kmeeg

Oh i did not know that HR-V is available in US market. Below is the picture of the honda vehicles commonly available in US market. I have label each category thinking it might help. But again all i said was "i did not know that HR-V is available in US market".

As you have mentioned earlier this going to be a "Man driven car" and you already have a good comfortable car why don't you consider buying a used good 4x4 which you are not bothered scratching or doing mods? You can get-together with your friends and have some off-road fun. And its a total different fun when you do mods to your 4x4. So example modifying your air intake to a snorkel and have some off-road fun with water? Just talk to your friends and see if this option is worth. If they do off-road and camping they will tell you lot of awesome places in SL where you can go with a good 4x4 (Eg - Good condition Defender 90 / 110) which you can enjoy with family. But you should be ready to take the scratches and dents to the vehicle to enjoy these kind of trips. But i know that different ppl have different taste and this is just mine. KMeeg.

Here's what i think. Smart phone gps are really helpful for short navigation scenarios. Eg you get an email or visit a web site that you need to go and you can simply open the address on you phone navigation and go there without much trouble. But when someone calls you while you navigate it will trouble you a bit. And also note that if you are using google maps unless you make that area offline it will charge you for the mobile data.If considering in-dash GPS systems the biggest thing i look for is;Can i get the updates for Free. The quality of the Maps ( My personal preference is maps from Magellan/ Tomtom / Garmin) Easyness of the navigation like voice with streetnames, live traffic updates, using of voice commands, etc.. You might also consider portable GPS units like Magellan/ Tomtom / Garmin. I find them very easy to use and very easy to install new maps and also they come with very fancy services to but limited to different countries. Eg of apps (Live cameras, weather conditions, fuel prices, blah blah blah...). Also when you are going on a road trip you can use your main headunit / multimedia system for main source of entertainment and use a portable navigation system without ruin your fun / entertainment. Also portable gps units are less expensive than in built gps headunits. Also there are head units with Apple carplay where you can connect your iphone to the headunit and use maps in your phone on your headunit. These headunits are cheaper than built in GPS headunits. Eg Pioneer AVH 4000NEX is about $600 and the one with in built pioneer GPS was over $1000..!! GPS headunits with built in Garmin / Tomtom / Magellan systems are even more expensive.Most importantly check whether what ever gps system you plan to buy has Sri lanka maps..!! Otherwise its a total waste of money right?KMeeg.

Yes, This is something most of the people don't check i guess. When ever i do some repair on brakes i will do a break test. There are few places you can do this properly rather than testing on empty roads. In my case i go to Nalaka wheel alignment center as they have a break test machine. Also in addition to what others have mentioned check the conditions on your tires. I would prefer to change all 4 tires at the same time to be in safe side. Also wheel balance and wheel alignment is very important in this case. (Hope you know causes of wheel balance and wheel alignment right?) Not to forget the condition of your suspension as well. Suspension also play a major roll when it comes to traction in all cases including Braking, acceleration, cornering, driving on bumpy roads, etc etc etc.. You can test this too at Nalaka wheel alignment center. Also be knowledgeable when driving a vehicle that does not have ABS, EBD, BA etc... I always keep in mind to control my foot in this situation and trying my best not to lock the wheels and if a possible collision your instincts would drive you to steer away safely. Which sometimes a combination of amount of brakes applied and sometimes with a little help of gas pedal too.. But its all about experience specially driving older cars. I'm not trying to be a "Pora" here but honestly old cars gave me a great ability of driving safely. Others might not agree with me but its just my way. And a minor thing (If your van is a 4wd) newer 4wd systems provide more control especially in taking corners and braking while taking a corner, but older 4wd system has limited control. Finally its all on drivers hands what ever vehicle you driver right? Hope this help at-least a little bit.. KMeeg.

September 19, 2014 @ Apple store with Iphone 6 & 6 Plus. This video is only made to show to get an idea about the actual size of the device.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egxM3oNCSYg

Thank you Tiv & Ramishkad for the info. Sounds very promising for road trips. Finally can go to Katharagama without asking directions from someone atharamaga.. For the Sinhalese pronunciation issues may be we will get a new voice profile in future. I have installed different voice profile in Garmin devices but don't know how to install different voices in phones when using google maps. Another thing to consider is when using Google maps the phone data is charged right? Only limited area of the map can be used as offline maps right? This is where portable gps devices come in handy right? Since the whole map is pre-loaded in the device no mobile data is needed. Would be great if same quality maps are available for Garmin / Tomtom / Magellan gps devices FOR FREE.. And of cause the map availability for stock car gps units and 3rd party multimedia headunits (Eg- Pioneer / Kenwood / Alpine) would be great right? Also those who have "CarPlay" on their multimedia head units this Google maps is going to be real easy for navigation.

