samishka

According to Harshan's signature it seems to be either a C12 (Carburettor) or a C13 (Turbo-EFI). By the way in 1991, the T-belt of my father's 1984 Lancer C12 broke between 100000km - 150000km. Thereafter he also tried cranking 2 - 3 times. Next day a new T-belt was installed, and there were no engine damage. The car ran trouble free until a full engine overhaul was done at around 225000km (in 1997). What I have heard is that only EFI engines sustain severe damage if cranked with the T-Belt broken. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Correction : Chevrolet "Bow-Tie" Badge

VOLVO 340.

For our Lancer C12 my father always fitted KYB.

You seem to have a good sense of humour. By the way, with the word "Graphics" I could understand that, you were talking about cosmetic mods and not performance mods.

No, I drive a Wagon R (which is based on the Alto). I never exceed 80km/h. Beyond that it wallows a lot. (However even at 70km/h I get the thrill I wanted.)

Within the first year My uncle's FB15 (Bought Recon./Unreg.) stalled in the middle of the road, and had to be towed. Later when asked why, A*W mechanics told "Sensor ekak gihilla". They replaced the defective sensor with a new one. The repair cost my uncle Rs. 5000/= (In 2001). Thereafter the car did not give anymore troubles.

That is an Alto VXi with a 1061cc 4-cylinder (stock) engine. It is the same model exported to European countries as SUZUKI ALTO, between 2000 - 2007. However the Euro spec model was fitted with ABS and Airbags. By the way there is a different breed of boy racers in India, who drive modified Hatchbacks like Maruti Zen (Old Model). Some even go to the extreme of replacing the Zen's 1000cc stock engine with a 1500cc Honda VTEC engine.

Found the following article in the Daily Mirror website. This time MICRO has partnered with an Indian tractor maker. After the launch in the Carribean, is Micro now trying to launch the "Truly Sri Lankan" New Privilege in India instead of Sri Lanka? The word Ramco should be corrected as Rhino. To know what is a Rhino SUV refer the http://www.bsmotoring.com/storypage.php?autono=216 link. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Micro to export to India, Bangladesh and Pakistan http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=59051 By Cheranka Mendis Micro Cars Limited is set to enter the world market by a mutual agreement to trade and buy with India. It will also explore the motor market of Pakistan and Bangladesh, said Deputy Chairman, Sabri Wahid to Daily FT on Friday, at the commissioning of a new manufacturing facility for commercial vehicles and tractors at Polgahawela. Mr. Wahid stated that after discussions with Sonalika International of India, an agreement has been reached to export Micro Privilege cars to the Indian market while importing tractors of Sonalika brand to Sri Lanka. With hopes to start the trading late this year, he stated that a significant amount of Indian Rupees is expected to be generated in this venture. Assistant General Manager of international Tractors Limited of Sonalika International, Mr.Rajeev Pandey told FT that Sonalika International is hoping to export Sonalika brand tractors, rated as one of the top 3 tractors in India, and another Ramco range of cars to Sri Lanka, while importing the Micro Privilege cars. "It's a sharing business; we will import from Micro Sri Lanka and they will import from us. What the specific models to be traded are being discussed right now but the dealings will start within the next couple of months," he said. "India is a very large market and Ramco cars have already taken over the SUV market with 7 and 8 seaters. However, we do realise that the market for small cars is significantly large, and we are optimistic of achieving success with Micro Cars." Protected Rexton bullet-proof vehicles made by Micro Cars Ltd are also to be exported to Pakistan, Bangladesh and India. They are available to the local market as well. The Chairman of Micro Ltd., Lawrence Perera stated that production of these vehicles has been instigated under an alliance with an Israeli motor vehicle company. There is a good demand for such vehicles in neighbouring countries. Micro Cars Ltd., with the capacity to manufacture 300 cars per annum was said to have sold 1300 cars in 2008 which has been somewhat stalled this year with recession and other economic factors, said Mr. Wahid. "The count up to August this year is about 700 vehicles, which is reasonable considering the financial situation of the people. The best selling vehicle is the Kyrone which has sold approximately 700 vehicles within this period," he said. At a time when worldwide demand for vehicles are on the downturn with major international vehicle manufactures cutting down on workers and closing down plants, an initiative such as this, which stands for enhancing the employment and development of the country should be commended and encouraged, said Minister of State Revenue and State Finance and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Mr. Ranjith Siyambalapitiya at the commissioning of the new manufacturing facility. He stated that the government would give full support to develop this initiative even by granting tax concessions. "We lost a significant sum from our tax revenue from imported vehicles but as an encouragement to Micro Cars Ltd. where 35% of the production process is completed by using local products, we are ready to stick by it," he said. Pic by Indrarathne Balasuriya

