Toyota Wish

Nissan Terra

* photo from autoindustriya.com

* photo from autoindustriya.com

Ford Explorer

Miata MX-5

It's been such a long time since I last drove a two-door sports car.  With local road conditions favoring SUVs, I no longer consider sedans and sports as an attractive buy.  However, the sheer beauty of the Mazda Miata drives me absolutely nuts.  If only Vicky will let me get one...

Freightliner

* photo from freightlinerinspiraton.com

Freightliner recently introduced the Inspiration Truck that is billed as the first truck with licensed autonomous vehicle technology.  It's the future of trucking, rolled out today.  Front and side radar scanner act with several cameras in order to avoid collisions.  Data is fed onto an onboard computer that links speed control, braking and steering.  Less road accidents, better fuel efficiency and more information for drivers.  I want a whole fleet!

Opel Manta

*photo from wallpaperup.com

It was in 1974.  Manong Pete was flying back & forth between Taipei and Manila for work, and he would leave his silver grey Opel Manta A parked with us when he would leave for Taipei.  It was a sporty German car, one of the first compact cars that boasted of speed and handling, and was ready to take on the more established American V6 guzzlers.  I had no driver's license then, and I wanted very much to be able to drive the car. 

*photo from autodata1.com

Fast forward eight years later, 1982.  I still can't forget that summer, when I had a beige Opel Manta B, exactly like the one pictured immediately below.  Stock 2 liter engine, 4 speed M/T.  180 kph was easy, and I would drive down EDSA from Makati at midnight with full confidence.  Of course I was fast, but then again, there were other cars that could overtake me (to my chagrin, a red Ferrari beat me to Ortigas Avenue). 

*photo from pinthiscars.com

Still, no qualms, no regrets.  I loved that car.  Lots of new cars come and go, and some might even become my new flame or flavor of the month.  But it is true--the Opels have a special reserved place in my heart.  Oh, the passion of youth!

*photo from motorpia.com

Nissan Juke

The Nissan Juke.  Vicky, Monique and Anita all say it's too small a vehicle for me to drive around.  But ain't she so cute?

2016 Honda Civic

The 10th generation Honda Civic looks good, almost like a sports car in profile.  174 horsepower on a 1.5 liter engine.  Comfortable seating for 5.  CVT transmission.  I like both the blue and the red colors.  Cool shade of blue, fiery hue of red.  I wonder how much the local sticker price will be?

HR-V

Honda's new HR-V has a peppy 1.8 liter engine and looks like a beauty to me.  While it's just a 4-seater, its P1.2 million base price costs almost like the 7-seater SUVs of the competition.  Ideal for trips within the city, and maybe for short provincial trips.  Don't have feedback on handling and fuel economy yet, but I've already made up my mind. I want one!

Scania

At the Transport & Logistics Exhibit, I had the pleasure to test-drive a 400 hp Scania prime mover and this truly gave me sheer delight. It was quite maneuverable, and easy to drive, and had the muscle to carry 50 to 60 tons of payload.  I can just imagine the most powerful trucks in their line-up, with some 730 hp under the hood. You can't beat that brute!

Willys Jeep

Our Independence Day road trip with Mitzi and Gab was to Clark Field, long the center of American air supremacy in Asia.  While driving around, we came across a Willys MB Jeep, complete with a mounted 50 caliber machine gun.  These vehicles were used extensively during WWII until the early seventies, and was the forerunner of our ubiquitous jeepney. This one we saw was in running condition and in pretty great shape, I'd say.

Jaguar XJ

We were at the Greenbelt Mall, and walked past the Jaguar XJ that was on display.  Andie scrutinized the vehicle, as if to tell me "Daddy, can we get one of these?"  Oh my, the kids nowadays... they know what to ask for!

Peugeot RCZ

The coupe was prominently displayed at the entrance of Palm Country Club.  I must admit that the Peugeot RCZ has wonderful curves...  It beckoned... P2.85 million... I'm in dreamland... Hmmm... I gotta think it over...

Kia Sorento

* picture from kia.com

I've been looking at the Kia Sorento for some time now, and I've been happy with the wide and roomy interior.  Nice styling, a bit lower than some of the other SUVs on the market, but looks solid and durable.  Seats only 5 people, but I guess I won't be needing the third row anyway.  AWD, 2.2 diesel engine.  Not bad for P1.4 million.  Mulling it over...

Ecosport

The Ford Ecosport is out in the market.  I want my toy now!

Mazda 6

Absolutely a beautiful site to behold.  I though it was a Maserati when I first saw it zip by. Clean body lines, sporty, fashionable.  Although we used a Mazda 626 in the late eighties and a Mazda 323 in the nineties, I didn't pay much attention to the new Mazda lineup.   That was until I mistook the latest Mazda 6 for an Italian stallion.  I love the peppy engines of Mazda, just a little pressure on the gas pedal can send the vehicle tires screeching off to a jack rabbit start, the only downside being the monstrous gas consumption.  The latest Mazda 6 comes with a 2.5 liter gasoline engine and 6 speed automatic transmission; I heard that to save on fuel, the engines of the new models shut down when the car comes to a full stop, and restart effortlessly when the brakes are released.  Around P1.8 million, which isn't bad at all for a mid-sized sedan with a look of a premium sports car.

*Color is called Soul Red.  Love it!

FJ Cruiser

* photo from toyota.com.ph

Vicky got a call from her friend at Toyota informing her of the availability of the FJ Cruiser, at a sticker price of just under P1.8 million.  I was pretty intrigued and mentally drooled over the prospect of driving this brute.  Classic look that pays tribute to the Cruisers of the sixties and the seventies.  4 wheel drive, automatic transmission.  Spacious interiors.  4 liter, V6 gasoline engine with enough horsepower to get out of any mountain trail rut.

I don't need it, but I sure want it.  Hell, yeah...

Subaru BRZ

Vicky and I drove over to the Subaru showroom to take a look at the Forester and the XV, but it seemed that for one reason or another, these SUVs just wouldn't be right for Monique.  My eyes thus strayed onto the 2-door BRZ (Boxer Rear-wheel Zenith) and it seemed to me that this rear wheel drive beauty wasn't a bad option for an entry-level roadster, at an affordable sticker price of just P1.9 million. The 2 liter horizontally opposed engine has a reported top speed of 230 kph, and a version with 6-speed manual transmission is available.  My kind of toy. Ooh la la... Ain't it such a nice thing to have?