Best Used Car Under 1.6Mn

[Tharaka Samarasena]

Please suggest me a Auto transmission car that has a great fuel efficiency and easy to maintain for daily driven under LKR 1.6Mn.

Manufacture year should be 2000 upwards .

Both sedans and hatchbacks considerable.

[Supra_Natural]

21 hours ago, Tharaka Samarasena said:

Please suggest me a Auto transmission car that has a great fuel efficiency and easy to maintain for daily driven under LKR 1.6Mn.

Manufacture year should be 2000 upwards .

Both sedans and hatchbacks considerable.

Oh boy, that isn't exactly an easy budget to find anything decent in this day and age, especially since you want it to be YOM 2000 at the earliest! 

If fuel economy and cheapness to run are your major criteria, then an Alto would probably be the best bet, but I'm not sure if there will be any auto ones in the price bracket.

If you want a more substantial car than an Alto that will still be ok to run then I would suggest looking at the K11 March, but finding a solid one might be a challenge. A slightly bigger option would be a Perodua Kelisa.

Another Nissan that is kicking around that general price is the AD Wagon, which will give you a load more space, and still not be too expensive to run. It's a bit basic though.

If Toyota is your thing, Solunas seem to be around that range, they are decent cars from what I know (basically a tercel with different front and rear, but they are looked down upon by the lankan baiyas because they were made in Thailand. Quite a few were around, so you might be able to find a decent one.

A left field option is a Ford Laser, it is almost entirely a Mazda 323/familia, but sells for less due to the badge. It will definitely be a nicer drive than most of the above, but ford specific body parts might be a challenge.

Keep in mind that all of these options are basically 20 years old by this point. Mechanical parts should be ok for a few years yet but body and trim bits will be getting scarce for everything but the Altos. Keep that in mind when looking.

Also, it is generally good practice to keep a reserve of about 200-300k for any repairs that the vehicle might need, it's usually best to get everything done in one go so you can use it without a hassle.

 

 

[PreseaLover]

Definitely you can go for a PRESEA. Your budget and requirements all aligns well with it. 

[Supra_Natural]

3 minutes ago, PreseaLover said:

Definitely you can go for a PRESEA. Your budget and requirements all aligns well with it. 

He wants a car newer than 2000 YOM. 

[PreseaLover]

Just now, Supra_Natural said:

He wants a car newer than 2000 YOM. 

He said 2000 upwards, so that means we can take 2000 too noh? My previous presea was 2000 model

[matroska]

Ok this is tough but not impossible. @Supra_Natural has covered most of the options. To add to that some other options I can think of are - Kia Rios ~2000/2001. Other options: Mazda Familia (BJ3P - the 1300 version particularly) might be possible with a bit of hard bargaining and maybe an N16 from 2000 - the underpowered 1.3 L version might be a candidate (there was one for sale for 1.8 last week ) . Consider that cars with duplicate CR's may go for a bit less than others due to local trends. So you can use that to bargain and get one for less. If you remove the YOM2000 requirement your options open up a lot. 

As for the presea - 2000 models go for much higher I think. 

 

 

Edited December 2, 2020 by matroska

[Sylvi]

Tharaka Samarasena,

You want a car for 1.6M, the car will not be a very good road runner. If you are a new Automobile user. Because when the new or used vehicles are exported from a original country they are not made to lat that much of time. Think before you buy a vehicle because of that era vehicles minimum mileage will be more than 400,000 Kilometers.  Do not know how many mechanics would have handled them, spares also will be a problem.

 A vehicle of that era You may have to spend more time in repair shops and money. Therefore It is better you go for a newer vehicle under 10 years. Which will be expensive.

Sylvester Wijesinghe.

Sylvi.

[Supra_Natural]

22 hours ago, Sylvi said:

Tharaka Samarasena,

You want a car for 1.6M, the car will not be a very good road runner. If you are a new Automobile user. Because when the new or used vehicles are exported from a original country they are not made to lat that much of time. Think before you buy a vehicle because of that era vehicles minimum mileage will be more than 400,000 Kilometers.  Do not know how many mechanics would have handled them, spares also will be a problem.

