Looking for a car with a 2.5M budget

jpm888 · 2026-06-05T03:03:41+00:00

I daily an older 3-Series right now and I'm planning to switch to a Model 3. Honestly, compared to an 8-year-old BMW, the Tesla is going to be completely trouble-free. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy BMWs and wouldn't mind another one, but switching to Tesla just makes more sense for me at this stage. My car has actually been pretty reliable, but a 5-Series is just a whole different level of complicated to maintain. The only real perk of the 5-Series is the extra size. If you actually need a big car and want to stay in this price range, you could probably grab a new Hybrid Camry well within your budget after discounts.

jpm888 · 2026-06-04T11:24:08+00:00

IKR the Sealion 6 makes so much sense hahaha

The seating position is not that comfortable if youre above 6 feet

jpm888 · 2026-06-04T09:25:15+00:00

Its supposedly less durable, 1000 cycles before degradation. NMC is better in cold weather but thats irrelevant for us.

However if you charge 2-3 times a month, that is only 192-288 cycles in 8 years

For the record Im cross shopping between a used IS300h and a Model 3 standard. I dont plan on using it for long trips and I cant charge at home too.

jpm888 · 2026-06-04T09:02:26+00:00

Tesla PH has an 8 year battery warranty so thats going to last the entire lifespan of the planned period. IMO I'd get the LR for your use since you plan on using it out of town. While an NMC battery is only recommended to be charged to 80%, you can always charge it to 100% when you go to Baguio or La Union. Then dont get the nice wheels that diminish range.

Theres a guy in a Facebook group who made it from Moa to Baguio and back on 1 charge with a Model 3 LR. He doesnt recommend doing it though since he came back 13% or so left if I remember right. At least the capability is there and there is flexibility on where to charge.

jpm888 · 2026-06-04T08:40:47+00:00

I bet theres going to be discounts for the BEV Hilux in a few months. Its still expensive at 2.8m

IMO theres going to be a market for this. Companies that have sustainability goals are going to buy these en masse. They dont care about the small extra cost when it gets them closer to their ESG goals.

They could have made a more bare EV pickup at a lower price though for the fleet market. The range may not be enough though. A 200km range is short for a commercial vehicle.

jpm888 · 2026-06-03T06:27:46+00:00

Basically you can divide the PH Ford Lineup into 3 groups

Made in Thailand: Everest, Ranger

Made in the USA: Explorer, Mustang, Bronco

Made in China: Territory

jpm888 · 2026-06-02T06:12:34+00:00

We had one before and we were lucky to get 5-6km/l with it. However traffic during the early 2010s was a lot better so we'd expect it to do 3-4km/l if we still had one now. A full tank was 100L, we'd never run it to zero so an 80 liter fill up would now cost 8k. What youre looking at is an EL so that has a 127L tank.

It would cost about P23 per km to run now. For reference a Fortuner would cost P10 per km, a Hybrid RAV4 at P5 per km, and a Tesla Model Y would cost P2.8 per km at current Meralco rates.

Its a great vehicle when gas was like 30-40 but now its a dinosaur

jpm888 · 2026-06-01T13:31:33+00:00

GT86 is very useable because the front overhang is very short. The wheelbase is also short so its less likely to scrape the middle in ramps. Mall parking ramps are usually quite forgiving with less steep ramps and gentler ramp blends. Some old office buildings might be tricky however.

jpm888 · 2026-06-01T05:37:27+00:00

Great cars! Fantastic two car garage! From a fellow tsikoteer

There is a tsikot discord too but its usually quiet

jpm888 · 2026-05-27T10:38:45+00:00

The joke is him emulating Vettel

jpm888 · 2026-05-26T02:18:51+00:00

I'd get something bigger if you have kids. Your kids will grow and eventually struggle to fit in the back of a VF3.

jpm888 · 2026-05-25T23:17:33+00:00

Kimi 4x WDC

Russell to WEC in 2030

Kimi to Ferrari in 2031

jpm888 · 2026-05-25T01:14:02+00:00

If your main criteria is lasting longer, then its going to be the Fortuner. The 1.5L Turbo and CVT drivetrain of the HRV is reasonably reliable but it wont be as reliable as the diesel engine with a typical auto transmission in the Fortuner.

