Month: September 2010

General

Lancer EX GT-A vs Impreza 2.0R Sport

By on Saturday, September 25, 2010

Since I’ve been thinking of a new car, I thought I’d compare them. They have to have a 2.0L engine just because it’s a nice balance between fuel economy and power. Plus it’s 2.0 is a nice round number compared to 1.8, 1.6, and 1.5. They also has to be reasonably priced.

That still leaves quite a few options: the Ford Focus, the Mitsubishi Lancer EX, the Subaru Impreza, the Honda Civic, and the Toyota Altis. The list needs to be trimmed down to two  (nice round number).

The Ford Focus, the Mitsubishi Lancer EX, and the Subaru Impreza are interesting to me because they’re domesticated versions of monster rallying cars. They’re the poor man’s rally machines. The Honda Civic and the Toyota Altis don’t have such heritage and are just too dime-a-dozen to boot so they’re out.

The top-of-the-line Ford Focus has an awesome 2.0L diesel engine and a PowerShift dual-clutch transmission. However, even with the face lift, the current look just doesn’t appeal to me at all. The 2011 model does look good but it’s still not here or even out. Plus, it’s a bit bare in terms of features.

It therefore boils down to The Mitsubishi Lancer EX GT-A and the Subaru Impreza 2.0R Sport.  The tale of the tape:

Mitsubishi Lancer EX GT-A Subaru Impreza 2.0R Sport
Mitsubishi Manufacturer Subaru
Philippines Country Manufactured Japan
2.0L DOHC Inline 4 Engine 2.0L DOHC Boxer 4
155hp HP 148hp
199Nm Torque 196Nm
FWD Drive Layout AWD
INVECS-III CVT 6-speed Sportronic Transmission ProDrive SportShift E-4AT
Vented disc/solid disc Brakes (front/rear) Vented disc/solid disc
Ind. MacPherson/Ind. Double Wishbone Suspension (front/rear) Ind. MacPherson/Ind. Double Wishbone
18” Wheels 16”
215/45/R18 Tires 205/55/R16

Yes Paddle Shifters No
Yes Keyless Entry Yes
Yes Start Button No
5 Seats 5
Fabric Seat Material Fabric
Projector HID Headlights Projector HID
No Headlight Washer Yes
Yes Adaptive Headlights No
Yes Auto Lighting No
Yes Auto Wiper No

7 Airbags 6

It seems that, based on the specifications, the clear winner is the Lancer EX GT-A. But how do these two drive? Unfortunately, I haven’t’ drove them. Is it time for a test drive? Hmmmm.

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General

Mobile Phones Onstage

By on Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Saw this today at the Inquirer:

PNoy should fire those two clowns behind him. Is what they’re doing really so important that it couldn’t wait? It doesn’t do their public image any good. If you want to project seriousness, authority, and– more importantly– power, you better not show that mobile phone and how you are a slave to it.

I once saw Jaime Zobel de Ayala speak onstage. This guy owns Globe, one of the largest mobile phone services providers in the country. And yet when he walked up the stage and spoke, there is no hint that he is carrying a phone anywhere on him. Now that is how it should be!

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General

Steering Pump Problem

By on Thursday, September 16, 2010

The car’s power steering pump has been making groaning sounds for a few months already. Also the steering wheel would occasionally become harder to turn. Both were signs that the power steering pump was about to give up. And last Tuesday, night, as Michelle was parking the car, it started making a clatter. Steering was still functioning but the noise was unnerving so I decided to drive the car to Fusion R the next day.

Once I got there, we popped the hood, and the mechanic confirmed that the power steering pump was making the noise and must be replaced. Since the car was in for repairs anyway, I requested for a host of other things : change oil, change oil filter, change spark plug oil seals, change valve cover seal, change crankshaft oil seal, throttle body cleaning, idle motor cleaning, and tightening of belts.

It took till the next day because they had to remove the power steering pump and use it as a sample for matching with an appropriate replacement. It was a hit-and-miss affair: the first candidate had a faulty pulley and the second candidate wasn’t an exact fit.  But, as they say, third time’s a charm, and they finally got it right.

When I got the car back, there was no more noise, steering was working perfectly, and there were no rpm dropping problems. Fusion R has worked their magic again!

(Car repairs by Fusion R, E. Rodriguez, Q.C. Call them at +632-724-3921 or +63922-853-2700 and ask for Jona)

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General

Starting A Business

By on Monday, September 13, 2010

I’ve always been interested about starting my own business. But for lack of certain things, it’s more daydreaming ;) than a real intent at this point. But out of curiosity, I’ve been trying to look for the procedure for starting a business. I’ve asked a few friends, read some articles, and today I stumbled on Doing Business which has, among other things, a ranking of the ease of doing business in various countries. The Philippines ranks a dismal 144 in the list of 183 countries!!!

The difference between the procedures to start at business in the Philippines and starting one in Singapore, which ranks 1,  is telling. No wonder comparatively few attempt to start a business here and even fewer succeed. But I guess there’s a wicked Darwinian mechanism in place here: if you are persistent, determined, and I guess lucky enough to get through all the red tape then you have an excellent chance at succeeding with your business. That’s the government working for you!

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General

Buffalo DriveStation

By on Saturday, September 11, 2010

I finally saved up enough cash and justification to get an Buffalo DriveStation. I’ve been planning to get one for a while. While I already have a 1TB Buffalo LinkStation Live which has been more than sufficient for my storage needs, I was a bit jittery with my files stored in only one device.

Before the LinkStation Live, I  had a Buffalo LinkStation Pro but it died on me while still under warranty. After a bit of a struggle, the dealer replaced it with the LinkStation Live because the LinkStation Pro was no longer available.

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