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heavyD

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Need some advice guys.

With a budget of 800k, or maybe more if I'm lucky, what kind of everyday runner can I get? I'm thinking a Trad Sunny, Astina, or a Presea. But you don't see many of these on the road now and I'm wondering if that's affected the availability of spares? Not interested in Indian vehicles, and the Korean ones for that price are not my cup of tea.

Apart from cars, I'm also considering something hardy that can take on our roads well. Something like an old Jeep. But I've no idea about them and how they fare as daily drivers. Some info would be appreciated.

Those are what I'm eyeing currently. Basically, I'm looking for a vehicle with good power/handling and reliability. Resale value, neighbour envy and fuel consumption are not a worry. :)

Got any more suggestions?

Edited by Big_D
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How about Honda Grand Civic EF2. Ample Spares are available @ Panchikawatte. Its also economical and got good handling and power. If you go for an astina u'll have problems sourcing body parts I guess. Make sure you check for corrosion when u checkout cars as they will be quite old.

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The CRXs are nice fun cars.I should know cos I've owned all three gens....but for daily driving at that budget,go for a mainstream 4 door like a Corrolla,323 or a Civic man.

Checkout the early 90's 2WD low Hilux,Isuzu,L200 and Nissan double cabs..

Edited by MasterDon
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Some more to add to your list:

Bimmer E30

Corolla Station Wagon (AE97 Series maybe)

EP71 Series Starlet

How about these ones?

http://www.autolanka.com/ad.asp?ID=53933

http://www.autolanka.com/ad.asp?ID=52742

On a side note, Wiras have lots in common with Lancers so spares are not really a big problem. Protons handle Sri Lankan roads quite well.

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if you dont mind 2 door coupe toyota corolla 86 is a good option for your budget it have good power to weight ratio and good handling but it's a bit old car now.

mazda astina is a good choice to but i think good condition one is more expensive than 800k. :)

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Wow... hey thanks for the help guys, appreciate it. :)

  On 7/31/2011 at 10:42 AM, kelum_wj said:

How about Honda Grand Civic EF2. Ample Spares are available @ Panchikawatte. Its also economical and got good handling and power. If you go for an astina u'll have problems sourcing body parts I guess. Make sure you check for corrosion when u checkout cars as they will be quite old.

I'd forgotten all about the Grand Civic! The hatchback is really a looker.

  On 7/31/2011 at 12:08 PM, CyRaX said:

Yeah even the Astina is a good ride.Hey btw how about a Mini

My friend had a Clubman Estate and I had difficulty getting in the driver's seat. :) And when I finally did, everyone thought it was quite funny. :D

  On 7/31/2011 at 2:23 PM, MasterDon said:

The CRXs are nice fun cars.I should know cos I've owned all three gens....but for daily driving at that budget,go for a mainstream 4 door like a Corrolla,323 or a Civic man.

Checkout the early 90's 2WD low Hilux,Isuzu,L200 and Nissan double cabs..

Do you mean because the CRX is rare machan?

  On 7/31/2011 at 3:06 PM, Crosswind said:

Some more to add to your list:

Bimmer E30

Corolla Station Wagon (AE97 Series maybe)

EP71 Series Starlet

The E30 sounds good. Not sure if I can find one for my budget though. Any idea on spare parts availability?

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  On 8/1/2011 at 6:04 AM, Big_D said:

The E30 sounds good. Not sure if I can find one for my budget though. Any idea on spare parts availability?

I've seen E30s going in your budget range. I even test drove one for a friend. It seemed to have held its condition well. E30 is really a rock-solid car. The seller quoted a mere 7/75 for that one. But I'm no expert, so any hidden problems may have skipped my eye. Here's another example from the classifieds. http://www.autolanka.com/ad.asp?ID=50822

I don't think you should worry much about spares, judging by the number of E30s running in the country. And worst case, you always got eBay to help you out.

Edited by Crosswind
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  On 8/1/2011 at 6:04 AM, Big_D said:

Do you mean because the CRX is rare machan?

No.The first gen is almost 30 years old now and unless its a minter you're gonna have some issues with reliability.Try to find a second gen,but those have a huge demand these days.And its basically a two seater,the rear seat is unusable.The cabin tends to get very warm during the the afternoon aswell.

I'd stay away from the mini too and I'd get boring reliable car for daily driving if I were you...You still have the Tuscani for the weekends neda?

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  On 7/31/2011 at 9:56 AM, Big_D said:

Need some advice guys.

