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Showing posts with label Used car review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Used car review. Show all posts

Monday, June 25, 2018

Sorry for belittling you 2009 Vios 1.5G: You are Good Dugong

I, Jefferson Lim would like to Apologize to ALL Vios Dugong (2007 to 2013 owners) for being Critical of their cars.  I "Refused" to review this Generation Vios citing 1997 Ancient Engine and 4 speed Auto gearbox, rear torsion Beam, No VSC and "ugly dugong design".    In short, I'm judging them.
All's changed when I was given a key to babysit a 2009 Dugong 1.5G for 1 week.  I was IMPRESSED by the Nippy Performance 0-100km/h around 10.5 secs, Good Fuel Consumption (One bar 70km) and decent NVH.  Despite a 4 speeder, it's very smooth shifting.  It soaked up bumps and potholes decently too. 

This Bronze Garnet 2009 Vios 1.5G belongs to my Mum's sister.  Mileage only 95,000km. 

Unfortunately, it's Sold for RM30,000+ to direct buyer.  Last Friday I took the Vios for Puspakom Inspection.  It passed with Flying Colours.  By next Friday shall passed to New owner.



Above: Flat floor with 60:40 split folding rear seats.

Above: 60:40 split folding rear seatbacks.

Above: White and blue conventional dash-Meter.  Classic Vios Center Dash-meter from 2003 to 2013.  The Latest Vios back to conventional Dash-meter in front of steering.
Above: The Air cond controls reminded me of MYVI Lagi Best and ALZA.  Green backlit MP3-WMA-CD Player with Speed Sensitive volume adjuster.  I liked the Gated shifter. Reminds me of Mercedes Benz W124.

Above and below: Neatly concealed Cupholder 1 and 2.

Above: Nice, Mercedes Style Gear shifter.

Above: Cupholder 3.

Above: Steering mounted Audio controls.
Above: Old school Key Start but (right) with Powered folding side mirrors.
The 1NZ-FE engine has the same specs on paper (109PS at 6,000rpm and 141Nm of torque at 4,200rpm) as the previous Vios but Toyota says they have made some alteration to the intake, exhaust and ECU programming to improve the low to mid-end torque even though final peak torque and horsepower figures remain the same. An EPS (Electric Power Steering) system is now used instead of the previous generation car’s hydraulic power steering.  This leads to Better Fuel savings and less mechanical parts.

Instead of a Super-CVT gearbox option available in other countries, this engine is mated to a 4-speed automatic gearbox which uses the same ratios as the previous Vios.  In this instance, the transmission control unit programming has been improved. According to 2007 Launching Press release, Toyota’s executive chief engineer Yoshihiro Sawa said that a 4-speed auto was picked for this region because of customer feedback – most do not like the rubberband and stepless shift character of a CVT.
Above: the Vios parked at my House.
Above and below: 475 liters Boot space with Donut spare tyres.


END OF REVIEW.  First impression rating Back in 2008 5.5/10.  Today's rating 8/10.  Sorry again for Belittling YOU "Dugong" Vios.  YOU are a Surprisingly Good Dugong!

That's all folks, thanks for having the time and patience to read this blog entry.  Copy like a man, Please state source/link back my blog.  Don't plagiarize.

Friday, July 29, 2016

LONGTERMER 2: 8th year report: Honda Civic FD2 (Season 2, vol 2)

In this blog entry, I'm posting my Family's ride.  I called it Season 2 volume 2 because I haven't been updating it since March 31 2014.  This is the 8th year or 96th month we owned the Honda Civic FD2 2.0I-S. 


 The reason why it hasn't been updated for 16 months is because very little things to write about.  Apparently, this is a Very Reliable car.  My cousin was surprised to learned that the Engine mountings and Rear Double Wishbones Suspensions are still Factory Fitted.  His 3 years Old Preve CFE already changed 1 set Engine Mountings and 1 set absorbers.  We stopped servicing with Honda on the 5th year owning the Civic.  Anyway for your reference, maintenance cost of the Civic FD2 without Hidden wear and tear stuff like Rear Wheel bearing, Absorbers, Brake pads.


Only Major highlight's the Civic FC (Fuel Consumption) improving.  This is mainly because last 6 months my dad drove to Penang 3 times, Genting 3 times, Ipoh once.   Now averaging 11km/l.  OR 410km per 37litres fuel.

On the 11 May, I sent the Civic to Tiong Nam Motor for 2 front Airbags replacement.  The whole process took 3 hours only.  I reached there 8:30am.  Car ready by 12:10pm.

 I was told by the Service Adviser the passenger side dashboard dismantled to reach the airbag.  After changing the Airbags, the Popped up A-pillar cover still remained the same.  This issue Came with the Civic from Day 1, July 28 2008.

Thank God the side airbag's not affected.

On Mid-May, our Civic FD2 reached a milestone.  Mileage 133,333km.

