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tiv

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Status Updates posted by tiv

  1. Does anyone know how much it would cost to get an EA- or E* Number for an older 65- suv in the current day and age?

    1. Gummybr

      Gummybr

      Those days it used to cost something like 30,000 to convert back in the day. No idea now.

  2. So, now some say personal vehicle imports will commence next year, and prices of existing vehicles will drop?

    This poses an interesting argument in my head, I'm not in finance, nor banking, nor a car sale guy,

    Just a petrolhead from a Healthcare related background.

     

    So to elaborate,

    Hypothetically say imports were allowed, empirically the USD will shoot further-it will be a catastrophic claim where the poor would say, the rich took our USD to bring cars and now we gotta pay 2000 bucks to buy milk?

    Thus the price of these New vehicles will be unfathomable for the average joe as after all its paid for in such USD? maybe the first few imports may cost less due to the rate.

    Secondly, now as far as I know, there is no guarantee that the govt. will follow the same taxing system as before the imports were restricted, after all they too have to make a buck, and they too have control the seepage of USD.

    Could it be just a futile attempt of allowing imports for IMF sake and can they just bottleneck the whole thing with a heap of taxes?

    Thirdly there maybe a possibility where they allow vehicles more than 10y old to be reeled in as well, technically "new" yet old models may find themselves here, how will the market welcome these?

    Lastly I have noticed a heap of good well taken care of cars paraded on marketplace and various websites, thus I guess its either people wanting to shed off luxuries to save their money or people are hoarding cash for a new car.

    Feel free to share your opinions, the more the merrier!, and please correct me if I am wrong

    I chose the forum here as the crew would be rather mature than get abused on rapid rev.

     

    1. Show previous comments  2 more
    2. Gummybr

      Gummybr

      Thing is this guys, from the perspective of a person employed in the industry this is what I think. Govt will have to open up for vehicle imports since IMF says you cannot just block the market. But in opening our hawks would definitely look at bringing vehicles in the thousands and flooding the market (I am sure some are already working behind the scenes with a lot of buck being passed). To negate this the IMF would tell the govt to impose a higher tax, so that only people who can afford and who wants will import, basically telling people to stay away from importing.

      If you have a look around social media and count the number of BMW i7, Porsche Taycan, Mercedes EQA and other high end EV's have been imported and they boldly advertise them above 100mil range. Compared to what the general public can afford all the cars sold are well above 40mil mark. Have they imported any low value EV's on this so called permit other than the Nissan Leaf? Shows how much disposable income the rich has.

      Ok so my point is this, govt has to open the market, yes you can have a massive tax but atleast the industry will survive. Going by the numbers of people leaving for greener pastures you can see how frustrated they are. 90% in the industry have not had a pay raise for almost 3.5 years, you cant just wait for govt to open up, principals will / could pull out, 70% of the certified technicians have left. By opening you give hope to these people. There were times that companies sold only 10-15 vehicles but survived (remember in 2007/9 a C Class used to cost 24mil, S Class costed 60mil plus).

      Next up do not go with this electric only nonsense, even the so called developed countries are finding it hard to go full electric, you think Sri Lanka with next to no infrastructure will fare better? You buy an electric car and live in a apartment, your full chare takes two days (from a normal plug), what do you do? These are the stuff what needs to be addressed. On the brain drain, trained technicians are leaving and companies have to spend more money in training new personal and the cycle goes on. You cannot get a maka bass to service or repair an electric vehicle if something goes wrong, you could end up electrocuting a poor soul.

    3. iRage

      iRage

      This whole full electric thing is utter BS. It is not the savior of the planet. At no point in the history of man kind has humanity had one single solution for a problem. EVs are needed but so are other forms of vehicles. They really need to look in to commercializing synthetic fuels. That will keep the billions of cars already on the road running (instead of driving them to the scrap yard)

      Well.. @Gummybr...can the high-end vehicles imported by a few actually sustain the market or the industry in SL ? I still think we could look at Singapore and take a lesson from them....COEs...or go back to the permits of the past (like in the 80s...which is what the whole COE concept was based off anyway). When the IMF says open the market they do not mean free flow of whatever the heck you want to do. They would want some sensibility in it (which is what your tax proposition is).

