A Car For A Small Price-Pls Help!

[fiat fan]

Hi, I Currently use a 1969 VW BUG! I love it and its super awesome(nt the cheap bug whn it comes to fuel though)...

But now I decided to sell it and get smethng wth better KMPL and mre space! I hve a budget of 400,000 aftr I sell the car( got a buyer alrdy) ... As I usually do I thought of keeping 100,000 for any repairs/mods, and buy smethng for 300,000! I did do many searchs in AL ads and forums, but due to the crazy market I cant figure out what to look for in that price braket!

Wht I found wre old Lancers which are in rly riced up shapes! I also thought of gng on the Kandy road,bt I would like to get a clear picture of what to look for! Many thanx! Autolanka has already helped me a lot!

P.S. oh yeah almost forgot- my wants = 4 door,AC,bit economical,euros are cool, wagons are nt rly what I want!And I dnt want any fancy options! A car sized like the jeep model swift would be cool! =) thank u again!

Edited January 10, 2013 by fiat fan

[Komisiripala]

There's a car called a Subaru leone. 12 sri. Four door hot hatch ff layout with 1.8 liter legacy RS boxer.

Rare. But very very nice. Try find one.

Also consider a corolla dx

[kumaras]

I also was searching for a car for my friend who had 5K , about 04 months back.With some advises, we could narrow down to followings.

1. Lancer box (1980-83)

2.DX wagon ( 1985-86)

3.Fiat UNO

4.Daihatsu charade G 10 (1982)

5. Ford Laser/Mazda Familia - BF -(1985-87 -most are BN brought)- finally we bought a Laser for 4.4 Lks which was in average condition( with AC).

The experience I got searching morethan 30 odd cars is that pls don't expect supurb condition body with no corrosions and nice interior , especially with the age of those macchines.

Since you are FIAT FAN, with euro taste..... Uno will be a good option IMO.We came across a car for 4.5 lks which was relatively better than any in our search. but didn't know about spares and maitenance related matters, so gave up.

Just my 2 cents and GOOD LUCK !

[fiat fan]

thanx! Wil do a search! Does it do well on fuel? Dx wagon isnt it?

[fiat fan]

thanx kumaras! I rly appreciate it!

[maheshw]

There are some Nissan B310, Mitsubishi Flat, L light cars in your range but will be bit difficult to find one in good condition due to the age. Toyota DX will be a very good option.

[carboy2011]

Lancer Flat or tube light

Jap cars

Lancer Box for 300k is a bit tricky to get a good one

Ford Laser/Mazda

Toyota DX wagon (but will be more around 350 onwards)

Datsun/Nissan sunny B210,B211 etc

Euros

Ford Escort

Hillman Avenger (good car but parts are had and no a/c)

Hillman Avenger same as above

Ford cortina (go for the last in the series which were 7-8 SRI when brand new)

Peugeot lucky to find a good 504 for that range

Mk VW Golf but AC otion may not be there

[longjohn]

Why not try a Deawoo. The car is with most options similar to Japanese cars & with a better body. You could get it maintained by Chandana at Armour St who was formerly with the agents, IWS or at Juki at Pepiliyana. Almost all the spares are available but they are from China. If you are not much concerned with fuel economy it's a good one to consider. Hope you could negotiate and get at a good price.

Edited January 10, 2013 by longjohn

[fiat fan]

thanx for the replies everybody! I did a search on Kandy road tday and found most examples mentioned here... I agree that lancers hve a higher market!bt most cars were used by nitwits and repaird by baas mallis! I did see a plce sme half km before the vendol factory,a plc on the hil side of the road whre they had 2 minis. One blue with white stripes-it looked in ok condition. And the other a orange halfway rebuild I guess!was late to go inspect them! Always had a thing for minis and nw I got a feeling why dnt I buy a ok condition car and rebuild it! Costly I knw bt worth it I guess! What do u guys say on ths? Thanx

[Sylvi]

fiat fan,

I buy an ok condition car and rebuild it! Costly I know but worth it I guess! What do u guys say on these Thanks?

Yes for your question.

Do you want to buy a car for daily use or, to be used in long distance with your family?

If it is for daily use can do repairs whenever you notice. With your family long distance. Car has to be relaible in good mechanical condition.

Get a trust worthy Mechanic to examine before you do buy a car. Most car sales offer money to mechanics goes with you to recommend the car.

Most costly and time consuming thing is tinkering and painting job. Other work can be done in few hours or few days

When you buy a car you will not want to be in garages. Owners of garages will remove your car and do small jobs what they get for daily expenses.

