Phill

Simple answer is that the hybrid is cheaper due to the low tax rate, if you are looking to import a vehicle. So you can buy a relatively new car, a hybrid for the price of 5 or 6 years or more old normal car. Fuel Economy is more dependant on the way you drive than the type of the car you drive.

I got close to 27kmpl in highway while driving close to 110kmph. And in office traffic time it does around 16kmpl or sometimes even less than that. Probably because of the way I drive in traffic.

Hi Kushani, As many people said, it will be difficult to find a prius within your budget. But you can import a decent Insight 2010. You might also be able to go for L grade or LS grade. I have few contacts who does vehicle import directly from auctions in japan, where you can select a car and give a budget limit. I don't have any contact from UK, but if you can find a UK import vehicle, it will be much better.

It is true. Anyway, I changed the CVT oil and engine oil from stafford and cost me around Rs. 8500 for CVT oil and around Rs 7500 for engine oil. Had to replace the oil filter and cleaned the air filter. It costs me close to Rs 20000 for that service from Stafford. Remember to use Honda CVT oil, and don't recommend to use any other oil for Honda CVT box.

Yes. I paid only 8 laks. It is after depreciation (75% because my car was late 2009) and at the time Yen was around Rs. 1.37. Tax percentage was 39.5%. One of my friend paid around a million after Tax increase and his car was early 2009 (70% after depreciation).

Not sure whether Insight can drive without the battery but when the battery power is very low, the motor support function will not work properly and the fuel economy will goes bad. It is recommended to charge the battery if it is very low.

I did a full service to my Honda Insight in Stafford and met a guy who went to Japan for Insight training. I learned a lot from him and also went a test drive with him. He showed me how to drive while keeping the fuel consumption close to 25km/l. What I'm trying to say is that the fuel consumption will depend on the way you drive. You can argue it is the case for any other car but Insight will have a large effect on it. Best option is when you do a service on Stafford, go and meet someone trained and he will guide you properly. I also think when battery dead, it is not possible to drive because IMA will failed to function properly but when power is very low in the battery, it is possible to drive without the help of the motor (It happened to me). Anyway there is a way to charge the battery and once it is done, the motor will start to assist when accelerating. I saw one unregistered Insight brought by Stafford. At the time I went for service there were 3 other Insight bought for service.

Ohh. Damn. Anyway I'm not going to get rid of the originals. It is manageable since they used Icons in most of the functionalities. All I need to fix is the TV and the FM range. SD card, DVD player and USB is working fine. Hopefully I can get the Nav also working.

Tax was only 8 laks. After 70% depreciation. I still haven't test the mileage. Car also has a smooth driving and it is awesome. I like the large side mirrors and see through back panel, because of that it is easy to reverse. Anyway, does anyone knows where it is possible to convert language in car stereo system. I talked to few companies they said they don't know anyone doing that in Sri Lanka.

It should be 70% after depreciation for my car.

I got the valuation from Stafford for Honda Insight. It is way much higher than I expected. It is even higher than Civic. FOB Price: 2.1 million Yen Freight: 90000 Yen Insuarance: 10000 Yen FOB price in USA is $18200 for Basic Insight. I was expecting it to be around 1.5 million yen from Stafford. But this is what they gave.

Yes. It looks like either Deputy Finance Minister only noticed the previous tax reduction few days ago or the media has conveyed it wrong.

I contacted my agent and he said tax is not reduced any further. And according to him, the tax of 2009 Honda Insight is around 9 laks. So it is kind of higher than even I expected.

I still haven't. The vehicle is already shipped and I can let you know exact tax after like 2 weeks. I think tax percentage is 15%. I will contact the clearing agent and confirm it.

This is not even the LX version (LX=EX version in US). This can be another typical market manipulation. You can import one for one million less easily.

It was 39.5 % earlier. Not sure this is true but it is an awesome news to me. My Insight will cost far less than I expected.

Hi bat, I don't think that is possible. USD 18200 is the US price for basic Honda Insight without any additional option. Story is little different when you try to import it from Japan. let say if you buy it from an auction, it will cost you additionally around Yen 250000 for FOB charges and CIF charges. Stock prices are much higher. Anyway, i guess you can go for basic Honda Insight (FAT G model) for around 3.6 million with tax. If you want to go for better model (FAT L or FAT LS) cost will be high and even close to the price of Toyota Prius. Anyway Honda Insight is known as the cheapest Hybrid so with the little tax you have to pay this is a good option to own cheap brand new car. I contacted Stafford Motors and they said they are planing to import Honda Insight in around 2 or 3 months. I can't guarantee it. So you might get a chance to buy it from the agent.

1.38 Million JPN Yen for CIF only. It was a good condition car. You can go little lower for high mileage car. Still don't know how much it would cost me for tax. Probably over 7 laks.

Hi all, I was first planing to import Honda FIT, then after the budget I decided to go for a Hybrid. And I did my research found out I can afford Honda Insight 2009. I already bought it. Now I'm in the process of opening the LC. So If you have driven one of Honda Insight or have any comment on it, please share it with me. I would like to know if anyone of you own one (in Sri lanka), Known issues, good garage etc. Thank you

Thx for the info. I will check UK too.

I'm not checking the SL market, I gave it up few months ago. According to the information I got the tax amount for late 2007 car or early 2008 car will be around 1.2 million to 1.3 million. And I check few Japan Auctions, some early 2008 FIT Jazz goes for less than $10 000 if it has high millage (over 30k). Anyways, I need to finalize few things before I start the process. Wish me luck. I will share all the information when I'm done.

Yes. I have seen those adds. But I decide not to go for those because of two reasons. One is that I like 2008 model than old models, because of I-Vtec engine and much better shape and look. The other reason is the those were over priced. Yes, typical Sri Lankan second hand car market. Anyway, if my calculations are correct, I'll be able to bring down a Jazz(2008) from Japan for the price of 2003 or 2002 Jazz in Sri Lanka.

Thx for all the informations. Good to know that the Indian model sucks big time (As usual). I will definitely go for the Japanese one. I need to check with few people who import vehicles from Japan for a Honda FIT JAZZ (Japanese) I can afford.

Hi all, I'm planing to import Honda FIT JAZZ(2008). All the review I read about it looks promising. I went in and look at an unregistered Honda FIT JAZZ (2007) vehicle at a car sale. It was a good car but the price is almost double as I expected it would be. The car is small but Spacious. ULTR seats are awesome(http://www.honda.lk/jazz/interior/interior03.html). But my dealer said it is manufactured in Indian plant and there might be problems with finding parts. So I would like to ask if anyone of you have any information regarding this, please share it with us. Thank you.