With a budget of 800k, or maybe more if I'm lucky, what kind of everyday runner can I get? I'm thinking a Trad Sunny, Astina, or a Presea. But you don't see many of these on the road now and I'm wondering if that's affected the availability of spares? Not interested in Indian vehicles, and the Korean ones for that price are not my cup of tea.

Apart from cars, I'm also considering something hardy that can take on our roads well. Something like an old Jeep. But I've no idea about them and how they fare as daily drivers. Some info would be appreciated.

Those are what I'm eyeing currently. Basically, I'm looking for a vehicle with good power/handling and reliability. Resale value, neighbour envy and fuel consumption are not a worry. :)

Got any more suggestions?

IF YOU INTEREST in old jeep? you can easily find a 4dr one 31/32 number plates for that price. even if you can go for a one without modify for 600K

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  On 7/31/2011 at 9:56 AM, Big_D said:

Need some advice guys.

With a budget of 800k, or maybe more if I'm lucky, what kind of everyday runner can I get? I'm thinking a Trad Sunny, Astina, or a Presea. But you don't see many of these on the road now and I'm wondering if that's affected the availability of spares? Not interested in Indian vehicles, and the Korean ones for that price are not my cup of tea.

Apart from cars, I'm also considering something hardy that can take on our roads well. Something like an old Jeep. But I've no idea about them and how they fare as daily drivers. Some info would be appreciated.

Those are what I'm eyeing currently. Basically, I'm looking for a vehicle with good power/handling and reliability. Resale value, neighbour envy and fuel consumption are not a worry. :)

Got any more suggestions?

How about an old gen Honda accord? you should be able to get one for well withn your budget.

If youre not too worried about fuel figures, then this offers loads of space, comfort etc.

Another possibility are the Corona / Carina AT 170 models, those go for around the 6 range and that leaves you spare cash for any eventualities as well.

And then there are the diesel double cabs and possibly the mitsubishi jeeps? (The models used by the Safari guys...J series is it?)

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Of the more "out there" choices, you can easily get yourself an Alfa 155 for this budget IF you find a good example. I know a couple of guys who have 155s as their daily runners and they are doing pretty well.

On a more sensible note, a late 80's Accord sounds like a nice option. VVti used to have one so he can tell you what they are like to use.

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  On 8/3/2011 at 9:09 AM, SHAI said:

How about an old gen Honda accord? you should be able to get one for well withn your budget.

If youre not too worried about fuel figures, then this offers loads of space, comfort etc.

Another possibility are the Corona / Carina AT 170 models, those go for around the 6 range and that leaves you spare cash for any eventualities as well.

And then there are the diesel double cabs and possibly the mitsubishi jeeps? (The models used by the Safari guys...J series is it?)

Yeap. I was thinking Accord too. Saw one the other day and got me thinking. :)

  On 8/3/2011 at 10:56 AM, Supra_Natural said:

Of the more "out there" choices, you can easily get yourself an Alfa 155 for this budget IF you find a good example. I know a couple of guys who have 155s as their daily runners and they are doing pretty well.

On a more sensible note, a late 80's Accord sounds like a nice option. VVti used to have one so he can tell you what they are like to use.

Is there an agent for Alfas? Or like a specialist or something like that?

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  On 8/4/2011 at 9:29 AM, Big_D said:

Yeap. I was thinking Accord too. Saw one the other day and got me thinking. :)

Is there an agent for Alfas? Or like a specialist or something like that?

Well since you are getting rid of the Tuscani,I'm changing my suggestions too...If this is gonna be your only car it has to have a little zap in it,but I will stick with the 4 door thing.

No official agents as yet,though GTAm & Co has brought a coupla cars including a Giulia,but there are plenty of able people to take care of them including VVti and Ripper's mechanic fella who has received nothing but high praise.

BTW any chance increasing your budget atleast to 1.2 mil?

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  On 7/31/2011 at 9:56 AM, Big_D said:

Need some advice guys.

With a budget of 800k, or maybe more if I'm lucky, what kind of everyday runner can I get? I'm thinking a Trad Sunny, Astina, or a Presea. But you don't see many of these on the road now and I'm wondering if that's affected the availability of spares? Not interested in Indian vehicles, and the Korean ones for that price are not my cup of tea.

Apart from cars, I'm also considering something hardy that can take on our roads well. Something like an old Jeep. But I've no idea about them and how they fare as daily drivers. Some info would be appreciated.

Those are what I'm eyeing currently. Basically, I'm looking for a vehicle with good power/handling and reliability. Resale value, neighbour envy and fuel consumption are not a worry. :)

Got any more suggestions?

