CLOSE UP: Ford Fiesta 1.0 ECOBOOST.

In this blog entry, I'm posting a Close up of the Ford Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost.  This is CBU Thailand and despite 3 cyl 1000cc, it generates 125ps and 170Nm or torque, thanks to direct injection, Variable-valve timing and Turbo.  Note that this engine, awarded "International Engine of The Year" in 2012 AND 2013!  It's priced at RM93,888 OTR without insurance.

Sadly, only Hatchback is available and is paired with 6 speed Dual-clutch Powershift gearbox. Claimed fuel consumption is 5.3l/100km and claimed 0-100km/h is 9.7 secs and 190km/h top speed.

Unfortunately, Ford Distributor SDAC decided to deck the Car with Hideous bodykits and "Loud" stickers.  All is NOT LOST, despite priced RM14,000 more than the 1.5 Sport and Titanium, this baby have the following EXTRAS:

- 13ps and 30Nm torque more than 1.5, thanks to the Direct injection, Turbo.

- 7 airbags vs 2.

- LED Day running lights

- Hideous Bodykits

- "Ecoboost" Stickers everywhere.

- 5.3l/100km down from 6.9l/100km average fuel consumption.

Colour choices:  Limited to White, Red and Black only.  Sad right?

I didn't manage to test drive the baby due to Rain and the fact that they are closing when I reached there at 6pm.

Verdict: 8.5/10.

Well, all is not lost, there's a saying a picture's worth 1000 words, enjoy the photos:

 Above and below, decent Head and legroom.

That's all folks, thanks for having the time and patience to read this blog entry.  An original Otoreview's production.  If you want to buy this car, look for Jeff Lim at Ford MRR2 012-6852718.

PLEASE Be NICE to your SA when buying NEW CAR.

OR Else, thing's will NOT BE SMOOTH SAILING!

A Friend, Kelvin POST THIS in His Facebook Page...  I feel so touched that I'd like to blog it here:

"Sometimes I feel sorry for SA (Sales Adviser). Buyers always wanna squeeze the most free gift from SA. Using methods like "...  if u r not following the same offer I get from outside, I will change SA.  After change, only wanna start complaining stuff like my SA promise to deliver this and that, but ended up delay and all the bullshit".


I mean, come on, we are talking about buying something at a price tag of at least 40k . Give the SA their share and I am sure you will be a happy soon to be car owner. 

Never be penny wise pound foolish (Ie. greedy). Anyone can promise you heaven and earth before sealing the deal. So if you are the type that survey the whole Malaysia just to get the slight extra discount (like 100-200 more), ALL THE BEST TO YOU!!!

NEXT TIME PLEASE Try putting yourselves in people's shoes."

END OF Kelvin's quote...

MY TURN:

My Observation:  The MORE Demanding, BOSSY, Mean customers to their Sales adviser, the More Problems/Defects follows.  The LAW of KARMA ironically true in 5/10 cases I handled.  

Example of this DEMANDING, PERFECTIONIST Customer:

Buy No plate, BID Failed!  Their car came, minor defects...  Tinting done - ALSO DEFECTS...  Delivery, Alignment and balancing out...

Thing's not SMOOTH for Her...

In CONTRAST:

A patience DOCTOR Client who bought HIS Elantra with me.  Bought his Lucky no 4456 at 1st attempt, Waited patiently with no Complaint for another 10 days due to our Company trip, Admin off...  He's rewarded with a FRUGAL, Perfect Black Elantra.  I just visited him for Roadtax and insurance renewal.  1 year on, still SMOOTH SAILING and a HAPPY OWNER!

SO BE GOOD TO YOUR SALES EXECUTIVES or SALES ADVISERS and Good things will come to you!

Buying new Car from Branch OR Dealers better?

Are you looking to buy a New car?  Now, many people throwing me this Question:

IS it better to buy From < insert Brand... > Branch or Dealerships?

Well, let me run through the pros and cons and differences from buying with Branch and dealerships.
I am a Hyundai Salesman for a Dealer but I have a friend working in branch (Hyundai Sime Darby Motors).  So we often exchange information...

Here's what I gather...

