GTAm

Just heard from a guy at D*MO that they sold a S500 for over 50m to a young guy in Colombo!

Nope they subsidize only Diesel.

Well the website is not very convincing for a start. I mean an exclusive brand like that mixed up with Renault trucks and Micros!!! And they seem absurdly inactive in their marketing. Sure you can't sell 200 with the current state and mood of our economy but you could sell at least 02 a year. If there are folk to buy Merc S500 and Range Rovers etc. There surely are a couple of guys to buy a Quattroporte, which is like the coolestlimo not to mention the sexiest saloon on the planet IMO. Further more there's going to be an entry level sports car apart from the Coupe and Spyder in the future and even talk of a BM 5 series sized car. Anyway what's with the Micros? I thought it was a great effort initially but very low pro and not many rolling on our roads as I thought.

However interesting the engine maybe the old timer chassis and body is in dire need of retirement. What's the torque on the Honda Engine vs the Mitsu? I'm sure the Mitsu will have more at a lower rpm. And that'll make the power more accessible on the road.

A 75 in SL ???????? Don't get me all excited now. I've never seen it and have no record of it. Maybe you're refering to the Pre-face lift 33? There's a 19- black one around with a fake V6 badge on its rump . Here goes my first attempt at uploading pics..... The 75 is a transaxle car. i.e. RWD, and Gearbox housed at the rear for a perfect weight distribution. All Front engined Ferraris and Maserati's follow this. But the layout was started by Alfa Romeo in the late 1930s on their Alfetta Gran Prix cars. http://img87.imageshack.us/my.php?image=20...728aa185on1.jpg http://img92.imageshack.us/my.php?image=75...esign003il1.jpg Transaxle cars made a comeback with the new Alfetta 116 series in 1972 with the saloon and the GT/V/6 and ended with the awesome SZ cars. Here they are below. The Alfettas came with the usual Alfa twin cam 4 that lived from 1953 to 1992. Of course updated regularly. And the Legendary V6 that's still in production. http://img176.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1...o20assenfl4.jpg http://img106.imageshack.us/my.php?image=16ft8.jpg http://img136.imageshack.us/my.php?image=a...lding022gf2.jpg And the 33 was based on the Alfasud that car was FWD and had a flat four engine (which Subaru stripped down ). The Sud is considered the best handling FWD car of all time by many expert car journos. having driven two I have to agree it's a blast to drive! But the 33 wasn't that great. Here's the series 1 33 http://img116.imageshack.us/my.php?image=3...rontsideny3.jpg http://img116.imageshack.us/my.php?image=33rotback2co8.jpg So please take a good look. Which one is it? the 75 or the 33? If it's a 75 I want it !!!!

They did import the two Spyders but I doubt that they are the agents. Anyway these are old carb cars and needs a guy who has a 'feel' for such things. Anyway will have a chat with Trans Mec

They are dead. No Agent now. There's a new company called Euro Motors - show room on Park Road Col 5. who have got the Fiat Agency. But no one has Alfa yet.

Anyone has any experience with the Samsung X820 Ultra Slim? I like the look but will the battery last?

There is a Mondial Spider as well. Not sure who owns it now.

The matt black boxy car in front of the two Zs is a 80s Alfa Romeo 75 3.0V6. One of my all time favourite Alfas. Horny looking and a makes a sound like heaven's gone wild!!!

Hi Dudes, The Khamsin is Still owned by Maharajas and I'm told it's the big bosses' all time favourite (I find that very understandable ). Just managed to sit in it. So cool. 70s styling was thinking there should be some "Blondie" playing on the cassette player!! But then again, in the 70's with THIS car I could have picked up Debbie Harry herself ! I dream of hearing that engine in peak tune. This car was developed when Maserati was briefly owned by Citroen. So all the Citroen hydraulics are there. The power steering, suspension, brakes etc works on this system. Believe it or not even the seat adjustment works thru' hydraulics! It's quite rare since it's launch coincided with the 1970s fuel crisis. Only 430 were ever built. Anyone knows anyone in SL who can balance 4 twin choke side draft Webers on the V8? I can't find someone to balance the two on my Alfa Giulia! Will post the pics after Wednesday the 27th after the CD and DVD are released to the club members. The black Maser Spyder owner was also contacted but he was unable to attend. Maybe for the next event!!

