Quickie Used Car Review - Suzuki SX4 Sedan (2008-2011)

2008-2011 Suzuki SX4 Sedan

The Good: Drives decently, looks sporty enough

The Bad: Early engines struggle with weight, cheap feeling interior

The Say: Nice car that struggles to stay afloat.

Go For: 1.6 Aero (2010-2011)
Avoid: 1.6 Sedan (2008-2010)

Price Range: P320,000-P340,000
Our Rating: **

Full Review: Used Car Review - Suzuki SX4 (2008-2015)

See the different versions of this vehicle:
2008-2010
2010-2011

Vehicle Overview
Locally, the SX4 was Suzuki's first sedan offering until a hatchback counterpart was offered years later which coincided with an update. Worldwide, it replaced the Aerio and Forenza compacts which are long in the tooth during its time. However, this vehicle didn't sell well as expected which resulted to its early demise in 2011.

Driving this vehicle is a delight, especially that the driver sits upright complemented with large windows for a good view outside. Passengers, on the other hand, wouldn't receive any poor road modulations that are transmitted plus the tires are comfort biased, a good thing. The standard 1.6 engine, depending on what model you are considering, will give you a hard time accelerating due to its weight (2008 to 2010) or something much better on cruising (2010 to 2011) but it is solidly planted.

If Japanese CBUs are known for their well built interiors, this one exposes the opposite side since interior fit and finish is on the cheap side plus some controls have the tendency to snap out. On the plus side, seating position is excellent and is airy for all occupants.

What Should I Get
Unlike most Japanese rivals, the SX4 sedan is sold in one model. All models from 2008 to 2010 has a 102hp 1.6 engine, all power amenities, dual airbags, ABS brakes, CD player with MP3, keyless entry, fog lamps, 60/40 fold rear seat, steering wheel audio controls, and side skirts. An update in 2010 boosted its power to 110hp and added an alarm, auxiliary jack, and a spoiler to the mix. We recommend going for models sporting the 110hp if you happen to find one since it does not struggle on acceleration.

How Much Would It Cost Me
Not much problems were reported especially that this vehicle didn't sell much so expect this vehicle to be reliable. One pet peeve is Suzuki's expensive spare parts plus given the fact this vehicle is discontinued already, it may be not that much visible like rivals.

Quickie Used Car Review - Suzuki SX4 Hatchback (2010-2015)

2010-2015 Suzuki SX4 Hatchback

The Good: Spacious interior, all around vehicle

The Bad: Limited cargo space, poor residuals

The Say: Can act two cars in one body.

Go For: Crossover
Avoid:

Price Range: P340,000-P550,000
Our Rating: ***

Full Review: Used Car Review - Suzuki SX4 (2010-2015)

See the different versions of this vehicle:

2010-2015

Vehicle Overview
Worldwide, the SX4 is marketed as a sedan or a crossover offered with an AWD system and it replaced the Aerio and Forenza compacts which are long in the tooth during its time. Unlike the sedan, the hatchback stayed until 2015 which was discontinued on that year.

Driving this vehicle is a delight, especially that the driver sits upright complemented with large windows for a good view outside. Passengers, on the other hand, wouldn't receive any poor road modulations that are transmitted plus the tires are comfort biased, a good thing. The standard 1.6 engine is a good cruiser since it does not struggle and is solidly planted plus it benefited from an updated engine.

If Japanese CBUs are known for their well built interiors, this one exposes the opposite side since interior fit and finish is on the cheap side plus some controls have the tendency to snap out. On the plus side, seating position is excellent and is airy for all occupants.

What Should I Get
Similar to its sedan counterpart, the SX4 hatchback is sold in one model. All models have a 110hp 1.6 engine, all power amenities, dual airbags, ABS brakes, CD player with MP3, keyless entry, fog lamps, 60/40 fold rear seat, steering wheel audio controls, side skirts. alarm, auxiliary jack, and fender flares.

How Much Would It Cost Me
Not much problems were reported especially that this vehicle didn't sell much so expect this vehicle to be reliable. One pet peeve is Suzuki's expensive spare parts plus given the fact this vehicle is discontinued already, it may be not that much visible like rivals.

Quickie Used Car Review - Toyota Fortuner (2005-2015)

2005-2015 Toyota Fortuner

The Good: Wide variety of engines and examples in the market, durable

The Bad: Some unrefinement, 2.5 non-VNT lacks oomph

The Say: Despite the influx of new competitors, the Fortuner is a great buy in the market.