Therefore select the least repairs of a car, what you are going to buy. Wish you luck.

Sylvi Wijesinghe.

[Crosswind]

Don't buy a Mini. It's not the car for you, if your budget is 400k.

And definitely don't buy them from roadside car sales in Kandy road.

I would actually suggest a Ford Laser. They are proven to be good machines. Daewoo Racer is also a car worth considering. My other choices are:

Daihatsu Charmant (it's basically a Toyota Corolla with a different body)

Peugeot 504

Hyundai Stellar (basically a Mitsubishi Galant underneath)

Hyundai Pony/Excel (Lancer inside)

If you look hard, you might be able to find a B11 Nissan Sunny (12-Sri) one within 4 lakhs. That would a really good deal for you.

[rayman]

Hi FiatFan, I recommend a Toyota! More specifically a Corona/Carina AT-150. This is my story.

Almost two years back, I too was looking for a car right after my A/Ls and I had a budget of 470k. Now i'm a die hard euro and classic car maniac and I hate Toyotas! And all I wanted to buy was either old W115's, Subarus, Opels, old Alfas, Cortinas and Peugeots. My mechanic actively discouraged these cars because he told me I need a car that can be mended easily and with some resale value. So later when I had some money of my own I could go for a proper car. This of course made my car search a lot boring. He suggested B11 Sunnys, Corolla wagons etc. Now I hated these boring cars and wasn't happy at all. I was desperate to buy something so anyway I went to check out a Carina AT-150. And I didnt like the car at all. It had no power steering and only a 4spd gearbox. Typical boring Toyota car but it was rather expensive. Then I found a another AT-150 online and went to have a look assuming its a Carina. But it turned out to be a Corona which is the luxury version of the Carina. It wasn't modified and I was shocked to find power everything, power steering, shutters and even mirrors, working a/c, new tyres and all. Interior was in almost new condition and 180k on the clock. Not bad for a 30 year old car. There were some rust along the door sils and boot. But rest of the car seemed great. The owner was asking 490k, got it down to 425k, just brought it then and there and drove it home! Did some initial repairs for around 11k. Replaced a gasket. After driving it for a few days found out fuel consumption was really really bad, I was getting about 7kmpl! First I assumed it was because its a luxury version and must be heavy, and tinkering around with the carb didnt work. Eventually I gave it to a carb specialist and he redid the car for around 3000. And now its gets close to 11kmpl without a/c! Two years on and almost 20,000km later, the car is still working fine, despite horrible maintainace by me. Took it on the highway a few times, put it in a ditch/drain (stupid I know) but was fine and just drove off with no issues. Only breakdown other than it running out of fuel cz i keep driving it on empty, was when the powersteering belt broke. Quick fix and was on my way soon!

Great car! Though can't wait to upgrade to an euro soon. E34 I'm eyeing you :-)

I've seen AT-150's priced form 450k to even 750k (absurd). Market perception is that the Corona is less fuel efficent than the Carina. Its the same car with different panels on! Look and you will find a gem. Cortina's are super cool, but those cars are best enjoyed in restored condition. And they are horrible on fuel and in Colombo traffic. Pugs, have no market value. There are nice 405s for 400k, and I've even seen a mint 305 advertised, for exchange with a tuk or motorbike!! Same story with Korean cars. Minis for that price will spend most of the time in the garage. Try to get a car with at least power steering.

Sorry for the long rant! Just trying to help!

Good luck with your hunt!

[GTAm]

Since you are FIAT FAN, with euro taste..... Uno will be a good option IMO.We came across a car for 4.5 lks which was relatively better than any in our search. but didn't know about spares and maitenance related matters, so gave up.

Just my 2 cents and GOOD LUCK !

The Uno is the most popular modern Fiat in SL and all 4 parts shop in Panchikawatte stock Uno spares both new and used.

[GTAm]

Hi, I Currently use a 1969 VW BUG! I love it and its super awesome(nt the cheap bug whn it comes to fuel though)...

But now I decided to sell it and get smethng wth better KMPL and mre space! I hve a budget of 400,000 aftr I sell the car( got a buyer alrdy) ... As I usually do I thought of keeping 100,000 for any repairs/mods, and buy smethng for 300,000! I did do many searchs in AL ads and forums, but due to the crazy market I cant figure out what to look for in that price braket!

Wht I found wre old Lancers which are in rly riced up shapes! I also thought of gng on the Kandy road,bt I would like to get a clear picture of what to look for! Many thanx! Autolanka has already helped me a lot!

P.S. oh yeah almost forgot- my wants = 4 door,AC,bit economical,euros are cool, wagons are nt rly what I want!And I dnt want any fancy options! A car sized like the jeep model swift would be cool! =) thank u again!

