What to go for 14-16M

[Nuwan2806]

Hello guys!, I sold my 2017 Vitz which i used for last 6 years. Please give me possible options (car or suv) considering,

1. Reliability

2. Comfort

3. Resale value.

Many thanks in Advance.

[iRage]

Uhh...you would get more (constructive) responses if you provide more details such as:
1. What do you use the car for.
2. Who will be using the car (like are you single and drive alone ? family ? dogs ?...)
3. Where are you ?
4. When you are casually driving around what cars have you found attractive?
5. What kind of a car user are you ? Good with keeping up with maintenance ? Do you look for the cheapest mechanic to do the repairs ? Do you just pump petrol and forget and can't be bothered about everything else?
 

[Nuwan2806]

18 hours ago, iRage said:

Uhh...you would get more (constructive) responses if you provide more details such as:
1. What do you use the car for.
2. Who will be using the car (like are you single and drive alone ? family ? dogs ?...)
3. Where are you ?
4. When you are casually driving around what cars have you found attractive?
5. What kind of a car user are you ? Good with keeping up with maintenance ? Do you look for the cheapest mechanic to do the repairs ? Do you just pump petrol and forget and can't be bothered about everything else?
 

Thank you for reply, 

1. This was our primary car. So we will use it for everything.

2. Most of the time I will be using, seldomly my wife also use.

3. I’ m in colombo suburbs.

4. Yaris, raize, Yaris cross, vezel( new)

5. Previously I have done service and repair from TL only. So hope to do same for next car. I pretty much like what you are saying. But simple repair is ok.

T.Y. In advance.

 

Edited January 26 by Nuwan2806

[matroska]

24 minutes ago, Nuwan2806 said:

Yaris, raize, Yaris cross, vezel( new)

Slightly Different cars in different price brackets

- The Yaris is slightly less value for the money in my opinion for a 1000CC hatch. Since you're looking for an all-round car it might be better to look for something more rounded

- Raize - two variants. The 1000CC unit and the 1200 Hybrid JDM. Again a small crossover will not be very spacious

-Yaris Cross (MXPJ10 -the JDM Variant.) : This is the option right in your budget. This is a decent car. Comes with a 3cyl 1.5 L engine with a hybrid motor (Same as you get on the aqua if i remember correctly) car has reasonable space and overall decent motor.

-Vezel : Might be slightly outside your budget but you might be able to squeeze in a 2023/2024 ish unit for your budget. Easily in a different category than the above 3. I was quite skeptical about the Vezel initially and eventually ended up buying one - so far has been very impressed. 

If your need is a Primary car that you use for almost everything 

- If you can stretch your budget slighty -Vezel Easy choice

- Test drive the Raize and the Yaris Cross see if the higher price tag of the Yaris Cross is justified -if you feel there is not much between the two then given the Raize is cheaper go for the Raize. 

- I'd avoid the Yaris hatchback ... it's not much of an 'upgrade' for you. 

[iRage]

8 hours ago, Nuwan2806 said:

Thank you for reply, 

1. This was our primary car. So we will use it for everything.

2. Most of the time I will be using, seldomly my wife also use.

3. I’ m in colombo suburbs.

4. Yaris, raize, Yaris cross, vezel( new)

5. Previously I have done service and repair from TL only. So hope to do same for next car. I pretty much like what you are saying. But simple repair is ok.

T.Y. In advance.

 

I would agree with @matroska..the best out of the list would be the Yaris Cross. It has the same internals as the Aqua/Yaris 1.5L Hybrid (we don't get the 1.5l Hybrid Yaris because of taxes). Its a nice ride, and comes decently equipped. If you can get the highest trim level it is really nice but even mid and low trims come decently equipped.

None of the cars on your list give that much of space (Vezel slightly bit more) so assuming it is not that much of a concern.

Vezel will be out of your budget. Raize....old platform, old tech. If you want a Raize I would suggest you go for the manufacturer support by going for one by Toy#ta L#nka or Perodua.

Yaris....unless you go for the higest trim level you are not going to be getting much of an upgrade. The 1L is still a dog of an engine. The ride and safety equipment has improved quite a lot from the old Vitz, however everythign else in the 1L and low trim variants are quite minimalistic that you are not getting that much. If you can personally import a Yaris 1.5L petrol or 1.5L Hybrid then I would say yes..gor for it..but the 1L...nah (the 1.5L Petrol even comes with a 6MT gearbox if you are into that). Alternatively, is the Aqua out of your budget ? That is surprisingly a decent car...okay..it is the Yaris, but since it is 1.5L Hybrid Yaris in a different skin. The 1.5L Hybrid Yaris/Aqua is actually bit more peppier than the Yaris Corss with the same engine and drive train.

If you want a petrol vehicle another option would be a new Corolla. 1.5L petrol is not the best variant but it is still a decent car....in many ways looks more mature and refined than the Yaris and the Aqua and low trim levels of the Yaris Cross.

Edited January 26 by iRage

[kush]

I would suggest Corolla too. You should be able to get a G grade or 2023/4 WXB around your budget as a personal import. I have been using a Corolla Sport from 2019 and it is my daily driver. It is a different engine and the rear suspension but you will get better interior quality than all the list mentioned above. 