Go For: 3.0 V
Avoid: 2.7 G

Price Range: P550,000-P1,250,000
Our Rating: ****

Full Review: Used Car Review - Toyota Fortuner (2005-2015)
Latest vehicle profile: Toyota Fortuner

See the different versions of this vehicle:
2005-2008
2008-2011
2011-Current non-VNT/VNT

Vehicle Overview
The third member of the IMV platform family is the Fortuner, which was released after the Hilux pick-up and the Innova MPV for the Philippine market. The SUV is offered in most world markets except North America, Japan, China, and Europe.

With its 10 year run, the Fortuner had been a subject of numerous exterior and interior updates to keep this vehicle fresh. 2005 to 2011 models have chrome door handles and side mirrors while 2012 and later ones have side mirror signal repeaters and for 2015 (sold from September 2014), gunmetal alloy wheels come standard. A hood scoop is standard for all 3.0 V models and later on, for 2.5 diesels sold from August 2012 which signaled an engine update that added VNT engine technology. Optional TRD body kits with suspension upgrades and alloy wheels became standard for selected variants in December 2009.

Available engine options throughout selling life are the following: a 2.7 gasoline engine that is smooth and has lots of reserve power, a 2.5 diesel with 102hp which is good enough for city driving but you will complain for lack of power when doing long drives, the same 2.5 engine but carrying 142hp that does better in all aspects, and a 3.0 diesel whose power is reachable in the early range. When it comes to driving, steering is light which is an advantage and braking is fine but one criticism is the jittery ride whose culprit is the suspension and is reworked numerous times for a smoother ride. Despite the reworked suspension, we'd remind you this is a truck based vehicle so don't expect much.

If you own an Innova or a Hilux, then you would be familiar with the dashboard layout since they are similar to one another although the main difference is that the air-conditioning unit is an automatic type as opposed to its cousin's rotary type. Spacewise, the cabin will welcome anyone but the third row is best left for small people and when it comes to stowing, it can be folded sideways. Throughout the years, the interior had been updated with additional equipment to reflect market trends.

What Should I Get
All G models either get a 158hp 2.7 gasoline (2005-2015), 102hp 2.5 diesel (2005-2012), or 142hp 2.5 diesel (2013-2015) paired to either an automatic or manual (2.5 diesel only, offered from October 2009) transmission. From launch, G models came with dual airbags, ABS brakes, fog lamps, CD player with MP3 function, alarm, keyless entry, and side step board with leather seats, rear manual aircon (added in September 2006), rear parking sensors (March 2008), auxiliary jack, steering wheel controls (September 2008), power folding mirrors (August 2011), DVD system, and Bluetooth (August 2012). Items previously available with the G that were added either in 2011 or 2012 such as headlamp washers, auto leveling headlamps, HID headlamps, and leather seats and navigation system for the automatic models were removed in September 2013 and it was the basis of the 2.5 V launched in the same month.  The top end 3.0 V adds a 163hp 3.0 engine, power driver's seat, power fold mirrors (September 2009), and Bluetooth (August 2011) plus it has a 4WD system unlike the 2.5 and 2.7 which are rear wheel driven.

How Much Would It Cost Me
Among rivals, this would prove to be cheaper to maintain and spare parts are available widely. When it comes to fuel consumption, the diesels are much better than the 2.7 gasoline. This vehicle became a subject of a recall in April 2014 which involved a faulty spiral cable that may cause the airbag not to deploy in a crash which involved units built from 2005 to June 2010. Other things to look for are the rear drum brakes especially if the previous owner is heavy footed, if the manual transmission shifts smoothly, EGR valve for the diesels if they are exposed to low quality fuel, and for early releases of the 2.5, the suction valve tend to get stuck due to poor quality fuel. Since there are a lot of units on sale, do take time to inspect and be picky.

Quickie Used Car Review - Chevrolet Optra Sedan (2003-2009)

2003-2009 Chevrolet Optra Sedan

The Good: Affordable and full of kit

The Bad: Fuel thirsty, does not shine in any aspect

The Say: Attainable but not that exciting.

Go For: 1.6 LS
Avoid: 1.8 LT and 1.6 SS

Price Range: P140,000-P300,000
Our Rating: **

Full Review: Used Car Review - Chevrolet Optra (2003-2009)

See the different versions of this vehicle:
2003-2005
2005-2007
2008-2010

Vehicle Overview
Conceived during the time before Daewoo (yup, it is sold as the Daewoo Lacetti in South Korea) was purchased by General Motors, the Chevrolet Optra is marketed by a myriad of names in different markets across the globe. Locally, it replaced the sold selling Chevrolet Cassia, which is basically a Suzuki Esteem sedan in other parts of the world.

