Spotted for Sale: 2012 Honda CR-Z 2.0 - It should have been like this all along

It's been a while since I did any 'Spotted for Sale' articles. I suppose it's because there haven't been anything truly interesting out there when I was checking out the want ads. This time we have a winner folks, a 2012 Honda CR-Z with a nice big fat VTEC inside. By nice I mean a 2.0liter with 2.4liter stroker kit Honda K20a Type R engine plonked into it instead of the standard lethargic 1.5liter with a tiny electric motor for assist. 

I have to say that the CR-Z looks good, drives typically well as its a Honda but is sorely lacking in terms of performance. The 1.5liter IMA hybrid system put out between 111hp for the CVT variant to 130hp in its current guise. This would make it as fast as any 1.8liter car out there and it would honestly get eaten up by any turbocharged 1.4liter Volkswagen Golf TSI, a Honda Civic 2.0 or even that pesky superlight 1.5liter Perodua Myvis driven by people who think that MyviS are not shopping trolleys that they are really are but sports cars. This one on the other hand....is very interesting.

The Toda cams are interesting as is the 2.4liter stroker kit installed. This should be ballistic. 277whp made easily in my opinion and should be enough to propel this little sports car to have a sub 6 second 0-100kmh time instead of a paltry 9.9  or so seconds that the original manual CR-Z could do. 

It has a low mileage according to the advert, under 30000km. The only thing is the RM110,000 price tag. Most stock, and therefore a tad boring second hand 2012 CR-Zs out there are going for around RM70,000-80,000. This extra is for the sum of parts thrown into it. Oh, obviously buyer beware when it comes to cars like this. But don't it look like fun?

Orignal ad is here (while it lasts) or below:

"Seller Says

Mugen full bodykit,k20a type R engine,

Toda a3 cams,retainer and valve springs,fd2r intake,Eagles forge conrod,wiseco forge Pistons,tabata s alu radiator,hondata ecu,mugen full lock lsd,

2.4 stroker kit, full ported and polish, oem honda big/oversize throttle,air intake,custom 3" extractor and piping with j's muffler,ori 17" ssr forge rims,BC forge suspension,RECARO seats,brembo 4pot and 335mm rotor,ogura clutch,close gear ratio gearbox,excellent for time attack car,277whp,VTEC,dc5,fd2r,type r,ek9"

Read more at http://www.mudah.my/2012+Honda+CR+Z+2+0+M+-41863009.htm#Z32ui0cUzCPxiyhv.99

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Spotted for Sale: 1984 Honda Civic 1.6(M) - The 'Wonder' Civic

The car that has been Spotted for Sale here today is the third generation Honda Civic. It was produced by Honda from 1983 to 1987. This 1984 model the three-door hatchback version and is one of the more collectible 3rd Gen Civics aside from the CRX that is also derived from this chassis.. Other not so interesting 3rd Gen Civics were a four-door sedan (also known as the Honda Ballade) and the five-door "Shuttle" station wagon - imagine this as something BMW would now make with its 3 series and then call it the 3 series GT, i.e unclecar variant of the 3 series. Honda was so ahead of its time.

In fact, this Civic was actually quite ahead of its time. Its setup included independent front control arms with torsion bar springs and a semi-independent rear beam with coil springs. It was also totally radical looking back in 1984. If you compared this model with the one it replaced you'd be shocked in 1984. The previous Civic (which I actually drove when I started out in life) did not have flush headlights, moulded and integrated bumpers, flush doors and many other details you see in cars today. In those days, this Civic was actually quite cutting edge and a wonder. I remember reading a long while ago in the 1990s about the 'Wonder' Civic. This was called the Civic 'Mayat' or 'Coffin' here due to its chopped off tail but it was called the Honda Civic Wonder in Indonesia. I also read in one of my Japanese Option magazines from the 1990s that they called it the Wonder Civic too. Amazing eh? 

For performance models of this Civic, Honda first adopted the Si badge for the Japanese domestic market (JDM) third-generation Civic in November 1984. Mainly offered in hatchback form, the main aesthetic difference for the Si was a slight bulge in the hood, which accommodated the taller DOHC engine. The D16A1 1.6liter 4 cylinder twim cam engine put out 122 hp, enabling the Civic Si a max speed of 196 km/h and go from 0–100 kmh in about 8.9 seconds. In 1990 this was actually fast enough. I remember being in one those days and it was wheelspin in first, second and even a chirp in third (if the surface was dusty or wet) when my friend gunned one that belong to his cousin.

