The 1600 Reborn

A not-so-funny thing happened to the 1.6-liter engined car a couple of years ago. With a plunging peso and a surge in "10-seater"
SUVs and AUVs that didn’t have to pass on a big tax penalty to the consumer, the mainstream passenger car (predominantly
employing an engine displacement of 1.6-liters) market shrank and shrank to the point that legislators and taxmen realized how much money was being lost to these tax-exempt 10-seaters. With some vigorous lobbying and wringing of hands, the taxation scheme was changed with the net effect being to reduce taxes on most cars.

So, if you’ve been paying attention to the ads or been window shopping, retail prices for cars like the Toyota Corolla Altis and Honda Civic have dropped by not inconsiderable amounts to reflect changes in the taxation scheme. While prices for erstwhile hot sellers like the Toyota Revo and Honda CR-V have increased (by P25,000 for a VX200 Revo, for example), prices for the cars have gone down (such as by P50,000 for the 1.6G Altis). Now that it makes financial sense to go back to passenger cars, here’s a rundown on what’s out there as of press time. A word of caution though: double-check the prices at your local dealer, as some units might actually still have the pre-excise tax prices (something to do with inventories and BIR technicalities, we’ve heard).

Chevrolet Optra

Styled by Italian designer Pininfarina, the Optra cuts a distinctive shape through traffic. Particularly distinctive are the emphasized wheel arches, the 3-part grille and creased hood for a "flaring nostril" look, and a forward-oriented stance that make it look like it’s raring to do a sprint-start when viewed in profile. This is the first "serious" Chevrolet for the mainstream market in that it has the size, styling, and spec list to take the fight to the popular cars like the Honda Civic and Toyota Altis.

Motive power is provided by a twin-cam E-TEC II engine with 16 valves that’s good enough for 110 PS and 150 Newton-meters of torque. It has a British-tuned suspension composed of McPherson struts up front and a rear dual link system riding on 15" wheels. Brakes are all disk (ventilated in front), 4-channel, 4-sensor ABS is standard, and so are a driver-side airbag, foglamps, a Blaupunkt audio system with a 5-disc in-dash CD changer, and steering wheel integrated controls. Philippine STAR contributor Manny de los Reyes featured the Optra in our October 8 Motoring section and was reportedly impressed with its structural rigidity, ride quality, and value-for-money. The Optra is now priced at P635,000 for the 5-speed manual and P675,000 for the 4-speed automatic.

Ford Lynx Ghia

Despite possessing a goodly amount of features and capable driving dynamics, the Lynx doesn’t seem to attract as much attention as the established Japanese brands. Perhaps it’s something to do with the styling, which is attractive enough but a touch too conservative next to the chiseled good looks of the Altis or the crisp lines of the Civic. That said, the Lynx is a solid package with its torquey twin cam engine that pumps out 118 PS, excellent steering response, a sporty suspension, and ample stopping power in the form of all-disc brakes with ABS.

The interior has also been ritzed up with better-looking gauges, accents, and a fantastic stereo system with an in-dash, 6-disc CD changer for Ghia variants. You even get a power moonroof with the leather-lined variants of the Ghia. The Lynx starts at P610,000 for the manual GSi and climbs up to P738,000 for an automatic Ghia with leather, moonroof, and other bells and whistles.

Honda Civic VTi and VTi-S

Now with 3-stage VTEC technology, the 130 HP, SOHC 1.6-liter engine of the Civic is a joy to rev repeatedly to the redline when paired with the slick shifting 5-speed manual. With a low beltline, expansive greenhouse, low cowl, and closely spaced, well modulated pedals, the car encourages swift driving with the roarty motor singing a sweet tune all day long.

Even with Optitron gauges (new for 2003 on VTi and VTi-S), the interior isnít terribly inspiring unless youíre into the Zen lifestyle. Still, the minimalist look feels expensive, and the switches and dials have a nice, tactile feel. Rear space is pretty good because the flat floor and relatively high roofline really work to free up space, especially for taller passengers. People who like to drive fast will most appreciate this car as it will make you feel like a darn good driver, although enthusiasts will miss the sharper handling wrought by the front double wishbones of the previous generation. The cheapest 1.6-liter Civic is the VTi with the manual transmission, priced at P710,000, down P70,000 from before. The most expensive is the VTi-S with a 4-speed automatic, dual airbags, ABS, and leather upholstery at P795,000. New for 2003 are the grille design, multi-reflector taillights, foglamps (VTi-S), new alloy wheel design, dual airbags (VTi-S), and a chrome shift knob for the automatic VTi-S.

Mitsubishi Lancer MX and GLS

The Lancer is one of those cars that grow on you. Styling isn’t immediately likeable as the Altis was when it first bowed to the public. Over time, the unique shape always presents another facet or element you likely missed the first time. The cockpit is also quite warm, with a low cowl and beige and caramel colors to remove the claustrophobic qualities of black and gray plastics and resins. The Lancer runs with a 110 PS, SOHC 1.6-liter engine that’s smooth and fairly tractable, but perhaps lacking another 20 or 30 PS to make the automatic transmission really shine.