      This is an opportunity to properly structure our car and spare parts imports...let the actual authorized dealers bring in parts and new vehicles and when possible CPOs. If external car sales want to operate...regulate the hell out of them (on the classes and types of vehicles they can bring down), again, they import a car only for the permit that their client has. For car part shops....get the parts from the agent (this is what has happened everywhere else I have lived...the outside parts shops are registered distributers) . Once the agents start selling it in large volumes the prices will come down. Right now they sell a hand full of parts which has to keep the agency a float (part of it actually).

      But then...like you said...this is just going to be one heck of a mess where the ultra rich can bring in their toys.

    4. Gummybr

      Gummybr

      From what I know the CMTA pushed for something like a quota system which was shot down by the Finance ministry. They were willing to listen to the bs theory of the car importers of getting vehicles on credit. 

      I don't say that the super rich importing vehicles will sustain the industry, what I say is that there is hope for the people in it, rather than hoping something will happen eventually. It's awful when you have to speak to principals, they ask you about restrictions and then close saying we will talk when your country opens.

      The biggest problem the government has in my opinion is that to get these permits people send money abroad through undiyal and bring them back as dollars. Whilst it does bring in legit money the harm it does to the country is more. @iRage you worked abroad would know that people can't send half a million dollars within a short period of 7-12 months, unless they have money stashed somewhere and they are like super rich.

  3. Lowballing for cars have gone out of control, going to see a fella in the hospital who got beaten up for lowballing a Nissan Caravan 🤦‍♂️

    Paradise in the making 

    1. Show previous comments  5 more
    2. matroska

      matroska

      Wow - that's like asking for half the price - no wonder the seller was pissed off. 

      @PreseaLover - onna ahapan - you're lucky to be in one piece after offering peanuts for that paddy farmers SV40 - you would have been run over by a Kubota or trampled by buffaloes. 

    3. Gummybr

      Gummybr

      @tivlet me get this straight you know the low baller? Better tell him never to do it again.

    4. tiv

      tiv

      @GummybrYup he is like a part-time driver that my parents use for commutes 😁

      I'm sure he won't cos now its gone legal, court date given and all 

  4. A certain agent quotes 18.4mil for the new Nissan Leaf, under the foreign remittance permit 🤣🤣

    1. matroska

      matroska

      The foreign remittance permit is set to be abused to the max in the coming days. 

    2. AVANTE

      AVANTE

      I read somewhere that they only issued about 6 of these permits so far. Not sure of the authenticity of that statement. 

      With the current tax structure, I don't think it's bound to become popular. But then again, anyone lucky to obtain it can be equipped with the ability to abuse it, like what Matroska said. 

    3. tiv

      tiv

      Issue is, say one of us got a nice EV back in 2019, by now we'd be in all distress either trying to shed it or looking for a battery. The same would occur if anyone ends up with one in this day and age. I wouldn't trust any agent with an EV here, esp for north of 18mil. The cherry on the cake is that all the grey importers are all ninja on the EV permit as well!

  5. If anyone is interested, there is a good Deal on a Karcher K2 Pressure washer + Car kit (Not K2 Compact - which is a runt) on one of the famous online retail sites; simple research will show.

    Bought one last month, amazed by the capability.

    This is my 3rd Karcher machine (broke 2 previously, cracked head, overheated)

    I do not work for Karcher or any retail chain, just sharing my honest opinion - this works wonders on cars and carpets.

  6. I wonder what will happen to the rather optimistic nissan leaf pricing now...

    1. Show previous comments  8 more
    2. MaleCortana

      MaleCortana

      @GK_007 a 2014?!? If the battery wasn't replaced on that car its going to be a very expensive paper weight.

    3. GK_007

      GK_007

      @MaleCortana I know right. It has not been replaced and had a range around 50-60. Apparently the buyer was a buy and sell bloke. So yes, still the price is there.

