In defense of: A local REBADGED Tiger from a Diamond instead of a Toyota or a Honda or any B segment Car

2.0liter variable valve timing 4 cylinder engine, 148hp (150ps), 197Nm, 200km/h, 0-100km/h in around 10.5secs or faster, multi-link suspension at the rear, CVT (with optional pedal shifters), fully equipped cabin and all for around RM90,000 (and Japanese technology too). The Toyota Vios pictured above has a 1.5liter vvt 4 cylinder engine, 105ps, 141Nm, 180+km/h, 0-100km/h in around 11secs, beam axle rear suspension, ancient 4 speed automatic, even more plasticky materials in the cabin for around RM90,000 if you're crazy enough to buy the TRD specced Vios at RM93,000 or RM88,000 for a G spec model. Madness isn't it? Why are you buying this??????

More Volkswagen Tales of Woe - Facebook community survey results and some comments

There is a Facebook group that was started by a group of Malaysian Volkswagen owners who are extremely disappointed (to say the least) by the supposedly appalling after-sales service quality over at Volkswagen Malaysia. I am not surprised as I have written a couple or so times as regards how unreliable VW cars have been in recent years. you can have a look at the group here.

Geneva 2014: Subaru Viziv 2 Concept - Subaru is showing us again how their future will NOT look like

Here is another concept car from Subaru. They've been showing us the Viziv Concept last year and now this one is called the Subaru Viziv 2 Concept. This concept showcases "environmental friendliness and driving pleasure" as well as "design and utility" at the highest level. What this plug-in hybrid crossover vehicle actually tells me is that THIS IS WHAT SUBARU WILL NOT BUILD FOR US IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

Why am I saying so?

Geneva 2014: The Rolls Royce Ghost Series II unveiled

I love how Rolls Royce is marketing this new Ghost Series II. They are claiming it to be an "an oasis of calm in a frenetic business world". Of course, this may be quite true in every sense of the word. 

Press Release

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars UNVEILS GHOST SERIES II TO THE WORLD AT 2014 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW

Geneva 2014: 2015 Audi TT unveiled

2015 Audi TTS 

The Geneva Motor Show 2014 is on-going at the moment and automobile manufacturers are quite busy previewing new cars over there. Audi has decided to use Geneva as its place to unveil the all new Audi TT. Although this is the all new and improved TT, people who aren't car people may think it is the same car. 

Like recent Audis, the TT has a evolutionary design (which in my opinion needs a little bit of a shake up as it still looks similar to the outgoing one and to other more bread and butter Audis out there) which features the usual large hexagonal grille and LED daytime driving lights (with optional LED main headlights too this time around). The only difference is that the four rings Audi logo now resides on the bonnet instead of on the grille. Ooooo...Audi, what prominent changes you have made to the TT.

2015 Honda Civic Type-R launched at Geneva - Here are some leaked photos

There will be an all new Honda Civic Type-R for all those Honda tuning fans out there. Photos of the upcoming car has already been leaked prior to its official launch at the Geneva Motor Show tomorrow. The car has been confirmed to have something all Honda fans (read as fanatics) have waited for..an official turbocharged Type-R. It's based on the 2 door Civic hatchback and no sign of a 4 door version by the likes of it.

Sunday car pic: Proton Satria Neo S2000 rally

This photo is for Satria Neo owners to dream about when thinking of what the heck should they try to aim for when trying to modify their ergonomically challenged hatchback.

Short Drive: The Mitsubishi Attrage sedan. Does a 1.2 liter three cylinder sedan work?

Mitsubishi Indonesia's idea of what it should be...hmmm.

And so after quite awhile of not writing any car reviews we have one for you readers out there right now. Of course it would be nice writing about the time I drove the Peugeot RCZ (I will, I guess) or the time I where I drove an old Triumph Stag (it happened, but somehow I am not too bothered at the moment too) but I know it makes more sense writing about cars most of you can actually buy, like the Mitsubishi Attrage sedan. 

Now you could actually buy this car but do read on and see if you should (you shouldn't).

