ucscsades

article about the van crash- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/kent/7534890.stm

didn't he also crash a fiat transit van into some poor guy in the UK earlier this week? At least he doesn't discriminate in what he decides to thrash...but seriously, what the hell would MS be doing driving a Fiat transit van??

Well this isn't really new news, but it's definitely good more people are becoming aware of this fact! There's a great documentary from a few years ago- "Out Foxed". Highly recommended!

Ooh wait, I think it actually is a Pontiac Trans Am, given those wheels! Final answer. Somebody else post if I'm correct. This thing is going to get very addictive, guys!

I would guess a late 70's/early 80's Chevy Camaro. (given the odd chance that I am right, I turn my chance to post over to someone else given that I'll be off by the time you guys wake up!). Could also be a trans am perhaps, but the metallic beading along the rear window makes me think it's a Camaro...

i completely feel what you mean..but luckily i am currently on this side of the pond! I actually just got an E30 325i...for a bit less than $2,000. I think it was a great deal in itself, given that it's one of my favourite cars of all time. anyway, i hope you guys manage to get a bimmer club going in SL again. There really are a handful of really nice cars and true enthusiastic owners. like gtam mentioned, most people do buy BMWs these days for the show, but that shouldn't stop the few true loyalists from uniting! Hey, if anything maybe you'll convert some of them into realizing what great driving machnies they have and make them get off the back seat and take control.

On the topic of torrents- lots of people probably already know this, but this is a pretty nifty site with links to torrents of a lot of fifth gear and top gear episodes...well organized, gives a little intro to the torrents, and also has a countdown to the next episode! http://www.finalgear.com/ Cheers, S

Nope, I don't think "coloured" Americans should drive Hummers either. You can add ridiculously huge pickup trucks, Monteros and Prados to that list too. I think H2's especially are absolute pieces of junk, regardless of the driver. And yes, you are definitely correct- I will never be rich enough to own such a car in Sri Lanka, or probably anywhere else for that matter, and am completely content with that. Just because you CAN do something doesn't mean you SHOULD. They may have very well (hopefully legally) earned the money to pay for all that petrol and for the car itself, all I'm saying is that it's excessive and people should consider the effects of their actions on society and their actual needs. It's money leaving the country and unnecessarily extravagant consumption of oil. I completely agree with the fact that there are plenty of CTB buses, old vans and lorries that are horrible pollutants. They need to be dealt with too, but the fact that they aren't doesn't mean that we can ignore our social responsibilities. Oh, and I love the Southpark episode on Hybrids, and definitely don't think that hybrids are the answer to any of our problems. And I might as well also state that I drive an old civic by the way which gets 40MPG and definitely do use public transportation whenever possible. I do have a less fuel efficient old BMW too, but that cost less money than a threewheeler in Sri Lanka and I take it out on very rare occasions. I wish Sri Lanka had a more efficient public transportation system, with which I'm completely fine with severe taxation of "luxury vehicles"...but all that money seems to be going elsewhere currently, which is sad. I know that in some peoples eyes I am probably seen as one of those hypocrits who left the country and now preach about what everybody else should be doing. At least in the context of these hummers, I don't think ANYONE, ANYWHERE should spend hard-earned money on those things- for both the sake of it being a horrible investment, a horrible off-roader, a horribly driving vehicle, and perhaps also it's effects on society. No country is perfect, and there are lots of things I love about Sri Lanka- but the fact that nobody else is putting any effort to solve a problem, or the pure reason that you can do what you are doing is rarely a reason to (not) do something.

Amen! It's ridiculous that people would actually ship, convert, and worse BUY these things in Sri Lanka, especially given car prices out there.

You have a lot more faith in this car than I do! I am quite curious to see how this car comes out in crash tests. TATA has never been in the forefront of automotive safety, and I doubt it would've been one of their major concerns when creating a budget car. Ratan Tata has said that the car conforms to all (INDIAN) safety regulations...I'm pleasantly surprised to know that they actually have any to start off with! The car is claimed to do 50MPG which is great, and it's small size is definitely a plus...more smaller, fuel efficient cars is definitely the way to go in the future if we are to properly tackle emissions and congestion (or better yet more efficient public transportation, but is that just wishful thinking in South Asia?). So in one way, this is a step in the right direction. But I also believe that we need to focus on getting people to scale DOWN from bigger vehicles unnecessarily taking up roadspace instead of scaling up from motorcycles to cars. Just looking at India alone, can the country really handle a significant portion of the motorbike-riding population switching to cars? I think not. A little bit of a tangent, I know..but my main thoughts are- it is a good idea, we just need to wait and see how good the car actually is, if at all.

