kush

Monte 9 mill if the yen remains stable at current rate. According to my age analysis of the model the new version should be due in 2013. Only if Toyota could give a similar deal on the Prado it would be awesome.

I think the newer engines come with an automatic adjuster, Corolla 141, Allion 260

If this is true it could be a serious issue. I remember in 2007 there was an issue for 407s imported under permits. Any manufacture will give a good discount if a considerable number can be given say 100,200 or 500. It is the same case even in UK a fleet discount could be huge may be 20-30% And also the demand for the particular model since the current 5 series (F10) is in the middle of its life demand will be less whereas the 3 series (F30) was launched recently so there will be more demand from elsewhere. Personally I will check on the Montero that they are going to offer on Sunday.

Actually even with the increase in duty the 2nd hand market has not increased significantly. May be the high interest rates and credit squeeze by the finance co./ banks partly to blame. There are substantial number of un-reg vehicles which were imported with the old duty is still around and number of vehicles which were imported on govt. concession permits are also coming in to the 2nd hand market as the owners will be eligible for new permits after lapse of 5 year. IMO 2nd hand vehicle market will be more or less flat if not comedown for the next 1-2 years. Of course this is on the assumption that the exchange rate and duty will be more or less stable during the period. Anyone who is looking for a 2nd hand vehicle this would be the best time to buy. Single owner well maintained Corolla 141, Kia Sportage, Old Montero Sport, Santa Fe, Yaris, Lancers are in the market at unbelievable prices. Prices might even come down further by 2013 when the market get flooded with these vehicles.

Prices have come down, you can now get one for Rs. 10.5-11 mil ex stock from people who has got them down on permits.

What about the extrobitant duty paid on throse vehicles, unless the govt refund them it might not be financially viable. They would be better off geting the vehicles directly from Japan for the fraction of the cost.

By a software upgrade what they do is increase the tolerance levels of sensors to suit our conditions. i.e. temperature, fuel quality etc. Best would be to get it checked with the agent, from what I know they will even replace parts sourced by us so you will only have to pay for labor. One will have to keep an allowance for these type of issues if you want to enjoy euro or get a Toyota

This car must be worth couple of millions, pay the darn 100k and get the agent to have a look. I was told that the current prices of the agent are not far from the so called experts. As the 100k is a one off payment it might be worth, once they register the vehicle they will have to give you an answer. Since they are registering the grey imports I’m sure they must be having access to relevant data bases to diagnose the issue. Better get that clarified before parting with 100k. Good luck

Kia is supposedly sold over 3000 vehicles on permits. They have no proper service center, and seem no stock of parts or trained personnel to diagnose problems. Instead of sending the staff on vacations they should be sending them for training. They would have earned over Rs. 1.8 Billion from charges (Rs. 600,000/- * 3,000) which should have been spent on improving the service infrastructure.

K11 came with both CVT and conventional Auto boxes, hope yours is not CVT. Texamatic is wrong oil for CVT

Does anyone know the long distance figures for the BMW 520d and X3. I’m looking for a comfortable safe cruiser for a drive 250-300 km at a stretch every week end so the kmpl also will matter. (Colombo - Trinco) Econo boxes will not work due to comfort and safety factors.

Jeez, they have washing machines on wheels. Can i know the how long it goes on soap and water.

Auto box was not offered on the Diesel version to keep the price below US$ 14000/- (for the permit) Only very few cars were imported so they are rare.

They have increased the tax on potetoes so that revenue could be used to reduce the tax on cars.

IMO too much, if you are crazy about the model and if the car is in excellent condition I would say it will be worth around 3.0-3.5 Mil. It is a difficult car to sell so try to bargain and get a good deal, when it is time for you to sell you will face the same issue.

Prices of the vehicles imprted after 2007 on permits should come down as the permit holders will be eligible for new permits soon. Await for good deals on Toyota Corolla 141, Toyota Yaris, Mistsubishi Lancers / Montero Sports (old model) and of course Huyndai Santa Fe and Tuson not forgeting Kia

Did you balance the wheels, did they check for worn out bushes, suspension/ steering links. This could be due to any of the above

Guys why do you want to clean the engine, mostly it is dust use a blower or get the service attendent to blow the dust off using air. For any stains there are special liquids/sprays available This has worked for me and i never had any issues with electronics of any of my cars.

It is Boge, German brand by ZF. Good old days Sri Lanka State Trading General Corporation was the agent, now i dont think any one is doing them. If it is for a Euro car check the specialists they might have them on stock or may be able to get them down. Or you could try K*B they have replacements for some common Euros

Manual will be for all the versions of your vehicle, check what is in the door post that should be the ideal size. Once you know what your original size is you could use the following link to get the new size for your larger rim. http://www.kouki.co.uk/utilities/visual-tyre-size-calculator If the size is not matched properly your speedo reading will be wrong and will also affect the gearing (acceleration/ economy)

Is there a way to get rid of the darn thing, like what we used to do for the good old catalytic converter.

Go for the Toyota which would be the most reliable, having said that you must keep in mind that these cars are over 15-16 years old so you might have to attend the occasional repair. We have a Caldiana which was imported 13 years back with 220,000 km on the clock, so far no major repairs only the shocks, water pump, a/c condenser and the break servo pump was replaced Watch out for rust, accident damage, radiator Check whether all electrics are working e.g power shutters, mirrors wipers they tend to give issues with time. Good luck

You will have to upgrade the Gear Box, differential, brake to handle the extra power. You might have to upgrade the suspension and tyres if you really want to make use of the extra power safely.

Request for detail breakdown of miscellaneous costs/ actual bills they will give you a refund. Still it will be somewhat over the actual costs one might incur if attended by yourself. If you don’t ask you want get.

Apologies for my ignorance, apparently they offer the new 1.6 L 1ZR-FE (124 bhp) now. The old one came with the 16.L 3ZZ-FE (110bhp). New engine is Dual VVTi whereas the old one was only VVTi it might be more efficient. According to Toyota Lanka the Corolla imported to SL is made in Japan