    4. tiv

      tiv

      During the time when I owned one (AZEO), they used to deplete 50% capacity in like 3 years with very marginal use and very few fast charges.

      Given that you buy a car with a replaced battery,

      Lithium batteries are banned now, the prices will nosedive further.

      Sad scenario for the ones who brought them in panic. This will affect the latest model ones as well unless the govt. gives some concession.

  7. Has anyone done any audio build with car Nakamichi speakers or other hardware ? Are they as good as their home sound kits?

    1. Show previous comments  4 more
    2. Magnum

      Magnum

      @tiv Take a look in some of those used spare parts shops, sometimes you will find a good pair of Alpine or Carrozzeria speakers from Japan. 

    3. tiv

      tiv

      Looking for brand new, used ones mostly have been bay handed stored or damaged, 

      As Speakers are fragile, no one gives a damn. 

      Also I need a component speaker set, odds of finding that recon is low

    4. tiv

      tiv

      And best part is when you do find something recondition in a used parts shop. Sensing your need 

      The dumb **** go to quote about 250% the brand new price saying its original japan!

      I'd rather pay my money to ebay and customs and get it brand new 

  8. So fellas, need a bit of advice

    What brand of car speakers do you recommend. Hoping to get a component system.

    Expecting intermediate to high end brands.

    Would love to hear opinions pls

    1. Show previous comments  6 more
    2. fiat fan

      fiat fan

      No, they are owned by H/K. Infinitys are the lite versions of H/K. 

    3. tiv

      tiv

      Do you know of a local retailer who sells Harmon kardon? @fiat fan

    4. fiat fan

      fiat fan

      There is a place called HI-FI center. I think they are the “sole distributor”. Also a few other places stock them.

  9. It's either the rich boys terrorizing the innocent road driver or policitions showing off their power with a range rover. 

    So called parts big shot importers trying to establish cults and RIP off innocent petrolheads.

    Average users destroying hybrids and wagon rs then shedding them for more money.

    Good drivers cars being paraded at insane prices 

    Old sodden suvs going almost higher than newer counterparts

    At the rate people are doing this buying and selling scam, soon their wont be customers, just buy and sell con men!

    But why bother? Even the big companies are doing the same under a brand name.

    Sad to see what motoring in this country has come to.

    1. Show previous comments  2 more
    2. tiv

      tiv

      @iRage thank you, I have a bigger one at home and they aren't this cute when they grow up. Mine put a hole in my nose once, I had 3 nostrils for a month!

      @Gummybr

      With time and covid my travelling habits have been badly cut down. I was out and about in the Colombo side and the roads on the demise of my grandfather.

      Suddenly it hit me as to how treacherous the roads have become.

      And I've been doing some work on the copen. Sourcing parts from the so called performance part import moguls is really cumbersome. Except for a few encouraging souls, most are just here for the quick money. No love for motoring. It's not the pricing, it's the attitude.

      In that aspect the 4x4 guys are gods here. Been working with them over 2 decades 

      So now onwards its straight from japan, with much love from ebay yahoo auctions. I might have to pay the amount of another copen but atleast I get the real deal, bolt on genuine parts will less commotion, low profile and drama. Just want a small build not the Facebook youtube hoo haa

      The Customs have already wiped my life savings clean.

    3. Ruslan

      Ruslan

      Yes, Same here, Sourcing parts from Japan, mostly from Yahoo auction, Partsouq or Amayama. pretty reliable i must say. and worth the wait rather than get your blood boil after talking to parts dealers. Since started working from home from Last Year and due to the prevailing situ, never had the opportunity to step outside with the family.

    4. iRage

      iRage

      @tiv...oh...got one at my parent's place (actually she is my son's but had to have my parents adopt her because of our movements). so know all about it. I have sofas, carpets and boots all destroyed...worst yet....she crept under the Trueno and chewed up the steering rack....the metal has tooth marks on it to remind me of it for etertinity. How she got under that narrow place only lord knows...