Hey Magnum, This might be a stupid question but asking just to make sure. Does it say the street names as well? Asking bcos the videos i posted from youtube does not say the street names. And how was the accuracy of it? Thanks in advance. KMeeg.

Looks like maps are available for other portable GPS devices as well..

I guess this type of 4WD is enough for Ginger's weekend fun.. (With a Montero Sports..) One of my friends Montero sports has the same kind of armadillo bumper, and can be seen if you go around IT Park in Dematagoda. (Not good to say the exact office right?) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT3rQnQp-GM

Yep.. Space gray and Gold. Both Iphone 6 plus. Reason for 6 Plus is they have more features with IOS 8, 1080P screen with 401PPI, IS on the camera & more battery life over Iphone 6. Those who know my wife pls don't ask her about this.. Its going to be a surprise gift..

Hope it will be more fun with the 6 Plus.. But a long waiting time.. To be delivered early November even after pre-ordering on last Friday..

Montero sports is smaller than the Montero..

If you don't mind asking is this going to be "lady driven" or "man driven"? Just asking as those 2 look for different type of vehicles as far as i know. So when it comes to Mitsubishi i haven't used an Outlander but one of my friend bought one and i might have a look and drive this weekend but not sure. But i can say that Montero Sports Diesel is a good competitor in SL roads and a good friend for off-road trips up to a good extend depending on what mods you do. Even the stock car is capable of handling impressive amount of "katta".. <Going off the topic> Also another option would be use a fuel efficient car for daily office travel and have a good 4WD vehicle for going out with family and friends. Just saying as i prefer a fuel efficient vehicle for my daily office travel plus its easy to drive in traffic. Also there are crossover type vehicles which are little bigger and has AWD with fare fuel economy. They have much better fuel economy as normal they drive by 2wd and automatically switch to 4wd when needed. Also there are Hybrid SUVs work much closer to the crossover type vehicles but instead has a electric motor additional. (Sorry if this is a very dumb option, its just what i think)

IOS 8 Available now... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8OmbI6tF0M

Did anyone tried Mazda small SUV in SL? Mazda CX-5 and CX-9 are good ones too. In CX-5 i'm not sure Skyactive 2.0L would be underpowered or not, but for Mazda 3 Skyactive 2.0L produce enough power with 6 speed AT even on mountain roads. So i would suggest the Skyactive 2.5L would be good for CX-5. Just gave you an option. http://www.mazdalanka.lk/mazda-cx-5.html KMeeg.

I don't like that front grill at all. The head lights feels like incomplete. Still love the Viva Elite which has a good shape for a small hatch back than having a big front grill like it has a big engine to cool.. (May be i have this thinking since i've owned Viva) BTW front looks a little similar -

Someone try to remove snow with a small ice scraper.. And that walk..!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjbN51C5DPQ&list=UUwfUzLWP2LSPTGXNk5zraLA

If i consider reliability i would narrow down this list to CRV, Rav4, X-Trail. With my personal preference i would look at CRV vs Rav4. Considering the horse power each produce i would go for CRV with 185 vs Rav4 with 176 and slightly better stock ground clearance (you can adjust easily if you want). With a short test drive i did with CRV (2.4L - 5 speed AT - AWD) and Rav4 (2.5L - 6 speed AT - AWD) i would go with the CRV due to comfort and the look of it vs the Rav4. Also to note that both 2014 CRV and Rav4 has a matte finish plastic around the car and if you scratch it its not easy to paint and cover it. Also i didn't like the back lights of the Rav4 vs CRV. But the Rav4 i test drove had more airbags (8 vs 6 in CRV) and better audio system (JBL) than CRV. If you really don't want AWD since these are more of road vehicles than to be used for off road you can also go for FWD ones which gives you better fuel economy with same ground clearance for the pot holes in our roads.. Anyways this is just my personal preference and hope it helps at least a little since for far no one put their comments on this one. KMeeg.

