Advise for buying vitz 2008 model

Pradeep_k · July 21, 2018

Hi guys!!

I’m looking to buy a vitz 2007-8 model as my first car, need advise how to check the engine and what are the consideration during the inspections

Also, any other sugestion for 26laks budget except wagon r??

Edited July 22, 2018 by Pradeep_k

Pradeep_k · July 23, 2018

100% agreeed!! I’ve been talking with owners they sounds like this bloody 15 years old vehicle pice of gold. We pay millions from our hard work that the vehicles are deserve to be scrap, seriously what a dump system

Edited July 23, 2018 by Pradeep_k

tcfern1 · July 22, 2018

Take the vehicle to toyota lanka and they will givea full report for just rs.6500.00

iRage · July 22, 2018

The car is actually pretty good and is decently put together. Not the most exciting of cars to drive but it will get the job done. The issue with the car, imo, has nothing to do with the car...

The P90 series which (2005ish onwards) was the beginning of the Vitz getting a CVT unit (and the beginning of the common/popular cars coming with CVTs in to SL). As a result most users and mechanics were a bit too clueless on how to service them (did not change CVT fluid at reasonable intervals, used the wrong oil, opened them up thinking it would be just like any other AT). As a result quite a few of them in SL seem to have had some kind of transmission work done. I suppose the latter series/imports could have been a bit better taken care of ? This is not a reason to run away from it. Just make sure that the transmission is in good nick, and if it has been maintained properly and if it was swapped that it was done at a reputed place (i.e. not Johnny baas's J Motors down the road). The plus side is..this can also be a negotiation point to come to a reasonable price.

For the same price I believe you might be able to find a GE series Fit, which is a much nicer car to drive or even a Tiida from the same era (one can always say these cars too have similar CVT issues...). The "Indian" built Swifts of the era are much lower than your budget (but don't go for it ?). However, the Japanese variants if I am not mistaken might be within your reach.

No matter what you get....at the very least take it to the agents for an inspection. depending on the agent, the check might not be that comprehensive. So consider a third part Car Check place as well because their car check might have more points for inspection.

matroska · July 22, 2018

On 7/22/2018 at 2:11 AM, iRage said:

For the same price I believe you might be able to find a GE series Fit

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@OP The GE series fit is a waaay better choice than the vitz : has ample space,more pulling power and an absolute joy to drive. It was however the fits cvt issues that highlighted the cvt issues initially in SL. Just be vary on that.

Twin Turbo · July 22, 2018

Congrats on the car, and it is a good move to get an inspection done, As the car is 10 years old.

There are enough specialists and the agent will be more than happy to help you.

Cheers,..

TT.

Edited July 22, 2018 by Twin Turbo

Pradeep_k · July 22, 2018

Grate!! thanks for all the comments.

Agreed with Honda Fit sugesstion.I would love to go for a Honda Fit but the price is starting from 2.8 and most of them are more than 100k mileage

just a another idea how about hyndai grand i10 since I’m quite concern about design and driving plasure

iRage · July 22, 2018

On 7/22/2018 at 2:55 AM, matroska said:

@OP The GE series fit is a waaay better choice than the vitz : has ample space,more pulling power and an absolute joy to drive. It was however the fits cvt issues that highlighted the cvt issues initially in SL. Just be vary on that.

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The CVT issues are there with all cars of the era isn't it ? Its just that Lankans didn't know what to so with them

On 7/22/2018 at 4:55 AM, Pradeep_k said:

Agreed with Honda Fit sugesstion.I would love to go for a Honda Fit but the price is starting from 2.8 and most of them are more than 100k mileage

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If you believe a Vitz of the same period has less than 100k, its time for you to wake up. 100k is nothing for a well maintained car. You just have to get it at a realistic and reasonable price (which rarely happens with Toyotas in SL).

Vitz has no driving pleasure in stock form unless its an actual RS variant (not the grade) and those are rare in SL. If u want driving pleasure from a vitz u need some suspwnsion upgrades. I still stand by what I said earlier. Look at the Fit or the Japanese Swift Sport or japanese Swift normql variants. Those two are enjoyable in srock form

Edited July 22, 2018 by iRage

matroska · July 22, 2018

On 7/22/2018 at 5:46 AM, iRage said:

The CVT issues are there with all cars of the era isn't it ? Its just that Lankans didn't know what to so with them

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Yeah from all manufacturers. Just wanted OP to know the Fit gear-box needs to be looked into as well.

Anyway thing is it was with the Fit that people first heard about them - hence they associate the GE series with CVT issues forever. Also the Axios from 2007+ but no body talks about them and treats the axio and vitzes as god's greatest gift to humankind.

