Finding that 7-seater car for our family was not as easy as we thought :)
Here is the story of our adventure.
Early this year, we knew we will be having visitors coming over so we knew we needed to change one of our cars to a bigger car, to accommodate our guests everytime we need to tour them around. Yes, we will all fit into two cars, but I was too lazy to bring and drive the other car hehe
We initially thought of buying a second-hand car. Toyota Avensis was the number one choice only because it's not too big and we have had a good experience with it being the first car of my brother here. But when hubby started looking around, he chanced upon this news article saying Kia will be releasing a new people-mover car (not a SUV) that was quite similar to Avensis. It's the Kia Rondo (Kia Carens in UK and in the Philippines). Based on the pricing when it was released in other countries, hubby was telling me to wait for it to be released in Australia just as so we can see if it will be worth our hard-earned money. Sabi niya nga kasi, if there will just be a small difference in the price of the second hand Avensis (Toyota) and that of the new Kia Rondo, e why not go for the brand new na, right?
Initial reports said it will come out April. But April flew by quickly, wala. While waiting, family were kind of convincing us to look for another brand, as they are afraid of the reliability of the Kia Brand. We seriously considered it, thus, we thought of having a Nissan Dualis + 2. Alvin again researched, BIG TIME, about the Dualis + 2, name it, reviews, manual, etc. But I think I mentioned in my previous blog that when we checked the car the sales agent immediately told us that the third row seats were not designed for adults. It was very specific, kids ages 7-14 years old or anyone not heavier than 45kg. If you use the car beyond those specifications and you get into an accident, you can my sued. So, no.
So we were back to Kia Rondo. By this time, it has been released in the UK and based on the reviews, Alvin was getting more excited to get it. But when May came and there were no clear signs as to when it will be released here in Sydney, we started shopping again.
This time, we shifted our focus on the Mitsubishi Outlander. Alvin saw a great deal, an unused 2013 Demo Car from the dealer, 8k cheaper from the RRP of $40k (base model). Hubby again did his homework, he researched, downloaded and read a lot of stuff. Two Saturdays ago he passed by a Mitsubishi dealer and already enquired. But by this time Kia Rondo has been launched already. The problem was there were no available demo units yet so we can't actually see and check the car. Hubby was also surprised with the pricing. The base model alone costs $30k! Between Kia and Mitsubishi, di ba sa Mitsubishi ka na?
So we pursued the Outlander. We went there Saturday, there was an actual unit available, Alvin tried to sit on the third row, straight away. Kwenk. His knees folded was almost to the level of his chest. Not really a very comfy position esp when you do long drives, right?
Hay. We saw a Holden Captiva, ok, even if hubby is not okay with it, we checked it na rin: same and it was even narrower on the third row. Toyota Kluger: same :( My impression of these cars/SUVs e pinilit na mag seven seater :( So ano na? Alvin was trying to recall kung gaoon ba kami kasikip when we rode my Kuya's Avensis. Luckily, there was a Toyota nearby that had a used Avensis which was also for sale, for us to check it. Kasi kung masikip din e di we'll go for the Outlander na, right?
Hmmm, the third row of the Avensis had full adult seats. Very comfortable even on long drives. But, hubby is not yet ready to raise the white flag. He called Kia to check if may demo unit na, ayun, meron na! So from Blacktown we drove to Penrith...excited si hubby...the car was sooo pogi! Kaya pala mahal, but wait let's see the third row first --- fail!!!! :(
So ano na?
The dealer of the Outlander was very kind, he was suggesting if we are seating adults on the third row either we get the bigger car like Tarago or the more expensive ones na. E, mg mini-coach na lang kaya kami? Pwede ko pa ipang-service! Hahaha
Kidding aside, the family had a discussion. Yes, everyone had a say while having our afternoon tea at Maccas and checking all the cars. We went back to the reasons why we want a bigger car. We cannot compromise the budget. Over than $32k is no na for us, especially for me.
So to make the long story short, we went back to Avensis, kahit for hubby, namamahalan siya sa re-sale prices of the second hand Avensis that he sees online. Back to square one. Hanap ulit and we saw one 2009 Silver Avensis for sale in a Toyota dealer. Low kms for $22k. The dealer was 40 minutes away from our place. Saturday night, hubby was saying next week na daw namin balikan. Hihintayin pa rin muna daw niya quote ng Kia. (Ako in my mind: Wait? Pakiulit?! Kia ulit? And I thought we already decided to go back to Avensis?!) I just kept quiet.
Sunday morning, I told hubby for us to check the car na. Kala ko magagalit kasi baka isipin nagaapura na naman ako bumili. But I explained to him to check the car, if he doesn't like it, then we'll not get it. If he does, then he can give a DP na and work on the finances over the week so by next week we can already get the car. One week of delay can spell a big difference, right? Lalo no bank na on Saturdays. Since he had that option not to get the car if he doesn't like it, he agreed. Before leaving for church, he already checked the car's history. One owner, logbook, clean record. No write -off etc. So on that area, check!
We plan to go after our 9am mass. Before going to church, I silently prayed, "Lord, let us know naman what to get. Kung ano na ba gagawin namin." I don't know how I'll get the answer but I know I'll understand it when it comes. Like the colour of my rosary when we got our first car, Maggie. Magkakulay sila ni Maggie. On our way to church on our last turn, the first car that I saw was a white Toyota Avensis. Okay. Clear as the sky! But I didn't tell Alvin about it.
After the mass, hubby wanted to call the dealer first to check if the car is there. Para nga naman di sayang ang biyahe. After confirming that it was still available, it was then that I told Alvin about the white Avensis I saw. Siya rin pala he saw it but like me he didn't tell it to me. I guess it was what we needed to see. (Only to find out nung pauwi na kami after buying the car, we saw two DIFFERENT white Avensis. He said he didn't see the one coming from the church, what he saw daw was the one parked near our complex!) O di ba?
So yesterday, we went there. Check check...Usap usap.... tanong tanong, test drive, but we had the go signal from Bro, right? so there! Search finally over.
On our way home we were still discussing about this whole adventure. I told hubby na ako, I wanted a brand new one, pogi and ganda points sana di ba? But we were directed on a different path. May basbas naman Niya...we might not know the reason yet why He wanted us to get the second-hand Avensis, but in due time I know we will :) Baka daw sa bahay na lang na bibilhin gamitin ang pera kesa sa kotse hehehe :)
Like what I told my friend, I'm also happy because the car is not too big for me to drive (not too intimidating as compared if we pushed thru with the Outlander or another SUV) and we didn't have to spend too much. If we opted to maximize our budget baka our travelling projects will be put on hold hehehe, kaya, yehey! :)
Overall I found this experience very enriching...nakakainis na paminsan minsan especially if paikot ikot ang dating ng discussions, but I found it enriching as it allowed us to practice decision making skills for one big project or undertaking as a family :) Lahat kami magkakasama sa bawat dealer na pinuntahan at kinausap. Lahat kami may say, especially Kuya :)
We'll be welcoming Ben (or Ven?) next week :)
Sorry, haba pero thanks for reading hehe
This is how he will look like, minus the bars on top :)
picture c/o nrma.com.au