uhm...Lexus IS, anyone?? but nevertheless.....looks great. something that looks like an IS for half the price, I'll take it! I love the direction Mazda is going these days..definitely the most promising and innovative jap. manufacturer around right now, i think.

okay, so how many of you can remember at least 4 cars that were on those pictures now?

agreed, exactly my point! i appreciate the fact that toyota has released something more exciting than what they've been putting out in the recent past, but its not enough. I guess TRD mainly does less intensive stuff like superchargers, suspension mods, etc..so building a whole new drivetrain to make the car RWD is probably too far out, but at least stick a decent manual transmission in it for now. Come to think of it..does Toyota offer any real MT cars?? Even the Camry SE comes with an automatic transmission..guess they really don't make anything right now that can be put in this car. Either way, not enough work on their part...if they're making such an aggressive and powerful car, they need to make it right!

damn...shame!

exactly, man! This thing looks like it has great potential. Hopefully there'll be enough people asking about RWD or AWD and manual transmissions for them to start offering the combination at some point! It's based on the camry and has the same engine, so it's bound to be reliable too...I think if worked on it'll give some European sports sedans quite a good run for their money.

Finally something exciting from Toyota! Hopefully they'll expand the range, offer such cars in markets outside australia, and throw in manual transmissions and RWD (at least AWD!)...323hp cannot be a good thing in a FF car with an automatic transmission! http://www.carenthusiast.com/news.html?mod...cle&id=2030

That Besturn looks very Nissan-like..any idea if its based on a Japanese chassis, or is it a "completely new" vehicle??

If by "cool" you mean "ridiculous", yup, I totally agree with you! Its crazy how extravagant that thing is! And Milindu, as for the "Wheel Mechanism", I don't think there is one...outrageously negative camber is all the hype these days!

So the new Accord is out (US Model, I'm assuming it'll be different from the Japanese market)..what do you guys think?? http://www.thecarconnection.com/Vehicle_Re...13263.html?pg=1 As far as looks go, I'm not really impressed...the sedan looks a lot like a Hyundai Sonata to me (and some cues from the 5 series in the rear from the side), and the coupe looks like a Hyundai Tiburon too! I guess Accords haven't been the best lookers in recent years...but it makes up for more than that with the rest of the package I think. The interior looks great, the car gets very good gas mileage, and they're going against industry norms and are offering both 5 and 6 speed manual gearboxes (Toyota can learn a thing or two from them!). And they've decided to drop that silly hybrid version and are apparently gearing up to make a new hybrid-only car and offer a diesel version (Finally!).

I believe this has been discussed in detail ages ago? Check forum archives...or www.google.com , great site!

Glad you decided to look into the Rabbit as well. Seems like a great car...I don't really care for them suddenly deciding to call it a Rabbit again, but the car itself is still good. Solidly built and looks pretty good. Like you said, comes with a lot more amenities than a typical civic or tC. But I'm assuming it'll be a bit more expensive (but probably worth the extra cost to you?) and perhaps a bit worse on fuel economy...

I wouldn't consider either a corolla S or a Honda Fit if you were initially looking into a Tc or Civic EX. Although I like toyotas the corolla S is nothing more than a normal corolla with a silly side skirt and a few badges..at least not much more than that, and is just plain boring and hasn't been replaced in ages. The fit is a way smaller car and is less of a drivers car. But I would definitely consider a Mazda 3 if you're looking at Civics...I'm biased and crazy over the hatchback version, but they really are very well made look great, and are a lot of fun to drive. But given your initial question I'd go for a Civic too. They are a tad more common than the Tcs but they really are great cars, so it's popular for a reason. But do look into a mazda 3 if its in your price range...or perhaps even a VW golf (although I'm not really a fan). Good luck!

I mainly go to www.thecarconnection.com and www.carenthusiast.com the prior is a US site...so not too many great reviews, but usually they quite a lot of spy shots and have some interesting articles.

I'd have to agree with that..and all those ancient pajeros (and other "jeeps" that are for some reason seen as a sign of affluence) that still go for millions. ridiculous.

well, the badge by the gear level says Mugen Si. That's not the standard Si sedan sold in the US market, is it? Didn't know there was an additional Mugen Si...this something in Canada?