This one on sale must have started life as a 1.5liter version with about 100hp. It now seems to have a 1.6liter upgrade that is basically the same engine as the Civic Si. It is a very light car and this enables this Civic to actually be quite a darn good drive even for something designed in the early 1980s. So much better than the car it replaced and could actually keep up with more modern cars in the 1990s when we were busy playing with cars then.

The owner just wants RM7,000 (nego) for it. You also get aftermarket bucket recliners, a sports steering wheel, larger alloy wheels and a somewhat suitable looking bodykit too. It seems fair for something so old that there are replacement parts that aren't original any more. All in all, this is still a nice little Honda from the good old 1980s. 

Original Ad is here (while it lasts)...or you can see it down below:

"Salam 1 Malaysia.. Sy nk lepaskan jentera ksayangan sy. 

Model Sb3, enjin dh tukar hulfcut twin cam 1.6 model integra second genarate n dah endos,seat bucket.

Enjin n air cond tip top, body cantik cuma cat je clear dia rosak sbb ujan pnas.

Kereta boleh pegi jauh dari ipoh ke johor tnpa sbrg masalah.Kreta skang brulang buat pegi krja.Nk jual sbb xde parking.

Blh datang tengok kete untuk kepuasan.

Harga blh bincang lagi.
Read more at http://www.mudah.my/1984+Honda+Civic+1+6+M+-40178345.htm#mMyw2gRW06kRDAxT.99"

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Spotted for Sale: 1997 TVR Chimaera 4.0 - This used to be Made In Port Klang

The early to mid 1990s was a burgeoning time for the automotive sector. Everywhere around the world manufacturers were busy launching new innovative models and cars that actually made us Petrolheads want it so badly. It was a time where things happened in a big way even in Malaysia. Proton just launched the Wira to great acclaim (and a waiting list of over five months). Bufori decided to start producing cars in Malaysia and we had the great British sportscar manufacturer TVR deciding to build cars in Malaysia too.

TVR was founded in 1947 by Trevor Wilkinson  who gave his name to the make - TreVoR. I alway thought it stood for Travel Very Rapidly as their cars were indeed ballistic, and a tad bit psychotic to drive. Somehow, in the early 1990s, someone managed to convince Peter Wheeler, then CEO of TVR to manufacture TVRs here in Malaysia. In an attempt to search out new export markets in the Asia Pacific region, in 1997-1998 TVR opened a new factory in Port Klang. This factory produced only the TVR Chimaera. to support the booming mid-1990s Malaysian market but with more emphasis to exports which went to Australia, Japan and |south Africa. Some were even alleged to have been shipped back to UK to meet the growing demand in the European market.

I remember listening to some friends of mine who actually visited the factory in the late 1990s. It was a typical Malaysian factory. This meant cheap steel structure with zinc roofing, a dog or two in the yard, some dirt here and there and within the totally Malaysian surrounding, we had TVR moulds being used to make the fiberglass body and the smell of fiberglass resin everywhere in the air. But since TVRs were all made of glassfibre, this was a norm. I suppose the workers got high almost everyday. Of course, by the end of the 1990s, the Malaysian and Asian economics crashed. This actually meant that the markets in this region dried up. By the early 2000s TVR packed up and left Malaysia. By 2006, TVR closed its doors and to this day we have been hearing of its revival. I hope its soon.

Anyway, this here is one of those cars which could have been made in Port Klang. Imagine that, a real British roadster with its Rover 4.0liter V8 engine built right here in Malaysia. You could be the proud owner of a British designed sportscar that was Malaysian made if you had RM58,000. 

You must remember that TVRs of this era are actually quite psychotic. Firstly, they had no visible door release handles inside and outside. It has the door release button under the side mirrors on the outside and one knob in the center console on the inside. It was also made out of fiberglass, so if it was new, it would smell like you bought lots of glue and spilled it everywhere. If you drove it angrily, it would angrily bite you back and then try to kill you if you aren't prepared for that rear-wheel drive and traditional (meaning, typical oversteer at every prod of the throttle type macho handling) especially in the wet. Of course, this was a typical British sportscar with a big engine. They usually like to make its drivers pee in their pants occasionally. Or find themselves going boot first into an English hedge mid corner. 

The power of the Chimaera from that Rover 4.0 V8 is approximately 240 bhp and  about 366 N·m torque at 4000 rpm. This allowed a maximum speed of 245 km/h and a 0-100kmh time of 5.1secs with its standard 5 speed manual gearbox. It was actually a combination of the lightweight tubular framed chassis and fiberglass body that gave it a reasonable power to weight ratio. The 5.0liter variant was even more mad - 0-100kmh in 4.1seconds and a top speed of 282kmh. This was in the mid-1990s. And it was cheaper to buy than a Porsche 911 Turbo. 