 A vehicle of that era You may have to spend more time in repair shops and money. Therefore It is better you go for a newer vehicle under 10 years. Which will be expensive.

Sylvester Wijesinghe.

Sylvi.

Mr Wijesinghe,

With all due respect, your knowledge may be wide but in this instance it is a bit out of date and you are just plain incorrect. Vehicles made from around the 1980s onwards are perfectly capable of running for any length of time as long as they are well maintained, as long as @Tharaka Samarasena does his due diligence when selecting a vehicle and keeps it well maintained, he will be able to use it without any problems.

Kindly do not spread misinformation.

 

[Sylvi]

 

Honorable Supera Natural,

First of all I thank you for all respects to me reply for my comments on that post,  enlighten my way of thinking of 20 year old vehicle.  Vehicles made after 1980 to present day vehicles will be in good condition if they are maintained well then will last for very long time, You inform to me, my reply is out dated and incorrect.

 TO ME ANY VEHICLE MADE AFTER 1980 OR ANY VEHICLE MADE IN 1940 WILL LAST IF SPARES ARE READILY AVAILABLE  FOR REPLACEMENT WHEN IT IS NECESSARY. ALSO REPLACEMENT WILL HAVE TO BE DONE BY A EXPERIENCED PERSON.

I wrote that post with good intentions not to discourage this member. If you read AL, we get members recommending good Mechanics who will do a honest repair, most of them do are changing new parts in the process some times, they change serviceable parts near by. Very few mechanics do repairs themselves or supervise personally. Can find many AL members complain about same, unwanted delays very high repair charges etc.

We still do not have testing machines for some common parts we change shock absorbers, Clutch plate assembly's efficiency testing individually. Can test entire vehicle for shocks. Normally Clutch plate starts slipping most mechanics change complete set, Clutch plate with the pressure plate.

Few years back When I joined this forum, I too had few bad comments in to this forum, regarding my charges, one member mentioning I wanted for a job which I do at present, Rupees 15,000/=. That member managed to do that (DIY) same thing with Braso for few rupees. I don't dispute that. DIY then I cannot understand for the reason he got a quotation from my self. If he is capable and had the technology.

I am still in this Automobile service for last 28 years, done more than 20000, satisfactory repairs by my self. I had done all this in Sri Lanka from the time I started after qualifying in USA. I do this for not to make big money by exorbitant charges, to inform you I started life in Automobile industry which existed from 1931 in Colombo 00300, by my late father.

 In Sri Lanka I have handled Including most expensive Bullet Proof cars. Originally I did my self, at present I have two very well trained workers do work. I do work Only if an a customer is prepared to pay my charges. I will be 78 years in few days not much active at my old age due to few ailments most jobs are handled today by my workers under my personal guidance.

I do not want to blow my trumpet. I can overhaul a Automobile engine Gear box ( NOT AUTO GEAR BOXES). Rear  Transmission, Entire brake system, Suspension. Up to 1 Megawatt Generator Engines Alternator winding of same. AVR Cards, some AVR cards can be repaired others are filled with Epoxy difficult to remove and change Electronic components.

Any type of metal fabrications like Elevators Electricity operated. Bread Flour mixing machines of large 100 Kgs capacity. All  mentioned what I had made and maintained by my self.

I may have deviated from the answer, most things on this post are not relevant to the topic, I cannot help I wrote facts what I think about used old vehicles. I may be wrong will never write about the above topic in future.

My specialty is Magneto Armature Winding, today there may be few Mag Armature winders in Sri Lanka. Because Magnetos are not used in Automobiles Due to Electronics (ECU) had taken over the Ignition system. I know still Aircraft industry is using Magnetos.