Carama Launches Malaysia’s First Car Service Price Calculator

I happened to attend the launch of 'Malaysia's First Car Service Price Calculator' which is located at www.carama.com. There you can reportedly get the estimates for your basic car servicing costs and repairs. Quite easy to use once you have registered and it will give you a rough (I do mean rough) estimate on the cost of repairs and/or servicing. 

There is also an interesting infographic which I have placed below detailing what we Malaysian car owners actually worry or think about when it comes to servicing one's vehicle. It does make some sense and Carama (by Castrol) intends to assist us owners in making finding a proper workshop or mechanic a hassle free experience (or hassle free after you register at the website, that is). Aside fromt he price calculator, Carama ensures its users the chance to tell-all. If one has good experiences at the service center, he or she can actually write a short review so that it can help others. This makes the servicing experience accessible to all. 

Good News Peeps...We Won Best Auto Blog For MSMW 2014!

We won! We surprisingly won. Yours Truly, and this Blog were nominated for the Best Auto Blog at this year's Malaysia World Blogger And Social Media Awards held in conjunction with the Malaysia Social Media Week 2014 (which is currently ongoing). Somehow, with the help of you readers and a bunch of friends we did manage to garner more than a handful of votes and bloody won!!!!!!!

The reason we asked, pleaded and begged for a few votes is that it would be mighty embarrassing if we ended up with just two votes - my own personal vote and my daughter's, who was thrilled that her dad managed to win something. Which to say the least is truly surprising. We were just expecting not coming in last.

Anyway, kudos to the organisers of the event, Social Media Chambers of Malaysia and My Events International for hosting such a splendid awards ceremony.

Oh, those that have been following Yours Truly on Twitter and Facebook would already know. I apologise if this short piece may seem like me parading around this small victory but heck, it's my victory, I can do whatever I want.

More about cars and motoring later when regular transmission resumes right after some basking in the limelight continues.

All-new 2014 Honda City is making its rounds now

The all-new 2014 Honda City was displayed at Paradigm Mall in Petaling Jaya over the weekend. I suppose this is a pre-launch roadshow for Honda's B segment sedan...a.k.a the Toyota Vios fighter. It will be priced around RM70,000-90,000 depending on what spec you choose and it will be officially launched here in Malaysia sometime in March.

How does it look in the metal?

Nissan Sentra, New since the year 2000 - If this were a Proton, Malaysians would be screaming murder

Right now I am watching Ultraman on NTV7, having a nice cuppa tea whilst typing this. The Ultraman episode on TV must be quite new (circa 2008) as cell phones, graphics seem up to date. Ultraman still wears a jumpsuit and still has that blinker on his chest. Some things stay the same. Much like the Nissan Sentra 'Sport' sold over here in Malaysia (see above). Soldiering on since 2000.

Last I checked we are now coming to the middle of the second decade of the 2000s and if you checked the Nissan Malaysia website today, you'd notice that they're still selling a car which was first sold in the year 2000. The Nissan Sentra is still on sale over here in Malaysia!!!! If this were a Proton, Malaysians would say that the local car company is trying to kill us all by selling outdated cars, take our money by not giving us any options, continue to make profit by selling us outdated cars and other stuff. But here we have Nissan still giving us the same piece of dull family transport year after year after year. Of course, some may say that you don't see any on the road and that this is just Nissan wanting to clear stock.

Car Mods: 1st Gen Perodua Myvi Tuning Part V - Lightweight Crankshaft Pulley and some Iridium

Okay, let's return to some 1st Generation Perodua Myvi tuning. The 2010 car is now slightly over 35,000km old and still running as it should. It just undergoes regular oil changes and if you note from the earlier posts, the car has had some suspension, brakes and an air filter / cold air intake mod.

The Myvi technically stops faster, corners better and is a little more refined due to the strut bar / rear beam axle anti-roll bar which allows the suspension to be less susceptible to flex. And with those mods, a little more performance from the engine would be nice. So I've basically got a lightweight aluminium crankshaft pulley installed (the polished thingy to the right of the brakes).

CASTROL CARAMA PROMO: Car service issues – Have I been blinded?

This here is something from established petroleum product seller Castrol. I use Castrol sometimes, but not all the time. Let's just see what they have to offer you guys out there, alright?

