GTAm

And why is the Maruti 800 not the best selling car in Europe? The fact is in Europe the government has already planned for you. They have thought a lot about the future much more than 10 and 20 years and that's why they are a success today. There is state support for everyone. There are retirement plans, and facilities for everyone. Parents need not slave themselves all their life for their children. There is a system that takes care of that. There are fall back systems, they have thought of almost everything, while we are just fighting among ourselves for decades and getting duped by various politicians falls promises while they make tons of money and enjoy their power. They get pissed every other night (I'm sure you cannot consider the whole population, but just a percentage) because they can afford to do that, and still have a good secure life. We cannot because we can't afford it!

The BMW 3 series is a top ten seller in Europe. It's the sports saloon/coupe/convertible in many minds. Are you saying that there are millions and millions of playboys in Europe?

I can't imagine that you have driven the new Punto mate. I have found it extremely well put together, and nowhere near an Alto I'm shocked at your comparison. Btw the Corsa is also based on the new Punto platform and they share many common parts, including diesel engines. Anyway the Punto is one of the highly rated B segment cars in Europe and its the best selling for the 1st three quarters of this year. The Corsa hardly made any waves when it was launched. The Suzuki Swift, Pug 207 and New Clio are all rated higher than the Corsa, not forgetting the excellent new Mazda 2!

Exactly! And that is why ppl feel safe with buying a Toyota even if its the most boring car in the world! First priority is cost of maintenence, second Resale value (even before we consider the pleasure you are supposed to derrive - we are worried about selling the thing). This is all to do with saving money. A buyer in a developed country will have driving pleasure, feel good factor, looks, image or performance as his or her priority. Also a part of the Toyota reliability thing could also be perception due to hype. Now punters in UK are highly vary about JD Power and other reliability surveys saying that the results are severely skewed. Just look at this new item. Lexus is having their 11th product recall in the UK. http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/Lexus-GS/229391/ In UK reliability surveys BMW scores very high. However go onto BMW technical forums and you'll see that there are loads of problems. True none of us like to be ridiculed of laughed at. But in our closed up society it matters a lot more. Just walk around our city and see how people are dressed. Very conservatively we are scared to wear something very different, we are even scared to like it. But walk around a developed city and we would call those ppl crazy!!

I very good example of this is a problem I have to deal with everyday. I run a small business with 30 workers. And being someone who wants to improve the business I understand that you need to constantly make changes to move forward. However it is the most difficult thing to convince the work force that change is needed. They simply are extremely comfy in the place they are. They are not ambitious and very few will opt to do any extra work in order to earn extra dough. However they would like to earn extra dough by doing the same amount work They don't want change. They want what they are used to even if change will take them forward. A lot of convincing does the trick eventually but change happens at a much slower pace than I would like. And this is so frustrating.

Our company has two Mazdas one a 323 - Singapore import sedan and the other a Jap import Familia Hatch. Both are auto. The hatch does 9-10 km/l while the Sedan does 12! - Strange!!! The Hatch is newer and feels slightly quicker for me.

Excellent post. IMHO I think Sri Lankans whether they be car buyers or anything else are ultra conservative and averse to risk. I feel they are not willing to venture out of the ordinary and they get comfortable in their little worlds too fast. And then they don't want to move anywhere esle. From my limited knowledge of Behavioural studies, I think in any society the majority will be like that. There will only be a very few who will be trend setters. Why do you think Toyota is such a big company? Because it build ultra conservative and uninspiring cars. And I believe that as we are a poor third world country, more ppl are likely to stick with the usual and not get adventurous simply because they can't afford or think they can't afford to take a risk. Sometimes they could think this way because they lack knowledge. Ppl here are also highly worried about other ppls' opinion about them. And so are shy to take a risky decision and be laughed at if it were wrong. Ppl here are very scared of change. Politicians seem to know this and usually use this fear to win elections! So I really hope that we grow up soon !!!

I would love the GTI as my daily driver (if I had about 10m burning my pocket). But I'll pick the Range Rover and not the Sport!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M27j_RuXV1M

I think a minter will fetch there abouts or a bit more than that now. I believe there's a fully restored one for 1.2m.

There's some controvesy about how much of the Ssangyongs are actually assembled in SL. Some say that EVERYTHING is imported and they've over stated the local content. Not sure what's the real story though!

All in all it was a very dissappointing show. There was hardly anything new. Just cars we see everyday on the road. There was some hype about concept cars and the future of transport etc etc. I did not see a thing though! Lots of chicks though

Mine was done by Nadeera's father, who takes a lot of trouble and does it with great passion. You should speak to Nadeera I guess. Tel 11-2419599

I'm sure that they are here to stay I think they are co sponsors of the Motor Show. Importer and distributor is McLarens who also do Mobil. Sinopec is the company that sponsors the Chinese F1 GP. Recently Petro China went public on the Chinese and Hang Seng exchanges. On the 1st day of trading the company's market cap was great than the Exxon Mobil which was the largest company in the world, until that day!!!!

Yes and yes. I had the head on my old 131 ported and polished and no other mod. And boy did it respond. It revved like no ancient OHV engine has the right to. The standard spec said just 76bhp but I could keep up with almost any 1.5L moden car. I intend doing it for my Alfa Giulia head when I start rebuilding it next year.

Hats off to you mate! It's a real tough question. It's only one car that's required but there are about ten in my head!!!

Are they unreliable? May I ask what are the major problems?

No Fiat, Porsche and Jag too!? I'm quite vary about this concept car thing........ I can't see our agents going through all that trouble in this economic climate. Eventhough it would be great if they did.

Is it available in SL? Where can I get one from? Btw watched TG on the weekend and James May took the Veyron upto 407km/h at the VW track. Incredible!

You're welcome. The Fiat has a good chance of being restored by then but the Alfa ...... I doubt very very much . Btw were you there at the 70th?

Phew! Amazing! What a drive. The traction must be perfect! It's incredible that it beat a car with a better power to weight ratio, mid engined and a few times more expensive!!

The 2000 Berlina was owned and raced by Deshan De Silva. Recently he told me how he beat a Renault Fuego Turbo and Isuzu Piazza Turbo to clinch 1st place at Mahagastota. He said there were other victories but we did not have time to discuss. The 600 was owned by Bri who rocked the track at Katukurunda and Katunayake in this car. This I learned from the present owner who was young then and watched the car beating bigger machines. He bought the car coz he admired it so much in those days!

Yeah mate. They are loveable soulful machines that you tend to form a long term relationship with . Any idea how much I can get a set (two) of Carellos (for headlamps) for?

Hi Mean Green nice Konis, I guessed from the color. Just realized that my car's got them too . Could I know how much the kit cost? How about the bushes have you upgraded them to poly urethene ones too?

Hmmm not a very helpful article. First he does not say what happens if you put a lower octane fuel into an engine that demands a higher one. And he's not an expert ! My experience too is that it varies from car to car. My previous Mazda Familia gave me a higher mileage on 90. While the with the Alfa it's the reverse.