GTAm

Staying in power? Wasn't that was a pre condition by the two extremists partys in the coalition to vote for the approval of the budget?

I wish I am wrong but I too get the impression xXx has a valid point. The MOD has been 'cooking' the casualty figures a lot. If you read Iqbal Athas' write up about two Sundays ago in the Times you will see that according to government casualty figures of LTTErs that the LTTE are now left with only 300 something fighters. This simply cannot be. While I acknowledge its a nice feeling to be patriotic I think we must be aware not to get carried away. Simply because successive leaders of this country have used this for political gain. Think of when Sinhala was made the first language. This was not done (and cannot be done) for the love of the country. Rather to win more votes. Also think of the many many times successive govts. have given incredible LTTE casualty figures. The reality is I fear that we cannot sustain this war given our economic strength (or weakness) and the economy is really heamouraging cash at an alarming rate. I run a small business but I have contacts in very very large businesses. The vibes I'm getting are very grim. We are seeing only the mildly colourful surface here. Underneath there's a sevre crisis looming. If you read last month's LMD where Wijedasa Rajapaksa was named Sri Lankan of the year you'll not that from only one third of the govt. institutes investigated by COPE so far, they estimate the country lost 150bn due to corruption and malpractice. He estimates the total of all the 300 institutions would lose a minimum of 450bn a year. He goes on to state that our defence budget without the war is 70bn and with it is "only" 140bn this year. Still short of 150bn from the one third investigated. What crazy figures!? He says his reason for crossing over to the opposition (and no he has not joined the UNP) is because he is certain that corruption is a far greater threat than the war/LTTE/ethnic conflict whatever. And his figures prove this. So while it would be nice if there were no terrorists around I don't think we can afford to get our hopes high too soon. Sorry if I spoilt everyones day but its better if we have a low expectation and be pleasantly surprised rather than have a high expectation and be totally dissappointed. And boy aren't we Sri Lankans used to that?

Had time to kill so here are some of the cars from my list. Alfa 6C Lancia Aurelia B20 Coupe Maser 3500GT Alfa Romeo Giuliette Sprint Veloce

I remember........ BMW threw in cash to get their cars cast, while Aston asked the movie company for money to let them use an Aston. That was when Aston were making a few hundred cars a year, before the Ford takeover.

Yes true. But the Z3 was hardly the car for a super spy who used a AM DB s of all sorts before eh? Should have given him even the concept M-coupe. Supra you're dead right about the E36 compact. I had forgotten this car completely And I think I'm mixing up the new Mini with the Z3. The Mini has the Z-axle right? So did the Z3 have a trailing arm at the rear? I remember some sort of cost compromise.

Sorry Miniace but I really don't like the Z3's looks. Wasn't it the first Chris Bangle designed BMW? I'm a James Bond fan and he drove one in Goldeneye and that is the lowest point in Bond history IMHO. They could have at least chosen M-Coupe which is a lot more interesting. I've not driven one though so you may have a better reason than mine. I think the Z3 was a mix of E36 and E30. It had the Z-axle at the back to keeps costs low. Am I right? The E36 rear system is more sophisticated.

Looks like some so called V*P made a VLC (Very large Commisson) !?

Can't comment on the Lancer as I have not driven it. But recently drove the 1.6 Civic and the Mazda 3 in quick succession. Both were similar for performance, the Civic seemd lower geared, but the Mazda ride comfort was on another level compared to the Civic. I actually prefered the drive of the 3. But you know the agents are said to be crap!

How interesting. I am quite fascinated by Hovercrafts. Any idea what kind of engine? I mean piston or other? And the fuel is petrol? This must be a very old machine? I always thought there should be a Hover service to and from India to make it less costly.

Yes nice to know there are Citroen fans here too. Gummybr yes the C6 is bestter I had quite forgotten that one. It's a lot more distictive from all angles. There is a hint of Audi A6 at the rear but it's a lot more sculpted. Anyway I really want Citroan to make a new DS and SM.

