How to buy a Good Toyota Prius.

by Mujtaba Abbas

Toyota Prius 

Earlier I wrote about my driving experience with Toyota Prius. In that article I wrote about buying a low mileage clean Prius but one should be careful and exercise all sorts of caution while going to buy it however, people weren’t still sure about the process as many people messaged me asking to explain about how to buy a clean Prius in detail. And I have happily obliged.

So you’ve decided to buy a Prius. You might have owned many cars in the past, but nothing even close to the Prius. There are 2 sources to get a Prius:

A) Car Dealers/Showrooms.

B) Directly from a home.

My advice will be that you prefer buy a Prius being used in a home. Why? Because an overwhelming majority of dealers (Not everyone though) import High mileage and/or accident-ed Prius and after giving some cosmetic upgrades and reversing meters, they present you these cars as “Total Genuine, very less driven”. They do so because it offers them a high profit margin, at the cost of your money ofcourse. But once you’ve bought it, you will be stuck with a vehicle that will give you nightmares during daytime as well. There are good car dealers as well, but their numbers are very few and majority of dealers will not recommend you to visit them by saying “They charge too high!”. Still good dealers do exist, but are a rare sight. Anyways, buying from a Dealer or a Home, create a check-list with the following things a must to check:

Auction Sheet

This is a car’s equivalent to Book of deeds a.k.a “Amaal naama” in which everything good or bad about the car is written down to the smallest detail. Sadly very few people actually know that an Auction sheet exists, and they don’t ask the seller to provide it to them before purchase, much to the joy of people willing to rip-off buyers. This is to show you what an auction sheet of a Prius looks like:



Except for a few numbers, nothing makes sense. But I found some pictures on the internet and on Pakwheels forumsas well which will make things crystal clear to you about the auction sheet. Have a look at the explanatory image:



Now I think things will start to make sense for the common buyer. On the top right you; will see Auction grade, it ranges from 1 (worst) to 5 (Best). Just below the Auction grade, you will see Interior grade as well, from D (Worst) to A (Best)

Furthermore, the following chart will clarify each grade level:



The auction sheet also highlights the treatment to the vehicle’s body. For more clarification, here is a chart to understand the signs made around the body of the vehicle on the sheet:



My advice would be, don’t go for a car which is rated below Grade 4 overall and Grade B for interior. Also if the car is imported fresh, the same auction sheet can be verified online by going to auction house website, or you can even ask Pakwheelers at the Prius Fan Club on Pakwheels’ forums.

After all this information, do ask for auction sheet from people and if seller is hesitant or not providing you an auction sheet, then the probability of the car being tampered goes very high.

Now that we’ve covered asking for auction sheet? What is next?

BODY

This is a simple area for people now. Just get an experienced Denter/Painter with you to check the body/paint work. The front/back of the vehicle should be clean as to have a surety that the hybrid/Battery area of the car remains original. Do check for original Toyota label on every glass panel as well.

PETROL ENGINE

Just the petrol engine is like any other engine. You can easily get it inspected by a experienced mechanic who can give you his feedback about engine health. A word of caution: DO NOT touch Hybrid synergy system or wires when car is turned on, it can result in a fatal electric shock!

OTHER CHECKS

This is where the tricky part starts which very few people know. Please check the following things:

1. Start the vehicle, when it starts, it will be quiet for a while, then most probably the petrol engine will kick in to warm up and after about two minutes, it will shift again to electric motor provided A/C + lights, etc are off. After this period, the car being in Parking mode, press the accelerator and the petrol engine will once again start till your foot is on the accelerator. Do this procedure a few times, and notice the vibration while sitting. Is it less or too much to ignore? A Healthy Prius will get a slight shiver when petrol engine starts whereas a car with trouble in the hybrid synergy system will give you a noticeable jolt. Also open the Hood, and listen for a voice. Whenever petrol engine kicks in, is it just the voice of the engine?…A faulty system will give a noticeable “Takk” sound below the engine every time it shifts from electric to petrol.

