Crosswind

More holocaust victims! (Warning: Please do not look if you have a weak heart)

Dude, have you heard of the old saying "inguru deela miris gattha wagey?" Even if it is not perfect in terms of build quality, your Viva is far ahead of any chinese vehicle available in SL (Zotyes and Geelys). Just because u have been bitten by the SUV bug, don't get in to trouble by getting a knock-off.

Have you ever come across a pre-Sri number (before 1 Sri 1) auto transmission car? Also I am aware of a number of Mercs (4-Sri, 6-Sri etc.) that came with auto tranny.

I think he's talking about Carina AA60. Is this the car? If it's petrol, it's should have a T-Series (3T ???) engine. If its a diesel, it should have the 1C engine. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_T_engine

@Sampath- Just a small fact I picked up off the net sometime back. Did you know that the famous 1 Sri 1 Cadillac used by Sri John Kotelawala has Auto Transmission? I wonder if that was the first auto tranny car in Sri Lanka. http://www.sundaytim...409/plus12.html

Ah welcome back. How is your B4 doing? The reason why its better to deposit money in an account iis because of the record it creates at the bank. Even a kindergarten kid would know that if a person deposits money and then goes to collect the car, he's an idiot. Just do the transaction in the bank. Isn't it obvious? Also my dear friend, its been a while since the first world war. Now you can actually get a draft encashed immediately if you go to the bank that issued it. And cash option is not the best. Just because the notes are smaller, doesn't make it any difficult for u to get robbed. And most importantly, there is no record of the transaction or independent witnesses.

I wonder why this Balumgala people or the so-called experts who talked never mentioned about cross-checking the meter readings with service records or VET certificate values? Perhaps they want to just keep things exciting

BTW weren't u looking for a number of cars in the past (including Kelisas as I remember). With your budget you really can't have all teh features u need. So, short list a few and choose one, keeping in mind that there will always be disadvantages. Also keep at least 50k for any potential repairs even if the car looks brand new. I've seen too many folks who spent all they had on buying the car and kept it in garage for months and months without running because they were penniless.

So speaks someone who knows sod all about vehicles.

Dude, like most of the people in this country, I have no idea if taxes will go up or down but only thing I remember is, when taxes were reduced last time, the prices of second hand vehicles didn't go down as much as people thought. Simply because owners didn't want to sell their vehicles and lose money. And I remember lot of members were lamenting and crying about it.

The rattling noise is due to the aging of the EPS system. Afaik, it's not easily rectifiable but pls get a second opinion on that. Between the three of your choices, I'll stay away from the Indian Swift. It's plagued with various problems. No idea about Estilo at all.

First up, can u get a Passo for 2 million? Check for noises coming from the steering rack. It's a known issue in Passos.

@Watchman - Will definitely respond to most of your views when time permits. To give a very short response, I agree with you on certain things, such as the necessity of a competitive private education system (note point 6 in my original post).

You will get an idea about my affinity, if you see my display picture I am an ardent supporter of the 6% state funding for education. As a person in the academia for several years, it is my moral obligation to support this cause. However, the sad part is, most of the university academics have got their ass about face on this one by involving IUSF (what is known locally as 'antare'), the politicians and of course, the JVP. FUTA is in a dilemma here because, without their support, this cause will not be taken to the public. At the same time, these guys are making FUTA look like a bunch of leftist idiots. Note that: 1. 6% GDP for education is a UNESCO recommendation for every country in the world. Not something FUTA is just demanding. Most of the countries of the world have 6% state funding for education. This includes United States, most of Europe and even countries like Thailand, Fiji, Kenya. These ARE countries that have a thriving private education sector as well. 2. In Sri Lanka, state funding for education this year is about 1.5%. State funding for defence this year is about 12%. Exactly why do we need 12% funding for defence? Even during the peak of the war, the defence funding was about 20% 3. Even if you like it or not, academics are the most educated people in the country. It's true that life isn't fair and policians who haven't passed 5th grade make millions upon millions. But the benefits of Lecturers should be in par with the level of commitment they have made in their life. Anyone needs motivation to do their work. 4. Doctors, Engineers can leave the country if they are not happy and others will eventually take over their jobs. But if good academics leave the country, do remember that it will have a long term effect on the country's future. 5. The 6% funding is not just for salaries (government did increase the salary of lecturers wef 1st October but FUTA hasn't given up on their action because it's just NOT about money). The whole education system should be aligned towards industry demands and should produce employable graduates. Funding is necessary to modernize the university system. 6. I KNOW in and out about some of the biggest private degree awarding institutes in Sri Lanka. Believe me, they are CRAP. I agree that a private education system is a must for any country. But these are like 'kottu roti' kadeys in every junction. However,some of their marketing strategy is so good, the students are brainwashed to think that they get the best education in the world! Please also note that I personally do not support any opinion that government should give jobs to people. (FYI, if you need to know my background, I never studied at a govt uni in Sri Lanka and all my education was done overseas. However, I did work as a lecturer in few organizations - government and private for a while) EDIT: NZER - you are a blithering idiot

No machan. But I am able to envision something kinky going on between you and Mr. Musk

Did it ever occur to you that you might be having your seat in the wrong position?

Some big names in the Sri Lankan used-car industry have already set up shop there.

Machan, more importantly what has your 'Mr. Musk' planned for you? A new sex position perhaps?

BTW Micro has the 1000CC Panda out now. I don't know if OP is talking about that.

Hi Guys, Has anyone safely removed the Toll reader from a Singapore car? Is it just a matter of cutting those wires off or is there something more complex than that? That thing is bound to have some kind of an anti-tamper protection system so I wonder if something drastic will happen like the engine getting immobilized if it is removed. If anyone has removed it without a problem. Pls let me know. Cheers

Machan, come to Sri Lanka sometime with Elongated Musk. I'll take you to a place like Dambaana and show u some 'Suntec' domestic solar panels that use a seperate battery bank to store the electricity. How do u think those houses use solar panels to light bulbs in the night? Elongated Musk will be pretty surprised eh?

Machan, if you have attended grade 5 in school, you would know that almost all solar panels store their energy in battery banks and then the energy is transferred to whatever uses it. This innovation was done 100 years back. Not by your slavemaster. I don't know whether its you who hasn't attended grade 5 in school or whether its Elon Musk or the Tesla groupie gang. Edit: Cali, could you post the technical specifications (particularly, the kWh rating) of the supercharger thingy?

Go on... Warnapala's theory seems to be more interesting and useful to our younger members than MoneyMaker's theories