A lot better than that terrible looking old old model. But I think Citroen have lost their design flair agian. I had much hope after the C4 3dr. But they've gone all safe again.

Well I think the JVP wasn't finished off properly. I think they are still doing a lot of damage to our country.

I feel the Sri Lankan market is far too small for a manufacturer to set up a plant. The numbers just don't add up yet. Maybe when our economy takes off proper more folk will be able to afford a car. For now only a CKD type operation will makes sense as the Micro/Ssangyong out fit has shown. The Jaguar plant will also be something like this I think. But like someone mentioned it will be interesting to see what will happen when the control of Jaguar goes to Tata.

So the long and short of it is that Prabakaran isn't dead after all . I hope the guy will go soon. I feel his demise will break the LTTE. But will it end ethnic conflict and the disputes between Tamils and Sinhalese? What do you guys think?

No worries Miniace. Btw our man is out of the island so give me a few days.

Yep they are noisey. What is more worrying is the guys at Kleen Park said that they stopped importing those as many users complained of windscreens getting scratched ! I keep a close eye on mine but so far it has not shown any sign of scratching. Changed the recently purchased (possibly fake) terrible Bosche wipers on my 2.0 car on Saturday with a pair of Wurth ones and they are doing a great job without a noise

Yes, despite the limitations of FWD it can corner very hard and is a LOT more pleasurable to drive than a BMW until you are at very high speeds where a BMs RWD layout makes its presence felt. But then how often can you drive at those speeds on our dangerous roads? The 156 is one of the better built Alfas and (touch wood) this green one has been very trouble free for me. I faced only two issues in more than one and a half years of ownership. One was the A/C (needed a cooler and valve) and the other was something called a step up motor that siezed. Email me if you are really interested and I could tell you more.

Yeah I think I know the car. Not cared for and had a load of issues according to ppl who knew it. It's 1.8. These cars simply have to be serviced and repaired by a speciallist or else 1. Owning and driving will not be nice 2. In the end you'll have to spend more to put it right. I suppose this is true for all cars but more so for a car like an Alfa.

Don't be afraid to bid low. Some change hands at bargain prices. Still you need to check out the history or it will end up costing you that price anyway. Let me know if you are really interested, perhaps I can arrange Indika to check it out for you.

Yes the green one is my 'old' 156. Wanted to sell it when I bought the black 2.0, but my father uses the green one now. So I have to wait till he changes his mind, but don't mind having two 156s in the household . Btw my bro who's a Merc man got the bug too and drives a growling 2.0 155. Yes I saw the black one at the car sale. Don't know much about the history of it except that its a 1.6. Can get it checked if you like.

Heh heh you are right, It's not for me to say I'm a nice guy . That particular car is not mine, but I recently made friends with the owner...and he is a nice guy! And it's the 3rd surviving Giulia we know including my babe. Here are a few pics of her before she went into surgery.

Yes I went to the Wurth HQ at Nawala and they said that they did not have. But I recently saw the correct length (Wurth brand) ones at Kln Park at Crescat .

Yes we were in school when this happend and "Save a Prayer" became our class' favourite song for months as we saw the Durans jamming on top of Sigiriya! Heh heh "Eye of the Tiger" kept it out of the top spot. No doubt help by that other 80s minimal speech icon with a crooked mouth - Sly Stallone.

Very true about none of us are willing punt for a Micro. The reasons are that we have been used to Japanese and European quality for generations unlike Inidans who were saddled with their indegenous products. If you like, - 'we have been spoiled'. As you would agree only in recent times Indian products seem to be achieving acceptable quality. As much as I like the idea of a local car I would not buy a Micro considering the quality levels currently achieved. It's truly well below the minimum standard I'm used to. I admire Dr. Lawrence P for achieving all that he has given all the resistence that he has faced from the state so far, when actually the state should encourage the industry. But at the end of the day if the product does not live up to my expectation and a used Jap car is available at the same price I will not let sympathy rule. So my attitude will change when the quality and ability of the car changes.

Check if the carbs are out of balance. I know this VW Beetle sound very well