Castrol Carama

Investing in a car means years of financial commitment. But, your commitment probably does not stop there. Taking care of your car is as akin to taking care of your children – health and safety is a top priority

Every car, regardless if it is old or new must be treated with utmost care to promise long term quality assurance. Regular servicing will help maintain the condition of our car and provide us the extra assurance that our car is road-ready.

Driver of Mini Countryman BMC 699, you Sir, are a moron.

This is valid proof that Mini drivers are total idiots. This happened earlier this evening. A ginormous (by Mini standards) Mini Countryman tries to enter the wrong way down a one way street ( note the traffic light folks), then has the nerve to ask yours truly to move slightly aside so that he can continue down the wrong way and since I did not budge as there would be cars behind me shortly as this way a busy junction he gets angry and takes my photo because I did not yield and was busy taking photos of his car as well. He was trying to right a wrong.

This Has Got To Be The Most Awesome Proton Sales Advert Blurb Ever On Mudah

This was spotted by both my pal Firdaus and I recently and has got to be either the most awesome car sales ad eve pitched or the most psychotic. It would help if you can understand and read Malay as it is seriously awsome. 

The salesman addresses potential customers as  'Chor' which means elder brother in the 'loghat utara' or north Malay slang. He also wants us Chors to be happy even after getting a lashing from your bosses as he just got one too. 

According to him he is an authorised sales representative. And expert up to the levels of an Avatar or a Bumiputra Rocker which is important as he, Ahmad as he is supposed to be called has 105 years of experience. 105 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE? If he started work at 20 he would be about 120 years old. Err........He must be immortal and cannae die.

Long term report - Mercedes Benz C180 CGI BlueEfficiency

If you've been following this blog you'd know that I've been running a 2012 Mercedes Benz C180 CGI BlueEfficiency for a while now.

I collected the car in November 2012 and it has now been over a year of owning this slightly premium sedan. It may be the entry level c-class but I've not been left wanting in any department at all. Of course, if you had to pay over RM214,000 for any car it better not be lacking in certain aspects. 

Spotted: Nissan 'AMG' 130y

....or was is OMG? This clearly shows the owner's vision and that why bother buying a proper Mercedes AMG CLA45 (which is the smallest AMG sedan these days) when all you need is a Datsun, errr Nissan 130y.

What you don't see in the photo is there was smoke coming from only one of its twin tail pipes. OMG is more like it. And the 'y' in the 130y must now stand for...Why? Misplaced passion is why. Save up and keep this car standard. OMG instead of AMG indeed.

Facelifted BMW X3 launched

BMW has launched the facelifted BMW X3. You get the usual facelift features, which are modified lights (with optional LED headlights), grille, front and rear bumpers, external mirrors with indicators for the exterior and according to BMW, better perceived quality and luxury for the interior. Of course, Every big manufacturer comes up with decent upgrades and the obvious better fuel economy and less CO2 emmissions every time a facelift comes for any model.

If any of you are interested, expect a fully imported version of this X3 to be on our shores within the next three months or so. BMW Malaysia is quite fast in getting new models into Malaysia these days.

PRESS RELEASE

Highlights. It was back in 2003 that BMW founded the new mid-size Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) segment with the launch of the X3. That means the BMW X3 has been a paragon of sporty dynamics, premium ambience and robust agility, coupled with low fuel consumption and emissions, for over 10 years now – racking up sales figures of more than one million units in the process. The second generation of the successful BMW X3 has made a compelling case for itself since its introduction in 2010, boasting the best interior and boot measurements and the greatest versatility in its class.

2015 Subaru Legacy revealed.....

...and in all honesty it should stay hidden. I had wrote earlier that Subaru is actually pulling our legs by giving us very stunning concept cars that we would actually sell a kidney for it but when the production model is unveiled, it usually ends up looking like the chap who serves you food at the local mamak restaurant, complete with body odor.

Now this is very true as the new 2015 Subaru Legacy gets its official pictures (intentionally or unintentionally) released.I mean take a look at the Legacy Concept pictured below, and then take another look at the Legacy above. What sort of legacy is Subaru trying to give its customers (pun intended)? It looks like every generation of the Subaru Legacy keeps getting uglier and uglier or plainer and plainer.