But the main thing about any V8 TVR is the exhaust note. It is gloriously loud and heavenly from inside and out. The traditional Rover V8 is actually one of those engines that burble and rumble all the time. It has that sense of occasion that not many other cars have.   

So if you can afford its asking price and its RM6,405.00 annual roadtax, go ahead. This is truly a car to experience.

Seller Says

TVR Chimera
Metallic Midnight Blue
New Cream Leather Interior

Lovely V8 exhaust note
Buy and Drive

Read more at http://www.mudah.my/TVR+Chimera+4+0+M+-40895870.htm#7Owox8DOQVJlrcGH.99

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Spotted for Sale: 1995 BMW M3 E36

This is something nice to dream about. A 1995 BMW M3 E36. This was the first six cylinder M3 and it had a 3.0liter straight-six engine that made about 280bhp. This was something everyone who loved cars dreamt about owning in the 1990s. So this could be a dream come true for some of you out there. This blue car has the 3.0liter engine with the 5 speed manual gearbox. A purist's spec. But those days, most of these performance BMWs had a manual gearbox.

Of course, these days 280bhp is nothing to shout about. It is fast, but not ballistically fast like the M3 of today. 0-100kmh was in about 5.4seconds and it had a top speed of 250kmh or thereabouts. But this car is all about proper rear wheel drive entertainment. Its handling was properly sorted out by the BWM M Division and everyone I know at the time it first appeared on Malaysian shores was at awe with it. Including Yours Truly. And that 'M3' badging of course. It put the M3 miles above the usual 318i (four cylinders...pah!), 320i (kayuh lah...tak pi mana pun), 325i (getting better, in fact the engine durable that the 328i) and the 328i (200bhp made it the best non-M3 choice of the time but in the long run a bit more costly to maintain).

So this advertisment on mudah.my has made me go slightly nostalgic. For RM68,800 you can try get your hands on one. And since its the first of the six cylinder M3s it came with the smaller 3.0liter instead of the larger post 1995 3.2liter. This means an annual road tax of under RM2,200. Try bargaining a lot more than the asking price (RM10k off at least especially at an economic downturn like this). Say that whilst everything is original the alloy wheels aren't the original ones - it would be fantastic if it came with the original BMW five spoke or multi-spoke wheel that had the words MOTORSPORT stamped on them. It still is a cash purchase as you can never get a bank loan on such an old car.

View the original ad while it lasts here or read on down below:

Seller Says

Original E36 M3
Original spec
Original Ac sport rim
Original interior
Accident free
Seldom use
5 speed manual
Race in market
Value for collection
price negotiable

For more information pls contact
Chong 0164403262
Lucas 0164173262

Make

BMW

Model

M3

Type

Sports

Transmission

Manual

Engine Capacity

3000 cc

Mileage

65 000 - 69 999

Mfg. Year

1995

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Spotted for Sale: 2010 Toyota Vios 1.5(m) Turbo - No joke

I don't really like writing about the Toyota Vios. It isn't because it is ugly like a Nissan Almera or a half baked effort like the Proton Iriz. It's just a car which is so darn common and every uncle, auntie, grandpa, grandma, fresh grad, college student, ah soh and soh hais actually drive it on a daily basis. Especially the soh hais. These are those that think that the Vios is an AE 86 and they tailgate, beam and overtake on the left like nobody's business.

Being typical Toyota, it attracts Malaysians who seem to think of resale value over anything else when they want to buy a car. And because of this a Toyota is always on top of their list. For anyone selling Toyotas, it is like setting on the auto-pilot. Everything is quite straightforward. But today this used Toyota Vios caught my eye over in mudah.my.

At first it seemed normal...second generation 2010 Toyota Vios 1.5 (m). Manual...hmm... this meant the basic 'J' spec Vios and the owner liked shifting gears by himself,  and then I saw the words 'Turbo' written on the title of the advertisement. Wow, a turbocharged Vios. Somebody went all out with everyone's favourite small Toyota and tuned it a lot more than the usual bodykit, sport rims and stickers. You can see that it has a bolt on turbokit that may have come from local tuning company Speedworks as some of the parts and fit look very much like the turbo kit they offer. The previous owner also spent a bit on proper bucket seats and some gauges for boost, tempreature and for something else (not that bothered to think what the heck third gauge is for).