Majority of the sedan models sport a 1.6 engine but there's a 1.8 engine briefly sold from 2004 to 2005, with both engines are capable on their own feet although the 1.6 is noisy when on idle. Handling is balanced but lacks feedback and this one feels at home during highway drives.

Going inside will reveal a cabin which fits four people comfortably but five is a squeeze plus a spacious trunk is a bonus. Good traits include numerous storage bins and controls that are within the reach of the driver.

What Should I Get
The basic model is the L which was introduced in January 2005 gets the 112hp 1.6 engine, all power amenities, trunk release, CD player, and alloy wheels (reverted to steel wheels in October 2006) with other features like alarm, keyless entry, immobilizer (added in October 2006), ABS brakes, driver airbag, and 60/40 fold rear seat (made standard in an October 2007 update) were added as standard equipment throughout selling life. Our pick is the LS that adds fog lamps and, for the first release models, equipment which were later added to the basic L plus for the final update, passenger airbag, auxiliary jack, and steering wheel audio controls. A limited edition SS introduced in October 2006 is basically a LS that adds body kits while the 1.8 LT gains leather seats and a 123hp 1.8 engine.

How Much Would It Cost Me
Parts availability isn't a strength among Chevrolets, especially that this model will have you to wait for long if something goes wrong. Fuel consumption, for the first release models, is extremely poor which required the electronic control unit to be reprogrammed. Trouble parts for this vehicle include the alternator, transmission, and the fuel pump.

Quickie Used Car Review - Chevrolet Optra Wagon (2006-2009)

2006-2009 Chevrolet Optra Wagon

The Good: Load anything you want at the rear

The Bad: Engine is thirsty than other contemporaries

The Say: Buy this if you are after flexibility, not for driving fun.

Go For: 1.6 LS
Avoid: 1.6 SS

Price Range: P220,000-P390,000
Our Rating: **

Full Review: Used Car Review - Chevrolet Optra Wagon (2006-2009)

See the different versions of this vehicle:
2006-2007
2008-2010

Vehicle Overview
Conceived during the time before Daewoo (yup, it is sold as the Daewoo Lacetti in South Korea) was purchased by General Motors, the Chevrolet Optra is marketed by a myriad of names in different markets across the globe. Locally, it replaced the sold selling Chevrolet Cassia, which is basically a Suzuki Esteem sedan in other parts of the world.

Unlike the sedan, the wagon is available with one engine option: a 1.6. This engine is capable on its own feet although the 1.6 is noisy when on idle. Handling is balanced but lacks feedback and this one feels at home during highway drives.

Going inside will reveal a cabin which fits four people comfortably but five is a squeeze plus a spacious trunk area comes as standard equipment. Good traits include numerous storage bins and controls that are within the reach of the driver.

What Should I Get
There is no need to look beyond the LS which packs the following amenities: a 112hp 1.6, all power features, trunk release, CD player, alloy wheels, alarm, keyless entry, immobilizer, ABS brakes, driver airbag, fog lamps and added in October 2007 include a passenger airbag, auxiliary jack, and steering wheel audio controls. A limited edition SS introduced in October 2006 is basically a LS that adds body kits.

How Much Would It Cost Me
Parts availability isn't a strength among Chevrolets, especially that this model will have you to wait for long if something goes wrong. Fuel consumption, for the first release models, is extremely poor which required the electronic control unit to be reprogrammed. Trouble parts for this vehicle include the alternator, transmission, and the fuel pump.

Car Profiles - Hyundai Azera (2013-2016)

2013-2016 Hyundai Azera

The Good: High levels of quality

The Bad: Rare in the market

The Say: A fine car, if not only for the badge

Go For: 3.0
Avoid:

Price Range: Data Not Available
Our Rating: ****

Related Review:

See the different versions of this vehicle:
2013-2016

Car Profiles - Toyota Prius (2009-2016)

2009-2016 Toyota Prius

The Good: Earth saving vehicle with excellent fuel consumption and decent interior room

The Bad: Not much in the used market

The Say: Saving the earth does not come easy.

Go For: 1.8
Avoid: 

Price Range: Data Not Available
Our Rating: ***

Related Review: Used Car Review - Toyota Prius (2009-2016)
Latest vehicle profile: Toyota Prius

See the different versions of this vehicle:
2009-2016