OT

This vehicle is sold in India as TATA MAGIC (Passenger version of TATA ACE / D*MO Batta). It is marketed as a Rural Passenger Transport Vehicle. Since it has only 8 seats (including the driver's), in Sri Lanka it falls into Customs Duty bracket of vans / MUVs. At the same time being a Diesel vehicle, our government charges an exorbitant Customs Duty. This in turn translates into a price of nearly 3 Million. When I asked a sales person from D*MO sometime ago, whether they have launched this vehicle here, he told me that it is not feasible due to the higher Customs Duty and instead they are planning to install a locally made passenger cabin (like in a Motor Wagon) on the TATA ACE / D*MO Batta. Further he told, by this way the vehicle can be sold for nearly 1.2 Million, but it has to be registered as a LORRY. Now it seems D*MO is planning to assemble the real TATA MAGIC.

Except for the Maruti 800 and Maruti Omni (van) there is nothing seriously wrong with other Marutis. M800 and Omni are based on 1986 Suzuki Alto and 1982 Suzuki Every respectively. Both of them have extremely poor safety rating since they are built to safety norms of the early 80s. As an owner of a Maruti Wagon-R, following are the drawbacks I notice that are common to the whole Maruti Range. 1. Use of thin sheet metal = Tinny build 2. Use of poor quality plastic and rubber parts = Dull interiors, Occasional Oil leaks 3. Uncomfortable = Either because of the basic suspension setup or Lack of interior space. The biggest advantage of Marutis are their Reliable Engines (Compared to other Indian-made Vehicles, with the exception of Honda and Toyota) Ultimately you get what you pay for. For those who are looking for a buddy van, my advise is to STAY AWAY FROM MARUTI OMNI.

Tharindu seems to have had a bitter experience with a Maruti.

Mazda Familia - Domestic Model Mazda 323 - Export Model

I was just expressing how did I feel driving both Lancer C12 and Wagon-R, extensively.

Maruti Zen is outdated. It was based on a 1991 Suzuki model.

I used to drive my father's Lancer C12. It is probably the best looking Japanese car from the early 80s. Unlike my Maruti Wagon-R, the Lancer C12 was not easy to drive through congested roads owing to its lower stance and bigger width.Added to that our car came without power steering. However in terms of comfort, driving pleasure (on highways) it is way ahead of my Wagon-R. I miss that car so much since my father gifted it to my half-brother.

I used to think that MICRO has already got their much needed Tax Exemption along with Venture capital / Capital infusion. By the way, instead of going into those MACRO EFFORTS (as they call it) like building Trains, Buses and Trucks, what MICRO has to concentrate right now is on, 1. Improving their poor after-sales service for Ssangyong SUVs. 2. Launching the much awaited Truly Sri Lankan CAR (replacing the Old-Privilege "QUADRICYCLE" and Chinese Micro-Hafei Trend)

As far as I remember, seat belt law was to be enforced on 01 July 1991. For some reason it gets postponed again and again.

I too remember reading somewhere that MITSUBISHI COLT ELEVEN was assembled in Sri Lanka during that period. (Almost all the Colt Elevens bear 5 Sri Number Plates) For those who haven't seen this model can get some idea with the following link. http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/corporate...00f_sports.html

The company which makes pick-up trucks www.universal-auto-assembly.com The company which plans to make vans is Wasana Trading (Pvt) Limited. (Website www.lankawasana.com inactive at the moment)

"TUNAP" is correct. It is a (German?)Trade Name. However in the same board there is another word called TUNUP which looks like a spelling mistake. Since Mr. Alawatte is well conversant in English, I wonder whether he has delibarately done that to reduce the size of the sign board. Or is it a mistake made by the person who did the signboard???

Rebadged Hafei Lobo = Micro Trend Hafei makes Mitsubishi Engines under licence and the Micro MX-7 (again a rebadged Hafei) comes with one. Ssangyong makes Mercedes Benz Engines and Gearboxes under licence. (In the 90's Ssangyong used to have a JV with Mercedes Benz, where they also produced the MB100 van.)

True! It struggles when climbing hills in Nuwara-eliya area. Otherwise it is a competant car for daily use and also very economical in diesel consumption. [it has a 1680cc naturally aspirated diesel engine (with a mechanical injector pump)].