For entire life from about 13 years or early I lived with Automobiles. and heavy engineering units. Because for the simple reason my place where I live today my late father had a work shop, in 40 perches land, Today I have only 21 perches. He had skilled workers. He did repairs of all types of Automobiles as well as Electrical power Generators,

I do not want to write much about past, but with my knowledge I can say today's vehicles are not the vehicles like forty or fifty years ago. The era I grew up we used to cut chop modify and get them to last few more years. till we get the original replacement. At present many new replacements are available for a damaged or not serviceable parts for modern Automobiles.

To day no mechanic will not want to repair a part by filling and machining to be serviceable for many more years of good use. In the dark era (1962 to 1977)many reconditioning establishments for automobile parts opened up to serve the automobile industry, to get wasted parts by reconditioning. I do not want to mention their names some are still existing due to our grown up automobile industry. After 1977. Engine head gasket industry there were many New gasket makers in Colombo town. today only one person is in that industry.

Rubber bushes and other necessary rubber components manufactures were in big way. Also Automobile side and rear lamp plastic covers industry was existing in that era.

Gear wheel rebuilding one famous work shop was their few miles away from Colombo on High level road. Today I was told that business is not there. I do not know that is correct or not. I have met that proprietors son several times in Japan during my visits. 

I too switched on to another Automobile aftermarket service industry because the ending of dark era Sri lanka started importing all necessary spare parts for Automobiles,

I had three Armature winders only winding  one type of Armatures. I too did myself Armature winding, as well as Magneto Armatures, my last winding of a BTH Magneto armature about 8 years ago, for a old fire service water pump two cylinder Gasoline engine. I had to change the Carburetor of that engine to a SU. 

There was a Carburetor specialist in Ingrukade junction. AL there was few members wrote. posts about the work shop still old proprietor's son is existing.

For my knowledge only one person who followed his fathers foot steps are still in Automobile engine tuning.

Honorable supper natural one of the respected moderator's, I have answered with best of my knowledge to the forum for your comments. Have mentioned many things about Automobile industry history in Sri lanka of what I know.

I remain.

Sylvester Wijesinghe

Sylvi.

[Supra_Natural]

On 12/5/2020 at 1:17 AM, Sylvi said:

 

Honorable Supera Natural,

First of all I thank you for all respects to me reply for my comments on that post,  enlighten my way of thinking of 20 year old vehicle.  Vehicles made after 1980 to present day vehicles will be in good condition if they are maintained well then will last for very long time, You inform to me, my reply is out dated and incorrect.

 TO ME ANY VEHICLE MADE AFTER 1980 OR ANY VEHICLE MADE IN 1940 WILL LAST IF SPARES ARE READILY AVAILABLE  FOR REPLACEMENT WHEN IT IS NECESSARY. ALSO REPLACEMENT WILL HAVE TO BE DONE BY A EXPERIENCED PERSON.

I wrote that post with good intentions not to discourage this member. If you read AL, we get members recommending good Mechanics who will do a honest repair, most of them do are changing new parts in the process some times, they change serviceable parts near by. Very few mechanics do repairs themselves or supervise personally. Can find many AL members complain about same, unwanted delays very high repair charges etc.

We still do not have testing machines for some common parts we change shock absorbers, Clutch plate assembly's efficiency testing individually. Can test entire vehicle for shocks. Normally Clutch plate starts slipping most mechanics change complete set, Clutch plate with the pressure plate.

Few years back When I joined this forum, I too had few bad comments in to this forum, regarding my charges, one member mentioning I wanted for a job which I do at present, Rupees 15,000/=. That member managed to do that (DIY) same thing with Braso for few rupees. I don't dispute that. DIY then I cannot understand for the reason he got a quotation from my self. If he is capable and had the technology.

I am still in this Automobile service for last 28 years, done more than 20000, satisfactory repairs by my self. I had done all this in Sri Lanka from the time I started after qualifying in USA. I do this for not to make big money by exorbitant charges, to inform you I started life in Automobile industry which existed from 1931 in Colombo 00300, by my late father.

 In Sri Lanka I have handled Including most expensive Bullet Proof cars. Originally I did my self, at present I have two very well trained workers do work. I do work Only if an a customer is prepared to pay my charges. I will be 78 years in few days not much active at my old age due to few ailments most jobs are handled today by my workers under my personal guidance.

