Yasith

Kerb Weight (Kg) 880 Kg http://www.dpmco.com/our_brands/chery/spec.asp

Thanks a lot for detail analysis! It is very useful Don’t you think same will happened (in another 3, 4 years) to Chery, as it is with DPMC….Don’t you think they will do what they did with Bajaj 3 Wheelers?

Yes! There website is also not updated and well designed (lot of blank links). This is very surprising because TransMec has a IT company called eTrans (to tell you the truth! I worked there….just for One day ), and they do web designing as one of their primary services May be there are not considering email users as genuine buyers (if you are really buying make a phone call...etc) but for me email is more convenient and informative at the research stage.

May be this explains why they don’t respond to emails……if you have enough orders at the moment, why bother about new ones

any idea OR comments about the 0.8 L SQR372 I3 DOHC 12v — 38 kW (51 hp) at 6000 rpm, 70 N·m (52 ft·lbf) at 3500 rpm Engine used in Chery QQ?

What are the Pros and Cons of going for 2nd hand Japanese Car (less than 1.4 million) instead of Brand New Indian/Chinese/Sri Lankan Compact Cars? Please give comments on the aspects of Running cost and level of maintenance effort. (FYI: I am working full-time and studying for Masters – So, I don’t have plans to spend my week-ends in a Garage. And my wife will also be driving this Car – should be trouble free and good/professional support from the Agents…etc. You may assume that she should be able to take care of the Car even when I am not in the country) (If you feel, this post sounds contradictory with my posts in Mini section; I am still looking for a one…. And I’ll buy a good one someday,but only as a weekend car)

Definitely! I am looking for buy a one in this budget range……but this is just a part of my research to understand my options…..I also have many questions about the 2nd hand cars, I’ll post them in the future.

I don’t know about the after sale service; but made inquire to the email address indicated on the website to all three companies……only A*W and DPMC replied, I have not respond what so ever from the Micro guys…… Due to this experience, although Micro trend looks the best car based on the specification sheet; I am very scared on their service. Does anyone have any experience with Micro sales/after sale service guys?

Can you please comment here on following cars based on, Price Specifications Features After Sale Service Brand Perception Value for Money Running Costs Micro Trend (1.265 millions) http://www.######/trend.htm Chery QQ (manual) (1.295 millions) 812 cc twin cam mpefi engine, 5 – Speed Manual transmission, Factory fitted Air conditioning, Power Steering, 13 “ Alloy Wheels inclusive of (Spare), Power Mirrors, Power Shutters, Remote central Locking with Keyless Entry, Factory Fitted Radio, Cassette 4 speakers, Anti glare rearview mirror, Front sun visor with vanity mirror, Front disc & rear drum brakes, Front Head Restraints, Front & Rear fog lamps, Door mounted side impact protection beams, High mounted LED stop lamp, Remote operated rear hatch & petrol lid, Rear windshield demister with washer wiper, Cloth velour Fabric Upholstery, Dual Cup holders Cigarette lighter, Rear folding seats Maruti Alto Lxi (1.325 millions) (not the special edition) BRAND NEW MARUTI ALTO Lxi 800cc 5 door hatch back 12 valve 3 cylinder 4 stroke with MPFI (Electronic Multi Port Fuel Injection) engine, Environment Friendly CFC Free Factory Fitted Air-Conditioner with heater, advanced “TRUE RESPONSE” speed sensing Electronic Power Steering, Locally Fitted AM/FM (88-108 Full range) Radio Cassette with 2 Speakers, electronic multi trip meter, Halogen head lamps, collapsible steering column for additional safety, side impact beams on all doors, Rear door child safety locks, front seat belts, tinted glass, fabric seats, moulded door trim, remote fuel tank lid opener, 145/80R12 radial tyres. Figures are based on MotorMag (oct 2007)

Farmer ….farmers …farmers….all they care about farmers……. We (knowledge workers in the private sector) also work hard and earn lots of foreign currency …don’t we deserve to have some decent life, we are not asking for Austin Martins…..

this is very interesting stat..........

http://www.lankanewspapers.com/news%5C2007...e_headline.html http://www.nation.lk/2007/03/18/busi1.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chery QQ to be assembled locally By Marianne David Popular compact car Chery QQ will be assembled in Sri Lanka in the near future, following the recent signing of an agreement between David Pieris Motor Company (DPMC) and Chery Automobile Company, China, industry sources said. The agreement entails the establishing of a factory in Hambantota in the next few months in order to assemble the cars locally, with a target of assembling 500 cars a year at the initial stage. The agreement was signed during President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s state visit to China recently where many trade and investment projects were discussed in order to bring in investment to Sri Lanka. David Pieris and Company was also represented in the business delegation that accompanied the President. DPMC is presently the importer of Chery QQ cars on a ‘completely built unit’ basis. DPMC was also among top performers at the 2006 Chery International Business Conference held in Beijing, China in November, where it bagged the ‘Best Service’ award. The conference included participants from over 60 countries from Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific, Central and South America, the Middle East and Africa. The most outstanding Chery dealerships in these regions were rewarded in three categories, namely, Best Service, Most Cooperative and Best Sales. The Chery QQ was added to DPMC’s range of products in December 2005, and is manufactured in China by Chery Automobile Company, which was founded in 1997. The Chery QQ was recently awarded with the number one position following a quality study that was carried out for compact cars in China.In 2006, Chery accomplished a total global sales volume of 305,236, ranking top four in the passenger car industry. So far, Chery has become China’s first independent brand with an annual sales volume of 300,000 passenger cars.

