rayman

Correct me if i'm wrong, but isn't the Premio exactly the same car as the Allion underneath? I read somewhere, the Premio is targeted at the older crowd, while the Allion is more youth oriented? So if you are going for a Premio, you'd be buying the exact same car as your Allion. I'd say if you are up for it go for a previous gen Mazda 6/Atenza or a 4th gen Subaru Legacy.

You can find a Toyota Carina/Corona AT-150 in good condition for that price.

Hi everyone, About the relatively new X-Trail which caught fire in Marine Drive recently, anyone has any idea why? Just curious. Did not expect that from a Jap. Thanks.

The turbo whistle adds about 20 horsepower.

If I were you, I wouldn't. This is akin to ricing up your car! Each to his own though.

Thank you. Your post was very informative. This car is for my brother, he had checked out a 1998 200bhp 2.0L T4, Auto, and the owner has told him it did 12kmpl on average and had shown him the readout on the trip-computer display. I was highly skeptical of this but your feedback seems to corroborate with it. Thank you for the offer. I will let you know if I need it. Cheers

You are sh*tt*ing me! I can't believe this!

Yes they do. Google and you will find tons of crash test videos like this Murcielago for instance.

Tell that to the parents of the people who died in a W221 which crashed not long ago, down south. The car was ripped apart. Safety features does not compensate for stupidity and recklessness. Just my $0.02. You may find the thread if you search a bit. Also, there are proper Type Rs here.

Hi. I saw the previous threads. Considering Petrol only. Anyway my query is regarding the pre-facelift model (Phase 1 , pre 2000). According to the internet, the face-lift S40 comes with some engine management upgrades which makes the car more "refined" along with some other cosmetic tweaks. Couldn't find much more info about that. Just want to know if you guys have any ideas about the pre-facelift S40. Thanks alot

Hi guys, Am looking to buy a Volvo S40 automatic. I am currently considering a pre-facelift car as opposed to buying a facelift because I couldnt find an automatic facelift S40. What I want to know is are there any issues in general with a pre-facelift S40? In the local context of course. Also what would be the ideal price range for a well maintained example? Thanks in advance.

Under that same reasoning machan, an Audi is just a fancy VW, etc etc!

Fabulous Toyota is fabulous!

Hi TheFlyingFox, just a quick question, any particular reason you parted ways with the S60 within a relatively short period of time? I'm contemplating a Volvo myself, just want to know. Thanks and good luck with your new ride!

Sorry, here's the picture. Happy Hunting!

Thanks! Anyway here's something a little tricky! http://i.imgur.com/xXS5EzK.jpg Oh and its found here!

LADA Riva!

Thats because all Cefiros are 2L V6 and above. Sri Lankans shudder at the word "V6"! So thats why no one really buys Cefiros. I assume the Cefiro has the worst market out of the lot. The 406 on the other hand comes in a range of engine sizes so I think thats why there are more 406's on the road. And the facelifted models are very beautiful! Nice car, but keep in mind these 406's get expensive to maintain as they get older for the average motorist. My friend had a 406 (pre facelift) brought brand new ages ago and maintained exclusively at the agents. But they sold the car recently after using it for about 15 years because it was getting extremely expensive to maintain. I personally believe you are better off with the Accord. Most Accords are either 1.8L or 2L with a 4 cylinder engine. People mostly stay away due to the engine capacity. But its a very good car, and for a first car, its a more sensible choice out of the three IMO.

Of course I was lucky. I'm sorry if it wasn't clear. Anyway what I wanted to say was, for a guy with a tight budget Jap is the best, taking into account the unique circumstances in Sri Lanka!

Hi FiatFan, I recommend a Toyota! More specifically a Corona/Carina AT-150. This is my story. Almost two years back, I too was looking for a car right after my A/Ls and I had a budget of 470k. Now i'm a die hard euro and classic car maniac and I hate Toyotas! And all I wanted to buy was either old W115's, Subarus, Opels, old Alfas, Cortinas and Peugeots. My mechanic actively discouraged these cars because he told me I need a car that can be mended easily and with some resale value. So later when I had some money of my own I could go for a proper car. This of course made my car search a lot boring. He suggested B11 Sunnys, Corolla wagons etc. Now I hated these boring cars and wasn't happy at all. I was desperate to buy something so anyway I went to check out a Carina AT-150. And I didnt like the car at all. It had no power steering and only a 4spd gearbox. Typical boring Toyota car but it was rather expensive. Then I found a another AT-150 online and went to have a look assuming its a Carina. But it turned out to be a Corona which is the luxury version of the Carina. It wasn't modified and I was shocked to find power everything, power steering, shutters and even mirrors, working a/c, new tyres and all. Interior was in almost new condition and 180k on the clock. Not bad for a 30 year old car. There were some rust along the door sils and boot. But rest of the car seemed great. The owner was asking 490k, got it down to 425k, just brought it then and there and drove it home! Did some initial repairs for around 11k. Replaced a gasket. After driving it for a few days found out fuel consumption was really really bad, I was getting about 7kmpl! First I assumed it was because its a luxury version and must be heavy, and tinkering around with the carb didnt work. Eventually I gave it to a carb specialist and he redid the car for around 3000. And now its gets close to 11kmpl without a/c! Two years on and almost 20,000km later, the car is still working fine, despite horrible maintainace by me. Took it on the highway a few times, put it in a ditch/drain (stupid I know) but was fine and just drove off with no issues. Only breakdown other than it running out of fuel cz i keep driving it on empty, was when the powersteering belt broke. Quick fix and was on my way soon! Great car! Though can't wait to upgrade to an euro soon. E34 I'm eyeing you :-) I've seen AT-150's priced form 450k to even 750k (absurd). Market perception is that the Corona is less fuel efficent than the Carina. Its the same car with different panels on! Look and you will find a gem. Cortina's are super cool, but those cars are best enjoyed in restored condition. And they are horrible on fuel and in Colombo traffic. Pugs, have no market value. There are nice 405s for 400k, and I've even seen a mint 305 advertised, for exchange with a tuk or motorbike!! Same story with Korean cars. Minis for that price will spend most of the time in the garage. Try to get a car with at least power steering. Sorry for the long rant! Just trying to help! Good luck with your hunt!

I'm bored so i'm just going to do a Pros and Cons list. Pros 1. You will feel awsome for a moment because you will think that your car sounds like a Ferrari. Cons 1. Everyone else start to hate you because of horrible and fake noise of the exhaust and would seceretly want to kill you, even if you are a very nice person! 2. Your car actually sounds worse now. 3. Also resale value of the car will drop as people tend to stay away from "modified" cars. Just my two cents!

a slightly bit O/T. This thread reminds me of Porsche's tag line, "Racing not Posing". Adding a fart cannon beat barrel will definitely put you in to the opposite catergory of Posing not Racing! :-)

There are cheaper Insights locally! I saw one for 39 lakhs in the H*t-A*. The car market is desperate these days! You can find good bargains if you look hard enough.

Haha yeah there are soo many people who swear by Toyota Motor Oil, I didnt know Suzuki had their "own" oil though! Since they are a relatively small auto maker!

Toyota Motor Oil is just Mobil1 in diffrerent packaging. As for your Allion, you must've got the grades mixed up.