      But they are so cute when they are small :) 

  10. Due to the exhaustion of performance parts, I'm literally begging people for a genuine blow off valve,

    Does anyone know If a gen 2 HKS SSQV used is worth for 35k, also do these udef valves fail easy? 

    I'm desperate!

  11. Almost every econobox on the road wants to go racing with my little copen! Be it Corollas, passos, rice civics, 80s 90s sticker raped cars and the latest one a wagon r with this V I P 2000buck light.

    he was trying to race behind me for like 20miles, I wasn't even trying. 

    I guess the lack of travel and covid lockdowns have driven road buffs to insanity.

    1. Kavvz

      Kavvz

      Oh you got one? Hey good for you man! Congratulations! 

    2. Magnum

      Magnum

      Fully send it yo

    3. fiat fan

      fiat fan

      Small PP syndrome on their part. 
       

      Women drivers get this daily. My wife had a pug 407 black with red interior.

      Buggers be risking their kids lives to overtake her in their puny ecoboxes. 
       

      Other women drivers in their fits/aquas & what-not be glaring at her and cursing her existence. 

  12. Is there anyone in Kandy to undertake a high end exhaust job?

    1. fiat fan

      fiat fan

      Bought a new ride? 
       

      I would take it to WEPR. Probably the best we have. Expensive, but boy do they sound good. Not too loud, but sounds amazing.

  13. What is the hype with the Ford Ranger Raptor that comes here ? 

    Show pony ranger with marketing to make it look like the real deal from us?

    It's just a pickup with fox racing suspension that costs 2mil to replace, being part Thailand and part indian will depreciate enormously!

    Baja mode seriously? On small tyres?

    Theres no astronomical power output, nor ground clearance, nor bells and whistles 

    Just loads of cladding 

    What am I missing? Good way to loose 15mil ? I'm sure a palath sabaha pajero can manage the same in good nick! Let alone a Hilux or L200

    1. Show previous comments  23 more
    2. Kavvz

      Kavvz

      Is this like the longest status update ever then @tiv > ? Its almost turned into a mini-thread...Must be a new record or something I recon? 

    3. Kavvz

      Kavvz

      Also who needs a Raptor when you can have this? 

       

       

    4. Kavvz
  14. Anyone interested in classic bikes here?

    Got myself into a CD200 roadmaster restoration situation!

    1. Show previous comments  8 more
    2. tiv

      tiv

      I know I sent a friend over to check it out

      They are plated. Sadly there are no good plating joints in SL 

      Everyone has a horror story

      If you are buying chrome bits you gotta buy new or else due to stone chips n all things will start to rot gradually, whatever plating does in SL is to cheaply cover the old defects

    3. AVANTE

      AVANTE

      Ayyo, true about the plating issue. The experts have told me not a effective good plating place in Lanka. Can't we give them a special coating (ceramic, nano, etc) to save them from rotting away? 

    4. Ruslan

      Ruslan

      @AVANTE Nope no Bikes mate. yep, Plated mud guards would look much better.

  15. So a dealer tells me; most sold car part of these few months

    SIRENS with mic etc and V*P lights

    Wannabe V*P boys at large!

    1. Show previous comments  2 more
    2. sathyajithj99

      sathyajithj99

      Maybe upcoming election has got something to do with that

    3. AVANTE

      AVANTE

      Time to set up shop then. 

    4. fiat fan

      fiat fan

      Funny thing is most are fitted to crapboxes.

  16. So I have this habit, I go up the hantana range to a secluded spot way up in the hills and fly my drones, I do it almost every 2 weeks in my montero sport. Since my car is in the garage being painted, i took the family Montero v98

    Seems the ground clearance is lower than the Montero sport that I managed to peel or off the rear bumper costing 90k for the fix, a ledge that I cross frequently 

    Dad has been swearing since morning now. This is gonna be a fun weekend 

    1. Show previous comments  8 more
    2. tiv

      tiv

      @Gummybr will pm u

       Your Jimny will hop through it no issues.

