milindu

The Grand Civics were some of the earliest Jap cars to come to SL with CC as far as I can remember. I have driven a Montero 3.5 (B.New), a Land Cruiser 100 and a Prado TZ both recon imports with CC. Quite useless on our roads at current. Perhaps when the highways come into use. But even still, you tend to fall asleep having nothing much to do watching the lines on the road pass you by.

The EPS on the Axio makes the steering lighter than most other cars. I have noticed that the average user prefers lighter steering. But there has been a few complaints on the Axio for being ultra light. Ex-fleet cars from Japan tend to have a slight steering rack rattle. The suspension is soft but that also works well for the local market as well as for tourism. The suspension will still be good for 70-100k of local average running. So it is definitely not a car for the enthusiast. EPS issues and sludge problems didn't result in the 121 being termed a failure. The performance of the CVT box with 'average' maintenance, how push button start works for the local market on the long-term and the competition from the Hybrids as well as other brands including the Koreans will decide on the success of the Axio. I was in an Axio nearing 200k a few months ago. No problems or complaints. Just noticed that the CVT box couldn't make up its mind or the gear it should be on while cruising around 80/90km/h. It was quite minute and none of the other passengers noticed it.

Smooth and comfortable cars with soft but fairly rugged suspension. EPS makes the steering light for a car of its class (but not 'Axio' light). Fuel can get up to 8ish on a combined cycle following a tune up. Thick city running would be 6-8 but never recorded under that so far. Spares are available at G.S. M*t*rs and at the Agents. PM if you want a breakdown of costs. Check for sludge and engine wear resulting from this. Valve Sensors give with age and are likely to need replacement in the 2000/2001 cars which have run over 150k. Not like they pop every day but each sensor is around 12k new and there are 6 of them. There was a 3.0 GX 90 with massive alloys running around a few years ago. But yet to see any Tourer V versions.

Hi Kushan, Since the Corolla (I'm guessing 120 and not 121)is a 1300cc manual, you might have to resort to the Agents to get down the part (as it is not a JDM spec). You can also check with G.S. Motors in Panchikawatte. What might fit is a unit from an AE111 if at all. Sometimes, the b.new ECU is so costly, it is more economical to get a full kit to convert the engine and electrical system (wire harness/ ecu included)to JDM spec as crazy as it may sound. Pop me a mail on milindumAThotmailDOTcom I can give you a contact who may be able to repair the ECU if not badly damaged.

The Ceylon Motor Show will be held on the 12th, 13th and 14th of November, 2010 at the BMICH

The face-lift can be done, but you have to replace the lights as well as the grille and the front buffer (and a small metal strip) also needs replacement if I can remember correctly. The problem is changing the rear as it involves quite a bit of cutting and shopping. I have seen quite a few halfway jobs but not been to fond since I'm quite used to seeing both pre and post face-lift models in original form. Keep in mind the dashboard and the interior is different on the face-lift model. Try getting the lights cleaned or getting a set of replacement lamps for your original spec. If you are still not happy, try just changing the lights and see how you find it.

Had the same issue in a normal Monty. Turned out to be a faulty solenoid.

Hi, It can be (and has been) done. But I wouldn't recommend it. I'm guessing it is still a newish low mileage car that runs smooth. Just imagine pulling everything out (including the wire harness)and fitting in used parts. So there is a chance of messing up a fine running car. Your car will be either a 1300cc or a 1600cc. So you have to find an export spec conversion kit since JDM options are all 1.5 and 1.8 (Sylphy). If not, you have to change the engine as well. These kits are not cheap either. The main issue is you can make run fine with a conversion but it will never be the same as an original. But it can be done if you really must

Phew!

