⌛ Expats I need some advice/ Transportation

My wife and I are thinking very hard about retiring in Dumaguete city. I often hear bad stories of trike drivers and fare pay problems. I hear sometimes from my wife you don't need to buy a new pick up or an SUV in Dumageute.

Thats fine with her cause she can't drive ha! ha ha ! I have been driving all my life and I don't want to give that all up. I love my independence of going places and not paying trike drivers. being a plus size guy, I need a decent ride like a Hilux or suv.

I'm still confused if I should buy one or not. What do you expats feel comfortable doing as far as getting around ? Do you guys think it's worth buying your own vehicle there or just dealing with trikes? I'm big on Toyota quality cause they are made to last. I'm very confused and I need some expats real good advice to set my head streight.

This is a big decision for me cause you all know that buying a good vehicle that will last a long time is not a cheap investment. I'm shocked to see on how a Hilux can cost as high as $30,000 US dollars when a Tacoma pick up which is the same thing here in the US runs 23k or 25k.

Can anyone share with me their personal experiance about buying a new vehicle from a Philippine dealer? I hear there is a Mitsubishi dealership in Dumaguete.

I looked up the Mitsubishi Strada pickup truck. I wanted to know if it's any good and what you and the locals think of Strada. I will value everyones opinion and listen carefully. Thank You

 

trike problems are exaggerated
you can always buy a bike initially, when u are assessing whether u need a car

 

Can't do bikes or scooters

I'm not a bike driver, besides i'm too big for those scooters hehehe! thanks for your advice. I think scooters or bikes are too dangerous for me.

 

The trike fare problems are probably exaggerated. But, I doubt you will want to rely on them just do to the inconvenience and lack of comfort. Perhaps you could try something in between at first. You can buy second hand vans like a Mitsubishi Delica pretty inexpensively. You can also hire a driver if you don't like to drive yourself for a very reasonable salary. I think both the Hilux and the Strada are nice rigs, but they are expensive and the roads (especially at the moment) are awful. Even if you end up buying one of those, you may want to wait until the roads are in a more acceptable condition. If you are interested in a second hand vehicle, I suggest looking in Cebu or Manila as the availability is scarce here and prices tend to be high. I have some contacts who may be able to assist you there if you are interested.

 

Well, I bought one 3 years ago, but went for that to Iliolo because I was told that the choice was much bigger there (which is correct i.m.o.).
I'm very pleased with my Strada and had no serious problems.When I bought him he was 3 years old and just 60000 Km on the counter.
There is indeed a Mitsubishi dealer in Dumaguete.
Choice enough. Don't rush and take some time to look here around or go looking elsewhere in the neighborhood (Iloilo, Bacolod. Cebu)

 

Thank you jellyfish and Guru, Its good to hear some feed back. Was not sure about the Strada truck. I'm glad it is servingyou well.

 

If it is only as a substitute for a pedicab (perhabs a few thousand km/miles a year) i would advice a Susuki minicab.
You can buy it for less than 100.000 pesos and in Cebu you will have more choise.
Most dealers will include one year roadtax (LTO) and insurance in the price.
And maintenance is very cheap (gasoline and repairs)

 

Bacolod is the place to go on Negros for vehicle shopping both new and used. They have
Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai and other dealers there. All are situated on the road that runs past the old airport and most are next to the Sugarland Hotel.

 

He says he is a "plus size guy", as am I. No way would he fit and be comfortable in a Suzuki Minicab!

 

i am a satisfied hilux owner and driver but i will have to honestly say i like the new strada. yes there is a mitsubishi dealership just some 150 yards north of the airport here. but dumaguete is motorcyle capital of the philippines. i do own cars but i use the motorcyle more often than four wheeled vehicles for a variety of reasons, foremost is the issue of parking space and mobility. dumaguete planners of old had a very limited vocabulary, and parking was not included then, guess even now.

dont rush. stay here for awhile and feel for yourself. the place is too small for a tacoma or the likes of a silverado.