Haima Family 1.6 SDX or Lancer 1.6 GLS CVT (bug-eyed) or any other suggestions

[RVRSSG2.0]

Good day!

Yesterday, we saw the Haima Family on display at SM City Clark. I liked it already. There was a huge sign saying "Prices start at 599K", but I overlooked the "Prices start at" so I thought that the SDX variant which has an Automatic tranny, Leather upholstery and sidings, auto-climate control, decent mags, split-folding rear seats, dual SRS airbags, Front and rear foglamps, illuminated "Family" logo on the doorsill, faux wood trim, certified Mazda engine, and Sunroof (which I really liked) only costs 599k, so I almost shouted and really thought of buying it already. But when I got a copy of the pricelist, It costs 735k, not 599k. So now I'm thinking, *700++k, I can buy a Vios E or G, Yaris M/T, City 1.3, Lancer GLS CVT (698k only!), etc.
But I'm still considering the Family because of its features which I really liked, and the build quality is good too, The doors shut with a heavy thud, the plastics inside though somehow cheap-looking, doesn't feel like they're gonna fall-off anytime soon. It's like a reincarnation of the Lynx, only better IMHO.

I need your advices. Thanks!

[niky]

The only really bad parts of the interior are the sunvisors, the plastic pieces on the steering wheel beside the horn and the console around the radio and cupholders. That can be remedied with some 3M "carbon fiber weave" matting. Everything else is actually pretty good.

For 735k it's a very good value. Don't know about mechanical reliability yet, but Haima used to build those cars for Mazda, and the build quality looks as good as or better than the Lynx, so reliability should be at least as good. Thankfully for buyers, Haima is still at the point where it's using mostly Mazda technology. When they switch to completely in-house designed engines, we'll have to wait a while to see if those engines will last. This is where Proton stumbled before. Protons were okay when they were using Mitsubishi parts... when they switched over to completely Malaysian designed and built parts, quality suffered. Before that happened, though, Protons were actually okay.

The only unknown is whether the reprogramming of the engine has improved fuel economy on the 1.6AT. Hopefully we'll find out within a few months on a long-term test drive.

Have a short drive here:

Haima Family II Review

If you do buy one... sobrang inggit yung mga Lynx owners dito:

Imagine... five years na akong naghahanap ng rear cupholders sa Lynx... yung Haima, meron!


Andaming gustong mag-upgrade sa Haima interior... some of us even like the wood-grain trim! :hysterical:

The best part is... the Haima is nearly identical to the Lynx. The bushings and sound-deadening feel better (kaya nga mas "thud" yung doors kaysa sa "klang" ng Lynx) but the suspension and engine are nearly identical. Retuned nga lang yung sa Haima for better emissions. That means most of the parts you need for servicing outside the warranty are available at Banawe autoshops that carry Ford/Mazda parts.

If you're considering this against the Lancer and the Sentra, the Lynx was a better car than either of the two... better space, better driving dynamics, etcetera... and now that you can get one for cheaper (even the 599k version has four-wheel disc brakes and power windows), it's a no-brainer... but against the current City... well... the City isn't as powerful, but it no longer suffers as much in terms of elbow room versus the Lynx/Familia/Family, and legroom is similar... plus it's more economical.

Still... the Family is a better driving car. And you get a lot for your money. Up to you which one you would pick.

[RVRSSG2.0]

Thanks alot Sir Niky!
At first I was so hesitant to see the car on-display yesterday, but when I eventually gave in, I actually liked the car. I even told myself "I guess this is my next car". But when my dad told me to get the Lancer GLS CVT instead, I was like, "Ok" but somewhere inside me reiterates "The Family has Sunroof, Leather seats, Mazda engine, auto-climate, 6CD changer, etc." haha!

But now, after reading your review and your reply here, I've made my decision, the Family is my next car (hopefully, If my dad says YES. sigh..).
Again, Thanks!

[niky]

Thanks alot Sir Niky!
At first I was so hesitant to see the car on-display yesterday, but when I eventually gave in, I actually liked the car. I even told myself "I guess this is my next car". But when my dad told me to get the Lancer GLS CVT instead, I was like, "Ok" but somewhere inside me reiterates "The Family has Sunroof, Leather seats, Mazda engine, auto-climate, 6CD changer, etc." haha!

But now, after reading your review and your reply here, I've made my decision, the Family is my next car (hopefully, If my dad says YES. sigh..).
Again, Thanks!

Well... you can tell your dad this: Haima was to Ford/Mazda a few years ago as Ford Group Philippines is to them now. They built the cars completely in-house for sale in China... as FGP built Lynxes completely in-house for sale in the Philippines.

At the very least, if there are any problems, the solutions will be the same as with the Lynx, and if the Chinese electronics are bad, you can replace them with parts from Mazford or Fordland.

Encouragingly, the Haima Family II has won awards in China for a number of years for high quality... so at the very least, it's better than other Chinese cars. ;)

[RVRSSG2.0]

I'll definitely tell him that.
I just got a copy of the brochure and Indeed, it won 9 awards. Whoa!

It's so funny that last Friday my parents told me that there is a Haima display at SM and said that it's just another mediocre Chinese brand. I agreed. I even told them that it's a Mazda copycat. But upon seeing the Family, upon learning that Laus Auto Group brought it here (our Fuzion is from CW Sn. Fdo, btw.) and upon reading your replies, I totally ate my words.

Imma bug my dad to go with me at the Haima showroom next weekend.
Thanks again Sir! I really appreciate it.

[cOnthreE]

Haima po ba kinuha ninyo?

I think 600k+ lang po Family, ung high end model na..