Monster of a Truck!

I just remembered going through my old posts that I wrote about my impending change of vehicle. Well, months after that post, March 2007 to be exact, I did change. It was a year earlier, it was definitely unexpected, but what the heck, I took it!

Well, the vehicle is not exactly brand new, but the mileage was pretty low (20,000 kms. for two years used), it was definitely well maintained, the best of all, I only have to use it for 3 years (instead of 5 years) before I can call it mine and of course the right to change to another vehicle (brand new by that time).

What I got was a monster of a pick-up truck, its got a 3 liter direct injected turbo diesel engine, its got 4x4 for those off-roading moments, its lifted for those battles with our famous Metro Manila flooding during the rainy season, the interiors are almost car like, with the leather seats, nice sounds coming out of the Pioneer stereo + Blaupunkt speakers combination, its got dual airbags and all the seat belts for the riders safety. And last but never the least, it's in color BLACK!!!

Ten months and 26,000 kms. later, I am a very satisfied customer, I drive everyday for around 100 kms (both ways), and the diesel conversion was at around 12 kms per liter of crude, that's a miser for a 3 liter engine. The riding comfort is a mixed bag, it feels more comfortable riding in front than at the back. The space for cargo is definitely loads better than a sedan. We actually experienced no water for a few weeks, and the pick-up helped us through by hauling water from our relatives homes to ours, can't say we can do that with a sedan, gallons of water maybe but not drum loads! Speed is of course diminished compared to a sedan, but at my age, its ok, I don't feel like racing Hamilton and Alonso anymore. Overall I give it a 4 out of 5 cylinders.

By the way, the monster I have been rambling about is an Isuzu DMax 4x4 pickup truck. Its now even better with its new CRDi engine, so for those in the hunt for a new utility monster, check out the DMax, it's good to go!

My Ultimate Driving Machine

As the title suggest, you may think that I'm driving a Bimmer (BMW), unfortunately, I only drive one in my dreams. Reality is, for almost four years, I have been driving a Toyota Altis 1600cc. It is a good machine, driving is responsive, it has a very "macho" look (very important for every normal Filipino car-owning person), but four years is a long time, and I'm at a point where I hope I have a new car to drive. Issues, issues and issues... But I still have to wait for another year before my company will replace what I am driving now, oh well, one year is a short time, better start scouting for one.

What I have in mind supposedly for my new vehicle was to request for a pick-up instead of another sedan, and there are a lot of choices out there right now. Foremost for me is the Toyota Hilux pick-up, its a monster!!! But it rides like a car, yes, I know, I have a colleague that has one and have rode with him several times. The times when we complain that pick-ups ride like big tanks are over. The Hilux is a car on 4 big wheels, its suspension is very well tuned, the engine, a 2.5 diesel engine provides ample power during climbs but accelerates like a car during stretches on the highway. But at around 950 thousand clams for the E model, its pretty pricey.

Another option for me is to just go with a sedan, and right about now, the hottest one on the market would be the new Honda Civic. I have not rode one yet, but by car's looks alone, the car just exudes class and style. And knowing Honda, the engine probably won't disappoint. By foregoing a 1600cc variant, Honda is making sure it has the goods to not only edge the Toyota Altis but to put it to shame. I sure hope I can get to ride one before the day that I have to decide to buy one. Sure looks cool. And at 770 thousand clams for a 1800cc manual model, it sure looks like a steal!

But before I end this discourse, I just read in the papers an ad showing a new Toyota vehicle called AVANZA, and just by looking at the ad picture, I instantly fell for the mechanical beast. It is touted as the "baby" Innova, But personally, i don't agree. Here's the thing, the Innova looks good but in a "good" family way. While the Avanza, though smaller, looks like a small SUV/AUV variant, and does not shout "family van" all over and it seats 7 persons too. I went to the next Toyota dealer just to look at it, and sure enough, I LOVE IT!!! The only iffy thing for me is Toyota putting a 1500cc VTI engine to the vehicle (very well for pricing consideration). But the whole package is just right. If you go out and buy the G model, it has everything a car buyer wants (atleast almost) at a very reasonable 773 thousand clams. How I wish its February 2008 already so I can take one home.