(Images from Toyota PH)

Even with the rising gasoline prices today, a car can be an investment, especially since the country's transport system is still a huge mess. Think of it as investing in something that enables you to go places safely while keeping cool and dry simultaneously.

It also enables you to bring stuff with you and people, not just a single person, as opposed to buying a motorbike. It's like investing in yourself.  If renting a house is like hitching a ride, buying a vehicle is like investing in a house. Both require money and maintenance, but you're happy to get your money's worth at the end of the day.

This equation is valid as long as you buy something that you can manage, of course. Something that will not burden your budget unless you have enough expendable income. Our suggestion is the Toyota Wigo. Reliable, stylish, safe, and affordable. But how affordable is it, you say? Let's see.

The Wigo has four variants. The top-of-the-line 1.0 TRD S AT sits at about PHP 705,000. The 1.0 VVT-i G AT is about PHP 674,000. The manual version of that, the 1.0 VVT-I G MT, is very close at PHP 639,000. At the same time, the entry-level Wigo E with manual transmission is priced at PHP 573,000, almost a hundred thousand less than the G AT.

If you ask for my humble opinion on which is the bang-for-buck Wigo variant, I say it's the G with the AT. All these four share the same engine – the 1-liter IKR-VE. They also have the same fuel capacity and differ mainly in transmission type.  

Other manual owners say the stick shift is more fuel efficient. But fuel economy also depends on one's driving style and driving conditions. So it probably makes less sense to choose something that will hurt your feet during traffic, especially if you only talk about a measly PHP 35,000 difference. 

Also, getting the G variant is better-equipped than the base. So if you prefer to have an LCD infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, climate-control air conditioning, a push start button, power adjust and retract side mirrors, a rear camera, an alarm,  keyless entry, some exclusive body paint colors, and two-tone wheels over an alloy set, then you should get the Wigo G. 

If you have a little more money, you can even go for the TRD. But with slight differences like a bigger body by 4 centimeters, it is more of an aesthetic preference if you do. And its price is not far from a Vios XE.

Does the Wigo G AT tick the right boxes for you?

Financial advisors say a car is a liability, but if it saves you from risking your life every day while commuting, it can be considered a worthy investment if you choose the right car. Maybe it's time to go to the nearest dealership, check the Toyota Wigo, and choose the G AT.

Also Read: What are the Best Features of the Toyota Wigo?