shirand

Hi, I'm fed up with finding parking around the town and every day having headaches when I go out to city area to do stuffs. So I'm thinking about limiting the using my car and buy a motor bike (will not use the bike for daily office run, it will be using mostly for go out for random multiple works on weekend and evenings or heavy traffic times/ areas). I went thru Auto Lanka searches about scooters and found that people have recommended Indian scooters (TVS/ Dio) over Malaysian Demak scooter. I have 3 questions. (1) If I buy a scooter is it ok to buy a used one or better to go for a brand new one? (2) What is the best scooter make/ brand to buy (TVS/ Honda Dio/ Mahindra/ Hero/ Demak)? (3) Honda Navi - Saw the Honda Navi ad on TV, also someone is riding a Navi in Galle road. Looks like it is more attractive than other scooters. I would like to know more about it. Is it a scooter or a facelifted version of old "chally"? Will it a good buy? Please let me know more details about the Navi. Thanks in advance.

http://www.motortraffic.gov.lk/web/web/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=165&Itemid=165&lang=en

For the budget of max 1.8 mil Lancer CK1/ CK2 is a good choice you can find a mid/ end 90's easily. I will consider Mazda BJ5P too. Around that budget probably you can find a newer (1999 or 2000) BJ5P which has more options, lesser mileage and more comfort. But seems like these days BJ5Ps too are quite overpriced (as usual as other cars and commodities).

Since you have used an Ek3 I assume you are ok with a sedan/ saloon (no particular preference for hatchbacks). If I was you I will consider below. - Mazda Axela/ 3 2008 - Lancer Ex 2008 - Axio/ 141/ Belta 1.3 2008 models If I more concern about resale and fuel economy - Go for one of above Toyotas (Most probably a Belta 1.3 considering the budget, mileage, fuel economy and resale value. If fuel economy is not the first priority and need more comfort then Corolla 141. With 3.5 mil max budget it may quite difficult to find a good Axio). Else (thinking "who cares about the fuel economy of extra 1-2 kmpl - just want to enjoy my ride, a well maintained car anyway will give a good resale value") - Either Lancer Ex or Axela (if looking for more cabin space Lancer Ex, else Axela). (I don't have any experience on Hybrids including gp1. For some vague reason I will avoid hybrids and stick into Petrol cars. Though I'm not an expert in hybrids, I guess better to avoid buying a used hybrid if it is older than 5 years. This is not based on any tech knowledge - my gut feeling considering the amount of money spending vs risk. Experts in hybrid may comment whether this is logical or doesn't make any sense).

Regarding the reliability rating - This may be in theory books and is it like the Annual Report of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka? In every year it claims per capita has increased, living standards are improved, inflation is controlled etc. But everyone knows the ground reality. On that reliability rating #5 is Kia, #7 is Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz is #17 and Porsche is #16. Sounds like what? And when consider our Sri Lankan context, you know the expected deviations (as any other international rating stats).

Mazda BJ5P or Lancer CK (1999 to 2001 models) are good candidates for your requirements. But these days those are way overpriced and finding a well maintained one for 1.7 M is not easy. There may be abused/ hacked ones around that budget, but to use it with a confidence it will require some cost again to do all the repairs properly. Once it is properly done, no need to worry. Above 2 models are rock solid and proven as great workhorses for over a decade. If you are ok with quite older models you may consider/evaluate Corolla AE 100 and Mazda Butterfly model too. Again rock solid and well proven. Good luck!

Though I'm not an expert would like to contribute with my 2 cents. "less troublesome" - Focusing on reliability and easy maintainability it will be Corolla 141 vs Belta. Both are proven as reliable and easily maintainable cars. But Beltas have CVT gearboxes and after 100k on the odo there may be a possible replacement that would cost a little bit. 141s conventional gear box will not have that problem. So I would name Corolla 141 as the winner here.

Since you haven't mentioned enough details I assume your budget is around 3.7 mil and this is about Corolla 141 2008 vs Axio 2008. If you too concern about fuel economy and resale value go for the Axio. Else go for a Corolla 141. If I was you I will go for a 141 because I can get a brand new imported one with a lesser mileage. (There are enough discussions on this and please do a search for more details)

Both cars are almost same, the Premio is slightly focused on luxury specs. But that does not mean either is a luxury car. Both are overpriced jap econoboxes which give a decent riding comfort. IMHO (that is a personal view), spending above 6 mil for a Japanese car is a crime (only 2 exceptions may be a slightly used Mazda 6 or a Honda Accord if around 7 mil). If I could comfortably go for a 9 mil budget, I will consider only Euros and preferably go for a BMW. Anyway if your last 2 options are above 2, go for the Premio.

Both are great cars, but the Allion 240 will have more bells and whistles as many stated. But almost all those are high on the mileage and quite older. Considering your budget of 3.5 mil, what about a Belta 1.3 (2008/ 2009 or may be 2010 model)? A basic car when consider to the 121 G and the Allion 240, but you will get a much newer, low mileage, good fuel economical, reliable and easy to maintain car (oh this is Sri Lanka and good resale value too then).