2. Drive the vehicle on a light foot (and depending on battery charge) this car will never shift to petrol till 40-70 Km/h. A faulty vehicle, even with the slightest push on accelerator, shifts to Petrol, Meaning that the hybrid system is somewhat not performing to desired levels. Even when moving, observe the switch from electric to petrol mode, it should not be much noticeable and car should not shake to uncomfortable levels.

3. Drive the vehicle in EV (Electric only mode) if available, or on a light foot. On a full charge, the car must drive at least 3 km (4-5 preferred) Km before the battery depletes and petrol engine kicks in to regenerate it. If the car does not even manage 1 Km, then we have an issue with the battery capacity.

4. Start the car and let it idle after the petrol engine shuts down. If no electricity demanding thing (A/c, lights, Sound) is on, the charge level should remain constant for a while. In Prius’s with weaker batteries, the charge level falls very quickly, even when its output is 0.

5. The car when running on petrol, or decelerating, charges the battery, which is a gradual process. In winters If A/C is not on, it takes about 10-15 minutes to fully charge the battery and in summers when A/C is on, it will take 30 minutes or more to charge the battery. If the battery charges and discharges very quickly, again we have a problem with the battery.

6. When the car is idling, shift gears from P->N, N->D, D->R and randomly. A good transmission will change gears without any vibration or noise from engine, whereas a faulty one will let you know itself.

Last, and the most important criteria; take the Prius to Toyota motors (with a decent workshop). There are many advantages to you by going to one; firstly, some dealers won’t agree to it, and most probably, because they have something to hide. If you take a Prius there, and they hook it up with their diagnostic tool, it can give you a wide variety of valuable information. For example, it will most probably give you an error message (if the software of Prius is tampered to alter ODO meter reading). It can also tell status of many other things like A/C, Airbags condition (Faulty Airbag may mean they have been deployed due to accident), etc etc. Their mechanic can also check engine health and body condition for you and let you know their comments. Prius has been officially released here so trust me when I say this; Toyota mechanics know how to check a Prius. It will cost a few thousand Rupees, but buying a car worth lacs and avoiding fraud, there should be no hesitation in going there for a pre-purchase check-up.

If some people have a hard time understanding these checks, they can see a Prius owned by a friend or family member. Drive it and apply these checks to the vehicle to establish a baseline. Then they will be in a better position to judge the condition of other Prius.

source: http://www.pakwheels.com/blog/2014/01/30/heres-can-buy-good-prius/

Honda Accord or Accura

Hondgens a series of automobiles manufactured by Honda since 1976-Pesent, best known for its four-door sedan variant, which has been one of the best-selling cars in the United States since 1989.

                                                     

                       

First Generation Accord 1976-1981

First Generation Accord 1976-81

The First Generation was introduced in May 7 1976 as a three door hatchback compact car and with 68 horse power and was assembled in Japan with a 2 speed automatic and 3 speed automatic and 2 speed manual transmission and a engine of 1.6 Litre EP l4 and EF I4. The engine had CVCC technology with a great fuel economy.

In October 1977 it was available in 4 doors sedan and with 72 Horse Power the EF1 engine was supplemented and in certain markets replaced by the 1,751 cc. Then in 1980 it was optional of semi 2 speed transmission that became 3 speed fully automatic transmissions and the four speed transmission was not available till 1983

The North American versions had slightly redesigned bumper trim. Other changes included new grilles and tail lamps and remote mirrors added on the four-door (chrome) and the LX (black plastic) models. The CVCC badges were deleted, but the CVCC induction system remained. In 1981 and SE model was added for the first time, with Novillo leather seats and power windows.

                        

Second Generation 1982-1985

Second Generation of Honda Accord 1982-85

The second generation was introduced September 1981 and assembled in Japan, USA and New Zealand and it was also a bestselling car in the American Market and with four speed automatic transmission and 5 speed manual transmission with a engine 1.8 ES2 I4 and 1.6 EY I4 with a body of 3 door compact hatchback optional of 4 door sedan and has amazing features like a digital clocks features and was similar to first Generations.