      @Hyaenidae some bits like clips and all dont move that much ne, they are out of stock

      @Magnum the way the suspension behaves its totally different in the 2

      Lot of overhang in the pajero, ands heavy

      If u loose traction on a slant it will start to sway and hit something.

      This weekend I went in the vitara, she managed without any issue. but I was super careful. Had a spotter to watch tricky places n all 

      To add I have 265 75 16s on the montero sport, AT one size up than standard.

      Whereas my dad has 265 65 17s on the montero, almost a road tyre

      The vitara comes with 215 55 17s again road tyre but is way lighter and nimbler, 

    3. fiat fan

      fiat fan

      @tiv thanks for the detailed explanation. The phantam 3 series isn't available anymore. Most are used by now. 

      I would like an Air 2, but I can buy two mini's for the price of one Air 2. Is it worth the extra cash?

      Also whats the situation on drone regulations now? 

      The mini is under 250g, so the FAA in the states. has no issues(under 250g considered a toy). Is it the same in SL? Internet search has hazy information.

    4. tiv

      tiv

      Phantom 3 s are available, as they are constantly refurbished, there are guys who sell them as brand new. 

      Unless you are a drone geek, no point on investing on an Air 2, 

      start with a mini, but the thing is now minis are so rare, due to import restrictions. 

      noobs who bought em crashed them in days, so a mini can go upto 130 with combo kit new now. Used ones at 105, 110 with come 80s with standard pack.

      anything lesser is broken as it has no sensors and is tiny and fast so fellas tried to kiss walls.

      Anything with a camera has to be register3d as CAA, so u got to do that online, and they give u a date to come show the drone. They put a code on it, thereafter you got to pay to fly it aka getting a permit.

      i do most of my flying in private property with permission thereby I don’t have to pay for permits, but I have registered the drones through the site, was not called for an inspection to date for the mini.
       

      The mavics don’t grasp attention, mavic mini most think it’s a toy, thus no one goes to register.

      phantoms on the other hand Attract hooligans to cute chicks to dogs. Then after like 30min, battery dying; a cop comes by 

       

  17. I've noticed Defender values are plummeting 

    Any particular reason? 

    Lack of parts due to import bans? 

    Or has the 2020 plastic sculpture affected the value of the old one???

    1. Magnum

      Magnum

      I think because of the new one, I heard one or two came down to SL

    2. Kavvz

      Kavvz

      Interesting as the new defender is completely different...I was actually figuared the opposite: The old defender would hold its value and the new one would drop in value due to a lack of sustained demand! :D 

  18. Has anyone recently used CARS Paint shop kandy ? Their reviews in the past haven't been the best but I am being told by colleagues they are good now.

    Need a booth paint, stuck with primer due to the weather, 

    1. Show previous comments  5 more
    2. fiat fan

      fiat fan

      Yup that one.

    3. BlueRaiden

      BlueRaiden

      Dont go to sewwandi auto paint polgolla. They do have a booth but the workers are careless.

    4. tiv

      tiv

      Decided to go with my painter, will wait till the weather improves 

      Way too many bad reviews on cars after digging around a bit.

  19. My Montero Sport Saved my life today.

    Took a T bone collision to the rear quarter panel, from a lorry, the thing came straight to the drivers door. I accelerated and saved my self, just got discharged from the hospital after a checkup, 

    No matter what new fellas say about crumple zones and what not, this thing is proper weight to weight. Just realise how strong these suvs are. Just a  large bump and I drove it home. Amazed realising it took tg awhile weight and was shoved to a side.

    The lorry was a proper mahiyangana sand lorry, full load, the c**t was driving on a learners permit, couldn't control his reverse into the construction zone, lost control and rolled right onto me down a slope, face first. If I was in my vitz or a smaller car, I'd be in a morque now.

    Cops took over the lorry momentarily but I deferred them.

    Repair cost approx 100k, given I need a new wheel arch and tail light. And its pearl white, expensive bitch to paint. 

    Despite my parents and friends deciding to ruin his life legally, the driver is in the hospital after negotiations but I am not pressing charges or taxing him for the repair, as he will loose his livelihood and be in jail. 

