big boys toys
Yesterday we were passing Aguinaldo High Way in Cavite Province. Somewhere in Dasmarinas area we suddenly spotted two car dealers not far from each other. Not the normal dealers like Ford or Toyota, but small jeeps dealers. I immediately fell in love for these cars and decided that I would like to have one one day……
In Manila and other cities in the Philippines you see this type of cars frequently in the streets. I have heard that they are available as ‘build it yourself’ sets. They often do not have colors and are just dull grey from the used steel. The only color they sometimes have is a brownish color from rust. But these are with shiny steel and bright colors.
First I asked the seller if it was allowed to take some pictures of them. After having permission I took these pictures of “adult boys toys“. Like I wrote already there were two dealers. Both I also asked for prices of these toys. I was surprized to find out that they were not as expensive as I have been thinking before.
The first dealer was selling them between 100,000 and 250,000 pesos
(2120 – 5300 US$ or 1500 – 3700 Euro). The second dealer was selling around 140,000 pesos.
Some of those cars have a lot of lights and are painted in bright colors. You can even have them custom made the way you want it.
Later in the car, while driving home, my wife and I were still discussing the toys. My wife didn’t object to buy one some day. But thinking of it, what do I need a second car for……? With NO aircon; curtains serving as doors; very showy and flashy colors. Things I do not like in a car. Better I just stay with my Mitsubishi Adventure, silver grey.
But if I like to start playing again…… who knows….?
Filipino time:
Jan, I’m so happy your back to your Blog, I really look forward to seeing your latest posts and pics. How is the house search going, have you determined where you want to plant roots. Love the pics love the blog. Take care.
Edward,
I haven’t been away, just too busy or too lazy to write.
We are close so setting a deal for a house. The moment it is definite I will write about it.
Thanks for the comment.
Hello Jan,
Nice to find your blog. Barry Ruth pointed me this way in an email conversation earlier today. My wife, Mita and I live just outside Metro Manila in Marilao, Bulacan.
Funny that I just noticed an “owner-type Jeep” (the generic Filipino term for locally made Jeep-style vehicles like these) a few days ago, all dressed up and “over equipped” like these ones you wrote about.
I haven’t met the owner but he appears to work at our local hospital nearby, so perhaps I’ll meet him someday. Maybe he bought his from one of your dealer friends, very few are ever customized to the extent these are.
The less stylish, basic “Owner Jeeps” are readily available available around here for as little as P50,000 and, while you are certainly correct regarding the inconveniences of the open construction, door curtains and such, they can be a very practical vehicle for an expat looking to get buy on a small budget.
The drive trains are typically “good used” Toyota, Nisan and Mitsubishi components from Japan
(due to some strange tax practices it’s almost impossible to keep a car on the road in Japan after it is six model years old, and due to the traffic in Japan, a six year old car has rarely ever done many kilometers)
so these P50K to P100K build to order “owner jeeps” can be a very good basic transport vehicle. Thanks for showing these colorful ones off for us.
By the way, I am also a Mitsubishi Adventure owner … bought mine new in 2006 and it has been a very comfortable and reliable vehicle so far, one of the best new car deals in the Philippines for a family vehicle.
Hi Dave,
)
Nice of you to stop by on my website. I have checked yours also. I must say that your site is very informative. I will add the site to my links. I hope you will do the same.
It is funny to have such small owner-jeep. I really thought of buying one just for the fun of it. But I decided not to do so (for the moment, maybe later …..
Our Mitsubishi is also doing fine, we bought it just one year ago and it’s doing fine, just a few minor problems in the beginning.