It used to be the bigger the better in Metro Manila, but nowadays fuel economy, easy parking and the ability to glide through the Edsa traffic are key features to look for.
With rising gasoline prices and the current traffic gridlocks in the city, many car drivers are considering changing at least one of their vehicles to something smaller that will provide better gas mileage and road maneuverability. This is especially true if the driver has a long commute to work.
Smaller cars, often referred to as subcompact cars, now gets you on the high ground.
Here are 10 big reasons to buy a small car, so you can make an informed decision on the advantages of owning one.
1. Parking - The struggle is real. How many times have you find it hard to fit into a tiny parking space? In Metro Manila, the first and most obvious problem is parking space, may it be at home, at the mall or on the streets. With a small car, you will be able to fit it anywhere; without breaking a sweat. And take note that modern homes are getting smaller and smaller and comes with a garage that keeps getting tinier and tinier. If you buy a small car, you will be able to store more things in your garage along with your car.
2. Best for city driving - Small cars are perfect for inner city driving. It's so easy to squeeze a compact car past a traffic jam and you can navigate into narrow streets without worrying about your side mirrors hitting things around. Their small size makes it even easier fitting them inside multi-storey car parks like the one in SM Megamall.
3. More personality - Big cars have always been known to be the "family" and "business" type cars. The smaller cars, on the other hand, are designed to suit the younger millennial generation giving them a lot more personality with their sleek looks and responsive handling. They're better looking even in their "stock" version so much so that they tend to stand out from the crowd compared to anything else out there.
4. Enough room for passengers and luggage - People buy bigger cars because of the extra room. What they don't know is that compact cars of today are no longer tiny. Look at the Suzuki Alto - this car has been designed to provide you comfortable seating and enough cargo space at the back.
5. Technology and amenities - The big guns of automobiles, like the Mitsubishi Montero and the Ford Everest used to be well known for their top of the line innovations and technologies. These and the other SUVs come with top quality dashboard panels, in-vehicle infotainment systems, and many extra features that were not even heard of in small cars. Nowadays, these luxuries that were once only offered to larger cars can also be found in small cars. They now come equipped with high tech features, similar to those found in other cars.
6. Better gas mileage - Need I say the obvious? A smaller car has a smaller engine, thus it will allow you to save more gas. Fuel efficiency is the strongest point in small cars.
7. Lower insurance rates - Insurance companies charge less when you buy a small car because they are less expensive. A Toyota Fortuner can set you back at the very least ₱25,000 for its comprehensive insurance coverage while a small car only costs around ₱15,000.
8. Easy handling and maneuverability - I've driven a small car many times and find it easier to handle, when compared to my bigger car. I remember parking in a tight space with the other cars unmercifully blocking every exit — and I came out of it in just two maneuvers while the car beside me did it in four. A small car has better handling, can accelerate quickly, take sharp turns, and hug the road with ease. This allows a driver to have more control over it.
9. Affordable price tag - Need I say another obvious? A small car has smaller engines and parts, thus are hugely more affordable than bigger cars.
10. Lower maintenance costs - Did I just say "smaller engine and parts"? Yup, I did and because of this factor, you spend much less in maintenance throughout the car's life. It not only saves you money, but it also saves you time.
5 Best Compact Cars
Are you driving around in a car that’s bigger than you need? Did you know that you could be saving yourself a small fortune every year by downsizing your vehicle?
Here are the 5 best compact cars of today, arranged according to their prices:
1. Mitsubishi Mirage
Price: P699,000 to P760,000
No. of seats: 5
Fuel Type: Gasoline
Transmission: Manual CVT
Max Output (HP): 78 HP @ 6,000 rpm
Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive
Wheel Size: 14 in
Airbags: 2
Price range: P590,000 to P745,000
No. of seats: 5
Fuel Type: Gasoline
Transmission: Manual and Automatic
Max Output (HP): 67 HP @ 5,500 rpm - 84 HP @ 6,000 rpm
Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive
Wheel Size: 14 in and 15 in
Airbags: 1 and 2
Price: P557,000 to P696,000
No. of seats: 5
Fuel Type: Gasoline
Transmission: Manual and Automatic
Max Output (HP): 65 HP @ 6,000 rpm - 66 HP @ 6,000 rpm
Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive
Wheel Size: 14 in - 15 in
Airbags: 2
Price: P508,000 to P526,000
No. of seats: 5
Fuel Type: Gasoline
Transmission: Manual
Max Output (HP): 55hp @ 5,500 rpm
Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive
Wheel Size: 13 in
Airbags: 1 and 2
5. Suzuki Alto 800
Price: P445,000
No. of seats: 5
Fuel Type: Gasoline
Transmission: Manual
Max Output (HP): 47 hp @ 6,200 rpm
Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive
Wheel Size: 13 in
Airbags: 2
Have you drove a compact car before? How was your experience?
Share your stories in the comments section below.
If you have read this blog post here, I like to inform you that the original post is at https://emongsjournals.blogspot.com
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