[Philkotse pick] Top 5 best second-hand car to purchase in the Philippines

For many motorists, nothing beats the smell of buying a car fresh from the dealership. The new car smell is irresistible, and there’s something flattering about having all those sales representatives fawning over you and accommodating your every whim, just so they can close a deal.

And then there are those who would rather not pay the price of depreciation, as well as not having the patience of putting up with a break-in period.

For them, the second-hand vehicle market presents a world of possibilities

For them, the second-hand vehicle market presents a world of possibilities. Not all used cars are created equal though; even among these pre-loved specimens, an elite few manage to stand out and catch the eye of potential buyers. Confused and don’t know where to start? Take a look at the top second-hand vehicle suggested for you by Philkotse.com.

1. Toyota Vios (2003-2007)

Toyota vehicles have always enjoyed a reputation for reliability among generations of Pinoy motorists. One of their current offerings, the Vios, is a favorite in the used car market. The first and second generations of this model came with a choice of 1.3L 2NZ-FE and 1.5L 1NZ-FE engines.

The base J variant has always been popular as a fleet vehicle, followed by the midrange E variant and the top-of-the-line G model, which all made for a formidable subcompact offering from Toyota.

>>> Check out the best deals of used Toyota Vios for sale in the Philippines.

If you happen to be on a budget yet still want to make the most out of your money, you can’t go wrong with a pre-loved 1.3L E or 1.5L G variants. The E already offers anti-lock brakes, power windows, power side mirrors, and even dual airbags.

The G has a bigger engine if you’re looking for more grunt, as well as a digital instrument panel. If you can’t stretch your budget beyond the J however, pay extra attention to potential issues that could arise from a car that was formerly used as a service vehicle.

The Toyota Vios is a Filipino favorite when it comes to the second-hand car market

2. Toyota Corolla Altis (2001- 2007)

Another popular offering from Toyota is the Altis. This model has ample interior space that can certainly hold its own against its rivals; just the thought of that would make any potential car buyer feel comfortable inside the vehicle.

The Altis also has a cavernous trunk that’s useful for grocery runs or road trips. So if you’re looking for a car that’s equally comfortable in daily commutes in the city and weekends out of town, the Toyota Altis 2001-2007 is a superb choice.

Our suggested Altis variants would be the 1.6L G and the 1.8L G. The former has anti-lock brakes, dual airbags and power-assisted features like power windows and side mirrors. The latter includes the same features along with a bigger engine.

The Corolla Altis has ample interior space that can go up against the reputable sedans in the 1990s

3. Honda Civic (2000-2005)

If you’re looking for something that’s a little more performance-oriented, the seventh-generation Honda Civic might be right up your alley. This compact sedan has a relatively more modern touch when it comes to both the exterior design and interior layout, not only compared with the two models previously mentioned but against the Civic’s older incarnations as well.

The Honda Civic is a compact sedan that has a modern touch

>>> Looking for a used Honda Civic for sale to get the best deal

This generation’s Civic offered a selection of engines ranging from 1.5 liters to 2.0 liters. The series includes the LXi, VTi, VTi-S, and i-VTEC variants. Based on consumer sales reports, the VTi and the VTi-S were the preferred units.

Between the two, we pick the VTi-S; it has anti-lock brakes and dual airbags that were non-existent in the LXi and VTi. Its 1.6L engine also provides the best balance between performance and fuel efficiency.

4. Hyundai Getz (2004-2011)

From the start of the new millennium, South Korea had been churning out an increasingly impressive lineup of vehicles. One of their early winners was the Hyundai Getz 2004-2011, a European-designed supermini that was easy on the eyes and offered substantial practicality.

The Philippine-spec Hyundai Getz came in four engine choices

The Philippine-market Getz offered four engines: gasoline powerplants that came in 1.1L, 1.3L, and 1.4L flavors, along with a 1.5-liter CRDi turbodiesel. The overall equipment and entertainment loadout were par for the course on most cars in that era: power windows, central locking system, fog lights, and a single in-dash CD player.

Since it’s a hatchback, the Getz also offered a considerable amount of interior space. The 1.1L and 1.5L variants came with a manual gearbox, while the 1.3L and 1.4L trims were mated to an automatic transmission.

>>> You might like to read: Top 5 Best Used Cars Under PHP 250,000 on Philkotse

5. Suzuki Swift (2006-2011)

With offerings in both two-wheeled and four-wheeled categories, Suzuki is one of the more prominent vehicle brands in the Philippines. The Swift is one of the most sought-after units when it comes to the second-hand car market because of its sporty design bearing a slight resemblance to a certain iconic British supermini, as well as its performance and relatively affordable price.   

The Swift introduced to the Philippines market in 2006 was actually the second generation, and it came with an athletic 1.5L gasoline engine and a four-speed gate-type automatic transmission. Standard safety features include dual airbags as well as anti-lock brakes.

Suzuki is one of the preferred brands in the Philippines

For entertainment, it offered a CD player integrated into a theft-proof head unit design, which meant that it could not be replaced with an aftermarket unit if you’re looking to upgrade it to a motorized DVD screen or even a touchscreen interface. There was ample cargo space behind the rear seats, which can fold flat for bulkier items.

But it was the performance of  2006-2011 Suzuki Swift was the most remarkable feature, with the power of the 1.5L engine combined with the wide and low stance and the car’s compact dimensions giving it road handling capabilities similar to a go-kart, which made it a joy to drive.