BRANCH (Sime darby)

Pros:

- Quicker to get car allocations (most models)
- They do QC before delivery (Eg. Alignment and balancing, headlight levelling)
- PRIORITY  for defect claims
- HUGE discounts on "Passport" models only (At the moment it's Elantra and i10)
- Branch salesmen only Hyundai Roadshow at Motorshows, 1 Utama, Mid-valley, KLCC, The Curve
- 1st hand information on Production line (hence more accurate waiting lists)
- 1st to get NEW Trading terms.  Often 1 week earlier (headstart) than Dealers.
- Cars are Paid after SOLD.  So more Varieties/Colors in the Inventory. 
- Got chance to do SPONSORED Roadshows (such as World Cup, Maybank Malaysian Open Golf)
 - Got chance to sell Pre-owned, Demo cars (SO TRUE for HYUNDAI SIME DARBY MALAYSIA)
 - FOR SALESPERSONS: Tied down with Legal Employment contract.

CONS:

- No previous year stock (all passed to dealers)
- less discounts (on other models)
- Less Commission
- Less margin
- Standardized Bonus, leave and Company annual trip/incentives.
- NEED TO WEAR Formal (Long sleeve and tie for guys, Long-sleeve blouse, scarf and skirts for girls) UNIFORM at duty.
- Higher pressure for Sales performance (especially 3S branches)
- LOTS OF POLITICS / Backstabbing / Group-think.
- YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN.  Very little Teamwork, support from other Colleagues.
- TOO MANY SALESMEN (At least 15, up to 25)

DEALERS

Pros:

- ALL cars are PAID with Cash upfront before SOLD
- Therefore, to compensate (get back the cash), Better Discounts and freebies given
- Sometimes faster than branches if they keep OR force to take STOCK.  Eg. CBU Cars.
- Can offer to Submit Loan 1st, only pay Booking upon loan approval
- Can offer to Mark up for full loan
- Previous year (OR 2 years back stock - Kah Bintang) available.  So HUGE Discounts.
- For Salesmen, bigger commissions and margins and better Incentives (with passport models)
- ALSO for salesmen, more hands on Learning experience (ALL ROUNDER), more things to learn.  Cause everything Salesmen do.  Eg. Puspakom inspection, JPJ registration, collect AP from HQ.
- NO Politics,  LOTS OF TEAMWORK!  Cover 1 another, help one another.
- Less Hassle/formalities in Transactions VS Branches.  Eg. No need Wear tie and long sleeves.  Flexible Annual leave.  LESS FORMAL or NO EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT.
- Less salesmen.  Average 7 only.


CONS:

- No Pre-delivery QC
- Slightly more difficult for Defects claims.
- for Salesmen, Only "small scale" roadshow allowed.  As Major roadshows only Branches can do
- Lots of disappointments in Delivery date cause no access to Production line.
- Slightly higher mileage (for CBU cars)
- Sometimes slow selling cars HQ forced Dealer to take (in exchange with HOT Selling cars)
- Selling "While stock lasts".  "Sell what we have".
- Trading terms and promotions we were always 1 week behind Branches.


CONCLUSION: It's NOT Branch or dealers that matters.  It's SALESPERSON Services.  It's our JOB to guide you/ make you feel comfortable to buy your NEW Car.  Some salesmen I know DO Provide DOOR TO DOOR Service.  1 salesman (HYUNDAI ADVANT SPEED MOTORS) even do the FOLLOWING EXTRA MILES:

1)  Collect car from Client's house or office, drive to service centre and return to Client office. 
2) Helped Client to renew Roadtax and insurance and Deliver to their Doorstep.
3) And many more...  Salesmen Extra miles service. 

That's all folks, thanks for having the time and patience to read this blog entry. 

Tags: Branch VS Dealers, HSDM vs Dealers, "Shall I work in Branch or Dealers?", "Where to buy?" Branch OR Dealers.

CLOSE UP: Honda City Grade-V CVT

I, Wei Lim would Like to present you Close up Of Honda City Grade V CVT.

It's powered by 1500cc SOHC engine mated with EARTH DREAMS CVT Transmission, Horse Power 120ps, ABS, EBD, BA,
VSA only on ( E & V ) variance 

Model in SUMMARY:
S (Lower Spec)
*Normal Rim with rim cover
*Normal Antena
*Orange colour meter 
*Single Din audio system 
* USB port

S+
*15 " inch Sport Rims
*Shark pin antena 
*Audio system with Bluetooth
*Orange colour meter
*USB port

E Spec
*15" inch sport rims
*Keyless, Push Start, Smart Entry
*LED blue Speedometer 
*Shark Pin antena 
*Rear Aircond vent 
*Steering Audio Control 
*40/60 foldable rearseat 
*Retactable side mirror
*Audio system with Bluetooth 
*USB port

V spec
* 16 " inch sport rims
* Touch screen 7 " inch Display with Bluetooth Audio system. Support Iphone 4S & above
* HDMI port
* USB port
*LED blue speedometer 
*Steering Audio Control
*Shark pin antena 
* Rear Aircond vent
*Cruise Control
*i-side airbags 6 airbag
*40/60 foldable rearseat 
*touch Aircond control
*Retactable side mirror 
* Fog lights

*Titanium Front grille.