                    

                  

Third Generation 1986-1989

Third generation 1986-89

The Third Generation was introduced in 1985 in Japan and later in other countries and it was designed in styled by Toshi Oshika in 1983 and the amazing feature was hidden head lamps it was a 2 door coupe and 3 door hatch back and 4 door sedan and in 1985 it won the award best selling car of the year with the engines of 1.6L A16A1 I4, 1.8L B18A I4, 1.8L A18A I4, 2.0L B20A I4 and a 2.0L B20A8 I4 with a 4 speed automatic and 5 speed manual transmission. The third generation Accord became the first Honda to employ double wishbones at both the front and rear ends. The Brakes were either small 4-wheel discs with twin-piston calipers (only available on the Japanese-market 2.0-Si model), larger 4-wheel discs with single piston calipers, or a front disc/rear drum system.

ABS was available as an option on the 4-wheel disc brake models, though not in North America. And then Third Generations became available in 3 door shooting brake version and not available in Canada and USA.

Third Generation Shooting Brake Version 

                        

Fourth Gerneration 1990-1998

 Generation Mainly was introduced in 1989 Although much larger than its predecessor the sedan's styling was evolutionary, featuring the same low slung design and wraparound rear window as the 3rd generation Accord. For the first time a 3-door hatchback was no longer available internationally. And was assembled in Japan and New Zealand and USA

The Fourth Generation 1990- 1993 

And it was not a compact car it was a mid size car with 2 door coupe and 3 door hatch back and 4 door sedan with 5 speed manual transmission and 4 speed automatic transmission and designed by Toshihiko Shimizu in 1987

In the U.S., the LX-i and SE-i designations were dropped, being replaced with the DX, LX, and EX trim levels. The Canadian Accord trim levels varied slightly from the U.S. models with LX, EX and EX-R roughly corresponding to the American DX, LX, and EX, respectively. Fourth generation Japanese-assembled EXi Accords sold in Australia offered the same 4-wheel steering technology as was available optionally on the U.S. Honda Prelude, but was not included on the New Zealand-assembled versions. The four-wheel steering system was also available on the Accord's Japanese platform mate, called the Honda Ascot FTBi. U.S. Accord Coupes were available in the same DX, LX, and EX trims as the U.S. Accord Sedan (LX, EX, and EX-R in Canada).

              Fifth Generation 1994-1997

The fifth generation version was introduced in 1994 and assembled in Japan, USA, New Zealand, Mexico, Philippines with a mid size body with 4 speed automatic and 5 speed manual transmission and the engine of 1.8 L F18B, I4 2.0 L F20B, I4 2.0 L F20B3 I4, 2.2 L F22A3 I4, 2.2 L F22B I4, 2.2 L F22B1 I4, 2.2 L F22B2 I4, 2.2 L H22A I4, 2.7 L C27A4 V6

The Fifth Generation 1994-97

The 5th generation North American Accord was launched on September 9, 1993 and was based on the new 'CD' chassis. Larger than its predecessor, primarily to better suit the requirements of the North American market, the new model grew in width but shrunk in length, leaving it classified as a mid-size car in North America. It thus became too wide to fit within the favorable tax bracket in Japan, where its role was to be partially taken over by the slightly narrower second-generation Honda Ascot

             Sixth Generation 1998-2002

The Sixth Generation was introduced in 1997 and for the sixth generation, Honda split the Accord into three separate models, designed for the Japanese, North American, and European markets and designed in style by Toshihiko Shimizu and Gen Tamura and assembled in Japan and China and then this where Honda introduced Honda type R to compete from Mitsubishi Evo.

Sixth Generation 1998-2002 Honda Accord 

In Japan they introduced Japanese Models of Honda Accords introduced in September 1994 it became more narrower than the other previous versions When the previous generation Accord grew in exterior dimensions, this reclassified the Accord as a mid sized car in Japan.

            Seventh Generation 1998-2002 

The Seventh Generation was introduced in 2002 and 2003 in the North American version However; both were in fact sold in many other markets, fueled by the popular Cog advertisement for the Accord. Euro R trim continued into this generation as performance model for Japanese market, making use of K20 engine producing 220 hp, however, European performance model was renamed Type S and used larger K24 engine tuned to produce 190 hp.

The Seventh Generation looked exactly like the previous sixth Generation one but with a little touch in the headlights and with a new body as its introduction in 2003 it was awarded Car of the Year in Japan.