The Black Coupe was the Maserati Khamsin. Awesome presence in the Metal. Designed by Marcello Gandini - the guy who did the Countach and Diablo. Only 430 cars were made. 3.9L V8, 4 twin coke Weber side drafts sitting in the middle of the V. The interior is 70's cool. When it took to the track it felt as if Darth Vader was there ! It did not complete a lap coz the carb were not balanced and was leaking hydraulic oil!! 22 Alfas, 11 Fiats one Ferrari and and the Maser. It was a timed event around about 3/4 th of the track coz everyone was a novice. As you might expect Aravinda was quickest even though he was crusing. The only Alfa 147 was fastest of the others. That car has only a 1.6 120bhp engine. Was quicker than 2.0 and 1.8 and even a 3.0V6. It looked as if it was handling great. My 156 1.6 did not fair badly as well. I was in four wheeled drifts around the goose neck which was extended with 3 more corners.....fun! 9th fastest and quicker than some 1.8 and 2.0 155 and 156s . All cars were stock according to the owners. 1. Ferrari 360M 2. Alfa 147 1.6 TS 3. Alfa 164 3.0 V6 4. Alfa 156 1.8 TS 5. Alfa 156 2.0 TS 6. Alfa 146 1.7 16v 7. Alfa 164 2.0 TS 8. Alfa 155 2.0 TS 9. ME Alfa 156 1.6 10. 1965 Alfa Giulia 1750 GTV!!!! 11. 156 2.0 12. 155 2.0 13. 155 2.0 14. 1.2 Fiat Punto 15. 2.0 156 JTS 16. 156 1.8 17. 156 1.8 18. 2.0 Alfa Spyder 19. Fiat X-19 1500 20. Fiat 850 Spyder ..................And then a whole heap of Fiat 1100, another Punto and the Fiat Bravo which was driven by the only babe competing. The Alfa 1.6TS engine produces 120 bhp, the 1.8 140bhp and the 2.0 - 150 or 155bhp depending on the model. The 156s are quite heavy..... The Giulia 1750 GTV makes 122 bhp but is very light. But it wasn't in perfect tune. The 3.0 V6 makes 210 Bhp in the 164. The Punto makes a mere 75 Bhp so great drive by that guy!! The Fiat 850 Spider is featured in this months' Motor Mag. That little engine revs upto 8000rpm !! All in all it was a fun day . How do I post pics???

I've seen the pics only of the new hatch. And that car looks good in a space age funky kind of way. But the sedan looks hedeous with it's wide front and narrow looking rear. Why the hell did they have to change it so much. Anyway I think it will look dated very fast. I've heard the interior is nice tho. The price in SL is high coz it's a 1.8 and not a 1.5 like the Corrolla and Maz 3. But yeah it's still overpriced, like every other car in SL .

Hi Guys, The Italian Car club had there first event at Katu last Sunday 17th. Along with the many gorgeous Alfas and Fiats Aravinda's Ferrari stole the show. First time a Ferrari on a Sri Lankan Track?? There was also the ultra rare Maserati Khamsin 70's Supercar on the track. Breathtaking! Should be shown on Derana TV on Thursday @ 8.15pm. That's tomorrow (or today depending on when you read this!)

I see many old cars like W124 Merc, Audi 80s etc., With very new reg numbers. How the hell are these cars on the road. I heard that if someone lived overseas for a while can bring his/her car down. Anyone knows exactly the max age a car could be? And how much duty? And the proceedure?

We also have the "Box Model" Benz. And the "Farina" Model Benz. This is only because it has fins. The internatinal nick name is "Fintail". But we Sri Lankans had other ideas. During the same era 1950s and 60s Fins were the in things introduced by Harley Earl on GMs American cars. And then in Europe the Italian Design house Pininfarina put fins on lots of Brit cars, like the Autin cambridge, Morris Oxford. And also on the Peugeot 404. Of course other manufacturers also went for fins. Like the Sunbeam Alpine and the Benzs. So as usual Sri Lankans generalized fins as Farina cars ! There are nicknames all over the world. The Original Alfa Romeo Duetto Spider is refered to as the "Boat-tail" for it's pointy rear end. The series 2 is called the cam tail for it's squared off back side. And then every Off Roader or SUV is a JEEP in Sri Lanka. PPL for get that that's a Brand name and not a type of vehicle. And some folk call it a JIP !!! "Jip ekata naginna" And.....I just remembered people sometimes call COUPEs; Coopers as in Mini Cooper. Oh and there are our "Batta" Vans! The first Delica was also called "Kichi Kichi" Model as the suspension squeeks were impossible to get rid off. And I hear a lot of older folk talk about "Dandu" Fords.

