled. In the recent years, smart cars were added with some features, its security and safety status. They said its impossible for a person to die inside a smart car. Its like putting an armored suit one you entered a smart car. But enough of what I'm saying. You must watch this first, a smart car crash, wherein smart cars were tested about how will it look and how will it end up after the crash, and what happens to its passengers as well.

YouTube Video

Though the safety of this car is still under negotiation, and the production of this car is already halted because of dwindling sales, smart cars still prove that its one of the best car for the young generation. Cheap, safer than the other cars, and best of all, small. A road trip for 'two persons and a case of beer'.

How Cheap Is Cheap?

Seriously, how cheap is cheap for a car?

Asking that to yourself, ask first what is the car that you really want. How cheap is cheap for a brand new car and for a used car. With that question, many analyst said a car that is below US$3,000 is cheap. But, a car that cost that low doesn't have all the features all people need.

If we are going to battle out car manufacturers who manufacture cheap and high priced cars, then it would be like US-Europe vs. Asia. A lot of people know that cars made in Europe and also in US are high valued, high priced of which an ordinary looking car would cost you more than tens of thousands of dollars. While on the other hand, Asian manufactured cars are happy enough to have their cars at the maximum of $8,000.

Small scale and not so popular car manufacturers in Asia like Hyundai, Suzuki, Kia and a lot others are commonly made in India and China. These two countries offer cheap cars that are distributed all over Asia. But reports said that they are also trying to export their cars now in the US and in Europe.

But the battle for cheap cars isn't really not solely dependent on the price. Its still best to look on the quality of the car. Just like for example, a European car will sell for at least US$15,000 for a car that is ordinary looking, not luxurious, with moderate size, with complete basic needs but came from a known brand. While on the other hand, a car that is made in India will most likely sell for US$5,000-$6,0000 but it is poorly featured with equipment, because most of these cars do not have their own air bags and anti lock brake. Those are parts of a car that must not be forgotten because that is an investment for safety.

However, studies shows that there really isn't car at the moment that reached the desired cost for a 'cheap car' that comes with the complete features and the desired features of the people.

Let us wait who will create the first complete featured cheap car.

Australian Used Cars

My sister just called me from Australia, she told me she's going to sell her car and buy a new one, actually a cheaper car. She then said she put her car on sale in an online store. The site was http://www.carsguide.news.com.au wherein you can sell your car, browse or search for a car and even buy it.

I went to the site and found it as exactly what she told me. They have tons of available cars for sale. One of the most number of cars available is Holden, the Australian automaker arm of GM. Other brand names are Toyota, Mitsubishi, Ford, Nissan and others.

Vehicle body types such as convertible, wagon, hardtop, commercial, coupe, hatchback, sedan, and other types are also being offered for a make-your-own-car model. They do reviews as well.

However, later that day, my sister found a used car for herself. Not from the site, but from her neighbor. It was a black 2005 Toyota Altis. Her neighbor is the first owner, so she's not worried about its performance because she knows her neighbor is a good driver. And a thing that made her buy the car is that its owner is a Filipino as well, and makes it easier for her yo negotiate.

She bought it for Php600,000 in good condition, with warranty service for tires, mags, and upholstery. The registration name changing will also be handled by the previous owner for her. No other things other than those offered.

Basically, if she will buy that car here in the Philippines, it will only cost her 500,000 or less. But since that is the cheapest she could find and is just across the street so if ever there are problems she could easily contact the seller, she bought it.

I just hope Toyota will be good to her. She has not own a Toyota before.

Choosing A Good Used Car

Most of us, for practical reasons, choose to buy used cars but with cheaper price. But how do we really choose the best used car without being screwed. There are many different factors that needs to be consider before buying used cars.

Even though there are cars with the same year model and same brand, they are still not exactly the same with each other. Differences in mileage, the driving habits of previous owner, the maintenance or lack of the same all have a bearing on the desirability, value and practical number of miles remaining in an automobile. And with this, a cars performance is highly affected.

After a deliberation with yourself on what car model to buy, you must compare the brand new to a used one. There are a lot of advantages and disadvantages that comes with both cars. The brand new ones has the advantage of a car buyers protection. You don't have to worry about the parts and gears because all of it are new and unused. On the other hand, a used car do not have a warranty, or if comes with it, it sure most likely be just for the service repairs and the parts and other services.

If you are not a trendy person and do not buy cars for fashion, you have the option of not buying a luxury car and instead just buy a compact one, because a compact car gives the same mileage with a luxury car in its lifetime of use. However, the major concern for buying a used car is its price. Before buying a used car, be sure to check the price of the brand new car first. This will avoid you from being fraud. Your money, if spent wisely, can give you a luxury car that is 2 or 3 years old but is still in good condition but if you use that money to buy a brand new one, you will only get yourself a small compact car.

The car insurance is also a thing to discuss. Brand new cars have it at its prime while used cars have lower insurance.

You now have at least something to think about before buying a car, used or unused.

The Cars of Paradise

If you are living around the Cebu-Bohol-Leyte part in the Philippines, then hearing the word Paradise means 2 things for you. The first one is the place for ultimate relaxation with beautiful environment and no worries and problems, while the second one would be the Car Company located in this areas.

Yes, Paradise Motors is one of the many established auto center in the Philippines specially in the Visayas region. Paradise Motors is known as the distributor of luxury cars in the said areas. They distribute Ford, Cadillac, Toyota, Honda and Misubishi. But what really people like about them is their other arm known as Little Paradise.

Little Paradise is the center for selling and buying cars. If you want to sell your cars and buy a new one, this is definitely the place to go. And you can also exchange your car from one type to another.They sell cheap cars for those who are still beginners in driving or just want to buy a car for minimal purposes like everyday transportation for short distances.

Aside from these, both Paradise and Little Paradise offers warranty for their cars with free services like tuning up, airconditioning, allignment, installations, color repair, upholstery and many more.

Their cheap cars ranges from Php100-700k. And the good thing about this is you can pay it for installment. Yes, you can give them a downpayment and the rest will be divided in easy payments monthly. That is the reason why a lot of people are getting themselves a car now.

Seriously, the eye of poverty in the country is not being reflected with these people haha.