The North American Accord grew in size yet again, becoming a vastly different car than its Japanese and European counterpart. This generation was available in both coupe and sedan forms, while a hybrid model was introduced in early 2005.[33] For 2006, it was significantly updated

Suzuki Alto and its History In Pakhtunkhwa

1. Suzuki Alto First generation SS 30/40 and SS 80 Model  1979-1984.

The first generation alto was made in May 1979 and a three door car with a rear seat that folds the first generation engine was 2 stroke T5B 539cc in the SS 30/40 versions of first generation alto and had three cylinders and had a average price of ¥470,000 that’s 1900$ in 1979 it was a famous and a successful car in the 80s and it also called Suzuki Fx in Asia and Pakistan

First Generation Suzuki Alto SS 30/40 1979-84 (2 Stroke) 

Back View of SS 30/40 also known Suzuki custom in Pakistan

European 2 doors version  of SS 80 Alto 2

Extended Vinyle Bumper Version of SS 80 of 1984 model 

Then in 1981 a new engine of 4 stroke 543cc was born and was for the first generation of alto and it touched at 6000 rpm then got famous in the U.K (United Kingdom) and was the best selling car on 1982. 

While Suzuki Alto was getting famous in other countries in Australia it was not a proper hatchback and was only featuring an open rear window then a 4WD (Four Wheel drive) version came in 1983. In Australia First Generation Suzuki was two seated and selling it and taxed 35 percent extra

Second Generation CA 71/72  Model  1985-1993.

Second Generation CA71

The second version of alto was introduced in September 1984 as 1985 model it had the same engine of 2 stroke but with a new body and was also available in turbocharged for racing and optional for multi valves.

Three months later they introduced the 4wd four wheel drive then they introduced more modifications and turbocharged engine in 4wd and then they introduced 3 speed automatic than 2 speed automatic that they have been using before 

Second Generation Alto ( Back) 

In Europe as only four speed manual or 2 speed automatic and in Pakistan it is known as Mehran  and has upgraded fuel consumption and also sold in india known as Muruti 800 with 769cc engine.

In 1988 China introduced a new engine F8B used as a market export by Chang'an Motors and was replaced by the facelifted SC7081 Alto/City Baby/Little Prince/Happy Prince in 2001. And then there was an another version of AN Alto that was built by Jangquan since 1992

3rd Generation Alto 1988-1994 CL 11/ CM 11  Model  1985-1993.

CL 11/ CM 11 Version Alto 

The third generation (CL/CM11) replaced the CA71 in September 1988. This was the last generation of Alto to have an associated Fronte model. It had strikingly angular styling, with an unusual glazed C-pillar on the 5-door. Another curiosity of this generation was the availability of a version with sliding doors, the "Slide Slim", intended to simplify entering and exiting in tight spaces. It also made egress easier for the old and the infirm. 

When the Fronte name was discontinued in October 1989, the passenger car versions (CN/CP11) became Altos. 

Initially the CL11 used the 12-valve 42 hp (31 kW) F5B engine known from the SS71 Cervo, but with an added 34 hp (25 kW) 6-valve version in lower-spec versions. 

A 46 hp (34 kW) DOHC version was also available Alto TAXI Imported in 1990,s  in the Twin Cam Rl. Passenger car versions had the same engines, but all with 2 hp less due to more stringent emissions controls. 

Front View of Alto CL/CM 11 

The fuel-injected, 12-valve, turbocharged Works models came with an SOHC 58 hp (43 kW) engine (FF S/X or 4WD S/R) or a 64 hp (48 kW) DOHC version (FF RS/X or 4WD RS/R). The front-wheel-drive Works' were available with a 3-speed automatic in addition to the standard 5-speed manual.

The CL11 Alto was sold in Korea, Poland, Romania and Uzbekistan as the Daewoo Tico, and in China by Anchi.

It is famous in Pakistan as a Taxi because it has less fuel consumption 

5th Generation Alto 1988-1994 HA12/22  Model  2000-2012.

