New Isuzu Alterra Urban Cruiser

[aksazn]

I just bought new Isuzu Alterra Urban Cruiser 4x4, kinda new lang po sa Isuzu ask ko lang po if any good or bad sides in buying this SUV in terms of service, maintenance, performance and fuel consumptions.

[Benzmizer]

I just bought new Isuzu Alterra Urban Cruiser 4x4, kinda new lang po sa Isuzu ask ko lang po if any good or bad sides in buying this SUV in terms of service, maintenance, performance and fuel consumptions.

First, Congratulations!

I have heard vry impresive reviews from some media and regular friends of the Alterra -- particularly the fuel consumption and power.

Uncle Nick, one of the boards forumers just got himself one, a 4x4 at that, and is technically adept to provide you with his reviews. Let us wait for him to chime in his thoughts.

In the meantime, drop the anxiety and enjoy your new SUV!

[Benzmizer]

Darn! Slow internet connection caused this double post.....

[aksazn]

Yeah, its a one month old always excited to drive this car, but it worries me the after sales such as the maintance in Isuzu's casa, marami kasi akong nabasa sa mga ibat-ibang forums na medyo sablay or di satisfying ang mga services nila. BTW I will post some pictures of my Alterra maybe tommorow.

[Benzmizer]

Yeah, its a one month old always excited to drive this car, but it worries me the after sales such as the maintance in Isuzu's casa, marami kasi akong nabasa sa mga ibat-ibang forums na medyo sablay or di satisfying ang mga services nila. BTW I will post some pictures of my Alterra maybe tommorow.

Give it the benefit of the doubt... besides, I would not recommend you to have your brand new Alterra be done somewhere else.... not at least 3 years/100,000 kilometers.

Word of advice, do your assignment. Ask around to which ISUZU dealer has provided satisfactory services. Befriend SAs (Service Advisors) and maybe even mechanics of CASA. You'd be surprised of the "added care" would be provide your vehicle.

[PATSYS50]

I bought my Alterra 7 months ago. It is also 4x4 and a special edition at that.

Overall I like the ride. What exceed my expectation is the engine noise, it wasn't as loud as many said it was. Also the Alterra is incredibly responsive and quick.

One thing that disappointed me though is the fuel consumption. On a pure city driving, it is about 7km/liter. I have been constantly measuring it for 7 months now and it is always around that figure. I doubt it that will significantly change. Odo now reads 4900 km.

When I read about other people saying their vehicle gets 15 km/l or so, I can't help but think that they are just exaggerating..

[Uncle Nick]

First, Congratulations!

I have heard very impresive reviews from some media and regular friends of the Alterra -- particularly the fuel consumption and power.

Uncle Nick, one of the boards forumers just got himself one, a 4x4 at that, and is technically adept to provide you with his reviews. Let us wait for him to chime in his thoughts.

In the meantime, drop the anxiety and enjoy your new SUV!

Remember..It is a truck....it's a diesel...and an Isuzu!!!

It is solid reliable transportation and will outlast everything else on the road.

All you have to do is give it good clean fuel, regular CASA service and religiously change the oil and filter at least every 5000kms or more often if in dusty driving conditions.

There is a honeymoon period, however.

You will have to accumulate approximately 10,000 klms before you can really appreciate true power and economy.

Your Alterra was built for the long term.

Here is a Nick's trick for you;

At least once a month, use the 4 wheel drive feature on unpaved road.

You want the seals and gears in the transfer case and automatic locking front hubs to get lubricated at least periodically.

If you need advice on using the 4x4, just pose a question and since I tend to be long-winded, I will probably be able to help.

Ciao!

Uncle Nick.

[Uncle Nick]

I bought my Alterra 7 months ago. It is also 4x4 and a special edition at that.

Overall I like the ride. What exceed my expectation is the engine noise, it wasn't as loud as many said it was. Also the Alterra is incredibly responsive and quick.

One thing that disappointed me though is the fuel consumption. On a pure city driving, it is about 7km/liter. I have been constantly measuring it for 7 months now and it is always around that figure. I doubt it that will significantly change. Odo now reads 4900 km.

When I read about other people saying their vehicle gets 15 km/l or so, I can't help but think that they are just exaggerating..

You will get these numbers with pure highway driving in due course.

Pure city driving is bad-bad-bad for good fuel consumption.

Did you cycle through the multi function display in your odometer cluster?

It will show you in real time if you have "bad fuel economy driving habits". But, don't take your eyes off the road too much, please.

Your Alterra is still a baby, and, will need about 10,000 klms before you can begin to appreciate reasonable fuel returns.

At 1100 odo reading, I get 9.9 km/L combined city and highway.

All things considered, I think you are OK.

Here's a Nick's trick for you;

Ignore the Fortuners and Monteros showing off by passing you. Don't try to keep up. They have bigger wheels and go further with one revolution than you do.

Their big wheels have a price to pay. They flip over very easily because of their higher center of gravity.
Moreover, they will have to refuel while you drive on by.

Ciao!

Uncle Nick.

[PATSYS50]

You will get these numbers with pure highway driving in due course.