that's the only thing they know! increase TAX to cover their expenses....

"Chery QQ is going to be assembled in Sri Lanka. Although it cannot be compared to the Maruti 800, which is only semi option and is cheaper by about SLRs 200,000, Chery QQ's buyers belong to the same socio-economic class as the buyers of Maruti 800, and these could gone in for it. " (http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/Print.aspx?Id=49d43b13-ced6-4fdd-8b02-cff058a6847e)

Assembled in Sri Lanka (?) http://www.colombopage.com/archive_07/Sept...r1255154SL.html

sorry! what i mean is Level efficiency and soundness of technologies used

It seems there is huge marketing bang on the Chery QQ at the moment. And there are lot of offers and packages going on. However, how do you guys rate this car in the aspect of performance, value for money, after-sale service and running cost? Further, there are some shaky crash test results on Chery QQ on the Internet. What do you think about these tests and its applicability in SL?

http://www.minimania.com/web/DisplayID/613...on/ArticleV.cfm

Hi guys, Following link give small (web) tool to identify a Mini (you might have register with this site; it is free) http://www.minimania.com/ArticleV.cfm?DisplayID=1837 Identify the Mini : http://www.minimania.com/images/id_mini/mark.html Identify the Engine : http://www.minimania.com/images/id_mini/engine.html Some useful technical articles http://www.minimania.com/_A_Technical_Information.cfm http://www.minimania.com it has two sections for BMW Minis and Classical Minis ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sorry! I don’t know how accurate information OR how valid for Sri Lankan context

Definitely a good point; she will recognize that Mini will be the solution to my Video Game and TV addition. Seriously guys…after hearing these adoring stories I can not wait till I get my hand on a Mini.

One of my friend told me about the Garage in Nawinna which sells as well as modifies, develops minis. He said it is own by a person called Saman.....Does anybody know about this garage....and can somebody give me the directions to it

I hope you got the email I have just sent to you. (if you haven't got it please note my email address... yasith <at> msn <dot> com OR yasithabe <at> yahoo <dot> com

thanks alot MRM, I did that; in fact I took her to the Formula World Exhibition and show her the Minis (outside; at the Car park), and now she also like the Car. The only problem I have is, she works for a company where there are many car expert guys….she has told them that we are going to buy a mini. And they have given some feedback (including some negative feedbacks such as, High maintenance cost; lesser comfort…etc ). However, at the moment situation is under control….specially after seen those mini coopers at the BMICH. This is a very good point; I should keep this in mind

Many thanks to all of you guys! Your speedy responds very useful as well as illuminate the level of dynamism of this forum, and supportiveness of Mini lover’s community in Sri Lanka. This gives me more confidence to buy a Mini as I am pretty sure that I will be able to get some help if needed in maintenance. Let me explain a bit of history behind my enthusiasm about Mini Cars… It started few months back where I started search for a Car. As a person with somewhat different mindset, I wanted to buy not just a Car, but a car with attitude and personality. That’s how I started fallen in love with Minis. Especially I love Mini Coopers (yes! I know; many of them in Sri Lanka are not real Jonny Cooper Minis). I also should confess that the Film “Italian Job” had some impact. Last few months l gain some knowledge about Mini Cars (many thanks to this forum and other internet resources). Fortunately or unfortunately, once I get started knowing about Minis, the passion for the car exponentially increased. At the moment I badly want to drive a Mini. However, my wife is not fully convince about my decision (she also like Minis, but not much as I; talking about my family size….it’s 2… hopefully it will be 3 in next few years). The reason behind the about questions to avoid potential “I told you…..” kind of comments from my wife in the future (say when we are stuck in some where in between Balangoda to Beragala). As many of you commented, Mini is car which is very hard not to fallen in love with. Hopefully I’ll be one of proud owner of a one in next few months. By the way I need another help from you guys…. (I don’t whether this is ethical to ask or not in this forum)…. Can you please let me know if any of you come across a Mini (Cooper like) for sale?

What is the route your are planning to take; is it High-level road through Nugegoda, Maharagama, Kottawa, Homagama to Meepe? Are there any intermediate stops other than Meepe and Marin-drive, where Mini enthusiasts can take a look at these prestigious master pieces?