Thanks all for your replies and sharing opinions (sorry for responding late).

Hi Experts, I think you know the recent incident of a car caught in fire at the southern expressway (a Japanese tourist couple were travelling). According to some articles I saw this is not due to an accident and the Japanese guy has observed smoke was coming out from the engine room. Also got to know the car is an Allion 260 (surprisingly - assuming the news is true). I have a lot of questions here. Please advice/ share your knowledge. (1) What can cause this kind of catch in fire (other than due to crashes)? May be overheating/ electrical fault? (2) If car is properly maintained, is that risk still there? How can we inspect/ identify risks in advance? (3) Should every vehicle owner carry a small portable car fire extinguisher inside the car? If yes, where it should be kept/ fixed (inside the cabin or inside the boot space)? (4) What is the type, size of the most suitable car fire extinguisher should use? (5) Please share the details where can I buy a suitable car fire extinguisher, prices, specifications etc. Thanks.

That mileage is possible. I know a government servant (now retired) used his Alto around 18,500 km for around 5 years of use. Most of the time it was at home and covered with 2 old bed sheets. He was a type of person who is waiting in the bus stop hours to catch a normal bus to save 50% of "semi laksiri" bus fare and in the night after OT walking around 1.5 km from the main road bus stop to his home to save 100 bucks tuk tuk fare. (Not criticizing or insulting peoples lifestyles. This is such a wonderful country to live.)

IMO you can look into old japanese cars (may be like 300 - era or 19 - ). I would like to look at below 2 models. - Corolla AE 100 - Mazda Familia Butterfly model I think within 1.4 mil range you may be able to find good one. Both above models are reliable, rock solid and proven in sri lanka for years. Still I'm seeing them on roads with good conditions.

What about a BMW X3 if you are ok with a slightly used one? A real upgrade to the euro premium feeling.. May be Audi Q7 also a good choice if you can adjust your budget.

What about the Kelisa?

Lancer CKs are really good cars and proven well. in fact all 2000s japanese cars are reliable, proven, comfy and will provide good return to your money spent compare to indian crap garbage. One of my cousins used a ck for a long time as his first car and really enjoyed the ride. Even after upgrading to a lancer ex gls still he loves those good old days. if you really enjoy 3 pedal driving you will fall in love with that car (almost all people i know are thinking they are driving evos and pretending to be drag racers ). Petrol - it should do around 10 in colombo and 14-15 outstation. definitely a good choice if price is reasonable and well maintained.

Cheers for getting my point clearly! "All ladies are good, but you can chose only one!" (at leaset legally ) "All japanese cars are great, but you can buy only one!" (for the majority of sri lankan people) At the end it's all about choices.

@PreseaLover I have clearly mentioned in my 2 posts why i would select bj5p as the best choice from above 4 based on handling, comfort, comparative fuel efficiency, price vs options, look. Anywhere it does NOT imply selecting the best choice based ONLY on the beautiful look - may be it accounts for only 10%. Also i clearly mentioned beauty is a very subjective thing and different people have different opinion. My opinion also a personal and subjective and it's not the only thing considered. Can't help you couldn't take the posts as a whole.

@LashNeo Actually i said to avoid n16 "from your list". That does not mean n16 is a bad car. But when consider other 3 n16 is the first one to drop while short listing. Anyway it is my personal opinion based on; n16 is bigger and heavier that will clearly give a lesser fuel consumption than other 3 (only advantage is the slightly larger space than other 3) both fb15 and bj5p are comfortable than n16. I have used all 3 cars with fabric interior. n16 seats felt like bit harder when compare to other 2. if the family has kids this is a factor to consider when it comes to handling n16 is nowhere when compare with bj5p which is the clear winner look - this is very subjective thing. But in my opinion n16 has an inflated ugly "mudalali look". Many of my friends/ colleagues are saying n16 is ugly some of my friends/ colleagues are saying n16 is looking beautiful (75/25) Some of my friends/ colleagues are saying fb15 is boxy and ugly and some of my friends/ colleagues are saying fb15 is looking beautiful (20/80) None of my friends/ colleagues have so far said bj5p is looking ugly, very few has said there is no special look other than a typical japanese car in early 2000s, but many of my friends/ colleagues has said bj5p is looking beautiful with it's curves may be they think it's a kind of sporty look (for me except n16 all other 3 are looking beautiful)

Better to avoid n16 from your list. 110 is also expensive and not worth that price tag because it's old and high mileage. If i was you i'll go for the bj5p. fb15 - there are 2 editions Ex Saloon and Super Saloon. Ex saloon doesn't have back head rests and less options. Super saloon has some more options and for that you will have to pay a considerable extra price. Maintaining may be a higher effort bj5p - will have all the options fb15 super saloon got for a lesser price, much better curvy look than fb15's boxy look. Fuel efficiency is almost same as fb15 and maintenance almost same or lesser. Reliability also almost same. For your budget you can get a much better bj5p than fb15 with lesser age and mileage. If you go ahead with bj5p better to go for a familia new model (not a 323) because it is a jdm.