SUVs and AUVs that didn’t have to pass on a big tax penalty to the consumer, the mainstream passenger car (predominantly
employing an engine displacement of 1.6-liters) market shrank and shrank to the point that legislators and taxmen realized how much money was being lost to these tax-exempt 10-seaters. With some vigorous lobbying and wringing of hands, the taxation scheme was changed with the net effect being to reduce taxes on most cars.
So, if you’ve been paying attention to the ads or been window shopping, retail prices for cars like the Toyota Corolla Altis and Honda Civic have dropped by not inconsiderable amounts to reflect changes in the taxation scheme. While prices for erstwhile hot sellers like the Toyota Revo and Honda CR-V have increased (by P25,000 for a VX200 Revo, for example), prices for the cars have gone down (such as by P50,000 for the 1.6G Altis). Now that it makes financial sense to go back to passenger cars, here’s a rundown on what’s out there as of press time. A word of caution though: double-check the prices at your local dealer, as some units might actually still have the pre-excise tax prices (something to do with inventories and BIR technicalities, we’ve heard).
Motive power is provided by a twin-cam E-TEC II engine with 16 valves that’s good enough for 110 PS and 150 Newton-meters of torque. It has a British-tuned suspension composed of McPherson struts up front and a rear dual link system riding on 15" wheels. Brakes are all disk (ventilated in front), 4-channel, 4-sensor ABS is standard, and so are a driver-side airbag, foglamps, a Blaupunkt audio system with a 5-disc in-dash CD changer, and steering wheel integrated controls. Philippine STAR contributor Manny de los Reyes featured the Optra in our October 8 Motoring section and was reportedly impressed with its structural rigidity, ride quality, and value-for-money. The Optra is now priced at P635,000 for the 5-speed manual and P675,000 for the 4-speed automatic.
The interior has also been ritzed up with better-looking gauges, accents, and a fantastic stereo system with an in-dash, 6-disc CD changer for Ghia variants. You even get a power moonroof with the leather-lined variants of the Ghia. The Lynx starts at P610,000 for the manual GSi and climbs up to P738,000 for an automatic Ghia with leather, moonroof, and other bells and whistles.
Even with Optitron gauges (new for 2003 on VTi and VTi-S), the interior isnít terribly inspiring unless youíre into the Zen lifestyle. Still, the minimalist look feels expensive, and the switches and dials have a nice, tactile feel. Rear space is pretty good because the flat floor and relatively high roofline really work to free up space, especially for taller passengers. People who like to drive fast will most appreciate this car as it will make you feel like a darn good driver, although enthusiasts will miss the sharper handling wrought by the front double wishbones of the previous generation. The cheapest 1.6-liter Civic is the VTi with the manual transmission, priced at P710,000, down P70,000 from before. The most expensive is the VTi-S with a 4-speed automatic, dual airbags, ABS, and leather upholstery at P795,000. New for 2003 are the grille design, multi-reflector taillights, foglamps (VTi-S), new alloy wheel design, dual airbags (VTi-S), and a chrome shift knob for the automatic VTi-S.
Of course, the piece de resistance is none other than the Continuously Variable Transmission that works to seamlessly deliver power to the wheels without having to shift gears. An added plus is the 6 preset ratios of the "Sportronic" mode of the MX for your best Ralliart impression. The Lancer also has one of the most responsive suspensions in its class; front McPhersons up front and a multilink design in back. Itís a little softer than before, but it still corners adroitly and gives excellent feedback. However, the only available prices as of this time of writing were not yet adjusted for the excise tax. Thus, foglamps, ABS, leather, an LCD screen, dual airbags, and other goodies come with the top-of-the-line MX priced at P778,000. The GLS with slightly less features and no Sportronic for the INVECS-III CVT is P738,000. The manual GLS is P708,000, and the entry-level GLX is P648,000.
Nice touches on the pricier variants include a Head-Up Display for speed, power moonroof (GS Superio) and a pop-up LCD screen (GS Grandeur) on the center of the dash for the VCD player. The twin cam engine provides adequate power at 115 HP and the 4-speed automatic is characteristically smooth, but really, the car performs best when driven at a leisurely pace. The Grandeur and Superio variants also have all-disk brakes, ABS with Brake Assist, driver-side airbag, rear back-up sensors, and speed sensing door locks. Suspension is McPherson struts in front and a multi-link beam in back. The car is quite heavy for this category, and so accelerating, braking, and turning quickly make you aware of its mass. As a long-distance cruiser or daily driver though, the Exalta is a good choice for people who don’t like to drive in a hurry. New prices for the 1.6-liter variants start at P709,000 for the LS manual and go up to P829,000 for the Grandeur.
Interior room is a li’l bit cozier than the rest, but it’s got a quality look and feel consistent with how the car is like to drive. Apart from the multi-information display on the dash, there isn’t much to brag about when it comes to features since it’s only got the basic stuff like power everything, driver airbag, and ABS. People who eschew hi-tech gimmicks but value body refinement and European-style will most appreciate the Astra. All variants have effectively chopped of P70,000 from the sticker price. The manual Astra sedan is now P779,000, the automatic is P829,000. This is also the only car in its class available as a wagon: the manual is P848,000, and the automatic is now P898,000.
You get foglamps, front, side, and curtain airbags, a retractable steering column, ABS with EBD, trip computer with service indicator, height adjustable headlamps, and other standard features. The 307 is currently priced at P895,000 for the manual and P995,000 for the automatic.
The McPherson struts and torsion beam-type suspension with toe-correct bushing look bland on paper, but the car has enough athleticism and refinement to back up its good looks. Ride quality and body solidity approach that of a bigger car’s, and the car strikes a balance of features, performance, space, and price backed up with good ol’ Toyota reliability. Prices for the 1.6-liter Altis now start at P652,000 for the 1.6J and climb up to P792,000 for the 1.6G.