My First Car — A Philippines Companion

The price on the windshield says one thing. Then come the down payment, insurance, registration, parking, tolls, fuel, the oil change every few months, and that strange noise you're hoping is nothing.

A first car is exciting. It's also where a lot of people learn expensive lessons the hard way.

My First Car is a Philippines companion and workbook that walks you through buying and owning your first car, in the order it actually happens. Read the first three short chapters before you spend a peso, and you'll know your real budget, how to read a car loan offer, and how to inspect a secondhand unit without being charmed by fresh wax and new seat covers.

There's a full chapter on buying secondhand, including how to spot a flood car, the post-typhoon "bargain" that runs fine for a few months until the electronics start failing. After that, it helps with the papers, number coding, your first fender bender, maintenance you don't understand yet, and the eternal question: casa or talyer?

What's inside

• The Whole Number — every real cost of owning a car, before you commit
• The Loan, Honestly — compare bank and in-house financing side by side
• The Inspection — a used-car checklist you can bring to a viewing
• The Glovebox Folder — keep your OR/CR, insurance, and renewal dates in one place
• My Week, With Coding — plan around number coding before it catches you
• The Accident Card — what to do and who to call, written down while you're calm
• Casa or Talyer — decide where your car gets serviced, and why
• 18 service records and 6 fuel log pages — your car's full history in one book

It's made for first-time buyers, new drivers, and anyone saving up for their first car. It's also a practical graduation or new-job gift, especially when paired with a keychain and a gentle reminder to check the tire pressure.

Buying brand new? You can skip the secondhand chapter. Everything else still applies.