Car Experts! Please Help Me To Select The Best Car For The Criteria!!!!!!!

Car Maniac · May 5, 2008

Currently Im an owner of a Maruti 800. After getting bored of this Indian car (I feel really tired after driving it for few kms), I thought of shifting to a Japanese hatchback.

My budget is around one million (1M).

I have to drive mainly in Colombo, sometimes during rush hours and sometimes during the day time.

After a quick here and there research I thought of making a choice between the following cars because I personally like them all equally.

1. Toyota Starlet EP 82 (manual gear) - not the GT version, I like the normal model with 1.3 L engine

2. Toyota Starlet EP 91 (manual gear) - again, not the Glanza. I prefer the normal model

3. Nissan March K11 (1000cc manual or 1300cc manual)

Previously I read your discussions about nissan marchs and starlets in the forum. But still Im unable to make my decision what to buy, confidently. Therefore I will be grateful if you guys can help me to clarify.

My criteria is as follows.

1. The car should be highly fuel efficient.

2. It should be free from any serious troubles like.... you know guys.... engine troubles, costly repairs

3. Peace of mind driving.

4. Good resale value with minimum cost of maintenance.

Straight forward to the subject, please can you guys tell me will I be able to find a car for around 1 million from the above given list of cars? Any car, my choice is manual gear. So please can you experts tell me roughly the fuel efficiencies (specially the fuel consumptions within Colombo cos I mainly drive within Colombo city) and current market prices of the above list of cars and also which car do you think will best suit my criteria?

Specially I would like to know about fuel efficiency levels of the above cars separately because hence the amount I can spend on fuel is quite limited. (for manual gear cars only)

The number is not really a matter for me but better if its around 300 - or early G English numbers.

What is the best mileage that can be seen on the above cars during the current time?

And I have heard some engines have passed 1 lack kms so in your opinion will it be safe to buy that much old cars? What is the safest engine life expectancy for Japanese cars?

If you people know any troubles sticked to certain models, I would be pleased to know them too.

Will my decision to shift from a fuel efficient Indian car to a Japanese car be an accurate decision?

Currently Im in a situation which needs a fast and a quick decision what to buy and how much it will cost? So I will be thankful again if you car experts can provide me the answers for the above questions asap.

Thank you very much!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edited May 5, 2008 by Car Maniac

Car Maniac · May 10, 2008

Guys,

In your view, which is the most fuel efficient from starlet EP82 normal 1.3 and starlet GT turbo (I think this is also 1.3 though its turbo)? Because one guy who is having a turbo starlet has posted he is also getting the same economy of a normal starlet. Can it happen?

priya · May 10, 2008

Car Maniac said:
Guys,
In your view, which is the most fuel efficient from starlet EP82 normal 1.3 and starlet GT turbo (I think this is also 1.3 though its turbo)? Because one guy who is having a turbo starlet has posted he is also getting the same economy of a normal starlet. Can it happen?

It does make a difference on how you drive! I drive my GT on slow to moderate most of time and keep revvs below 2000 thats how I achive this 12kmpl. Well sometimes I rev the nasty bugger on Grennpath a couple of times for a week 160kmph then it does about 9-10kmpl. Hope you get what I mean. On the other hand if you rough drive the basic car which is also 1.3l which is also the weight as the GT you might only get 10kmpl....see all this figure depends on how you drive..Just ask GihanFX on this situation and how the figures ae when he revvs up his monster! and when he does a sluggish run...you'll be amazed with the consumption figures!

Car Maniac · June 1, 2008

RACERSEDGE said:
go for the ep82 cos thers nothing in ep91 range for 1mn..totally 4 get the march(too many sensors,eps,low fuel,ugly look ext ext)..the starlet is a good day to day car. specially when u buy manual..u can kick sm boost too.(weight to power) n it looks cool too..

Machan, If Im correct you have a toyota starlet EP91 model car, right? Im also looking to buy a starlet ep 82 or a ep 91 thesedays and my budget is around 1.2 million (Better if less than 1.2 million though). Is it possible to find a starlet ep91 model well maintained good car for that budget? Because I have a more focus towards a EP91 model. If possible, what can be the YOM, mileage and number plate could be around? And what can be the approximate price for a EP91?

And how about your cars maintenance costs? Are there any major repairs you have done within the time of your ownership. Actually, is it a good car when compared to Indian ones? Cos previously I had a maruti 800. Hope you would reply soon. Thank you very much.

Edited June 1, 2008 by Car Maniac

niro123 · June 1, 2008

Car Maniac said:
Machan, If Im correct you have a toyota starlet EP91 model car, right? Im also looking to buy a starlet ep 82 or a ep 91 thesedays and my budget is around 1.2 million (Better if less than 1.2 million though). Is it possible to find a starlet ep91 model well maintained good car for that budget? Because I have a more focus towards a EP91 model. If possible, what can be the YOM, mileage and number plate could be around? And what can be the approximate price for a EP91?
And how about your cars maintenance costs? Are there any major repairs you have done within the time of your ownership. Actually, is it a good car when compared to Indian ones? Cos previously I had a maruti 800. Hope you would reply soon. Thank you very much.

My EP 82 is up for sale , i think its not ethical to give the details over the forum, i have already posted the ad on AL it'll be on display tomoro most probably.

Guys i apologize if this is not the right think to do.

Saturn · June 1, 2008

niro123 said:
My EP 82 is up for sale , i think its not ethical to give the details over the forum, i have already posted the ad on AL it'll be on display tomoro most probably.
Guys i apologize if this is not the right think to do.

If you have a already advertised the car on Autolanka I don't think there's any problem giving details here

Look forward to seeing the ad. I wouldn't mind buying one of those myself.

14km per liter.. like wow. considering my car gets less than half of that it sounds pretty cool to me..

Saturn · June 1, 2008

niro123 said:
no problem bro, always willing to help..
the main thing to look for is the body and the chassis, see if there has bee major accidents, one way to chenk this is, request for a test drive, speed the vehicle upto 100 km ph if the vehicle start goiung all over the road, then the chassis or body is not aligned properly, ( do this safely, or let an experienced driver try this out.)The wobble could also be cause of improper wheel alignment, check that too before doing the above test. i really dont want to give wrong info:-) )) mine is a late 18 - series car, do not go for the carburattor engine, go for the EFI cause there is a slight wastage if petrol in the carb model. YOM is 1992. YOR is 1993.

Just a caution - be careful of test drives.

In my hunts for cars (for myself and friends). I've had some nightmare testdrives.

One car had a slipping clutch and non working handbrake

Luckily I discovered that early on so was able to safely stop

Thing is, sri lankan standards of safety for a car is = does the engine start, can the car move, if so drive

Gone clutch is quite common with vehicles.. In Sri Lanka there is the phenomenon of hacking a vehicle to death, then advertising it for sale

with the hope some innocent soul will buy.. Not just private sellers but even companies..

I've seen some spectacular deathtraps being put for sale by popular car sales companies in SL.

Edited June 1, 2008 by Saturn

Pericles · June 1, 2008

niro123 said:
My EP 82 is up for sale , i think its not ethical to give the details over the forum, i have already posted the ad on AL it'll be on display tomoro most probably.
Guys i apologize if this is not the right think to do.

No issues. You can even put a link to the advert once its up if you want.

Edited June 1, 2008 by Pericles