Crosswind

Check this link. It's got all the options u need. My advice - 1. Toyota Corolla KE72 Wagon. 2. VW Beetle

FYI - 1997 model Corollas were 110s. 121 came 3 years later.

Mileage just 20000km is not an indication of anything. If u ask me, 2 mill is a bad deal for an Indian Swift.

Do you HAVE TO replace the tensioner? If it is giving trouble, you can also get it repaired. It's usually a matter of replacing one or more bearings. Is the engine giving inconsistent revs? The options you got are: 1. Get everything done by the agent - EXPENSIVE! 2. Buy the t-belt from the agent and take your car to a garage and get the t-belt replaced and get the tensioner repaired locally. Oil seals can be bought from Panchi if you have samples - Still the T-Belt is expensive 3. Talk to the guy who advertises Proton Spares on H*t Ad and try to get the stuff through him - Could be cheaper 4. Get the T-Belt kit from eBay UK - Could be cheaper but with the postal risk 5. Take a sample to Panchi and get a matching T-Belt - May or may not work. If it doesn't work, you might end up having to look for a new engine (worst case). 6. Do NOTHING - Remember your car is NOT giving trouble! - You can actually get a knowledgeable person to check for indications of a bad t-belt. 7. Flog off the car. Another "Owner migrating, quick sale" ad

Don't do it. It's too risky.

any idea who the new guys are?

I think A*W quoted the price of a petrol pump not petrol filter. You can get petrol filters in many places. Ask for Petrol filter for Suzuki Swift Jeep Model. Sorry to say this but I don't recommend L*L Ala****A due to my personal experience with the same problem. In fact, I took the car to his place twice in the past for two unrelated problems and both the times the results were dissapointing. If you like, I'll PM the contacts of the garage who finally sorted it out. That one is in Vihara Lane, Wellawatta.

If you use the same engine that comes with the diesel version of these cars, will you have this problem? For example, if you use a Mahindra engine with the 504 or 1C engine with the KE72 or Mazda R2 engine with the Sportage? Of course Jdnet is at a disadvantage here because there was never a diesel version of the Tribute, so this question is a bit OT.

How about psychedelic?

Most of the permit holders who buy SUVs go for them cos of the image. Hardly anyone takes their Sorento or Montero for any off-roading, cos of the fear of getting it scratched. So for your day to day use, 4WD is not really needed. If you are planning to make a buck or two out of the Sorento after 4 years, then 4WD will help u fetch that extra cash. KIA and Hyundai has been producing tiptronic boxes for a while now and except for the early models, I don't think there are any issues with them. Are you seriously asking others what colour you should select?

Lucky you. I tried to bring down some spares for the Mini I had in the past. 2 out of 3 times, I never got the package.

Protons are pretty good cars, especially for Sri Lankan conditions. So it is very sad that the spares availability is letting the Proton owners down badly. Getting the T-belt kit off eBay could still be cheaper than the agent. The agent quoted 27,000 + 12% VAT + 2% NBT for the timing belt of a Campro engine, which was about LKR 10,000 in Malaysia. But the risks are, you may not get the right equipment and secondly you may end up not getting the equipment at all, knowing Sri Lanka post

Manufacturer recommended timing belt change interval for Protons is 4 years or 80000km, whichever comes first. But personally I think they are just being a bit paranoid here. Non-Mitsubishi Proton T-belt kits are rather expensive even in Malaysia. T-belt alone for the Savvy costs about 350 Ringgits (about Rs. 11000). If you add the tensioners and oil seals, it will end up being a fairly large bill for you. There's a guy who brings down Proton spares from Malaysia who advertises regularly on H*t Ad. Check with him and see. Alternatively you can try to get the timing belt kit of a Renault Clio 1.2 litre D-type engine (D4F), if it is cheaper. Not sure where you can find Renault spares.

Fiat Regatta?

Don't be fooled by people who claim their vehicles give magical fuel numbers. An average Swift will do at the most, 2 kmpl more than an average FB15, that's all. In my case, the Cruze (aka Swift) does about 11-12 kmpl in Colombo with A/C always on. Expect an average FB15 to do about 10 kmpl. My suggestion - once you make a decision about a car, move on. Don't keep changing your mind.

Long time ago, I posted Mini engine identification data on this forum. That also might help. Maruti Gypsy, old 4DR5, old Dai Rocky with work to be done. Maruti Gypsy is probly the most uncomfortable vehicle on earth but you do get the advantages of cheap spares and all. You can probably get hold of an English number one (G, H series) for less than a mill.

I believe Every is the least troublesome of them all. But pls check with Samishka in this forum. His answer will be more authoritative since he's the keivan expert around.

Rocky?

I own a Chevy Cruze (which is essentially Jeep model Swift). It's the second Chevy Cruze that I owned since 2007 or so. Personally I am happy with the car. All three cars have a relatively stable second hand market. For some reason, Corolla owners are quoting really high prices these days and Sunny owners are following their tail. But I feel they just being too optimistic about the value of their vehicles. For your budget, you may get a 2003/4 Swift, 2000/1 FB15 or a 1999/2000 AE110. If you seriously look around and negotiate, it maybe possible for you to get a newer FB15 or an AE110. So age-wise, Swift has the advantage. Out of the three, AE110 (assuming it's in good condition) will do better in fuel. Spares would be cheaper but you may have relatively more repairs owing to age, if you don't get a well maintained one. Swift's awkward shape doesn't make it any comfortable for long rides. It's probably the least comfortable of the three. I've been in plenty of FB15s and AE110s. I feel the FB15 is a bit more comfy than the Corolla. Couple more things about Swift: It's got high ground clearance so it will go in most of the Sri Lankan roads without getting its bottom scratched. Swifts have a known issue with suspension mounts so if you hear a kata-kata noise in your Swift, don't worry. Any decent garage can sort that problem out. When you go to see your Swift, check if it's a 4WD (look whether it's got a differential). 4WD Swifts are generally bad on fuel. Also avoid the ones which have the bodykit, if you plan to drive on bad roads. Swifts which have climate control A/C, Dual Airbags, retractable mirrors tend to fetch a higher market value.

Weren't you planning to buy a Swift or an IST or something? and then a Yamaha Bike? What's with you mate?

All three of them are well accepted cars in the Sri Lankan market. You will find FB15 lovers and haters in this forum, Corolla lovers and haters in this forum and also Swift lovers and haters in this forum. So if you put down your requirements, then perhaps the users and experts may be able to help you better. Otherwise this topic will end up being a debate. Also are u looking at a beetle model swift or a jeep model?

It's actually a Holden Statesman de Ville. It's based on Holden HX (it also shares many body panels with Kingswood). So in all fairness, both of u are correct I guess but Nexus is probly a tiny bit closer. Here's the pic of the actual car (rebadged as a Cadillac I believe) I posted and another pic of a Statesman de Ville (some idiot has plugged in a diesel engine) which was put up for sale in some Sri Lankan website sometime ago. Would u take the floor?

Very Warm...

Not even close