The fifth-generation Alto (HA12/22) was introduced in October 1998. The styling was generally more rounded, the shape of the cabin showing the Alto's relationship with the new Suzuki Kei. The 658 cc K6A engine was now also available without a turbocharger, joining the turbocharged version and the familiar 657 cc F6A engines. The turbocharged Works models were available with a 60 hp F6A engine (i.e., 5MT/3AT and FF or 4WD) or a 64 hp VVT K6A (RS/Z, 5MT and FF or 4WD). The front-wheel-drive RS/Z was sold with a non-VVT K6A engine when in combination with a 4-speed automatic transmission, it too with a claimed 64 hp. In December 2000, the Works versions were discontinued, as the Alto was realigned as an economy version. The Suzuki Kei Sports picked up the Works' mantle.

HA12/22 Suzuki Alto

4 Speed Manual Transmission and 3 Speed Automatic and 4 door and 5 door hatch back with 658cc K68 13 engine also assembled in Karachi and Japan 

Interior HA12/22 Suzuki Alto

6th Generation Alto 1988-1994 HA24 Model 2004-2009

The sixth generation (HA24) was introduced in 2004. The bonnet and headlamps curved down at the front, giving a similar effect to the Toyota WiLL Vi or the Citroën C2. The Alto was realigned as a less costly car to accommodate new models such as the Cervo and Alto Lapin. The more powerful engines were moved into the other more upmarket versions like the Suzuki Kei Works and Alto Lapin SS, leaving the Alto with only a 54 PS (53 hp; 40 kW) version. In Japan, this version of the Alto was rebadged as the Nissan Pino and Mazda Carol.

HA24 Suzuki Alto

Sixth Generation Alto was assembled in Japan with 5 door hatch with only 658cc engine  

7th Generation Alto 1988-1994 HA25 Model 2009-Present

The 7th Generation Alto is also called Mazda Carol and it was assembled in Japan with a Five Door it does not have many features but its a good car and 5 speed manual transmission and 4 speed automatic transmission and with a cheap price 

2010 HA25 Model Alto

 

8th Generation Alto 2015 HA35 Model  2014-Present 

The 8th Generation is an 660cc engine not too expensive car can get in 7000$ Minimum its a Japanese car and will have 10 different colors and very large headlights and it will come in 2015 and has great features and a reduced weight of 60. its a three cylinder with fuel consumption of 37 km/L with 5 speed manual or CVT Transmission and has safety features for the first time that includes seat belt reminder on both driver and front passenger seats and other features 

Suzuki Alto 2015 8th Generation 

Features

Suzuki Alto comes with feature like all powered windows, manual or even automatic air conditioning,cup holders, start-stop button, key less entry, heated fronts seats, electric mirrors and a sound system with AUX-IN and etc

Price:

7000000 PKR

7000 Dollars

Suzuki Alto Side 

Suzuki Alto Back Side 

It is a awesome car and have lot of latest features of the first time and now with a safety features not with a good body and headlights and recommend for a small families and a very cheap car and coming soon in Pakistan.

Classic Vintage Cars in Peshawar

By Hidayat Khan / Photo: Muhammad Iqbal
Published: November 22, 2014

Hundreds of enthusiasts thronged the Peshawar Club where the cars were displayed. PHOTOS: 

1939 Rolls Royce 

1966 Ford Mustang 

PESHAWAR: The saying old is gold applied perfectly to the fifth annual Karachi to Khyber Vintage Car Rally, which ended in the city on Saturday.

Ford Mustangs, Rolls Royces and other icons of the motor industry braved the arduous journey from the port city of Karachi to Peshawar, travelling on roads across the length of the country. All cars sported a ‘Lets end polio now’ sticker. This is the third time the vehicles made it to Peshawar. On two other occasions, the rally ended in Islamabad due to security concerns.

Hundreds of car enthusiasts thronged Peshawar Club where the cars were displayed after their journey. The event, sponsored by the Tourism Corporation Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP), created plenty of excitement as petrolheads gathered around the car owners and fired questions about the maintenance of these prized possessions.



The crowd was given the unique opportunity to get up close and personal with iconic vehicles of yore such as the Mercedes 170 SD, the 1939 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith and the 65’ Ford Mustang, which ‘stang’ lovers will have you believe is the only model to own. Other classics on display included 1966 and 1975 Volkswagens,the 1965 Humber Hawk,the Range Rover classic, an original 1957 Willy’s Jeep, 1939 Chevrolet Master Deluxe, 1939 Austin, 1961 MGA, 1965 Peugeot 404, 1950 Hillman Minx, 1968 Ford Mustang Fastback and the 1969 Mini Clubman 1275GT.