Big D, I've been having a look in this price range for a family member as well. Here are the vehicles I've found under a million (some quite a lot under) that took my fancy.

1. Toyota Corolla EE101/102 Station wagon known as the Elephant Back. Surprisingly you can find an early version of this lovely work horse for less than a million :) You get practicality, good spare availability economy etc. But some people in SL don't like station wagons (I love them as a family vehicle since its not uncomfortable as a van but still as practical).

2. Trad Sunny and you can buy one for as less as 600K. Some might argue with me on this but I prefer the earliest models which came without EFI as they have such a bullet proof reputation. I have friends who still lament selling theirs.

3. Proton Wira, manufactured after 2000. Now I know they have an image problem in SL, but having used a Mirage for quite a while, I know how nice these cars drive, and while the interior plastics are not as good quality as the Japanese (to be honest even the Japanese plastics have now started to crumble after nearly 20 years, I've replaced most of my dashboard components :)), underneath it has Mirage running gear, a Mitsubishi 4G15 engine (assembled in Malaysia) and generally good car. You might take a hit on resale though ....

4. Mazda 323/ Familia 1991 onwards model, I've used the previous version of this car and found it to be quite solid. Body parts might be a problem but no issues sourcing engine suspension parts etc.

My criteria for the above has been, availability of good/ well maintained examples, general quality of the car, and easy of maintenance going forward.

For that reason I have excluded the Astina and the CRX, because even 7 years ago when I was looking to buy a car, I had difficulties finding good examples of the above, and when I say good, I mean ones which have been maintained well and not raced the hell out buy their current owners. I also prefer the CRX over the Astina because of ground clearance.

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  On 8/4/2011 at 9:44 AM, MasterDon said:

Well since you are getting rid of the Tuscani,I'm changing my suggestions too...If this is gonna be your only car it has to have a little zap in it,but I will stick with the 4 door thing.

No official agents as yet,though GTAm & Co has brought a coupla cars including a Giulia,but there are plenty of able people to take care of them including VVti and Ripper's mechanic fella who has received nothing but high praise.

BTW any chance increasing your budget atleast to 1.2 mil?

Not sure if I can up the budget right now man. But of course, if things go better than planned, you never know. :) But what do you think for 1.2mil? A P11 maybe?

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  On 8/4/2011 at 10:20 AM, The Don said:

Big D, I've been having a look in this price range for a family member as well. Here are the vehicles I've found under a million (some quite a lot under) that took my fancy.

Thanks for the info! Out of your list, I would probably go for a Trad Sunny. I've always liked that boxy shape. :) Or a Mazda Famila, a friend bought one recently for around 800k, but then again, that was a 1.3l version.

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  On 8/4/2011 at 10:40 AM, Big_D said:

Not sure if I can up the budget right now man. But of course, if things go better than planned, you never know. :) But what do you think for 1.2mil? A P11 maybe?

P11 not sure,but a P10 definitely...

The extra 3-4 lakhs effectively doubles the choices for you.

Peugeot 406 D8 is also an option for you,plus you have harshan to help you out with that.

Now I know you said you don't like Korean but take another look at the Rio,good car for the money IMO.

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  On 8/4/2011 at 10:50 AM, Big_D said:

Thanks for the info! Out of your list, I would probably go for a Trad Sunny. I've always liked that boxy shape. :) Or a Mazda Famila, a friend bought one recently for around 800k, but then again, that was a 1.3l version.

Trad Sunny though it is the older vehicle is probably the better car. There are a few cars that people will truly remember as being bullet proof and this is one of them. :) You get a great car and money left to spare. What I hated about owning Mazdas was I had to go specific people for body parts etc, and while the gear boxes were sweet it proved a bit of an annoyance.

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  On 8/4/2011 at 11:01 AM, MasterDon said:

P11 not sure,but a P10 definitely...

The extra 3-4 lakhs effectively doubles the choices for you.

Peugeot 406 D8 is also an option for you,plus you have harshan to help you out with that.

Now I know you said you don't like Korean but take another look at the Rio,good car for the money IMO.

Yeah and the Rio is rather new, compared to other cars in the same price range. Thing is, I'm not a big fan of it's styling. :) But the Peugeot option sounds good.

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  On 8/4/2011 at 9:29 AM, Big_D said:

Yeap. I was thinking Accord too. Saw one the other day and got me thinking. :)

Is there an agent for Alfas? Or like a specialist or something like that?

There is a specialist named indika who has a good reputation, he generally has parts. Be warned though, once the Alfa bug bites, there is no tuning back! (so I've heard :D)

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