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Showing content with the highest reputation on 11/08/2019 in all areas

  1. Toyota Vitz 2016 2017 till 19 Well I’m not going to get too technical or sound like the fan club here But it’s a long story. Despite being a popular car, it’s a very bland machine, but has its perks Hence they are like the cockroaches of the current car scene. The car is so popular at the moment that I have seen 2 instances unregistered cars were exchanged for money for the market value and for lands, for debts etc. between businessmen as they considered the vitz to be equal to money in the bank. Well as for my Vitz tale, I purchased a car, yes full cash deal, wife went crazy over it, found the mileage was tampered Raised hell, returned the car, cash refunded got another car used it for 3months, saw a better car being imported , exchanged mine a small loss during the whole sales dip this year, got the new car cheap. so lost a few, gained a few. So tasted both waters 2016 and post facelift 2019 So the popular grades in Sri Lanka are the F and Fm being the entry level , not heard of a U grade car, There is a Gr or an Rs here, not sure and a proper Hybrid Yaris from Australia with a known gent The F has a Start stop model, with a pretty led display and rpm gauge Fm has no power Mirrors and has window winders in the back, and no rear wiper Mostly all these are 1000cc 1KR powered Lesson learnt, Do a through check on auction records prior to purchase of a car, I caught my cars issue through the Jevic reading, it had done 88000km, 2 auction sheets one with the altered odo and the other with the real odo, car read 34000 odd km, and boy it looked new, brand new My trusty mechanic couldn’t tell it was run either. Tyres matched blah blah, they played the game well, do note I will not reveal the seller as post conflict he took the car and refunded every cent, only thing I lost there was about a week of my time. So the vitz is a properly beat up car in Japan, so most here are too good to be true, heavily run. Always secondly go for a Toyota Lanka Inspection even if it’s a car off the factory, just to be safe Exterior Well the basic frame and shape has been here since the 2011 model, but is the 1000cc tax cut that made these models common here, it’s a good looking layout true, Personally I feel the 2016 model looked better and the 2017 odd models look like a scary grandma on the front, the rear looks cool, Especially if you got the led package, it looks like an audi, Headlights are either h4 halogen, horrible or the lovely leds with auto dipping and levelling. The styles are different with the years Also the bumpers are far more securely fastened in the 2017 facelift models but still they tend to hang front and rear both after going in our pillaged roads. So for those with that ocd, it’s never ending, I have it and I know, took apart 3 bumpers, the clips are pristine, the bulk of the bumper and humping the pot holes make them warp a few mm, so u have a noticeable panel gap on the sides. The tail gate is very well thought after, they open with like minimal protrusion from the bumper length, maybe 1 foot at most, and doors open very wide, and easily, handles and mirrors are shared across the whole Toyota line. Mirrors are kinda wide for a small car, so they ding up easy. Remember to buy a few extra lights. Interior, again no ,major difference between the 2016 and post facelift model, just a change in colour schemes, grey to gloss black, jewela had the fancy colors The 2015 model the air vents were different, thereafter they landed with axio style propeller like vents, which break very easy, Do note the multifunction wheel buttons are original in the car only if it has the 6 speaker sound system. The swap is very easy, 20min job cost about 10000lkr, but with Chinese parts, the replacement Chinese ribbons last only few 1000km and show airbag lights. Oem parts cost 80000 odd (may vary) the 6 speaker (tweeter) Seats, Nicely contoured, bit hard, bland fabrics, front headrests are sown into the seat bulk up to the f grades, there are many variations on the vitz line, so nothing is certain. Dealer level upgrades and variations as well There is space, even when you are 120kg The double din gap and the steering wheel I find well designed and well placed, giving it a bit of a dynamic vibe, the rest of the dash is like the designer sketched the aqua dashboard in a hurry. The gauge cluster in the f grade is really dated but does it’s thing ok, nothing to be happy there unless you get the f smart stop or a bigger engine. Most cars here do not have climate control, despite it being fossil parts, it works well, keeps the region cool, yes you loose a bit of low end power and ears hurt a bit more. Light colored roof liner, headrests in the rear, typical Toyota stuff. Leg room is ideal for the size, The door cards and dashboard remind you of a plastic dustbin though, they scratch like a lottery and love dust. Cargo area, quite