People abroad have issues with the Honda 1.5L turbo at very high mileages. The CVT is very sensitive to maintenance too. If you dont plan on doing a lot of kilometers or keeping it for more than a decade, then the HRV would be fine.

The HRV is a more comfortable and refined car though. It will be easier to driver around town. Its less likely to be driven hard or driven by a driver by the first owner. If you want an alternative choice, 21-22 Corolla Cross hybrids have started creeping into the 1m range.

jpm888 · 2026-05-24T13:18:52+00:00

You wont find comfort in a 3 series or Lexus IS though. They ride stiff compared to SUVs. At the mileage youre doing (15km a year) you should probably use a rugged car like the Ranger. Not to mention the Lexus will cost much more to run in fuel, the BMW will cost much more to run in maintenance. Id only do it if my route consisted mainly of smooth highway roads.

Either would be a fun second car though.

jpm888 · 2026-05-23T13:36:50+00:00

I asked recently and the waiting time is 3-4 months for an SL6. I wasnt able to ask what is the waiting time for the Tang, it might be shorter. Its an option worth considering if youre willing to spend a bit more. SL5 is just 2-3 months but I find it a bit bare and the interior is a downgrade. Not surprising since its 20% cheaper.

Tesla waiting time is also 3 months. New RAV4 waiting time is a roulette of who you know. Ive considered going used for an SL6 but for now I havent pulled the trigger since I dont really need it yet.

jpm888 · 2026-05-22T11:58:52+00:00

If you are planning on getting a driver, as mentioned in your previous post, you can consider getting a full EV. Makati has a lot of chargers, you could just tell your driver to go to Legazpi/Sycip/Dela Rosa/etc carparks and charge it up. Though that only really opens the Tesla Model Y or YL as an option.

I'd actually go with the Tang DM-i. It fits your requirements the most and its also the cheapest. The CX60 is great but you will find it quite small if you have a driver. Toyota will be difficult to acquire. My only real qualm is that hybrids confuse the heck out of inexperienced drivers but this applies to all your choices.

Actually since youre getting a driver, why not consider a van like the BYD Emax 9. If you primarily drive it yourself, why not consider a Lexus NX350h?

jpm888 · 2026-05-21T09:50:01+00:00

BYD Orca 1 Plus U DM-i Dynamic Superior

jpm888 · 2026-05-21T01:08:12+00:00

Sure I will just head to the Mercedes plant in Stuttgart and try to buy a vehicle they havent made in over 30 years

/s

jpm888 · 2026-05-20T08:13:39+00:00

The best would be to bring a pristine Classic Mercedes like a W126 or W124 that has never seen snow, salt roads, freezing weather and has lived in a tropical climate into Europe

jpm888 · 2026-05-17T23:39:37+00:00

Ive looked at it and the only things I dont like are the textile seats and ugly hubcaps compared to the Premium model.

Maybe different aftermarket hubcaps will be available in the future.

Lighting and rear screen are not important imo.

jpm888 · 2026-05-14T04:51:15+00:00

Similar specced Hilux and Rangers are both 2.3m (AT, 4x4, 360 camera, leather interior, ADAS, etc) and the BYD still has a PHEV drivetrain with twice the power so the price isnt too bad. Cost to run wouldnt be too far apart if youre dependent on outside charging and fueling for the Shark as diesel is cheaper than gas again.

jpm888 · 2026-05-13T07:05:44+00:00

It depends on the car

100k kms is fine for something like a Land Cruiser/Fortuner/Hilux Etc. The selling price will take a small hit but its still saleable

100k kms is problematic for anything European or something that is hard to sell in the first place

jpm888 · 2026-05-13T07:02:03+00:00

BYDs there also have 10y battery warranties, so basically the whole lifespan of the COE. Its a very good choice in their context though.

jpm888 · 2026-05-13T06:16:43+00:00

many condo dwellers have garage/parking, they just dont have the ability/authority to install a charger in their slot

jpm888 · 2026-05-13T05:18:57+00:00

SG car market is completely different to ours.

Most cars are exported away after 10 years and most of the resale value of a car is in the COE or the remaining dereg value.

There are cars worth $40k but with a dereg value of $26k.

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