More Interior shots:

Above: Note still Stock Standard 6-disc In-dash CD/MP3/WMA CD-Changer Head unit with Aux and Volume adjust according to Speed or Noise.  Eg. The higher the speed or engine noise, the higher the volume.  Also, Steering wheel Audio control.  Below: Like new Steering and gear knob.  Paddle shifters and Cruise Control.

 Above: 480 litres boot space.  Only Civic with 60:40 split fold rear seats.




 



 Above, the Unique yet expensive Wipers.




Exterior shots:





Above: Engine shot taken days before the "IVTEC DOHC" emblem dropped off.

On the Mid-June, my dad Changed 2 Dunlop SP Sport LM704.  It's Made in Thailand Tyres.  RM300 per piece including GST.  1 month later, 3rd week of July, my dad came back for another 2 tyres change.  This time Tayar shop said STOPPED bringing in these Dunlops. 

It so happened, my sister's buddy was a Used car dealer, she recommended a Tyre shop in Klang called GW Xtra Auto services.  The service's Excellent.  Tyre's Cheapest.  Goodyear Excellence 215/45R17 for RM480 including GST (RM240 each).  What a bargain.

We also feedback to the shop saying there's a "Whoo... Whoo..." sound while cruising.  After testing, the problem's caused by Rear Wheel bearings (both sides) defects.


Above: Still factory fitted rear double wishbones suspension and rear absorbers.   

Changed RM260 per side.  both sides RM520.00.  The touching part was the workers brave heavy rain to change the bearings.



 


 


 Above and below: Old tyres.  Yokohama Advan DB.

 Above: New Goodyear Excellence tyres.

 Fresh, week 19, 2016 tyre.




My opinion on this Honda Civic FD2 2.0S IVTEC:

The 8th generation Civic FD's the last Civic With Double wishbones suspension, only Civic with 60:40 split fold rear seat back and the Most stylish Civic inside out. This is the Best Civic.  Apparently, Malaysians agree with me as reflected by it's Strong Resale Value. First batch 2006 Civic FD are still selling at RM45,000 to RM52,000 depending on conditions. That's Mind boggling for a 10 years old Car.  An astounding 52% retained value in 8 years and 40% retained value in 10 years.   This is the reason why my dad's Keeping the Civic for another few years.

SHOULD YOU BUY A USED CIVIC FD?

Why not?
Honda Civic in General are Extremely tough cars.  The 1st 3-generations are victim to Rust only. Many Civic from the 4th generation EF onwards (1987 to 1991) are still running on Malaysian roads.  The 4th-Generation's where Rust-proofing extensively applied by Kah Motor.  There are Still many 5th and 6th generation on the road which are between 16 to 24 years old yet the EG (Dolphin) and EK (Taai Ngan Chai) still Desired by Ah Bengs.  Average lifespan of a Civic unless Total-loss or stolen are 20 years!!!  So say you bought a used 2008 model, on average the Civic FD can last you another 12-14 years.

Without further ado, let's proceed to Logbook.
Purchase price: RM126,000 (less NCB)
Current value: RM66,000.
- 8 years depreciation: 52% retained value
Interest rate: 2.35% (back in July 2008) for 6 years loan.
LAST INSTALLMENT: July 2014.  FINALLY!
Mileage last update: 100,888km (March 31, 2014)

Mileage May 2016: 133,333km


Mileage today: 135,800km.
Km used last 16 months:34912km
Mileage per month: 2182km  (16 month Average)
Average Mileage per month past 96 months: 1415km only.
FUEL CONSUMPTION (April 2014 to July 29 2016):


Best: 13.9km/L  80% highway/20% city, driven by my dad Petronas RON95. 
WORST: 9km/L (Shell RON95) 80% City/20% Highway driving driven by ME.
Average FC: 11.2km/l


ALL TIME:


Best: 15.35km/l (RM0.12/km) (90% highway driving) (20 August 2010)
Worst: 7.1km/l (80% City driving, 20% HARD DRIVING) (October 27, 2012)


PERFORMANCE:
0-100km/h: 9.2 seconds normal acceleration (8.9 seconds with paddle-shift)
Top speed: Max I driven is 190km/h but I know it can go up to 227km/h. Someone from Youtube tried it.

EXPENSES Last 12 months:
1) Roadtax And Insurance Renewal: RM1115 + 381.00 = RM1496
2) Changed Rear wheel bearings: RM520
3) Changed 4 215/45R17 tyres: 
- 2 Dunlop Sport LM704 - RM600 and
- 2 Goodyear Excellence: RM 470
4) 2 times Oil change Semi Synthetic.  Using Castrol Magnatec.  (Unknown, dad who serviced)
5) Silicon Wipers: RM80.

Before I go, here's my parting shot:



That's all folks, thanks for having the time and patience to read this blog entry.  An Original Jefferson Lim's production.  Copy like a man, don't plagiarize.