To be honest I don't think Button is in the same league of Alonso and Kimi. And there are better drivers like Liuzzi in lesser teams. And new boy Kubica, what a drive! It's just that all the commentators we hear are British and they simply overate Jenson since they understandably want him to win. They did the same thing with David Coulthard. I don't think he has what it takes to win regularly let alone have a go for the championship.

What an emotional press conf. that was. It was like watching a movie with a sad ending! What a great guy/Legend and yes we cetainly are priviledged to be here in his time and watch him create history! But all good things must come to an end and I like the fact that he's quitting at the top.(I wish he'll bag this year's title and looks good after yesterday!!).

Dude where are you from??? I love the Brera, My dream car. How was it? The Fastest I've been is in 1. Merc SL55 AMG as a passenger 180km/h ish And when I drove I was too nervous to take my eyes off the road and look at the speedo as the horizon was blurring on the sides . 2. 160km/h in a SLK 350. - Only for a split sec. Myself at the wheel 3. Evo 6 - 150+ Me again - Though I think the speedo is wrong as I felt I was going much much faster. Maybe the speedo can't keep up with the manic pace of the car!! 4. 140 km/h - My Green Mazda Interplay down Green Path in 1999!!! Enjoyed this car until I was hit in the back by a freakin HiAce. 5. Here's the shocker - 100 MPH in my Fiat Regata 100S. This was the only 100S in SL. 100Bhp and 970kilos. The legendary Fiat Twin Cam. 1600CC with Fuel Injection Reg - 14 Sri 1045. The year must have been 1996. I miss that car so much. The mid range punch was fantastic. You'd feel you can take on anyone. And it had such a juicy exhaust!! That run I remember so well cause I was watching the F1 race and all of a sudden we had a power cut/or faliure. I phoned all my friends to find out who had power and the only guy who did was in Kelaniya. I jumped in the Regata and flew there virtually in another world. On Kandy road I suddenly looked at the speedo and realized it was way past virtical, pointing at the 100!!!

I think you're about to make a mistake dude. You'll miss the great ride and agility of the Maz. Not to mention the Japanese build quality....the Fortuner comes from Thailand. The interior will not match the quality of the 3. Furthermore you'll be alarmed by the on road behaviour if you are sensitive to that sort of thing. The Mazda has fully independent rear suspension derived from the Ford Focus 2, widely regarded as the best car in that class. The Fortuner is a truck in a dress. Try not to be fooled.

I'd go for the NSX as it's got the most finnesse here. And it's the most special car here. Then again I'd rather have an old Ferarri 308 or 328 instead.

No British mag or TV program is biased IMO. If they were biased the British Motor industry would still be alive even on life support. The Americans certainly are that's why they're ailing industry still survives. The NSX is an all time great car. One of the best mid engined chassis ever. It was developed with the help of Ayrton Senna as you will know. When it was new it was considered better than the then current Ferarri 348tb in every department except looks. The British mags all gave the NSX the win and raved about it. That's when Ferarri pulled their socks and jocks up for the first time and went into serious development and came out with the F355. That car was a winner! And took the game up to another level. The NSX is still a great car. But now it's old. And the looks are not exotic enough to mix with Ferarris and lambos.

I think Aravinda's F360 and Dhiran's 355 are the only two that can out run it.

The Mac engine is considered one of the greatest of all time...But the Veyron is less so. It's got four turbos. I'll take the Enzo though..given a choice

Hey who can do that kind of project? How much will the engine cost? And what else is needed? I would love to have this kind of car. The best drive I've ever had was in a Mini 1000. It was the most fun. I'll never forget it!