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Another SL'kan 'ism' that amazes me. A buyer is more than willing to spend a premium (200-300k) on a English plate car with say, 100k mileage (possibly more hacked too) than an equivalent older plate with half as much mileage. Where's the logic? (Shake head)

Spoke to the IOC tire-inflating bloke a few weeks back. Apparently there's a lot of issues with newly inflated tires holding the pressure...lots of people returning with leaking tires! Have to take this with a pinch of salt though- because i guess the new N-filling stands (and charges) mean that they don't get their standard tips- and hence resentment and malicious rumour-spreading. As Elvis says, probably only worthwhile for low profile tyres...

Given the revised Traffic Regulations are the hot topic, i thought i'd renew this thread based on what i saw this morning: Was @ the longdon place traffic lights and a poor bloke in a light blue metallic Mini w/ 5 sri plates was having a time with a copper. Not sure what the issue was, but this whole thing about numbers and the mini came to mind. Hope he got his issue sorted.... Any updates on this? i suppose this will hold true for any classic car owner who's had to find engines, etc when restoring a car. However, i must say there's restoration, then there's "milking" the market because of demand for a certain kind of car- resulting in a car with dubious paperwork!

>> 2A (new) Its an offence to use a vehicle that is • Modified without the approval of the Commissioner-General • Assembled otherwise than brand new parts • Mechanically defective • Fails to comply with prescribed standards • Stolen • False identity • Chassis number tampered with 1st offence: Not less than Rs.50,000- and not exceeding Rs.100,000- or one month imprisonment or both 2nd offence: Not less than Rs.100,000- and not exceeding Rs.200,000- or two months imprisonment or both 3rd or subsequent offence: Not less than Rs.200,000- and not exceeding Rs. 300,000- or six months imprisonment or both << I guess this answers questions in another thread about a spike in certain types of cars up for sale. Another worry: "2A (new) Its an offence to use a vehicle that is • Modified without the approval of the Commissioner-General" As said earlier, this leaves a lot to interpretation by the Cops. Does painting your car another colour constitute modification?? Again, wonder how many buses, vans, trishaws will be penalized under this.

Jana sucks. I've only heard that the other comparable insurer to FP is Eagle.

I totally agree with the need to enforcement of this law- it will save lives, no argument. Once you get used to it, its second nature (as is crushed shirts, clothes...but whats more important? Your life or a piece of material?) If there's one thing that annoys me more is to see parents allowing their kids to stand up in the car or be in front passenger seat- at worst, on the driver's lap. Complete, utter idiots (the parents, of course). But given the targeted road user (cars primarily)- this is likely to be another way for the govt to find money...hit the middle class pocket. I'd like to hear that the same applies to the pricks in trishaws and buses.

Not sure at all- hence the need to find a road rules book. Calls into question what the difference is between the double white line and the single white line. Does it mean that a double white line means you can't cross, even to turn off, or avoid an accident??? Dumb question, but it is probably worth knowing the difference...

I wonder if this constitutes a valid FR case, given that the law discriminates directly against cars owners only- whereas the bus/lorry/trishaw mafia are exempt... hmm.....

You mean there's something such as a law-abiding cop in Sri Lanka?? Phew! Imagine that. On the white line crossing thing- i'd like to get a copy of the road rules of SL, as what i've heard about single white line crossing is legal if only two wheels cross (on one side of the car, of course). Would be interesting to keep a copy in the car should this ever become a moot point...

not sure which car is who's...given how this rumour mill is going but either way, i also saw a DB9 last week @ CG lobby. Early Kplate number. Same car is a regular weekend fixture in the car park of a certain lounge bar on union place with its parking lights on all night saying "look at me" Hate to speculate, but this car has been around for a few years now, and only now seems to be on the road more often- which tells me the owner is a lot more confident than before.

Guys- J'shakthi has a list of approved garages that do repairs (aside from the crap list they maintain). One of them belongs to Michael Muthumani- very good work i am told, near Vauxhall street (can't remember the name). If you are a bit more particular about the fit/finish of work done, i will recommend you DO NOT let Jshakthi do the work themselves (ie. let them select the garage). They (and many mainstream insurers) do not honour brand new parts policy for repairs (that's how they screw an insurer)- even if you are under full insurance (unless your car is brand new).

How high was the curb- i'd be more concerned about suspension/drivetrain damage than the transmission itself...

Saw the Colombo Cars gathering on Maitland Place in the morning- wanted to stop but was in a bit of a rush. Some good looking cars there!

Guys- for those interested in getting Toyos I just spoke the GC Roche, the agents for Toyo. They currently do not bring any low-profile tires (< 65 profile) due to poor sales, but WILL however import on special request, which will take approx. 3 months. Anyone interested, please PM me- lets see if we can get a interested group together to do a bulk order of sorts. Size won't matter- and the price will be marginalized to the current market prices (no added cost of the special order, they say). http://www.toyojapan.com/new_tires/p_uhp.html

Nitto and Toyo are owned by the same company, but i understand Nittos are more specific to the street racing circuit...

Edit: i just searched the toyo website...there is a supposed local dealer! http://www.toyojapan.com/dist/asia.html

Does it work out cheaper to do personal importing of a specific brand not available in SL? I would think that once you add shipping costs, it may not make sense....unless you get a bulk shipment going... If it does work out cheaper, i'd rather be getting Nittos which are supposedly brilliant street tires (Nitto is owned by toyo)...and runs circles around potenzas, yokos, etc...

Reviving this tread. Anyone bought the new Bridgestone Potenza Adrenalins (EA01)? i believe these are the direct replacement for the G3/SO2 range. A few reviews indicate massive dry grip, so-so wet, and that the soft compound is a nail-magnet. Anyone else who can share some input??

This is Eccelstone talking through his arse- lets not forget that he more or less owns the F1 franchise until Mosley or someone (Branson, please!?) else finds a way to chuck him out. He just spoke for an entire committee made of international members when he made this statement, which goes to show his arrogance. Anyway- i think Mclaren really shot themselves pretty good this time- Hamilton's career will probably take a hit either way. Should Mclaren be banned, he will be a free agent- it will be interesting to see where he ends up. But the early reports of him leaving F1 because of what happened- i share the same disillusionment where races are won based on the decisions of stewards and not driving skill. Granted that the rules are there to make the racing more fair. Aside from the excitement that the underdog BrawnGP brings, i'm really not as interested this year.

Brilliant Article- thanks for posting this Saturn. As a former 'expat' of the arab continent, i can tell you that most of what is written is true. Dubai is likely to self destruct sooner than the other ME countries (unless the Oil money keeps coming in). While the arabs are not smart, they are shrewd and no business deal or transaction will take place without them getting the upper hand. The saddest part is wondering what will happen to all the slave labour- they will never get out...unless they die.

That's a definite ouch. Is Meangreen ok? Looks to be a rollover...

Charith is one of our stateside members- drives a Evo IX RS, if i'm not mistaken... Frequents AutoX events in the US- this is going to be his first run at Mahagastota, i believe.

Dev- sorry to hijack the post...but did you get my PM?

Knowing that Romani is running the RA-R, i'm tempted to do a run up to NE as well! I'm not a good judge of performance between cars, but after going for a ride in that particular machine, all i can say is "A ballerina on ecstasy"....

Macro Tech in Nawala Junction also does the same- if the damage is marginal. They heat up the rim and put it back in shape...not exactly the most desirable sight to see, but that is how it is done in most places. Note that torn, sharded rims cannot be done.