What type of Dad are you?

You have probably seen a lot of “what type” tests on Facebook. They range from which character or house you belong to in the “Game of Thrones,” to which superhero would you match and which country you should live in, so on and so forth.

 

But since we’re just about to celebrate Father’s Day, let us throw in one more to the bunch. This time, let us find out what kind of dad are you and what car you should be driving.  Please remember that this is in no way intended to degrade any type of dad, whatever you emerged to be.  Have fun and Happy Father’s Day!

 

Your Sundays would be spent…

a. Joining a fun run to Tagaytay

b.  Trying to figure out the car seat

c.  Biking

d. Staying at home because the cost of parking and gas are going up

e. Attending your kid’s activity

 

When the price of gas increases …

a. It is not really a problem.

b. You plan your travels well.

c. You bike the rest of the way.

d. You line up and get a full tank before the price increases.

e. You solicit a carpool.

 

You just bought a new car, the first thing you do is …

a. Buy bigger mags.

b. Put vomit-proof matting.

c. Put a bike rack.

d. Reinforce the plastic covers to last for about 2-3 months.

e. Check how much space the boot has.

 

When buying a car, the most important spec for you is?

a. What spec? It’s already a Lamborghini. No more specs needed.

b. If it has a latch system

c. Its suspension, if you decide to go off-roading

d. Fuel economy and resale value

e. Seating capacity

 

For you, speed limit is …

a.  Your nemesis in the Skyway

b. A religion; you are carrying a precious load.

c. A guide; you get your thrills somewhere else.

d. You don’t care; you always drive at the lowest allowed speed to get the best fuel mileage.

e. It’s always at 35 kph; your route is just the village to the school zone.

 

The most played song in your playlist is…

a. “Moves like Jagger” by Maroon 5 or the latest EDM (electronic dance music)

b. Mozart’s Lullabies

c. “Paradise City” by Guns and Roses

d. You just use the radio

e. Anything Taylor Swift or One Direction

 

You measure space by…

a. How you can seat only one person in front and your change of shoes in the boot

b. The number of strollers you can fit

c. The number of coolers and bike tires you can fit

d. The number of bags or persons that will not put too much load on the tires and increase fuel consumption

e. Number of kids in the back

 

Your thoughts on eating in the car…

a. No way!

b. Baby formula is a staple on your floor.

c. Yes, as long as it’s just power bars.

d. Only during an emergency; food stains bring down the resale value of the vehicle.

e. You name it: McDonalds, Jollibee, and pizza boxes.

 

If you answered mostly As, you are part of the mature/car enthusiast dad group.

 

You have probably passed through all the stages, and have grown kids or just really enjoy cars. You now have time for yourself, and have the resources to indulge in a pricier ride.  You believe that your car, like your watch and shoes,  is a reflection of you stature and taste.

Consider the globally launched BMW M3, which is expected to be the next cult car for the BMW enthusiast.  New on the BMW m3 is a Bi-Turbo powered inline six-cylinder gas engine that produces over 430 HP. It comes as a six-speed Manual or seven-speed dual clutch transmission with an optional electronic damper control (EDC) suspension (which makes everyday driving or a sports car much more practical).  It hasn’t arrived on our shores but having the first one is like being the coolest kid in school.

 

Another hot item is the newly launched 3-liter V6 Maserati Ghibl—which will be available in the standard model, and which has 330 HP and a top speed of 263 kph—and the Ghibli S, which produces 410 HP and a top speed of 285 kph.  Both are in the less than P10 million region.

 

If you answered mainly Bs, you belong to  the “new dad” category.

When you have replaced your golf clubs with strollers or your designer duds to vomit-repellant clothing,   its time to consider the safety features of the vehicles before their speed and available magwheels.

Being part of the “new dad” legion, we recommend either the Volvo XC60 or the Ford Explorer.  Both companies are known for the their pioneering safety technologies.  The Volvo XC60, a medium size SUV boasts of a 2-liter engine with premium interior and ride that rivals its German counterparts.  The claim to fame is still the City Safety System, which is an advance technology that enables you to stop the car when obstacles are detected by the sensor, thereby avoiding collision or lessening the impact of the accident.  This will come in handy if you have a lapse of judgment and when your babies are crying in the backseat.

 

The Ford Explorer Limited, on the other hand, has a masculine design and Ecoboost that also gives better fuel mileage. The 4×4 variant has lots of convenience feature that will help make your life better when you are ferrying a colicky child.  It comes with rain sensing wipers, blind spot warning system, adaptive cruise control, and hands-free parallel parking—although this does not mean you can multitask while parking.

 

If you answered mainly Cs, you are a  “Crocodile Dundee” reincarnate.

 

Nothing excites you more than the site of mud and smell of sweat.  You live for the outdoors and you don’t let an opportunity to get dirty pass by.  We suggest that you drive a Chevrolet Trailblazer or a Toyota Fortuner.

 

The New 4×4 Trailblazer with Duramax engine will give you the power and torque needed to navigate to your off road destination without sacrificing your comfort during the city drive.  The six-speed AT, seven-seater CRDi diesel engine with a spacious cabin, leather seats, separate air-conditioner for the second and third rows,  and can tow up to three tons is a good compromise for your jungle and home persona.

The Toyota Fortuner, however, is just a workhorse with the most versatile of packages. It can tow cars, load up a lot of outdoor equipment, and go off-roading without even worrying if it can handle them.  Although it is subject to major changes soon, this Toyota best-seller offers the same convenience of being able to adapt to your urban and rural urges.

 

If you answered mainly Ds, then you are a Mr. Practical.

 

You are a no-frills, all for efficiency type of guy.  You a look at your car as a tool to get you from point A to point B, but this does not mean you don’t look at all the angles such as resale value and value for money.  Fuel economy is one of the most important issues for you when buying a vehicle.

The Mazda6 will tickle your fancy with its SkyActiv technology and good looks.  Mazda’s claim to fame technology enables you to get the best fuel mileage without sacrificing the handling of the vehicle.  Being a constant “Car of the Year” winner also does not hurt its image.

Another vehicle to consider is the ninth-generation Honda Accord which is equipped with Honda’s Earth Dream Technology, and which is said to improve fuel consumption up to 10 percent. It comes in the 2.4 S and 3.5 SV variants with paddle shifts, noise cancellation feature, a full-color, 8-inch screen designed with the intelligent multi-information display (iMID) and keyless entry.

 

If you answered mainly Es, then you are a “new generation dad.”

 

You are part of the brave new posse of dads who find joy in the reversal of roles, transcending beyond the labels.  For you, space and comfort are the primary concerns. Consider the Chrysler Town and Country or The Kia Carnival.  All vehicles boast a seven-or-more passenger capacity with numerous space configurations.

The Town and Country has more frills, considering that it costs more than the Kia Carnival. It has several TV screens (to keep your passengers engrossed and give you a few minutes of peace), six airbags, rear proximity sensors and ESP. I just love the automatic doors.

The Carnival has a five-speed, automatic transmission powered by a 2.9-liter CRDI diesel. It seats eight people comfortably with surprisingly nice interior.