Other restored cars (read labours of love) included a 1947 Buick, 1949 MGY, 1954 Chevrolet, 1957 Austin Healey, 1957 Ford Thunder Bird, 1976 Cadillac Eldorado and the achingly beautiful 1986 Jaguar XJS. “We have brought cars, which people once disposed of as garbage, back on the road,” said Peshawar Classic Cars and Land Rover Club CEO Asim Durrani. The club hosted the event and gathered over a dozen vintage cars for the visitors.

“These efforts are to portray the soft image of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P),” Durrani added. “The vintage and classic car collection here was much better than other parts of the country.” He said the club was buoyed by the initial success of the event, adding that was the reason it was held on an annual basis.

“It was a huge undertaking to have reached Peshawar. We started our journey in May this year from Karachi,” said Khalid Khan, the owner of one of the classics. He added huge financial resources were involved in the preservation and maintenance of these cars. Apart from buying his own vehicles, some beauties from his collection were owned by the elders of his family. Therefore, his love for the automobiles came naturally.

The rally started in May this year from Karachi and passed through different cities of the country before coming to an end when the last car rolled into Peshawar. The organiser of the event said 25 vehicles managed to reach the final destination.

While thanking all those involved in making the event a success, tourism and sport adviser to K-P chief minister said, “Maximum funds are being provided to promote tourism in the province and such events are an example of our efforts”.

You can view a slideshow of pictures of the car rally here.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 23rd, 2014.

source: http://tribune.com.pk/story/795540/cruising-into-town-vintage-cars-turn-petrol-heads/

Mercedes Benz found in Pakhtunkhwa

 This Mercedes was found in Peshawar and named Amg CSL Series Mercedes 2010 Model its a four door luxury car. The CLS marked Mercedes-Benz's return to the executive-size coupe market since the (W124) E-Class Coupe (a two-door sedan) went out of production in 1995. The (W210) E-Class did not spawn a coupe variant, as Mercedes-Benz choose instead to introduce a smaller coupe based on the compact C-Class, the CLK-Class. However, the CLK-Class was built with a lengthened C-Class wheelbase so it could be slotted as a mid-sized vehicle, and it also featured styling cues, engines, and similar pricing to the (W210) E-Class to give the impression that the (W124) E-Class Coupe had been directly replaced.

Marketed as a four-door coupe, the CLS was designed by the American automotive designer, Michael Fink in 2001 (born 1967), who styled the first CLK, the C-Sport coupe, and is known as the stylist who penned the Maybach 57 and 62. According to a Mercedes-Benz press release, the CLS-class was produced to combine the "strong, emotive charisma" of a coupe with the "comfort and practicality" of a sedan. Save for its four-door design, the CLS's design tends towards a coupe, as its sleek roofline reduces the rear passenger room to a 2+2 arrangement, and it offers a smaller selection of engines tending towards high powered of the range, compared to contemporary sedans such as the E-Class

Old Buick found in Peshawar

This Antique Un Restored  Buick was found in Pakhtunkhwa of Model 1950,s

Classic Cars Club Show At Peshawar Club 2013

These Classic Cars of Classic Cars Club of Pakistan were seen at Peshawar Club as  they all Raced from Karachi to Peshawar by Motorway. 

They had a Nice day at the Peshawar club and Many People of Pakhtunkhwa , came to See the Cars and it was Wonderful Opportunity for people to see the cars . 

Volkswagen 1950,s

Rolls Royce 1940,s

Mercedes  1970,s

Opal Record  1960,s

Mercedes 1970,s

Volkswagen  1970,s

Volkswagen  1970,s

Peugot 1960,s

Range Rover Years 2010

Ranger Rover 1970,s

Land Cruiser 1980,s

Land Cruiser 1980,s

1930 Classic Car 

Chevorlate Impala 1970,s 

Datson/ Nissan 1970,s

MG Sports 1960,s 

Leyland 1960,s