I do not want to blow my trumpet. I can overhaul a Automobile engine Gear box ( NOT AUTO GEAR BOXES). Rear  Transmission, Entire brake system, Suspension. Up to 1 Megawatt Generator Engines Alternator winding of same. AVR Cards, some AVR cards can be repaired others are filled with Epoxy difficult to remove and change Electronic components.

Any type of metal fabrications like Elevators Electricity operated. Bread Flour mixing machines of large 100 Kgs capacity. All  mentioned what I had made and maintained by my self.

I may have deviated from the answer, most things on this post are not relevant to the topic, I cannot help I wrote facts what I think about used old vehicles. I may be wrong will never write about the above topic in future.

My specialty is Magneto Armature Winding, today there may be few Mag Armature winders in Sri Lanka. Because Magnetos are not used in Automobiles Due to Electronics (ECU) had taken over the Ignition system. I know still Aircraft industry is using Magnetos.

For entire life from about 13 years or early I lived with Automobiles. and heavy engineering units. Because for the simple reason my place where I live today my late father had a work shop, in 40 perches land, Today I have only 21 perches. He had skilled workers. He did repairs of all types of Automobiles as well as Electrical power Generators,

I do not want to write much about past, but with my knowledge I can say today's vehicles are not the vehicles like forty or fifty years ago. The era I grew up we used to cut chop modify and get them to last few more years. till we get the original replacement. At present many new replacements are available for a damaged or not serviceable parts for modern Automobiles.

To day no mechanic will not want to repair a part by filling and machining to be serviceable for many more years of good use. In the dark era (1962 to 1977)many reconditioning establishments for automobile parts opened up to serve the automobile industry, to get wasted parts by reconditioning. I do not want to mention their names some are still existing due to our grown up automobile industry. After 1977. Engine head gasket industry there were many New gasket makers in Colombo town. today only one person is in that industry.

Rubber bushes and other necessary rubber components manufactures were in big way. Also Automobile side and rear lamp plastic covers industry was existing in that era.

Gear wheel rebuilding one famous work shop was their few miles away from Colombo on High level road. Today I was told that business is not there. I do not know that is correct or not. I have met that proprietors son several times in Japan during my visits. 

I too switched on to another Automobile aftermarket service industry because the ending of dark era Sri lanka started importing all necessary spare parts for Automobiles,

I had three Armature winders only winding  one type of Armatures. I too did myself Armature winding, as well as Magneto Armatures, my last winding of a BTH Magneto armature about 8 years ago, for a old fire service water pump two cylinder Gasoline engine. I had to change the Carburetor of that engine to a SU. 

There was a Carburetor specialist in Ingrukade junction. AL there was few members wrote. posts about the work shop still old proprietor's son is existing.

For my knowledge only one person who followed his fathers foot steps are still in Automobile engine tuning.

Honorable supper natural one of the respected moderator's, I have answered with best of my knowledge to the forum for your comments. Have mentioned many things about Automobile industry history in Sri lanka of what I know.

I remain.

Sylvester Wijesinghe

Sylvi.

Dear Mr Wijesinghe,

I observe that you still have your tendency to deviate several miles from the topic at hand. And you seem to be aware of it as well, based on your reply so I do kindly request that you attempt to stay within the boundaries of the topic as far as possible. While some of us do enjoy hearing about the automotive history of the island, I feel a lengthy screed such as this would have been better suited to the thread that was created specifically for that purpose years ago:

 

If you would be so kind as to keep your responses to general questions as brief as possible, and put the longer descriptions on the above thread, that would be greatly appreciated. 

This way we can help answer a members' questions as efficiently as possible, and still be able to also appreciate your rich and varied automotive historical insight. 

 

Thanks.

[Sylvi]

Honorable Supra_Natural,

Contents noted, in future will do as your instructions.

Sylvester Wijesinghe

Sylvi.