If you are concern about fuel economy get a hybrid as all above hybrids do around 20kmpl in city where as the Corolla might be around 8-12 kmpl

[iRage]

1 hour ago, kush said:

I would suggest Corolla too. You should be able to get a G grade or 2023/4 WXB around your budget as a personal import. I have been using a Corolla Sport from 2019 and it is my daily driver. It is a different engine and the rear suspension but you will get better interior quality than all the list mentioned above. 

If you are concern about fuel economy get a hybrid as all above hybrids do around 20kmpl in city where as the Corolla might be around 8-12 kmpl

Wait ! Which Corolla Sport is your's ? Our Corolla Touring will be in SL for another year or so before she gets shipped back to JPN  <unless someone makes a really good offer to buy it off from us > 

[john cooper]

On 1/27/2026 at 2:59 PM, iRage said:

Wait ! Which Corolla Sport is your's ? Our Corolla Touring will be in SL for another year or so before she gets shipped back to JPN  <unless someone makes a really good offer to buy it off from us > 

On a different note, I believe you are driving your Rolla in SL with the Japanese plates?

If anyone wanted to buy, is that doable legally?

[iRage]

9 hours ago, john cooper said:

On a different note, I believe you are driving your Rolla in SL with the Japanese plates?

If anyone wanted to buy, is that doable legally?

No..it has Sri Lankan plates. Because the car was being taken out of Japan for a long time, and the owner's residency status (wife) changed, the car had to be deregistered. It has Sri Lankan plates. however, they are blue plates as it is a duty-free car.

If less than 3 years from the date of registration in SL, it can only be sold to another expat with duty-free privileges. After three years, anyone can buy it but if its a local they have to pay the assessed duty amount.

Edited January 28 by iRage

[kush]

On 1/27/2026 at 7:29 AM, iRage said:

Wait ! Which Corolla Sport is your's ? Our Corolla Touring will be in SL for another year or so before she gets shipped back to JPN  <unless someone makes a really good offer to buy it off from us > 

It is the dark blue with sports seats and most probably the only one with TRD body kit CBH

[kush]

4 hours ago, iRage said:

No..it has Sri Lankan plates. Because the car was being taken out of Japan for a long time, and the owner's residency status (wife) changed, the car had to be deregistered. It has Sri Lankan plates. however, they are blue plates as it is a duty-free car.

If less than 3 years from the date of registration in SL, it can only be sold to another expat with duty-free privileges. After three years, anyone can buy it but if its a local they have to pay the assessed duty amount.

I'm not sure whether they assessed  duty is based on the original duty waiver or current duty. As i remember they depreciate it. However, for three years depreciation will not be much. Only after 10 years it gets substantially reduced. Best is to give it to trusted party who will use it for rest of 10 years and then transfer. There will be associated risk for both parties.

[iRage]

15 hours ago, kush said:

It is the dark blue with sports seats and most probably the only one with TRD body kit CBH

Aha..I don't think I've seen it. The only ones Ive seen with the sports seats have been white, sunburst orange, red and a blue which was CBK.
 

15 hours ago, kush said:

I'm not sure whether they assessed  duty is based on the original duty waiver or current duty. As i remember they depreciate it. However, for three years depreciation will not be much. Only after 10 years it gets substantially reduced. Best is to give it to trusted party who will use it for rest of 10 years and then transfer. There will be associated risk for both parties.

We are pretty sure we are not selling it but bringing it back to JPN. If we sell it the options are not that sensible once we get back, either buy a brandnew car (none of the upcoming or current models are appealing, plus will have to dump more money and we don't want to do that) or buy a used car which will be the same type as the current Corolla Touring. Prefer to keep this as we have had it from day one.

As for the duty, its sort of both. Based on the Serena my wife's boss sold off....it seems like they take the originally calculated tax value and then adjust it based on the time period the car was used duty-free (i.e. "by the expat"). Some taxes (based on engine capacity) get adjusted a bit while some tax components (based on CIF value) would get adjusted more.  

Edited January 29 by iRage

[john cooper]

On 1/28/2026 at 11:41 PM, iRage said:

No..it has Sri Lankan plates. Because the car was being taken out of Japan for a long time, and the owner's residency status (wife) changed, the car had to be deregistered. It has Sri Lankan plates. however, they are blue plates as it is a duty-free car.

If less than 3 years from the date of registration in SL, it can only be sold to another expat with duty-free privileges. After three years, anyone can buy it but if its a local they have to pay the assessed duty amount.

This is a bit interesting... I know it's off topic 😉

So, at present, I don't have SL residency, but I have applied for dual citizenship in SL. Do you think I would qualify send down one of my vehicles once I have granted my SL Citizenship?

What is the local authority I should seek more information from?

 

regards,

JC

[iRage]

11 hours ago, john cooper said:

This is a bit interesting... I know it's off topic 😉

So, at present, I don't have SL residency, but I have applied for dual citizenship in SL. Do you think I would qualify send down one of my vehicles once I have granted my SL Citizenship?

What is the local authority I should seek more information from?

 

regards,

JC

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