terrabytetango

Just to add to the list, the Land Cruiser 100 and 101 (not 105, which is really a 100 body on an 80 chassis) series, 90 series Prado and some of the post 2002 70 series have IFS (independent front suspension).

After 3 years, you'd expect them to stop working

VBH was at her hottest when wearing a seatbelt.

What's the point when there is effectively no speed limit? This is going to be a Fail project since 95.7% drivers on the road believe the lane dividing lines are there for them to ride on top of and/or are merely abstract decorations on an otherwise dull grey tarmac (cats eyes add the "bling" factor). But seriously, how could these cameras ever be used in an effective manner when nearly all drivers on the road are unaware of even the most basic traffic laws?

For Sri Lanka, definitely a Prado, even a 70 series if not a 90. And Pajeros aren't bad either, they're comfier and most of the GLS models came with climate control and rear A/C, which is a real boon in our climate (tired of complaints of lack of cooling at the rear seats? I am). Or you could go for something made in Sri Lanka (more or less), those Kyrons don't seem too bad, and there are uglier SUVs out there anyway. For something smaller, I'd say definitely look at a Harrier, those are nearly bullet proof and offer a ride rivalling most saloon cars, they have a high level of trim (dual A/C, power seats etc) and quite efficient engines with the 2.2 and 2.4 models. I've never driven nor ridden in a RAV4, so I can't comment on those, and I just don't like Vitaras.

No I haven't removed them yet, but they are dimmer than a firefly's rear end and I can hardly see the clock any more, so I feel it's high time I replaced them. Any idea how many bulbs there are in total, including A/C panel?

Can anyone provide me with the type of bulb used for the dashboard back light? I almost attempted to take it apart today before I realized that it's going to be a major pain. And are the same type of bulb used for the illuminated switches (defroster, hazzard flasher) and the A/C control panel illumination as well? Your answers will be most appreciated.

True that, but it goes beyond looks. Reliability is a huge factor when defining a crappy car. Take TVR, and the whole fiasco with bits falling off while going at high speed.

No, the Holden/Vauxhall Monaro (Pontiac GTO), and the Holden/Vauxhall VXR8 (Pontiac G8). The Commodore, I'm not sure where the design originated from, but I've seen a badge engineered version of it peddled as the Cadillac Cartera, in the US.

Yeah, where's Lada? And the Austin Allegro? Morris Marina...? *sigh*

The Cadillac Cimarron and the Pontiac Aztec really do deserve that title though. The former is even more atrocious to look at in person, and my most horrific memory of one is when my mum once suggested we trade our plush 1983 Toyota Cressida for one of those. The padre and I squashed that idea with as much enthusiasm as that of an African dictator carrying out some much needed ethnic cleansing. And the Aztec... I was aware of the car's existence, and I thought it would be something akin to the Pontiac Trans Sport/Chevy Lumina APV from the early 90s, with a steeply raking (for that time) front end SBV affair. But alas, my optimism was short lived, for when I set eyes upon one for the time, I realized just how little imagination Pontiac have. No wonder GM decided to get rid of it, I mean the only good Pontiacs to come out in the recent past have all been Australian. As for the EV1, I wasn't even aware of how much of an impact it's had on the industry till I watched a special on HBO titles "Who killed the electric car?". "GM: Yes v r fail" (original slogan is GM: Yes We Can). And all this from a Chevy owner (an equivalent Jap car would cost me at least $2000 more, and I'm a cheapskate.... so yeah).

Tharindu, any idea which trim came with climate control? Was it the My Road models?

Yes, I think I lost track of my cynicism there for a minute

Yeah, one thing you'd know with a Defender was that even your mum's Maruti is faster than one of those, although the newest Tata powered examples (and even the Ford powered ones earlier) are rather quick.

Are you serious? So does that mean the 3 litre new Hiluxs are capable of those same speeds?? Good grief, all we were missing were state owned double cabs capable of 200kmh.

Oh yes, and they're dealer options as well, with the exception of the dual exhaust setup I should think. They're both '09 models as well, displayed on the dealer's site.

Yes to all those. But you can drive nearly almost everything except for an ambulance I think. BTW, here's the epitome of Hilux tackiness. These pics are from a Japanese site btw, so I doubt they're of Thai origin.

Yup, all with L plates. And yes, you have to upgrade, the easiest is to upgrade to motor coach. My dad did that when we had our 40sri Nissan double cab.

There seems to be a influx of VIGO King Cabs in SL, I've been seeing them pretty regularly in the out station areas, most recently in the Ambepussa/Thulhiriye areas. They look good, except for those extremely tacky (animated?) LED lamps on the tail gate, I would much rather get a base model than drive around with a thorana on my posterior.

Did you do 250,000km after the sleeve job or is it the total mileage up to the point of sale? Cos ours will pass the 300,000km mark at the end of this month I think, and the sleeve job was done around 230,000. The engine doesn't feel like there's something terribly wrong with it, although it may be that at the previous oil change something shady might have happened ( I was out of the country at that time and it was the padre who had it carried out, since the vehicle is in use regardless of my presence ). After the oil change 3 weeks ago I've noticed things are lot smoother and quieter. I'll take your advice and carry out the next change at 3000km instead of waiting for 3 months, which according to my current running conditions equate to about 5000km. Hopefully there will be a difference.

Yeah but the 911 has been around for about 44 years, and Porsche is what it is today because of those three numbers.

You should visit some of the Indonesian and Thai based Toyota sites since these are the markets it was designed for, something upwards of the Kijang, which is immensely popular there.

True, but Marcos is hardly a suitable entity to compare with Porsche. They're a tiny tiny company, akin to Morgan, Noble and the like. You're right, things need to evolve, but IMHO this is a devolution of what Porsche's ideals were when the first 356 rolled out.

It's a little sarcastic/cynical/condescending I admit, but yes, when you clear away all the statistical drivel, it comes down to the fact that Porsche finally made a big bad truck which can go against my mate's ML65 AMG, X5 god knows what, and assorted Hemi (read SRT) powered SUVs from across the Atlantic.

Well I guess there's a pinch of personal grudge in my words, because when I was a child, the Porsche was the first sports car I was introduced to due to the fact that a relative of mine in some distant foreign land owned a 944 and I got to ride in it a few times when I was barely in 1st grade. Ever since then I've been a very keen devotee to the marquee (still am with the older "proper" Porsches). But seeing them make such drastic changes inside of 10 years is very unsettling.