Fit : Ammmoooo gear box issues

Vitz: Shaaa supiri wahane

matroska · July 22, 2018

On 7/22/2018 at 4:55 AM, Pradeep_k said:

Agreed with Honda Fit sugesstion.I would love to go for a Honda Fit but the price is starting from 2.8 and most of them are more than 100k mileage

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Well at least the Fit owners are being honest with their odometers usually due to Toyota's high-resale value and it being a 'trade-able commodity' Toyota's have their odometers tampered regularly: A 10 year old car doing 100,000 is acceptable it is unlikely that a car would run less than 10,000 km per year (exceptions are there yes i agree) This is why you need to try to verify the mileage with service records/emission certificates etc. Unfortunately I have noticed that when you try to buy vehicles with suspiciously low mileage: a) the vehicle has been serviced at some obscure service station hence having zero records b) the vehicle is owned by the sellers brothers wifes father[who also bought the car on open papers from a doctor ] who is abroad hence the emission certificates can't be found

hrm · July 23, 2018

If you find a well maintained one there's nothing wrong with Vitz. CVT issues are repairable here for some extent. I have used a 2007 one for 4 years as 3rd owner only dong regular services and climbed mountains with it. It really depends on how it was maintained by previous owner/s. Car has nothing to do with Sri Lankan second hand logic what so ever.

Edited July 23, 2018 by hrm

matroska · July 23, 2018

On 7/23/2018 at 4:34 AM, hrm said:

I have used a 2007 one for 4 years as 3rd owner only dong regular services and climbed mountains with it.

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Yours was a 1.3 L one right? Those are rare to find though.

hrm · July 23, 2018

On 7/23/2018 at 4:54 AM, matroska said:

Yours was a 1.3 L one right? Those are rare to find though.

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Yep and I was bit lucky to find a good specimen.

Pradeep_k · July 24, 2018

Guys!! I got the 1000cc vitz 2007 model. Fit to my budget, Well maintained and clear documents. Thank you for all your support and advice.

hrm · July 24, 2018

On 7/24/2018 at 1:56 AM, Pradeep_k said:

Guys!! I got the 1000cc vitz 2007 model. Fit to my budget, Well maintained and clear documents. Thank you for all your support and advice.

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Congrats !! If you don't mind how much did you pay? 8 air bags model?

Pradeep_k · July 24, 2018

2 airbags, 60k km (genuine millage), 2.5Mn

hrm · July 24, 2018

On 7/24/2018 at 5:11 AM, Pradeep_k said:

2 airbags, 60k km (genuine millage), 2.5Mn

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Thanks. I sold my dual airbag 1300cc for little over 27 recently.

Pradeep_k · July 24, 2018

Fair enough ?

matroska · July 24, 2018

Congrats!! Have fun with your new car..

Pradeepkumara · September 6, 2018

Hi guys!!

My 2007 vitz 1000cc, having a vibration issue as all the 3 cylinder cars. However mine is quite heavyly vibrates in 100km/h in highway, planing to do a engine tuneup (never been done before) Checked with Toyota lanka they charge 25k is it worth doing at Toyota lanka or any recommended places??

Edited September 6, 2018 by Pradeepkumara

iRage · September 7, 2018

On 9/6/2018 at 6:49 PM, Pradeepkumara said:

Hi guys!!

My 2007 vitz 1000cc, having a vibration issue as all the 3 cylinder cars. However mine is quite heavyly vibrates in 100km/h in highway, planing to do a engine tuneup (never been done before) Checked with Toyota lanka they charge 25k is it worth doing at Toyota lanka or any recommended places??

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Are you sure it is just the engine that is making your car vibrate ? Rotors, hubs, etc are fine ?

Pradeep_k · September 7, 2018

Not sure about that but I did a scan with a local garage which indicated the fields are is failed (attached) so they suggested doing a tuneup

raveeJaya · September 7, 2018

On 9/7/2018 at 5:27 AM, Pradeep_k said:

Not sure about that but I did a scan with a local garage which indicated the fields are is failed (attached) so they suggested doing a tuneup

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I don't see anything failed related to your ECU and related sensors. What above screen shows is that the OBD II protocols were not supported.

That means the OBD II protocol supported by your car is non of the above. That is normal for JDM Toyota car. Last protocol is saying waiting. It may be trying to communicate with your ECU.Your mechanics seem to be not a educated guy.

If you wish to scan it you better go to a place where the scanner support your Vitz.

24 minutes ago, Pradeep_k said:

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Pradeep_k · September 7, 2018

Hi raveeJaya

Thank you for your advice, totally agreed!! and he is not a tech guy and they just did the scan for free so said okay. but I check with other people who own Vitz most of them suggest to do a tuneup such as cleaning the spark plug and replacing to iridium etc. my question is that, is it okay to go to Toyota Lanka for this kind issues (obviously expensive) or other recommended places which is relatively cheaper and expertise in solving this

Just for your information last protocol also failed at the end

Thanks in advance

Edited September 7, 2018 by Pradeep_k

gayanath · September 7, 2018

On 9/6/2018 at 6:49 PM, Pradeepkumara said:

My 2007 vitz 1000cc, having a vibration issue as all the 3 cylinder cars. However mine is quite heavyly vibrates in 100km/h in highway, planing to do a engine tuneup (never been done before) Checked with Toyota lanka they charge 25k is it worth doing at Toyota lanka or any recommended places??

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On 9/7/2018 at 6:13 AM, Pradeep_k said:

but I check with other people who own Vitz most of them suggest to do a tuneup such as cleaning the spark plug and replacing to iridium etc.

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Seems @Pradeepkumara and @Pradeep_k is same person.

If the vibration relates to speed and its higher in 100 km/h, most probably you should start your investigation from wheel balance. (You may put new Tyre set by adding few more to 25k. )