Tuesday, May 1, 2007

Vios or City anyone?



Many, i mean many bought Vios and City since year 2003.

And many, i mean many consider these 2 as 'GOOD' cars.

They're cheap, they claim. At RM80,000+

They're practical, good looking, good build quality. They claimed.

Many would also argue on the functionality, adequate space of these 2 cars.

If you're planning on getting one, or you actually envy others being able to afford one. READ THIS.

There are only two types of buyers who would self perceive as either one of these two groups:

1. I buy Vios or City not because I'm bias on others, but because the bang for buck they offered, and because of the interior, build quality, functionality, and they offer 2 airbags.

2. I love them, I don't care what you said, I love these cars.

3. (Third? I thought i only mention 2 groups? K, the third one is actually my opinion, which many would defend till death that they weren't in this group.) The third group is actually a group of buyers that could actually afford RM80k, and they're scouring the market for a choice. They wanted to buy a RM80k car, because they want people to know they could afford RM80k, and that they feel better when parked next to a car that costs RM50k. And they chose Vios and City, because it seems a 'safe' choice. Many were buying, hence i don't think i would get into much trouble getting one. Moreover, it's Toyota/Honda.

Group 1, let me present to you Perodua Myvi. Park one next to your Vios or City, put the brand aside. INSPECT. Build quality? SAME. Spaciousness? Myvi wins hands down. Airbags? Checked. Boot? Where's the boot? Myvi can load a washing machine or a 29 inch TV, which not much sedans could. So, if it were in terms of aesthetics, this small puny RM40k car is indeed the winner, in every sense (given the selling price). But would i buy one if i could afford a RM80k car? Nope, i won't, because I too would love people to see, that I, Bobby could afford an RM80k car. The self perceive social status gain that i would get when i spend that extra RM40k.

Group 2, you love Vios/City don't you? May i ask then, if Corolla Altis and Honda Civic were the exact same price as Vios/City. Which would you get? 100% of respondents interviewed by Mr Bobby reveals that this is a silly question, they will DEFINITELY get Altis or Civic.

Of course there will be people who'd argue that anyone would definitely get something that's more expensive. Or is it? Toyota Camry, that behemoth. Imagine you're the typical Vios/City buyer, a female, 25 year old or a college student. Would you like people seeing you driving a Camry? Gotcha, NO right? It's sooooooo UNCLE-ish, it's too huge, people would think you might be driving your dad's car.

So? by spending an extra RM40k to get something RM40k could get (Myvi); you not only did not get the perceive social status you ought to think you did, and you did not actually LOVE Vios or City;

YOU MERELY PROVED THAT YOU COULDN'T AFFORD AN ALTIS OR CIVIC.

So which car should you get?

SUZUKI SWIFT

It's a world car, one that was newly developed from a very well received concept car back in 2002; sold in Europe, Japan, Asia etc. Not some South East Asian marketing scam. Marketing scam? My Vios is a Marketing SCAM!!?

YES. Vios is actually the first generation of Toyota Yaris, launched way back in 1998, the chassis and platform was re-used for Vios, hence the small interior space, the solid rear axle which do nothing to help in the handling of the car. (Modern cars are all using independant linked suspension - Even Wira is using it)

Moreover, Suzuki Swift in UK was argued by many magazines including Top Gear to be a more worthwhile purchase than even the mighty Mini Cooper One.

Most of all, there's nothing right above it, on the edge of your affordability.