Jor-el

It seems like your only requirement is to travel around in reasonable comfort so you could go for a Yaris 2007-2008 if you want a sedan, or a Vitz/IST 2008 if you prefer a hatch

Buy none other than a Toyota

I only have experience with Kandy U***ed Mo***s workshop, they allow you to roam anywhere in the workshop as to your heart's content one can even climb down the ramps (the passageways they have below the floor level where they park the car on the floor and climb down the stairs to work under the car) and watch the mechanic work on your car, they don't mind at all. Not sure if other UM workshops operate like that or they accept Suzukis tho, but its your money and your car, you have a right to see if they're doing a satisfactory job.

Is this the road noise?

Are Goodyears better than Yokohamas? I thought Yokos are better 'cause they're from Japan

Going by your requirements I'd say you should go for a Toyota Corolla / Toyota Allion

@Sierra Charlie Video from E_ _ kiri forum

nevermind

Very satisfied with SLT so far

But our resident expert @Rumesh88 said if it's mineral oil there's no need to worry of sludge formation provided I change engine oil every 6 months... OP has changed his synth oil every 10k km and before 6 months time but it seems like he has a sludge problem innit? Maybe that's why he switched to mineral.

Yep engine oil is changed every 6 months regardless of the mileage (or if it hits 5k km before 6 months) I was in the opinion that synth oils are formulated to avoid sludge formation and have less chance of sludge formation compared to mineral oil (atleast that's what oil manufacturers say.)

It's advised to change engine oil every 5000km if its mineral...

@Rumesh88 Does this happen even if the engine oil is changed every 6 months ( conventional oil, not synthetic/s. synthetic ) and the car is driven 2 times a week, about 20-25 kms (both trips combined) ?

This will answer almost every question you have on Wagon R.

Doesn't the JDM gearbox match the export market gearbox? What's the difference? Since recon spares are imported from Japan i figure it will not be easy to find a recon non-JDM gearbox from recon spare parts shops.

5 year old brake fluid? it would be great if you could get a moisture check done before changing the brake fluid and share... UM workshop ought to have the necessary equipment, provided a moisture checker costs less than $10 on eBay. I ordered one but it would take at least a month to be delivered Didn't you get the service booklet that comes with the car? It says brake fluid change is recommended every 2 years. I didn't have time to get it done yet, will deffa get it done within this month

Any updates on this?

D*MO and Unit#d Mot#rs recalled their affected cars in SL and replaced the affected part, did Stafford Motors recall theirs?

double post

AFAIK the said steering rack problem of the Lancer EX is only seen in Lancer EXs which came with EPS. You can identify them from their engine code, 4A91. Check the reg number from DMT website and you'll see what the engine code is. Lancers with 4A92 engines were equipped with HPS systems. AC compressor problem is related to AXIO (and premio) not the Lancer. Something to do with clutch-less compressors or whatever. They have to work extensively in hot climate and fail prematurely. You really should check out the BRATT thread, it's like the Lancer EX bible here. Like Davy said there are not many differences between 2008 Lancer EX and a 2014 Lancer EX P.S. And keep in mind, some 2007 Lancer EXs had two factory faults - ABS Sensor acting up and carbon deposits in throttle body. Both faults were corrected by the Agent FOC.

Check out the BRATT thread

Boy that video was informative! You should've included a download link to the PDF in the video description though