Colour Option:
1-Taffeta White
2-Crystal Black Pearl
3-Alabaster Silver Metallic
4-Modern Steel Metallic
5-Brilliance Sporty blue
6-Golden brown august onwards.

On the road price:
S Rm 75,800
S+ Rm 78,800
E Rm 83,800
V Rm 90,800

MY RATING: S: 6/10.S+: 6.5/10E: 7.5/10V: 8.5/10.

WAITING LIST: 3-4 months and counting.  If you want to buy this car, please Contact my Cousin Jefferson Lim at 012-6852-718.  He got contacts from the following Honda Dealers:

1) Tenaga Setia Resources (222)

2) Sumber Auto Edaran (Sect. 13)

3) Millenium Auto and Carriage (MOFAZ) TTDI

Well there's a saying, a picture's worth 1000 words, here are the photo gallery:

Honda City V-spec Gallery

That's all folks, thanks for having the time and patience to read this blog entry.  Stay tuned for Test drive review By End April.  Copy like a man, don't plagiarise.

LONGTERMER 2: 68th month report: Honda Civic FD2 (Season 2, vol 1)

In this blog entry, I'm posting my Family's ride.  I called it Season 2 because I haven't been updating it since February 2013.

Apparently, the sale of this Civic FD2 was cancelled, along with my Plan to own Elantra 1.8.  It's because My dad decided to Buy the Hyundai i10 1.25 CVVT White instead.  He driving the i10 1.25 more often until November 2013.  Where he asked his Hong Kong Expat friend to "SAMBUNG BAYAR THE i10 RM580 installments for 1 year).  This explained why the mileage picking up again From November 2013 to March 2014, back to 1000km+ per month, compared to Feb to Oct 2013's dismal 500km monthly.

Here's my last update.

http://otoreview.blogspot.com/2013/02/farewell-update-civic-fd2-20ivtec-2008.html

Here's the END OF SEASON 1 (27 volumes).

http://otoreview.blogspot.com/2012/08/longtermer-2-vol-27-4th-year-honda.html

Another link to my Cardomain's page of my Civic FD2.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3829404/2008-honda-civic/

During the past 13 months, very little have been done to this car.  Apparently, since my dad took delivery of the Hyundai i10, this car's RARELY Used.  Until September 2013, where my dad Invested RM1800 to purchase 4 new shoes (tyres), hence revived the Civic FD2.  Previously all 4 Michelin PS3 Tyres botak (2 of them peeling at side).  

The tyres my dad bought were MADE IN JAPAN Yokohama Advan Db (Decibel), 215/45R17.  Bought from LYN Forummer, "nestum" for RM450 per piece.

 1 month later, the revival of the Civic FD2 completed after the 95,000km 1st time service outside Honda.  Last 90,000km service was WAY BACK in December 2012.  Yes, 10 months 5,500km done only.  Ie. 550km per month only.  That's how RARE it's previously been used.

The HIGHLY Recommended Workshop is Zhapalang Motorsport at Metro Prima, Kepong.  Strategically located right behind AEON Jusco Metro Prima, I actually, kill time at AEON Jusco Kepong while the Civic FD2 was being serviced there.  

The Boss, Mr. Zenden Goh's honest too...  He told me, Brake fluid and ATF no need to change, just oil filter and fuel filter and clean air filter and labour  for oil change and spark plugs (cause Engine oil - Liqui Moly MOS/2 10W/40 Semi-synthetic (RM155) and Spark plug - NGK Laser Iridium (RM230) I bought outside).

Other stuff changed were Hella Wipers, Crystal No plate (rear).

Without further ado, let's proceed to Logbook.

Purchase price: RM126,000 (less NCB)

Current value: RM84,000.

5 years depreciation: 68% retained value

Interest rate: 2.35% (back in July 2008) for 6 years loan.

