Change of heart

I changed my mind. SIMON will be a 2000 Toyota Corolla XE.

This color, this look.

All power, fresh, all stock. Manual tranny.

The fancied CIVIC

I’m always a fan the Honda Civic, especially the older models.

And I’d make it a point to acquire one which is as fresh and as maintained as this pictured 1997 VTi below, who I’ll name SIMON.

Among my RIGID requirements in looking for a unit would be THIS COLOR (Honda Blue), STRICTLY no alterations (all stock; no replaced steering wheels, mags, etc.), MANUAL transmission, fully preserved interiors, and 1st-owned (bought brand new by the owner). I’ll have my 3-year on-call driver mechanic with me to inspect everything too on the aspect of body, air-conditioning, suspension, and engine. Outside minor dents would be forgivable as I can have them worked on.

Of course, when I acquire it, the AUDIO setup won’t be amiss.

Wish me luck!

My dream Nissan Terrano

My dream RED 1997/1998 Nissan Terrano.
I will name him bRuSKo.

I’ve always fancied a NISSAN Terrano. I’ve experienced the ride. And I soooo looovveeed it. Add to the wonderful ride and air conditioning is its physical aspect as a not-so-attractive car that wouldn’t give a come-on to the nappers, plus its huge tall make that would surely give you a feeling of security. It’s a four-wheel-drive car too. So mud or no mud, wet or dry, the Terrano takes you safely home.

Popular in the Philippines in the later part of the 90s, NISSAN stopped it’s release in the early y2k. This adds value to the Terrano. If you own one, you’re the big guy!

Through research, I found out some more advantages of a NISSAN Terrano:

• The Nissan Terrano is the most fuel-efficient diesel SUV in the market doing 8-10 km/L. More economical than a Vitara, Jimny, Feroza, Pajero, Outlander, CRV, RAV4, Land Cruiser, Trooper, Patrol, Range Rover. Off-road capability crash confidence fuel economy.
• Powerful engine performance (NISSAN is known for that). Diesel is almost smoke-free.
• Very tough suspension (so no kalampag).
• The only SUV with a rear center arm link for cornering stability against rollovers
• Super cold air conditioning. Better aircon than a Toyota, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Isuzu, Honda, Land Rover SUV. Turn it on and FREEZE!!!!!!
• Uses a steel unbreakable timing gear, not a rubber timing belt or linked timing chain which can snap under pressure. Has a nice whining sound like a Honda CBR.
• Drives and parks like a car and does not feel like chunky SUVs, e.g., a Patrol, Land Cruiser, Defender, Fortuner, Suburban, Expedition, Pajero, Trooper, Navigator, Hummer
• Not noisy like an Isuzu diesel
• Does not overheat like a Toyota diesel
• Not a smokey squid like an Isuzu or Mitsubishi diesel
• Goes to places where heavier and clunkier pajeros, patrols, troopers expeditions, suburbans, etc. cannot go.
• Cheap parts. They cost a bit more than Toyota Corolla parts but still relatively affordable. What is Php 50-150 more for suspension parts that are 10%-20% bigger in size than others. Parts are readily available unlike the common misconception that NISSAN parts are hard to find.
• The swing-out tire design has much better impact resistance than a rear door-mounted tire. Lesser rear collision damage. You can mount several mountain bikes on that swing arm.
• Lovely rear window hatch access. You can load stuff at the back even if someone parks closely behind.
• Equipped with a stock Limited Slip Differential (LSD) while most SUVs come with an open differential.
• Equipped with a stock water separator while other SUVs have none
• Alternator is located top side like a Land Rover and not below the power steering pump like some other SUVs.
• Very comfortable ride with reclining rear seats. Fold the seats and throw in a single bed in the rear for those long drives.
• Timeless look. Really nice to set up. So many alternative set ups as well: Local version, JDM, US version or Euro.
• Bigger than a Vitara but smaller than a Patrol. Just the right size for the city and the trail smile.
• Lower headroom so you can park in most basement parking slots, unlike taller SUVs that offer the same, or even lesser, ground clearance.
• Uses a double wishbone front suspension and rear trailing arm on coils unlike many 4×4 vehicles nowadays that use a MacPherson front/rear suspension that was intended for cars.
• Shift on the fly 4×4 for 4H for maximum performance unlike other SUVs where you have to stop
• Innovative rear door handle design which makes it look like a sporty 2DR at some angles
• Double fuel filter design to protect the injection pump against water and other grime in gasoline station tanks.

Hmmm. Two dozen reasons. So the bRuSKo is the PERFECT SUV. I look forward to owning my bRuSKo, VERY SOON. And he will be bRuNO’s brother.

My BRUNO

My bRuNO
(my choice of color)

Maybe he might have been advertised this way.

Maybe his poster looked like this.

And maybe, in the 1989 launch, he was this fresh.

Ahhay. My same old bRuNO. My 1989 Mitsubishi Lancer EL. He’s finally here with me in Manila. Still OK, though he needs some painting job. I love him and I don’t want to part with him. He has never failed me and has saved me from lots and lots of trouble. Even if I’d have the money to buy a new car, bRuNO will still stay.

At the time bRuNO was launched I was in 6th grade and I was soooo crazy about this car. In 1999, I finally acquired a second hand as a college graduation gift from Mom. However, just wondering, how did his posters look like in 1989? How would he have looked like, so fresh and untainted? How was he advertised?

I do intend to restore bRuNO come the time I’ll have the money. I owe him a full restoration. He’s my first car, and I’ll keep my promise to him.