large actually. Can accommodate the luggage of like 4, seats 4 easy, if you go 5 you gotta be closely related and malnourished. Below the cargo deck there is either a useless puncture kit or a space saver wheel, kit varies with car so I suggest a spare wheel. The jack is hidden under the drivers seat, not in the tray, so note that before your curse the fellow who stole the jack during a puncture Engine and drivetrain Yea so the 1000cc agony, no turbo. No isg, just groaning with the cvt box, Well it pulls, after a while, and if you floor it, it can keep up the guy who overtook you for going too slow and showed you the finger, and if you keep flooring it it can shift down and pass him. It’s just slow to respond, but certainly not a crawler, but no race car either. It’s just enough for traffic, feels brisk between 30kmph and 100kmph, thereafter it just sits. It’s the noise, it’s not like this huge engine revving noise, this is like a blown exhaust, leaking cat or a cow giving birth, something, loud and agonizing, the accelerator pedal is very flimsy, no feel, the car responds late to throttle, thereby it’s like asking a question and waiting for an answer. The vibration is more prominent on the 2016 models, the 2017 onwards ones have a completely different gel mount, we ll get to know more as the cars age. They’ve gone really stingy on the sound proofing on the f grade, so it’s like only 50% sound proof thanks to the engine. Cold starts give you the creeps, it’s that noisy, Reminds you of a 90s elf. So in Japan cars come with 0w20 oil, here Toyota recommends 10w30, there’s 5w30 as well so pick your poison, parts are cheap, the oil change costs between 10k to 16k depending on the joint, with genuine parts and synthetic oil. Approx 3.2l You shouldn’t be driving a car if you don’t know the intervals, Tip- almost all new jdm cars have a sticker under the hood, with oil change spec, so start translating oil change costs like 16k, agents can handle and recommended, at 40000km PCV valves get clogged easily, so keep an eye, same goes for the throttle body. So there are many variants of the 1KR engine, this having the 1KR Fe, The competition, Wigo and the Perodua cars have variants, so if interested dive in, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_KR_engine The drive, The suspension Well this is why this thing sells so much. The handling is really nice, feels a bit like a hot hatch (before you start cursing just the HANDLING) , but there is zero compromise on the comfort, it’s sedan matching comfort in a cheap hatch, in local context that’s my bottom line here. Road noise is very poorly insulated, has the pathetic dying bird horn, Usually the 14 tyres are chunky, so manage to cushion even more, The ground clearance is PATHETIC, so unless careful, it rubs everywhere, a good option is to fit mudflaps, they make a noise so you won’t bottom it out suddenly The front lip is more or less a sacrificial element, or a painters monthly allowance if you are conscious about the car They have had no concern on driveways and steep descents when they sketched that. As I write this, my car has been parked for 2 weeks as they’ve started meddling with the road. It can manage long journeys with comfort if you have a good stereo and if you drive “Normal” Do note road presence is less, so from biker to bus driver, no one gives a damn and tend to abuse you, being the small car slogan now. Turning radius is like a bicycle, so cops will start to smile while they write you up when you do that illegal U turn Fuel economy is like 11kmpl in traffic, my first Vitz did 18kml in the highway, yet to test the new car, 92Oc is specced, Toyota Safety Sense Impressive bit of tech here, extremely intelligent, doesn’t try to kill you, warns many times before braking, lane Change assist, auto wipers and headlights work very well, I’m sure the high beam algorithm was programmed by a very polite Japanese gent as it never sets high beams, even when it’s needed, good stuff. Pointers not to get yourself screwed Carry a spare wheel Do not go off road, steep slopes and avoid bigger potholes, and rocks on the road, you will feel the impact on your groin and pain on the wallet. If you do well you ll need a new sump or a bellhousing Don’t over load the car. Try to upgrade to factory multifunction steering, or don’t 92 is enough Jewela is just a trim level, gaudy with chrome Avoid FM models, they are like lorries, and used for mostly cargo and deliveries all over Mileage is almost always faux, get a personal import or a TL verified car Or just be very very very thorough, jump all the hoops when buying one. And pray it’s a good one. If you need help with auction sheets, ask It may burn a bit of oil after 50000km ish, Use genuine parts. It’s a crazy platform, we get a boring variant, like that cousin who became an accountant when the others are cardiologists, astronauts and rock stars Overall it’s a good car, not that refined, reliable, old time true tested stuff.