Fiat Uno 45 with the FIRE engine if you want good fuel economy. However since you have mentioned the word "mods", also consider an older Uno 60/70 with the highly modifiable SOHC engine. It will be an older number but your initial outlay will be a lot less. The Uno is a great looking car (One of Giugiaro's all time great designs) cheap to run and fun to drive car.

[Crosswind]

Hi FiatFan, I recommend a Toyota! More specifically a Corona/Carina AT-150. This is my story.

Almost two years back, I too was looking for a car right after my A/Ls and I had a budget of 470k. Now i'm a die hard euro and classic car maniac and I hate Toyotas! And all I wanted to buy was either old W115's, Subarus, Opels, old Alfas, Cortinas and Peugeots. My mechanic actively discouraged these cars because he told me I need a car that can be mended easily and with some resale value. So later when I had some money of my own I could go for a proper car. This of course made my car search a lot boring. He suggested B11 Sunnys, Corolla wagons etc. Now I hated these boring cars and wasn't happy at all. I was desperate to buy something so anyway I went to check out a Carina AT-150. And I didnt like the car at all. It had no power steering and only a 4spd gearbox.

<SNIP>

Sorry for the long rant! Just trying to help!

Good luck with your hunt!

Don't you feel that you were just very lucky here? That surely doesn't mean ALL old Toyotas in the country are like yours...

Do read the old thread about how Harshan ran his 504 for a whole damn year without even servicing it

It's just luck. You can't generalize it.

For example I was personally aware of a 1984 Corona, which was used for just one or two months a year since the day it was bought, because the owners were overseas. Last year it was sold and it was looking brand new even to that date.

IF you can nab one like that, its just your good luck.

[Jaliya48]

I can vouch for the Corolla DX (KE70 sedans and KE72/74 wagons) and Daihatsu Charmant (rebadged KE70); these are built to last. The 4K engine is relatively easy to maintain and any mechanic can work on it. There are no fancy electronics to run berserk and there very economical too (and yes, I'm biased! ) Watch out for rust on the bodies though, that will be costly to repair!
In case you're interested in a hatchback, there was a Toyota KP60 Starlet advertised for Rs 400,000 a few weeks back. This is essentially a tiny KE70 as it's a FR layout and is powered by the trusty 4K. I've seen a KP60/61 wagon advertised on AL as well.

Here's a photo of a stock KP60 4-door:

The model advertised locally is a four door, but the front is more or less similar.

Let us know when you make your purchase!

[rayman]

Don't you feel that you were just very lucky here? That surely doesn't mean ALL old Toyotas in the country are like yours...

Do read the old thread about how Harshan ran his 504 for a whole damn year without even servicing it

It's just luck. You can't generalize it.

For example I was personally aware of a 1984 Corona, which was used for just one or two months a year since the day it was bought, because the owners were overseas. Last year it was sold and it was looking brand new even to that date.

IF you can nab one like that, its just your good luck.

Of course I was lucky. I'm sorry if it wasn't clear. Anyway what I wanted to say was, for a guy with a tight budget Jap is the best, taking into account the unique circumstances in Sri Lanka!

[aps]

After using DX Wagons (Toyota KE74) for 7 years, went for opel,

i picked Opel Corsa B,

got it few months before

does around 14-15Km/l with out A/C ,colombo high traffic 10-11Km/l (1.2L EFI engine)

Opel Corsa B -

Some reading -

WiKi

You can find a good copy from SL for 5K-7K (19-xxx, 300-xxx,) if google.................

Edited January 11, 2013 by aps

[carboy2011]

i have to agree with you on this mate only exceptiong being the VW bug (but the OP has that and wants to upgrade)

Anyway what I wanted to say was, for a guy with a tight budget Jap is the best, taking into account the unique circumstances in Sri Lanka!

[Dinukap4]

Nissan March from the 1980's is a good deal Drove one recently not bad at all as it goes for around 4Laks Enough of space on the back for 3 adults

Edited January 12, 2013 by Dinukap4

[fiat fan]

Hi everybody,,, sorry for the late reply as I was tied up in some personal issues... I would like to thank evetybody for their generous help... Their are over 28 models to choose under the 500,000 price bracket... I went to see many models and was not happy with the way the owners had treated the cars... most did not even start and most of them were rust buckets... I must say I am interested in the UNO cars... can anybody give me more info on them??? thanx

[Crosswind]

I can tell u outright, that spare parts are not a problem for unos. milano and nelum motors stock those. nelum fella has some body parts too.