LAST INSTALLMENT: July 2014.  FINALLY!

Mileage last update: 88,979km (February 28 2013)

Mileage Dec 28: 96,448km

km used Dec-Jan: 1138km

Mileage Jan 28: 97,586km

Km used Jan-Feb: 1413km

Mileage Feb 28: 98,999km 

Mileage used Feb28 to today (Mar 30): 1889km => PENANG TRIP on 3 March.

Mileage today: 100,888km.

Km used last 13 months: 11,889km

Average Mileage per month past 68 months: 915km only.

FUEL CONSUMPTION (March 1 2013 to March 30 2014):

Best: 13.3km/L (RM0.17/km) 80% highway/20% city, driven by my dad Petronas RON95. 

WORST: 8km/L (RM0.24/km) (Shell RON95) 80% City/20% Highway driving driven by ME.

ALL TIME:

Best: 15.35km/l (RM0.13/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 (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) 4x Yokohama Advan DB tyres - RM1800

2) 95,000km oil change at Zhapalang Motorsport, Metro Prima, Kepong - RM205 only.

3) Spark plugs - NGK Laser Iridium (RM230)

4) Engine oil - RM155 (5 litres Liqui Moly MOS/2).

5) Car Wash and vacuum membership - 10+3 at Dirtbusters.  (RM120)

6) Hella Wipers - RM48

7) Crystal rear No. plate: RM40.  

8) Roadtax: RM379 and Insurance: RM1160 (insured value RM85,000)

GRAND Total: RM4137

 

END OF LOGBOOK.

Well there's a saying a picture's worth 1000 words.  Enjoy the photos:

Longtermer Civic FD2 Gallery

Before I go, here's my parting shot:

MEGA CLOSE UP: Mazda 3 Skyactiv Sedan

In this blog entry, I'm posting about the newly launched CBU from Japan Mazda 3 2.0 Skyactiv Sedan.  We get the Higher output engine with Dual continuous variable valve timing and DIRECT Injection producing 162ps@6000rpm and 210Nm@4000rpm torque mated with 6 speed SKYACTIV Drive automatic.  Price: RM138,900 OTR with insurance.

Highlights of the Specs we are getting:

Mid-spec 2.0 SKYACTIV.

- I-Stop and I-ELOOP

- SKYACTIV-G with 14.0:1 compression ratio mated with SKYACTIV Drive 6-AT

- 6-airbags

- Multi-commander with MZD Connect.  (Mazda's version to BMW I-Drive) with 7" LCD Display and Navigation 

- Elec tilt-slide glass Sunroof

- Fabric seats with Leather seats option

- piano black trim

- Bi-Xenon HID with DRL, auto levelling and foglights

- Rear LED lights

- 18" alloy rims and Wheels 215/45R18 DUNLOP SP SPORT MAXX Tyres

- 408 litres boot space with 60:40 split folding 

- Smart keyless entry with push start.

- Multi-info display

- paddle shifters

- ABS, EBD, BA with DSC and TCS

- Burglar alarm with immobiliser

- 6 speakers.

- ISOFIX Child anchor mount

- temporary spare tyre (unlike Mazda 6, no spare tyre)

What's missing from Japan Hi-spec

- No cruise control

- No HUD

- No Digital Speedometer (RX8 style)

- No BOSE Sound system

- NO Auto headlights 

- No DUAL-ZONE Air-Cond with Nanoe-E

- No auto dimming rear view mirror

- no skirtings, boot spoiler

- No bonnet insulation 

- No reverse camera

- No BLIS, Lane departure warning

- No Active City braking system

Color choices:

Snowflake White, Soul Red, Titanium Flash Mica, Meteor Grey Mica

If you want to buy this car, Call Mike Lim - 012-254-6558.  Please mention the Key word:

"Seen/saw the contact no. from Jeff Lim's Blog" OR "Jeff Lim's friend  for better deal (also for me to keep track my blog effectiveness).

CURRENT PROMO: 

A: FREE Leather Seat - Black with Red stitching and SKYACTIV Logo (worth RM2800)

B: Free Synthetic Leather (Worth 1800) and Anti-break security tint (worth 1200)

C: RM2,000 cash rebate.

Rating: 7.5/10.

Well there's a saying, a picture's worth 1000 words.  Here are the photos:

MORE PHOTOS (90 photos):

M3 Skyactiv Gallery

That's all folks, thanks for having the time and patience to read this blog entry.