Watchman

waah!!! way-to-go Don!!!!! Welcome to the dark side

VVTi should not have called you a fool. No one can say that without medically diagnosing you. But we can say from your attitude that you're a lazy pompous j***a$$ with no common sense.

if that's the case just log out of FB on your browser n click the link

That sucks.... So quite a predicament then..

Some parts are considered natural wear and tear hence not covered under warranty. Brake pads, would be one, clutch is a grey area but worth checking with the agent. And on the topic of warranty you might want to get the agent to do the replacement (even with parts you buy elsewhere) as they can say that you tampered with the car hence void the entire warranty.

The improvements you observes are those you'll see when you adequately inflate your tyres. Has nothing to do with the air/gas inside. It's a typical case of you caring more about the tyres and their pressure because you're paying for the air which you could have otherwise had for free

Is there a particular reason you're recommending a JDM car and not a regular export model?

We have a diesel 1998 Suzuki Escudo (TD32W) with a A/T. Also known as the 1st gen Grand Vitrara. What iRange said about the vitara/escudo/proceed is pretty comprehensive. I cant comment on the suspension etc but fuel consumption should be around the same. I can tell you that it will NOT give you 15kmpl. We get something between 8-11 in Colombo and around 12-13 out of town. The automatic transmission is a bit sluggish as expected but nothing to cry over. Parts for the older model might be a bit harder to find, but cant be impossible. Overall a decent vehicle I would say.The model you are looking at (and the early GVs) became popular with the 1999-2000 gov permits. Hence the disproportionate number of these models.

The article is about a discussion between the importers and the JVP. This has nothing to do with the government. Are you one of those people looking for a banana peel on the road to blame the yaha-palanaya?

No one said that they shouldn't build cars. They just shouldn't promise the sun and the moon when announcing it. I'm sure you watch (or have accidentally seen an episode of) Top Gear. Look at the cars this is competing with. Presuming it comes out in the next 2-3 years it will be competing with the likes of Mc Laren P1, Porsche 918 etc. With centuries of cumulative design experience and millions and millions of dollars in R&D funding, those too don't come out perfect all the time. So I highly doubt that a software company with little or zero experience in automotive electronics/software can set up a car with 900hp to handle as it should. I mentioned this the last time this was discussed too, these shouldn't start off with promising the best car ever built. Start with simpler and cheaper, more fun kit-car types which would be affordable to a greater adience and be in a market segment where the consumer understands that this is a 'start-up' and is more forgiving for design/manufacturing faults that would inevitably be seen in the first few models/versions. PS; reminds me of the random middle-eastern design company that came up with a car claiming to be 5000bhp, yes five thousand.

The last time this story was shared someone had some photos of the car/workshop. And it looked more like a dune buggy than the frame of a super-car. Seeing that frame is what makes you skeptical more than anything else. Ohh well.

Sorry buddy.. Don't know of any. Check with S_N, he was looking for a w124 before he turned a 180 degrees and went with complete opposite of a reliable, well engineered and practical sedan. :D

Don explained well why Mercs till the 124 were considered so good. The most complex electrical parts are probably relays on these.. We've owned a w123 for over 2 decades and I dont recall any major repairs outside of wear and tear. The water pump was changed sometime around 1999 I think. The 240D engine is a pleasure to drive long distance. In fact the w123 feels more responsive when driving than our current w210 E250 (also diesel). And yes the w210 has had its fair share of 'electronic' problems. Back on the 123/124, parts arent that hard to find frankly. Places like avinda are fairly well stocked there ARE non-OEM parts (even body parts). Plus ebay! Last year someone turned into our car and busted the front signal light and the fender's beading Cost of both parts (Thai made) together was less than Rs.3000 at Avinda over the counter (not pre-ordered). I was actually quite shocked, cos even a used signal light on a jap car would cost more than that in Delkanda. Naturally I have a bias towards the w123 hence I'd say go for it but based on Nishan's budget he can easily go for a W124 which would be nicer in some ways.

Lawyers or state counsels? cos I highly doubt the former would qualify.

Looks like you were running significantly under-inflated tyres

Based on Nishan's past posting I think he's smart enough to see/study something and figure out what to do with a car mechanically. And this generation of Mercs were more or less all mechanical with a few electrical components here and there; but nothing electronic. Not 100% sure of the w126 though. Another good bet is a W123 which would be of similar vintage and easier on the pocket with fairly simple maintenance. I learnt my mechanical ABCs on a W123 myself. Parts aren't that expensive as for newer models. And if you're interested I happen to personally know a dearly loved W123 240D for sale

I like Kiwi. While the liquid is easier and faster to use, i noticed that brushing off the dust, applying the polish with a cloth, letting it harden, buffing with a brush followed with a quick rub with a cloth gives a excellent finish.

Wow I didnt know the SL buyers had that big an effect on the jap market

Current laws (no lights above the headlight level) CAN address the issue, but with all politicos abusing these traffic lights and such strobes no-one actually bothered to stop them. But with the new government ditching the whole motorcade/convoy practice the wanna-be VIPs would be flagged down for these stunts.

my apologies to the relevant parties. So Akalanka, what was the vehicle you were buying?

considering he was looking to buy a hybrid, I'm sure it's safe to say that even if his profile was approved instantly, his potential thread would not have attracted any responses that havent been given before. If he had taken 1/10th the effort as spent on his kumbaya petition, he would not have to cry about a delayed profile approval.

Singapore has a couple of different taxes that apply. The main variable ones are Additional Registration Fee (ARF), emissions based tax, COE (certificate of entitlement) and a few other small taxes. [1] ARF is a gradual step basis. Something like this: Open Market Value (OMV) is something like CIF First S$20,000 100% Next S$30,000 (i.e. S$20,001 to S$50,000) 140% Above S$50,000 180% Example: The ARF payable for a car with an OMV of S$75,000 will be calculated as follows: First S$20,000 100% 100% x S$20,000 = S$20,000 Next S$30,000 140% 140% x S$30,000 = S$42,000 Above S$50,000 180% 180% x S$25,000 = S$45,000 otal ARF payable is (S$20,000 + S$42,000 + S$45,000) =S$107,000 [2] COE is like a 'permit' to own a car and its a fixed number that are released every month and the highest biddeds get them. The two categories are (upto 1600cc or upto 135bhp) and (above 1600cc or above 135bhp). [3] And based on the emissions level, you may get taxed (upto $20,000) or get a rebate (upto 20,000). Source:

Machang, spending on a car is fine and yes it sucks when taxes go up. But none of these affected "professionals" were born yesterday, right? I'm sure they are aware on how tax-structures change in SL overnight. And let's be honest, a car isnt a necessity. It's a luxury. "Transport" is your necessity; and a necessity that can be fulfilled without going beyond your mans an borrowing money to the maximum possible limit. And what these members (including myself) find ridiculous is that the 'professionals' let their vanity and desires over power their logic and sensibility. I too would normally be Hiken Puna at this 'petition' myself, but I have turned a new page in life by explaining this politely.

Everyone here are laymen. In the simplest form: Under 1000cc price does DOWN Hybrid prices go UP.