matroska

This would be the way to go - I hope OP has taken the car to a proper mech and done a compression test. What I hear is that in the past people almost always tried to repair/rebuild engines. In recent times with the availability of recon engines garages tend to go for the more easier -'replace' method. Replace should be a last resort. Of course these are not 'new' engines they're usually engines taken off wrecking yards. Having said that I need to mention that from what I have seen when I was engine hunting for the Starlet usually (i cannot stress the importance of the word usually - yes there could have been an engine a sumo wrestler used to throw at his opponents )a 15 YO Engine that has run in Japan and a 15YO engine that has run in Sri Lanka are in entirely two different conditions

Correct! Over to you @iRage

ok then have a go at this

I was going to go with a brand that has a LEGACY in the rallying circuit. But I realize it's not the same. Next guess is deduct 40 from the number of the beast and you have the model? Maybe he was driving slow cos he was a bit nervous? What if you are driving a hearse and suddenly someone taps your shoulder and says 'malli drop me off here thank you' ?

This sadly is the Honda agent's mentality - they are still living in the EK3/EG8 age - I may have said this before but when you take it to them they are always like this is normal The "Hub" and Sta****d are at two ends of the spectrum. I personally have not been to the 'hub' but my friends have. And from their experience, they are somewhat paranoid . Customer : 'I noticed the oil level has dropped slightly' Hub : 'Your engine is done for replace the Engine. Replace the gearbox and replace the windshield wipers' at the agents Customer: ' My engine oil level is at zero, the engine is overheating and there's smoke coming out of the engine bay' St****d : ' Aiyo that is normal sir, here pour some kerosene into the oil filler' and proceed to throw a bucket of water to cool down the engine. To replace my brake pads and the coolant tank I went to this place in Yakkala who mostly deal with Honda's - I'm generally happy with the little work they did will not mention names as per forum rules.

Correct both of you. It's an X-Class Merc (X250d)- based on the Navara chassis. there are a few in Sri Lanka. I'll give it to @sathyajithj99 ! Take the floor.

visually very similar but the small clue is in the mirrors. Triton Mirror our suspects mirror. I will add another clue - the marque is not quite famous for pickup trucks and this particular models' chassis is based on another very common pickup truck.

Here we go - I can start dropping clues as we go along

The State owned manufacturer would be BAIC. the car in your pic would be a BAIC X55 ?

This is the biggest clue. Simca took over Ford Europe's factory and started making the Vedette which was also marketed as a Ford.

@iRage - please do the honors and take the stage. Gummy and I discussed this car before so me answering it would not at all count 🙂

You will probably not get 15KM/L on a normal Internal-combustion petrol car. Maybe in a tiny kei-car but those come with very little rear leg space. If you do mostly weekend outstation driving the best option is to go for a slightly large(ish) Sedan. A corolla 141 will be a safe and solid bet - will do 10-12 KMPL on a long drive. Hybrids make sense for daily drivers but why go through the hassle for a mostly weekend driver. Allions Premios are a bit overpriced but if you can find one in your budget then it's a good choice. Other options - Bluebird Sylhpy G11, Lancer CS3/Maybe an EX. If you must go for a hybrid - The FIT GP1 feels a lot more nippy and fun compared to the Prius. - The Prius is comfier, and has more rear leg space and the rear seats are better - the GP1 has the magic -seats that can be lifted up so they're not the most comfy. But it's a very practical car specially to haul stuff and it has insane interior space for its size. - Things that commonly go wrong in the GP1 are *usually* cheaper and easier to fix than in the Prius. [please focus on the words commonly and usually - I don't want to be sued ] -Prius is better on fuel.

from a particular maker who is more known for their reliable diesel engines, specially in a local context.

as others have mentioned above something around 8-10 kmpl will be what to expect. Will be better outstations/highway driving.

My lips are sealed