If the previous owner had not plonked on the TRD bodykit this Vios would be a total sleeper. The stock Vios had about 109hp / 141 Nm torque. If it were a Speedworks turbo conversion (pictured right above), this car could have minimum 150hp and 190nm torque. It could be higher but let's just err on this side of conservative as the figures quoted by Speedworks here could be just marketing. But in a 1100kg Vios, it could translate to at least a o-100kmh time of around 7.5seconds and a 200+kmh top speed. The standard Vios might be able to hit 180kmh and hit 0-100 in about 11 seconds on a lucky day. So this is one fast Vios. Fast for a Vios or a 1.5liter car. It may not be able to eat Golf GTIs for a living but you get my point.

But I am more impressed with how much the whole setup cost -
Brand New J spec Vios - RM69,000
Turbokit            - RM 9,600 + RM1,400 installation
Optional oil cooler RM800
Coil over suspension (I believe the lowered stance is by a tuned suspension) RM2,500+
Sports Bucket Recliners - RM3,000
17inch Alloy wheels and tyres (from the stock 15inch) - RM4,000
Gauges - RM1,000+
Other things we can see like strut bars and bits and bobs RM2,500 at least
TRD Sportivo bodykit that didn't come with a J spec Vios and paint - RM2000+

Total Cost - Priceless. Or you do the math as I am again too lazy to calculate for you. But how magical this car is the previous owner is selling the thing off and you, yes you, my dear readers can pick this baby up for a mere RM49,000 (GST not included usually).

So how? Ada berani? Want something totally common yet uncommon at the same time?

View original ad here (while it lasts) or down below

Seller Says

*WE ARE PLATINUM DEALER
*MORE THAN 300 CARS TO CHOOSE
*FULL LOAN ( FAST APPROVAL )
-TOYOTA VIOS 1.5 (A) VVTI - 2010
-ORIGINAL PAINT
-TURBO
-TRD BODYKITS
-ONE OWNER
-ACC FREE
-GOOD CONDITION
-NICE INTERIOR
-E-MANAGE
-BUCKET SEAT
-ADJUSTABLE ABSORBER
-REVERSE CAMERA
-SPORT RIMS
*GOOD SERVICES*
-INTEREST PLEASE CALL:
-JOHNNY 01269**823
-THOMAS 01263**203
-FOR MORE CAR CLICK SEARCH 'DIMENSI'
-LOC KLANG
-USE WAZE SEARCH :
-DIMENSI MOTORMART SDN BHD
-Lot 22280 Jalan Batu Tiga Lama,
Kaw.16, 41300 Klang, Selangor.

Read more at http://www.mudah.my/2010+Toyota+Vios+1+5+M+Turbo-40222093.htm#1i8iFbw8mgRuh8ld.99

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Spotted for Sale: Unregistered Fiat Punto

Here we have something quite unique for sale. It is a Fiat Grande Punto from 2007-2008. It has not been registered and the ones pictured in the advertisement are from the remaining cars on sale by the official Fiat distributor here in Malaysia. The company closed its doors sometime in 2008-2009 and these, along with some Fiat Panda, Multipla and the ancient Stilo are still on sale. I say ancient Stilo because the distributors managed to clear all of the Stilo's replacement, the new (at the time) Bravo. 

Anyway, this here is a Fiat Grande Punto for you to consider as your first brand new, delivery mileage only, Italian car. At around the price offered, one can indulge in Italian motoring. Now whether that's a good thing or not is arguable but you do get a car that is actually European, not German or French. It is also nicely styled for a hatchback. It has that front end that makes it look like a baby Maserati GT. It does look good.

Another plus point for the Grande Punto is that over in Europe the car is still soldiering on. It was first launched in 2005 and this 2007-08 model you see is from that batch. These days the Punto Grande is still sold as the Punto Evo (pictured above). No, not the Evo you think but it has updated styling and updated turbocharged small engines instead of this normally aspirated 1.4liter engine. This could mean you are trendy enough to own something Italian and still in production. It is also the only new affordable Italian car. Unless you consider the RM500,000 Maserati Gibhli as affordable. And note that there are no new Alfa Romeos for sale here unless you consider the over RM350,000 4C brought in by a private importer as your choice.

Of course, buying such a rare car in Malaysia is usually unheard of unless it is some exotic breed. There are still Fiat specialists around and spare parts for this Punto. But anyone who is brave enough to try buy a RM35,000 Fiat that's brand new without actual nationwide support deserves a pat on the back. And maybe a referral for psychiatric evaluation. Well, I may be a bit cruel. You could run it around the Klang Valley, or head over to Singapore. They still sell Fiats there.

Anyone willing to bring Fiat back officially here?