Insurance - Its a little different here machan. I don't know much details but some of the main points are; Insurance are issued to a driver for a particular car identified by the VIN number. (Unlike in SL i cannot just give my car to a friend to use it without adding them to my insurance). Out of pocket amount - This is the amount we have to pay from our pocket if we claim insurance. This can range from like $500, $1000, etc.. But when you have extended warranty & maintenance plans typically this out of pocket amount is covered by the manufacturer (in this case Toyota). Discounts given for having multiple cars & home insurance from same insurance company. Max limit for liabilities and some other factors like Bodily injury per person and per occurrence, Property damage, Road side service, Rental reimbursement, blah blah blah.... (Eg- if your limit is $100K and you hit a Bugatti Veron the insurance company will pay $100K and the rest you pay with your salary for the rest of your life.. ) Anyways i have limited idea about these things and i might be wrong on this point. Discounts given for not having tickets and clean driving history. Number of drivers in the same policy. And their driving history. (Eg - when i add my wife as a second driver to this car it increase the premium a little) Photography - This is a 2014 Toyota Venza. Will put some pics sometime. And you are correct. This pic was taken with a slow shutter speed of 3 seconds. Tripod was mounted on rear passenger seat. Below are the settings i used if anyone want to try this.. Equipment used - Nikon D5100 with 24 - 85mm lens mounted on Manfrotto BeFree tropod (reason to use this tripod for this one is; the camera has to be steady while the car is moving. Otherwise inside will be blury). I could have tied the tripod to something to get more steady. Focal length - 24MM Aperture - F 22 ISO - 100 Shutter speed - 3 Seconds https://www.flickr.com/photos/kasunmeegahapola/ KMeeg.

Too lazy to do a photoshoot today.. How about this one for now..

Ohh yeah..!! I had my worst nightmare with Barcleys Computers. i had a Intel mother board with 3yr warranty which only last for 1 yr. When i went back to them they said the motherboard will be sent back to the factory and will repair. So i waited for more than a month for them to return the repair motherboard. I had to follow up with them day by day after 1 month mark and they became so unhelpful and rude. Finally when i got the motherboard back after repair it last for 2 days..!! By that time i bought a cheap Foxconn motherboard temporary but for god sake it worked more than 5 yrs...!! I guess if we start a topic on "Unity Plaza bastards" this thread will go pages and pages... Another thing i would like to suggest is we should not rely on these guaranties right? BCos no one can wait for months until their part get repaired right? KMeeg.

I guess PS4 would be a better option than XBox One. XBox only has 720P right? Also i'm not sure if pro gamer pc's like Alienware X51 or Aurora is better than a PS4? Not assembled PCs. Never seen a Alienware for real but configs looks very tempting except for the price tag of $1500.. (http://www.alienware.com/Landings/desktops.aspx) Intel® Core™ i7 4 and 6 core Processors OS Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit Graphics Dual NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 780 graphics with 6GB​ ​ Liquid cooling unit & optional ALX chassis with active venting PS - Not sure why, when i assemble my own PC no matter what config i have i performs well only for couple of weeks after formatting and re-install. After that it slows down. Again when you format and install it performs well.. KMeeg.

Price of this version was just under $19K. But my one is not a fully loaded one. Means no fog lights, rear spoiler, alloy wheels, leather interior, navigation or sun roof. Corolla "S" fully loaded would be around $23K. Some time i regret not going to the "s" knowing that its just a slight difference.. For me the insurance for the Corolla is $75/mo. Here its not only the value of the car that determine the insurance premium. KMeeg.

Yeah.. I guess this is the only grill we get in USA for 2013s. Only difference that other trims have is fog lights and rear spoiler. In addition to my taste 2013 was better than 2014 / 2015 trims available here.. But they also come with 1.8L. But in addition to 4 speed auto a CVT is available too in 2014 / 2015.. BTW, photos didn't came out well than i expected. Took this photos near my neighborhood which is a peaceful place where i walk often. But the trees and leafs are distracting the photo alot (that's what i think). Next time i should find a plain / clear location for car photos. Lets see if i can get some time tomorrow for cars photography.. KMeeg.

2013 Toyota Corolla seen by a Nikon D5100 with Nikon 24-85mm F 3.5 - 4.5.. Still a beauty to me even after almost 2 yrs.. https://www.flickr.com/photos/kasunmeegahapola/ KMeeg..