    Best part is, if the car rolled over, I would be in the mahaweli river.

    Dear friends, please give up smaller cars when money permits. Get something large and safe. 

    Due to privacy concerns I am unable to share pictures. 

    1. Show previous comments  11 more
    2. ghostwriter

      ghostwriter

      glad to hear you're ok and it may have been your luck that you decided to take the SUV instead of the smaller car when you went out. 

      would have been better if you decided to press charges just so the person gets to understand the gravity of the risks they take without consideration on others' lives. he got to walk away with no hindrance today might result in him taking someone else's life in another day, doing the same mistake.

    3. fiat fan
    4. Magnum

      Magnum

      Glad to hear you are okay

  20. Guys planning on doing some suspension chaos soon, with a lift

    Looking at either iron man or arb via their respective agents

    Pricing is almost competitive

    Brand and agent  you would recommend?????

    1. MrCat

      MrCat

      Is this the front strut assembly + rear springs/shocks combo for a Prajero? 

      As far as i know ARB does not brand shocks etc.. but they they sell Old Man Emu? could be wrong though. 

      In Australia, Old Man Emu tends to have a better reputation around shock-absorbers over Iron Man. Not sure about the agent situation in SL though. 

  21. My most noteworthy motoring milestone of the last decade;

    Leaving the wagon R facebook group!

    1. fiat fan

      fiat fan

      That page is retard heaven!

    2. AVANTE

      AVANTE

      Ehemada? Hari ela, thada thada, fatta?

  22. Curfew trivia

    Insurance chap told me even the insurance companies are shocked to see how much doctors crash their cars, despite there being no traffic, curfew and no rush. Mostly on curbs and stationary objects. Array of claims

     

    So a known car dealer tells me. Hes got the most number of calls the last month, asking for large suvs for sale or rent. Reason they have a built in curfew pass status. A businessman was begging him to exchange a E350e for 2011 150 Prado

     

    So many defenders broke down, Famous repair shops are full on queued with state ones and personal ones. reason overuse and misuse propagated their inherent unreliable nature.

    Even 300tdi engine kits are now at 500,000 lkr due to shortages.

     

     

    Fuel stations say, the curfew almost stopped the movement of super diesel, most pumps are barely touched a day. 

     

     

    Vendors say, The below single item that was sold in the craze, considering sheer numbers it was moved in. 

    YEAST.

    Not groceries. Not soap, not Masks, not hand sanitizer.

    1. Show previous comments  2 more
    2. speed8

      speed8

      This is like "The Top Ten Facts you never knew about the curfew period"

    3. ghostwriter

      ghostwriter

      'built in curfew pass' that sounds good actually. Apart from the SUVs, I have also seen at police check points that Hiluxes, those grey colour L200 double cabs and light blue colour Suzuki sx4 sedans have this feature on. And myself travelling by a Vitz to work, get stopped at every damn checkpoint ?

    4. tiv

      tiv

      Oh yes, my vitz is a regular, sometimes they stop just to say hi, 

      I've seen queues of vitzs at checkpoints near peradeniya, 

      The grey Brownish L200 with the Grey arches aka sportero was almost exclusively ministry imported, hence the status 

  23. https://www.youtube.com/user/km77video

    Check This YouTube page out,

    Got moose test videos for most newer cars in our market, you'd be surprised by the variety!

  24. The elusive 1000km oil change!

    So I asked the retailer in UK from whom I purchased the Vitara, he insisted on the 1000km oil change,

    But my importer said to run it 5000km, to add the so called engineer at A*W Pitstop also adviced to run 2500km-5000km prior to the break in oil change. 

    Also he insisted the engine was broken in on a table prior to installation and not to worry. This is when the car manual explicitly mentions to break in and to time the turbo prior to turning off

    Well it seems that the car knows better than all of us! It displayed this today just at 1300km

    20200320_160913-01.jpeg

  25. We ll be able to buy a magical 1l of 0w-20 synthetic oil for the price of 500ml hand sanitizer soon, and the oil filter for the price of 5+ masks 

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