[1108] "Toy Car"

I know it's stupid to own a "toy car" (aka project car) when I can barely afford taking care of one car. I still want one, and it doesn't hurt to dream.

So with that being said, I've always blogged about a Japan surplus kei van. Chatting with my friend, who also happens to be a car guy like me, always brings me back to reality. For the price of a Japan surplus Suzuki Every specced out to my preferences it would probably be more practical to get a used, locally sold car that I like.

Cars like the gen 1 or gen 2 Honda Jazz, the gen 2 Toyota Yaris, heck even the Suzuki Swift. Notice I'm still looking for a "small car" to own. Because that's probably the best I can afford if I could save up another batch of money for a car.

I have checked out different cars on FB Marketplace. I was seriously considering the old Toyota Echo Verso (aka Yaris Versso) that was briefly sold here in the Philippines in the early 2000s. I just don't know how other people can still own twenty-plus year old cars without them having major issues like what's going on with our 2001 Toyota Rav4 now. Maybe it's because we never did proactive maintenance and only did oil changes, I honestly have no idea.

Anyway, yeah. I still want a small hatchback to be my toy car if I can ever afford to buy and maintain one properly.

Out. 

[1107] Really Crazy Japan Surplus Idea Part X

In an older blog post I wrote about basically transplanting the innards of a Japan surplus kei van into an existing body of a locally sold Suzuki Super Carry. Well now I have yet another crazy idea.

It basically involves buying a Japan surplus DA17 Suzuki Every Van. Then adding a roll cage.

That's basically it. To compensate for the structural integrity. Though I've seen an FB reel/Tiktok video saying there are different classes of Japan surplus kei vans so I guess the higher the class the less the structural integrity is affected?

Anyway it's just that. Buy a higher class Japan surplus Suzuki Every Van (or Wagong depending on budget and preference) and add a roll cage inside or outside. And yes, it is a crazy idea.

Out.

[1106] I Am My Own Worst Enemy

As I grow older, and watch lots and lots of motivational videos (whether accidentally or intentionally) on social media, I come to the hard conclusion that I am my own worst enemy.

Some videos say that it is up to yourself to control how you feel and how you respond to your day-to-day situation. Sad to say I am very much a negatron. I am aware of this and I am doing my best to improve, though.

I do try to change perspectives and find something that'll make me improve my thinking, but it is a daily challenge. There are days I can overcome it, and being human, there are days I cannot. I guess that is normal. What I'm trying to build upon is to consistently try not to be frustrated and not be so emotionally reactive. Take a chill pill, Will, as I used to say in high school.

Out.

[1105] Breaking Routines

I took the week off to relax. However I wouldn't be doing anything too different from my normal routine. Sure I went out to get my physical exam one day, and then I went with my wife and daughter to get the latter's braces adjusted another. But aside from that it was just me "vegetating at home."

Until today. Halloween would have an event where trick-or-treating kids would pass by the house and we would give some treats. My wife volunteered. Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate so the organizers decided to have it held in the village's covered court. They asked us to bring our treats there which I did.

I was not expecting them to ask us to have someone help distribute, and in a very impulsive and unexpected turn of events, I volunteered.

So I spent an hour or so hanging out and giving out our treats. There was supposed to be a second round after some magic show and other stuff in the program but honestly I was sort of bored already and so I decided to head home.

So did I break my routine? Yes. Normally I'd be hanging out at home. Or in today's case, hanging out at home handing out treats. Instead I went out and did something I don't normally do.

It felt sort of good, I enjoyed the short time I was there. And at least I did something different.

Out.

[1104] The Honda Jazz

I think it is safe to say that the Honda Jazz (specifically the second generation, or GE) has now overtaken the Volkswagen Super Beetle / Classic Beetle as my top one dream car. And here are the reasons why.

• Comfort. The Jazz is bigger, has four doors, has air conditioning, and also probably has a more comfortable suspension set up than the Super Beetle. Getting in and out of the Jazz is also easier for everyone because of the four doors, and I'm guessing rear leg room is better as well. Yes the Jazz may be bigger, but compared to the current SUVs driving around Metro Manila it is still a small, compact, practical car.
• Safety. Air bags alone make this is a safer car, add in the fact that the Jazz probably has a better crumple zone than the Super Beetle and it's pretty obvious why.
• Practicality. I can still see Honda Jazz driving around Metro Manila more often than I do classic Beetles, and I rarely see a Super Beetle. I'm guessing this means repairing the Jazz may be a lot easier and cheaper because of availability of parts and more mechanics being more familiar with them. Add to this the fact that the Jazz may just have better fuel economy over the Beetle. Oh and let's not forget the Honda Jazz's Magic Seats.
• Modifiability. I still want to retro mod my car, and just like the Super Beetle I do have stuff planned out. It's not as extreme as the Super Beetle, because of modern tech and safety, but I still have plans. Like better suspension that I can lift up by 2 or 3 cm. Then upgrade the in car entertainment to an Android Auto ready head unit, improve the speakers, and finally upgrade the rims. Possible upgrade interior and exterior lights (except headlights and fog lamps) to LED bulbs, and also upgrade the headlights and fog lamps to better focused lights. A lot less mods than the Super Beetle for sure.

And those are the reasons why the Honda Jazz GE is now my top dream car.

Out.