Pure city driving is bad-bad-bad for good fuel consumption.

Did you cycle through the multi function display in your odometer cluster?

It will show you in real time if you have "bad fuel economy driving habits". But, don't take your eyes off the road too much, please.

Your Alterra is still a baby, and, will need about 10,000 klms before you can begin to appreciate reasonable fuel returns.

At 1100 odo reading, I get 9.9 km/L combined city and highway.

All things considered, I think you are OK.

Here's a Nick's trick for you;

Ignore the Fortuners and Monteros showing off by passing you. Don't try to keep up. They have bigger wheels and go further with one revolution than you do.

Their big wheels have a price to pay. They flip over very easily because of their higher center of gravity.
Moreover, they will have to refuel while you drive on by.

Ciao!

Uncle Nick.

Uncle Nick,

You just made my day

My hope for a better FC is once again alive.

Thanks

[want-alterra]

hi guys,

which dealer you can recommend in Manila? we are buying an alterra as well soon. I'll appreciate any suggestions. And also, would it be possible to release it in 1day?

Thanks...

[Benzmizer]

hi guys,

which dealer you can recommend in Manila? we are buying an alterra as well soon. I'll appreciate any suggestions. And also, would it be possible to release it in 1day?

Thanks...

Kaya naman siguro yan ma-release in 1 day basta may stock. Do you have a specific Alterra variant/color in mind?

[want-alterra]

we are looking at 4x2 MT starry black or the blue colour, when you say pwede ma release in 3 days time, that does mean na may LTO registration, plate number, etc? sensya na, first time to buy a car, thanks

[Benzmizer]

we are looking at 4x2 MT starry black or the blue colour, when you say pwede ma release in 3 days time, that does mean na may LTO registration, plate number, etc? sensya na, first time to buy a car, thanks

No. Only unit availability and registration of vehicle. LTO (being a 2nd party), ISUZU (or any dealer for that matter) cannot determine timing of plate release.

[want-alterra]

THanks for the input *Ben, we want kasi na magamit kaagad ang unit pag ma release na sya, I presume we will be given temporary plates so we can drive it off already once the unit is released? am a bit excited now just thinking about it. . .

[Uncle Nick]

I bought mine from BMD Motors in Cabanatuan.

They put an " advertising" plate both front and rear.

You are allowed 7 days to drive without plates as long as you can show the sales invoice.

The Casa gave me 4 "copies" of the sales invoice with different dates, one for each of the next following 4 weeks.

I live in San Jose, N.E. and requested they obtain the plates from there rather than Cabanatuan.

If you do not renew your registration in 3 years from the same original branch of LTO, there is a small additional cost.

I took delivery Dec 16 and still do not have my plates, but was informed that I should have them by Thursday Jan 27.

Normally it should take 3 weeks.

At year end there are more sales than normal plus there are Christmas and New Year's Day to contend with, which adds to the unusual delay.

Meanwhile I am not doing unnecessary driving.

Did I leave anything out?

Ciao!

Uncle Nick.

[jefsan]

Guys,

It seems like the new Alterra is still using the same engine, correct me if Im wrong. Aside from the front and rear skirts and the interior add ons, we still have the same unit since 2005. Of course they have changed the front grille and head lights. I just want to share my 2005 Alterra 4x2 AT with you.



More power to all Alterra owners. Hope to see you all on the 1/29/11 Eyeball.

[rademamj]

I am interested in the Alterra Urban Cruiser, 4x4 starry black model, but really curious as to current availability. I have contacted several Isuzu sales staff, and received the standard price quotes, with no response so far on when it is available. I have the impression there maybe limited availability on these Alterra units. Does anyone in the group have information about Alterra availability??

[jefsan]

I am interested in the Alterra Urban Cruiser, 4x4 starry black model, but really curious as to current availability. I have contacted several Isuzu sales staff, and received the standard price quotes, with no response so far on when it is available. I have the impression there maybe limited availability on these Alterra units. Does anyone in the group have information about Alterra availability??

Sir Rademamj,
I agree, it seems to be true that most dealers dont have the Urban Cruiser in their showrooms. I checked 1 dealer and it is on order basis. I guess their marketing style is to get your money 1st before anything else. Mga sigurista ika nga!!!

[Benzmizer]

I am interested in the Alterra Urban Cruiser, 4x4 starry black model, but really curious as to current availability. I have contacted several Isuzu sales staff, and received the standard price quotes, with no response so far on when it is available. I have the impression there maybe limited availability on these Alterra units. Does anyone in the group have information about Alterra availability??

If you are decided on a 4x4 black, let me try and help you with that. Just let me know.

[rademamj]

If you are decided on a 4x4 black, let me try and help you with that. Just let me know.

Hey thanks Benzmizer! Maybe I just need to give the Isuzu dealer (Alabang) more time on this issue of availability. However, I gave commitment for firm order of 2011 4x4 starry black (or white pearl) with navigation option in January, and no response so far on availability or expected delivery. However, I am patient and will still follow through with my Isuzu Alterra purchase. I know the Isuzu Alterra is assembled here in Philippines, so maybe they have a backlog of orders right now at the plant.