Original ad here, and below

Seller Says

FIAT adalah parents company untuk FERRARI,
MASERATI, ALFA ROMEO dan LANCIA

FIAT PUNTO baru belum daftar tahun 2007 ( model
2008 pun ada)

Pinjaman tertakluk pada kelayakan

Harga dari rm35000, stok boleh pilih

BODYKIT (Additional rm 5500)

Model lain pun ada cth Fiat Panda, Fiat Multipla,
Fiat Doblo dan stilo

boleh hubungi saya di talian 0132908556 untuk
pandu uji dan tengok kereta.

Call Lelaju 013 2908 556 Affanddy
Call Lelaju 013 2908 556 Affanddy

Spesifikasi.
1..5-Star NCAP crash safety rating. 3-Star Child
Safety rating. 3-Star pedestrian safety rating.
2..Roomy, well built and fun to drive.
3..Adjustable steering, rev counter,
height-adjustable drivers seat,
4..ABS with EBS, %u2018Dualdrive' electric power
steering with two levels of assist,
5..Fiat electronic immobiliser, remote central
locking with remote boot release,
6. Dual front airbags, radio CD player with
steering wheel controls.
7..spare wheel.
8...arm rest
9...sunroof moon roof

Read more at http://www.mudah.my/Fiat+Punto+Baru+Belum+Daftar+buatan+ITALY-28228672.htm#RZtpdpC50OCEYjcl.99

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Spotted for Sale: Alfa Romeo 4C Launch Edition

This is the first Alfa Romeo 4C on sale in Malaysia. It is obviously brought in by a local A.P. holder and is steeply priced at RM550,000. The original price for such a car is about 45,000 Pounds Sterling. How 45,000GBP gets translated to RM550,000 is probably due to the fact that exchange rates are at 1GBP = RM5.80 and at least 200+% of excise duty. 

So would I buy such a car? Well, there is no official dealer or service center these days for Alfa Romeo. This means you would be at the mercy of a few specialty shops catering to the marque. This would be slowly declining too as eventually there would be less money to be made when there are less of the marque to go around. So after sales is going to be a pain.

Secondly, you could get an almost new Lotus Exige for cheaper. That car is officially sold in Malaysia, is about the same size as the 4C and is sold for RM400,000 at the most. You could also go get a Porsche Cayman from an A.P holder for around RM300,000+ or even a Cayman S. The Porsches are more luxurious and you would not need to visit the chiropractor as often as you need if you bought the Lotus. Or the Alfa for that matter. Note. The Alfa is about as large as the Exige S and therefore you have to twist and bend yourselves into one. This means chubby people would have some issues.

Thirdly, it boils down to owning a slightly used 4,500km mileage 1,750cc turbocharged car for RM550,000. I think I would like to spend my half a million Ringgit on a more exotic engine. Maybe at least a 2.5 v6. 4 cylinders and 1,750cc somehow is a little sad for half a million. No Top Trumps fun in engine displacement you may say. Heck, if I wanted 240hp I could get more in a RM300,000 Scirocco R.

Autocar UK has reviewed the 4C and found that it has some flaws. Of course it does. It's Italian. But personally, its the price that is puts me off this car even though it may stir some feelings in my loins. RM550,000 is in my opinion a little too steep. This is just the dealer trying to find some fish to fry. Fish with lots of money to blow that is. But that being said, there are some really hardcore Alfisti out there. 

Catch the original ad here while it lasts (Thanks to Jamil for the heads up earlier - you know who you are) AND also below.

ALFA ROMEO 4C LAUNCH EDITION UNIT 336/500 FOR SALE!

~ Year make : 2014 / Unregistered 

~ Color : Rosso Alfa With Nero Leather And Microfibre Fabric With Red Stitching

SPECIFICATION

~ 1.75L 4-Cylinder Turbocharged. 240Bhp

~ 6 speed Alfa TCT Dual Dry Clutch Transmission

~ Rear Wheel Drive

~ Chassis is composed of a central carbon fiber tub, with aluminium subframes front and rear

~ Launch Edition Badging and Presentation Pack

~ Launch Edition Sport Exhaust

~ Carbon Fiber Pack With Launch Edition Rear Spoiler

~ Carbon Fiber Headlamp

~ Front 18" & Rear 19" Alfa Classic Wheels

~ Red Brembo Brakes Caliper

~ Microfibre Sport Steering Wheel With Paddle Shift

~ Parking Sensor

~ Bluetooth

This car has covered a mere 4,600KM. 

A Mint condition specimen for sale

at the most competitive price.

Serious inquiries only.

No test pilots / time wasters.

A genuine Alfa Romeo 4C Launch Edition for sale to Bonafide Buyers.

*Viewing By Appointment Only

THE GARAGE.MY

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