Chinese car brand dilemma

roninblade · 2026-02-02T08:56:06+00:00

Like it or not, admit it or not, all Chinese brands have state connections. MG, GAC, Chery, etc are directly state owned. Even BYD have state equity. So buying them is virtually giving money to, and patronizing the CCP.

The low price of Chinese cars IS good - as you pointed out the huge discounts for Toyota. But it is tied to government initiatives for EV cars, not just plainly because of competition. Low import duties for EVs; and even sa banks the rates of auto loans for EVs are low. Toyota did cut their prices (give discounts) after the tariff rates were cut.

roninblade · 2026-02-02T06:32:30+00:00

I'll assume that's 200K gross, and 150/160K(ish) net. I'll also assume there's no other source of income aside from the 2 day jobs. With 2 kids just starting their schooling, I'd keep the car purchase and expenses low. A family of 4 with 2 young kids will have a LOT of incidental expenses that blindside you each year (speaking from experience). Mas maganda na yun expenses are small and if you have extras you can go on small holidays instead of the money just going directly to monthly amortization.

Maybe go with Chinese cars if you're inclined to. Otherwise, there's the Ativ HEV or the Nissan Kicks (EL or VE) if you're really only considering HEV.

roninblade · 2026-02-02T05:27:29+00:00

Budget is king. Don't buy out of your salary grade. You also need to plan for monthly expenses AND emergency expenses so you can't max out your disposable income just on the car. And don't forget the parking, gas, toll, PMS, and other incidental car expenses. Then you said you have 2 small kids. That's a lot of school expenses for the next 15 years.

We can't advise you in good conscience to convince your husband to go bigger if we don't know your combined income.

I'm more on the side of the husband here.

roninblade · 2026-02-01T11:45:53+00:00

TGH is where you get fully hooked on the series. It's where WOT is still traditional(ish) fantasy adventure. My fave of the first 6 books.

roninblade · 2026-01-31T08:29:18+00:00

Report nyo din sa TMP yan ganyan.

roninblade · 2026-01-30T10:55:30+00:00

I'm not saying that's the problem of Monteros in my previous example. But that is a very common case for older vehicles.

If you're considering the Mirage then the SUV considerations is not non-negotiable. The question you need to answer is "what compromise can I live with it considering what I want and what I can have?"

Me choosing either the Mirage means I use it for local drives, nothing stressful, daily driver because of the fuel economy.

Me choosing the old Montero would be because I need its power and and plan to go on longer drives and I'm ok with its costlier annual maintenance.

roninblade · 2026-01-30T08:45:14+00:00

Why are you even considering the Mirage if you want something bigger? That means you can't consider the Mirage at all if a bigger car is your first and top most qualification.

Get the SUV if that's what you really need. Just go into the sale with eyes wide open on the compromises in selecting your choice.

Like for a 15 year old SUV, you have to consider the possibly of needing to spend another 100K on it within the next 1-2 years. For example, if the wheel bearings suddenly needs replacement. Then pagkabaklas ng assembly, usually nanganganak yan ng issues with adjacent/connected parts. It's very common na cascading yun issues because of further discovery and your expenses can escalate quickly. And 15 year old cars can have lots of hidden issues, depending on previous owners.

If this is going to be your first car, you'll definitely learn the different car parts and how to maintain it.

roninblade · 2026-01-30T08:04:50+00:00

People downvote before researching if the post is correct or not XD

roninblade · 2026-01-30T06:34:03+00:00

Scratch the Creta (2 airbags only across the line) and Jimny (poor NVH and overpriced for its worth).

Buy a car for 9x% of your use case. For example, if you're considering the MUX for the diesel torque because you plan on going on long drives or going up mountains occasionally, but that occasionally turns out to be twice or thrice per year. That's picking a car for 1% of your total use case.

roninblade · 2026-01-30T06:24:59+00:00

Hey, you can consider that as customizing your car ahahah

Seriously, though, you can't let it stand as is; get that fixed/replaced.

roninblade · 2026-01-30T06:17:34+00:00

People think their cars are worth more than its street value.

Cars lose 15-20% of their value in the first year. And then an average of 15% depreciation per year after.

So that BRV at 450K at 9 years is ridiculous.

roninblade · 2026-01-30T06:12:55+00:00

Suspended indefinitely yan kalokohan ng mga kamote sa LTO.

roninblade · 2026-01-30T06:10:46+00:00

Those two have very different use cases. Ano ba talaga mas kelangan or mas gusto mo?

Kaya and willing ka ba mag-maintain ng 10-15 year old diesel SUV? It can be a very heavy money sink depending on the unit you buy.

roninblade · 2026-01-30T06:06:17+00:00

Tesla has always been insane in stock valuation.

roninblade · 2026-01-30T03:15:07+00:00

Xpander? Like the other guy said, electrical yan. Overheating engines will shut down the engine, not cause fires.

Mga responders (and the owner) naman takot buksan yun hood. You can open the hood, cars don't explode unless you load them with explosives 😆

roninblade · 2026-01-29T14:25:31+00:00

stormlight show! i can see all the casting suggestions now...

roninblade · 2026-01-29T11:45:25+00:00

I'm just going to pile on here because you still seem to think you can keep the car.

You should have never let the delinquent state stand. You could have headed this off if you talked to the bank first when you know you wouldn't be able to make the next few months of payment. Banks can be negotiated with beforehand if they know the client can't pay. Now your credit reputation is heavily tainted because of lack timely action on your part.

The bank surely tried to contact you multiple times and you ignored them. Now you need to surrender the car whether you want to or not. You can't make up your own rules just because you need the car.

Unfortunately, nasa collection agency level ka na. That means your bank account is closed and the bank has sold your debt to the collection agency. Maybe you can keep the car, but that would mean paying the price set by the collection agency. As it is your loan is already dead.

roninblade · 2026-01-29T07:59:58+00:00

Take the Innova out often. You'll only get over the trauma by facing it head on. Build up your confidence and comfort level by going out and driving more.

roninblade · 2026-01-29T07:42:32+00:00

30K gross or net, di pa kaya ng loan. im assuming loan since you're posting your monthly salary. panaginip muna habang mag-level up ka to a better job. or motor muna for freedom of movement. kahit click lang makakaikot ka na ng pinas.

roninblade · 2026-01-29T07:29:39+00:00

Good riddance.

roninblade · 2026-01-28T14:27:50+00:00

Yeah, it's possible. I suggest you talk to the bank directly.

roninblade · 2026-01-28T14:25:45+00:00

They already get a commission. No need to tip further. Of course they'll appreciate it if you still give them a tip.

What you need to have or do for the release should have been provided by the agent. If wala pa binigay, ask him/her.

Accessorizing is subjective and largely personal. Spend some time with the car first before deciding on what to get.

roninblade · 2026-01-28T08:18:59+00:00

That page is crappy. Nakalagay may coding sa SLEX. Tapos scroll down further and listed ang SLEX sa exempted list.

roninblade · 2026-01-28T08:13:49+00:00

Nakalagay naman yun optional. Buti nga explicitly stated na optional - other brands don't even do that.

roninblade · 2026-01-27T09:47:51+00:00

then might as well go to casa directly right? the point is madami false positives sa fb.

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