Of course, the piece de resistance is none other than the Continuously Variable Transmission that works to seamlessly deliver power to the wheels without having to shift gears. An added plus is the 6 preset ratios of the "Sportronic" mode of the MX for your best Ralliart impression. The Lancer also has one of the most responsive suspensions in its class; front McPhersons up front and a multilink design in back. Itís a little softer than before, but it still corners adroitly and gives excellent feedback. However, the only available prices as of this time of writing were not yet adjusted for the excise tax. Thus, foglamps, ABS, leather, an LCD screen, dual airbags, and other goodies come with the top-of-the-line MX priced at P778,000. The GLS with slightly less features and no Sportronic for the INVECS-III CVT is P738,000. The manual GLS is P708,000, and the entry-level GLX is P648,000.

Nissan Sentra Exalta

The Exalta has the most mature image of the bunch. Rounded, leisurely styling in the spirit of the Cefiro tell of a more laid-back driving experience than with the other brands. The interior seems to reflect this philosophy with wood trim, elegantly finished lettering on the gauges, and a generally plush ambience.

Nice touches on the pricier variants include a Head-Up Display for speed, power moonroof (GS Superio) and a pop-up LCD screen (GS Grandeur) on the center of the dash for the VCD player. The twin cam engine provides adequate power at 115 HP and the 4-speed automatic is characteristically smooth, but really, the car performs best when driven at a leisurely pace. The Grandeur and Superio variants also have all-disk brakes, ABS with Brake Assist, driver-side airbag, rear back-up sensors, and speed sensing door locks. Suspension is McPherson struts in front and a multi-link beam in back. The car is quite heavy for this category, and so accelerating, braking, and turning quickly make you aware of its mass. As a long-distance cruiser or daily driver though, the Exalta is a good choice for people who don’t like to drive in a hurry. New prices for the 1.6-liter variants start at P709,000 for the LS manual and go up to P829,000 for the Grandeur.

Opel Astra

Despite its age, the Astra could still teach the Japanese a thing or two about body rigidity. The Astra drives like it looks: solid. Slam the door and you get a vault-like "thud" not unlike what you’d get with a much more expensive BMW. This entry-level Euro from GM Philippines has a twin cam ECOTEC paired to tall gear ratios. It’s a drivetrain that’s hard pressed to pull the Astra’s rather porky 1,194 kilograms around with ease. The upside is that the car is a champ at long-distance, high speed cruising as it provides a quiet, solid, disciplined ride. Makes you wish you could drive that fast everyday. Hey, it’s made for the autobahn! Well, at least the inner lanes...

Interior room is a li’l bit cozier than the rest, but it’s got a quality look and feel consistent with how the car is like to drive. Apart from the multi-information display on the dash, there isn’t much to brag about when it comes to features since it’s only got the basic stuff like power everything, driver airbag, and ABS. People who eschew hi-tech gimmicks but value body refinement and European-style will most appreciate the Astra. All variants have effectively chopped of P70,000 from the sticker price. The manual Astra sedan is now P779,000, the automatic is P829,000. This is also the only car in its class available as a wagon: the manual is P848,000, and the automatic is now P898,000.

Peugeot 307

Here’s the new kid on the block. Europe’s 2002 Car of the Year is an undeniably stylish (at least until we get over the New Car Syndrome) 5-door hatchback with a 127 HP twin cam and a high tech Porsche-style Tiptronic transmission. We haven’t really driven the Pug yet, but we’ve heard it’s got Euro-smooth ride and handling from those McPherson struts and twist-beam axle.

You get foglamps, front, side, and curtain airbags, a retractable steering column, ABS with EBD, trip computer with service indicator, height adjustable headlamps, and other standard features. The 307 is currently priced at P895,000 for the manual and P995,000 for the automatic.

Toyota Corolla Altis

Now several years old, the Altis is still a looker even though it’s quite a common sight on our roads. A twin cam with VVT-I technology provides adequate power at 116 HP and 160 Newton-meters of torque. The better choice would be to pair it with the 5-speed manual (possible only with the 1.6E or 1.6J) as the 4-speed automatic is leisurely in its responsiveness and has rather tall ratios. The Altis is the only car in this segment available with a bigger engine: the 145 HP twin cam of the 1.8G (P848,000). The 1.6G has Optitron gauges, all-disk brakes with ABS, Brake Assist and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, dual airbags, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and some other good stuff.

The McPherson struts and torsion beam-type suspension with toe-correct bushing look bland on paper, but the car has enough athleticism and refinement to back up its good looks. Ride quality and body solidity approach that of a bigger car’s, and the car strikes a balance of features, performance, space, and price backed up with good ol’ Toyota reliability. Prices for the 1.6-liter Altis now start at P652,000 for the 1.6J and climb up to P792,000 for the 1.6G.