Good cars overall for the money you pay. Its virtually a Daihatsu (Charade/Mira) in different wrapping (Most of the parts are Toyota OEM - Denso etc.). The 1000CC auto does about 11-12 in the city but haven't tested out. But the users are thrilled with the economy. I was told the 800C manual does about 14 in the city being a better balance for the size of car but haven't checked up on the manual. The 660CC is a bit underpowered but the power builds up well as the car revs up (being a DVVTi unit). Also it doesn't have power steering or power shutters (the 660cc version). While body panels and lights are fairly expensive through the agent (We replaced a tail lamp @ 19k which is the same price as an Axio Tail lamp) with over 1000 cars coming within the next few months, I'm sure the parts will become available as used Malaysian parts at used spare shops.

As mentioned in the earlier posts, quite a few issues crop up from poor maintenance (not changing the CVT oil on time and using the wrong oil etc.). While I'm not an expert on the mechanics of a CVT box I feel the metal wheels and cogs in an auto box will be harder wearing with heavy usage and relatively poor maintenance comparative to a belt or chain driven system (when considering a 300,000km 15 year cycle of use under our conditions). CVT does improve the fuel figures and makes the shift smoother (specially in smaller engined vehicles). We are yet to see how the boxes perform past 200,000km even with proper oil/filter changes and how the 2nd hand prices will be for all these cars 10 years down the line. One of the first things we do with the initial service even with an unregistered car is to change the CVT oil even when the JAAI certificate indicates 12,000km on the odo. Note that most of the new recon-imports (including the Corolla Axios an the Allions) come with CVT boxes.

I used an anniv model around 1996 (1500cc manual). It had fog lights, fairly high grade seats with a nice thick velvet material, leather wrapped steering wheel and gear knob etc. Can't remember any labels besides the black oval behind the wheel arch. The car was silver/grey in Colour with a 19- number. The car felt a lot smoother than the the FB 14 auto 1.5 which I got right after. Im sure Velocity remembers that one.

I was driving one around in Colombo off peak and the fuel consumption average shown by the car was 10.5km/l. Its a 1.5 litre CVT/ auto (2007). Was getting around 9km/l on a 2008 Auto B.New import.

No Idea....my M54B25 and the half alum chassis could just about keep up with the nutters.

Went for a couple of runs around town with the 'unofficial' club. Just can't keep up with the E34s

I found a set from a place close to Negambo a few years ago. That was off a random random response to a news paper advert that I placed asking for a set. One off I think and buses and spares were slow to move at the time. You can try E*ro Nip**n @ /Wadduwa and a place in Mawanella had a few broken Coasters but not sure about the Lux seats. @ 4 million Yen Coasters are the last thing they will break there (unless there is a bad accident). What type of seats do you have in your bus at the moment?

While I usually don't drag our business into the forums, I simply wish to put down my reply regarding the comments made regarding our company and not to make an argument as we have seen on the earlier threads: Expensive: You have a right to air your personal opinion I have no problems with that. To have vehicles running without bald tyres or wheels and bits coming off, it is fairly expensive. Our rates will obviously differ from small or part timers and rental brokers who hire and re-hire. There is also a clear difference between long-term rates and the short-term rates. Not keeping promises: I'm indeed sorry that you were inconvenienced by having to take the vehicle with a driver. What would have happened was that the intended driver may not have had a passenger/ heavy vehicle license at point of collection. Currently we do not offer vans on self-drive basis for trips and short-term basis (under a week) for walk in clients. For the record we always make sure a client who has reserved a particular vehicle gets a free upgrade if the intended vehicle is not available (and have the capacity to do so). If there a client requires a repair done (or a replacement made), an immediate replacement is offered while the repair is done. Client doing their own repairs: Not True! All the repairs are done by us or the affiliated garage network if at remote location. The client only has to pump the fuel and run. Tyre related: Tyre damage due to negligence (i.e. ripped tyre due to running against a pavement) is charged from the client as an international standard (abnormal tyre wear). We apply a pro-rata basis based on the age (mileage) of the tyre to calculate the damage. The benefit of the doubt is always given to the client. I hope the 'shady' comment is not directed at our company again. Our rates are published, all the terms and conditions are on the rental agreement and we are ISO 9001:2008 certified ensuring total transparency. @ racerx: Mail me the particulars of your hire (name of client, vehicle and dates) and I will check up on what really happened (milindumAThotmailDOTcom). I really do hope that I can change your opinion. If there is any issue or question regarding a vehicle rental in Sri Lanka, you can mail The Rent A Car Association (RACA) Sri Lanka (Can be searched on Google). It is a newly formed industry body working towards better industry standards and practices.