    4 points
  2. I know you are avoiding indian cars, but there's an exception: The 2008 Swift (beetle). The one you MUST go for is the ZXi trim (anyone with the desire to live should avoid the VXi trim, that doesnt even have a rear defroster) The ZXi has dual airbags, ABS/EBD brakes, seatbelt pre-tensioners & good handling to avoid messy situations. I recommend it cause I'm using one right now. Watch out for rust and previous owner's maintenance records. The G13 engine is solid, fuel economy is good (13-15kmpl) & parts are cheap! Only problem is its available only in manual & expect some door panel rattles when you go over bumpy roads (#IndianBuildQuality). Other than that, it's a nice car and there are examples for a bit less than 2 million. Every other indian car as of now is rather crap (and a deathtrap) Also why not a Honda Fit GD1? (2003-2007 Registered ones fit your budget) Its fun, solid, practical & economical too! Viva is also a good choice, pretty reliable & has agent support but fuel economy is not best in class (but it meets your expected economy)
    1 point
  3. Viva Elite is a good choice - quite compact but fun to drive car hence their popularity as reliable little city runners. The Demio is the other good option - given you find a well maintained specimen. The K12 is a bland but tough car that can take a bit of abuse but you will not get 10 KMPL as it's quite thirsty. Other options - Honda Fit GD1 (~2007) will give you 10KMPL if fuel economy is not that important you can get a 2004/2005 Suzuki Swift (Ignis)/Chevy Cruze (same car) rugged cars that keep on running they can be bought for below your budget but most of them are hacked now
    1 point
  4. stay away from Panda, Demio for me is the best outta the selection but doubt if it achieve 10Kmpl in city traffic.
    1 point
  5. I beg to differ - As you said most Maka Bass fellows mess it up and give you wrong advice. eg. The tiptronic box in the BJ series required the V grade oil, simply because of vilocity - any other oil would generally mess it up - the price is hefty to get it sorted. Same with the engine oil - synthetic will not go well specailly a well known brand - Nothing wrong with the brand but not suited for BJ Hence go to some one with knowledge on Mazda's the naturally would be Mazna and now there are several off shoots who are equally or even better now in the market
    1 point
  6. Second what @Crosswind says There is a marked difference in the quality of tires between these dodgy 3rd rate Chinese tires and top tier manufacturers (even if made in markets outside their base of operation) One shouldn't underestimate the amount of R&D as well as testing that goes in to proper tires - so it's not just the brand name and quality of the materials that you pay a premium for with good tires. Check Pirelli at Toyota Lanka as well - they have a card offer on Sampath Bank or something on going Also check Grease Monkey .lk for offers on tires
    1 point
  7. Hello, I have some doubts on the same topic. I'm planning to go collect my car next Tuesday with a friend and somebody just told me that only the driver is allowed in the car. Apparently they got a warning (and a lecture) from a policeman near Ambalantota. Can anyone let me know if there is such rule?? And any logic behind that? Also, should I display the printouts of the chassis number on actual number plates or displaying it over the dashboard is enough?
    1 point
  8. True - mine's SR too and really the interior is a dirt magnet plus the fabric on the seats are pretty abrasive. Yeah - I actually did that thanks to a post in the Civic FB group. I love the directions on the meter cluster too
    1 point
  9. I have done this several times with no issues. Got insurance with the chassis and engine number in the cover note, printouts pasted in the car. No issues either to Matara or in the highway, no one even bothered to check the documents. Last time cop at the Athurugiriya exit looked at my face but did not make a issue, only to realize when I went home that both printouts has got washed off.
    1 point
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