I picked up an Autoboss V30 (original assembled in China) from a direct importer for a tad under 200k about 6-7 months ago. Carman is supposed to be a more comprehensive but more expensive. The Korean unit used to be around 500k while the Chinese ones are considerable more economical. Quite a few Chinese clones available in the market fairly cheap. For a private vehicle owner, its a better option to go to a workshop unless you plan to make it sort of a hobby.

Our company runs a Commuter GL (TRH 220 or something but can't remember the models number) pertrol which is a 15 seater. The Grand Cabin spec is supposed to be a 10 Seater on the same size of van. Haven't seen any in SL as yet. The older G/Cabins KZH 120/ 110 came with rear coil spring but not sure about the new ones. You get the TRH 214 versions which come with the wide body but a flatroof. The ride on the JDM passenger spec vans are quite smooth even at the back relative to the DX Spec B.new imports. Pop me a pm if you come across any in SL.

Thanks guys!

Hi! Our company runs a few Vivas. A few 1000cc Autos and one 660cc Manual (a bit sluggish). It is virtually a Daihatsu Charade/ Mira assembled in Malaysia with slightly different body styling. Most of the internals are Denso (Toyota) parts. The car is fairly spacious, comfortable, easy to drive and decently put together. The VVi engine returns about 11-12km/l in the city with the auto. Im guessing the manual will do 12+ in the city. The downsides are that you have to revert to the company for body parts. The rear seat is not the best (flat and not too comfy) but thats the same with all the vehicle in this class. But all in all the Viva is here to stay!

Sorry for going OT The offer was 100k for the car for 6 days of hire plus tickets for the Cricket Match. Perhaps they offered other ticket packages as things got desperate. There are about 30 cars running for the VVIP with some that have been given free and most of them hired out. While there weren't enough S-Classes, they settled for E-Classes, 5 Series, Chryslers etc. Back to the Topic... A Corolla Axio to come down by about 4-700k provided the auction prices remain the same (heard that the auction prices are already up). So very expensive new cars will become still quite expensive new cars. So I'm guessing the registered cars will drop down to the late 2009 prices. You have to keep in mind that Toyota 121/ Nissan FB 15 and Mazda 323 type cars fall outside the 3.5 year import restriction.

Most of the vehicle auctions are on behalf of leasing companies and banks looking to dispose of seized vehicles (due to default), for companies and organisations looking to sell off fleets or collective auctions where they have a few owned by individuals etc. Shockman & Samarawickrama and Dunstan & Kellart are the leading auction houses that conducts the auctions at their own yards or at yards owned by each of the companies. They advertise auctions with lists of vehicles in the papers usually. Things have become quite competitive in the recent months with people buying at crazy prices. There is a massive risk when buying from an Auction as you don't know whats brewing beneath.

The mold (fungus) appears when the vehicle is kept unattended away from sunlight for extended periods. In older vehicles, even 3-4 days closed up is enough for the fungus to spread. You have to manually clean it and use an antibacterial/fungal cleaner (even Dettol might work) to wipe the fungal surfaces. We use a hospital grade chemical which can be bought at janitorial suppliers (Excel Chemicals/ Deto Surtefacts etc.). The stuff is sprayed inside after the vehicle is cleaned up. Then you make sure you dry the vehicle proper under sun light. You can prevent it by keeping your windows open in the sun on and off. I can give you a bit of chemical if you need. PM me if you need some.

Can anyone suggest a good brand of tablet type batteries (and a place to buy them from in Colombo if possible) to be used on on Toyota 141/ Allion smart keys? I was told that Renata (Used in all the Swiss Watch Brands) is the best for that size of battery but its not easily available.