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A blog for car lovers, car buyers and sellers, first time owners and for those looking to know about everything and anything concerning cars.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Freeway Ethics

Do Malaysians even know about such a thing? I hardly think the Malaysian Road Safety Department stresses at all about these things to new drivers. What are the few things that a driver needs to know before he/she gets on the Freeway? Some of the stuff I’m sharing is common sense and it doesn’t need any form of practice or lessons to master.

First and foremost, someone who is driving on the freeway needs to know that he/she is going to be sharing the road with so many other motorists so please be courteous and a good neighbor. The roads don’t belong to you and you can never have a mind-set that says ‘I pay toll and road-tax too, so I deserve to drive anywhere I want” which is unfortunate to say, the mind-set of most Malaysian drivers.

Sticking to the speed limit doesn’t mean you should be on the extreme right lane. There is misunderstanding among Malaysian motorist concerning ‘The Right Lane’. It is not for those who are driving fast, nor for those who are driving to the maximum speed limit, nor is it just another lane on the freeway. The extreme right lane is only to be used when you need to go pass another vehicle. It is not only rude to hog the right lane but down right unsafe. There are many motorist who think the right lane is just another lane on the freeway and it is their god given right to be driving on it. Only when disaster strikes will people like this learn. So many pile ups and other accidents happen on the freeway because of unethical motorist hogging the right lane.

Another common thing among Malaysian motorists is that we blare on our horns or ‘flash’ each other when we want to get them to move. Did you know that these acts are illegal on the Autobahn? We can’t really blame Malaysians, because everyone does it! It is actually considered rude and unsafe to flash (the act of flicking your high beam at the vehicle in front) reason being is you’re actually scarring the driver in front of you. You only should use your flash to indicate to a vehicle that’s veering in and out of its lane or to signal something to another vehicle. When you come up behind a slower car, just turn on your indicator to the right; signaling that you are faster and want to go pass. I’ve driven on the Malaysian highways too and I do realize that far often people are just so dense that don’t realize you’re behind them. I don’t know if it is ignorance or arrogance but it is definitely stupidity. The best advice I can give is, be patient; getting somewhere a minute or two late is always better than never reaching your destination.

Finally, always turn on your indicator to signal when you change lanes, whether you’re driving at 40kmh or 140kmh. Hit the indicator and only then look at your mirrors to see if your path is clear and if there are no other vehicles approaching you. Remember, that if you’re driving at 40kmh and you just change lanes without indication, another vehicle traveling at 140kmh can be up on your behind in the brink of seconds and that spells disaster! So always signal before you change lanes, don’t flash the car in front of you and please don’t treat the extreme right lane like it’s your living room.

Drive safe!

Friday, August 20, 2010

FAQs

1. Can I trust TOSCC?
One of the most asked questions that we get is this. Now The One Stop Car Consultant was founded on the fact that we wanted to provide our clients with a thought free service, where they don't have to worry about anything. May it be getting their car fixed or where to do, how much it will cost or do I know if the mechanic will do a good job. We only have the best of the best mechanics and dealers in our network of people we work with. If we don't trust them, we won't be taking our cars to them. One of the TOSCC commandments is that during the time the clients car is in our possession, we treat like our own car!

2. Where is TOSCC located?
Simple, the driver seat of your car! That's right, you don't have to worry where we are located because out office is in your car. The beauty of TOSCC services is that we come to you and not the other way around. We pick up your car, we get the work done (with our network garages) and we deliver the car back to your doorstep. You won't have to leave home or office to worry about your cars anymore.

3. Is my car safe with TOSCC?
All of our clients are issued a contract, which clearly states all details concerning the works agreed upon between both parties. So the clients welfare is very protected and of course it gives clear authority to our clients to take full reimbursement when something goes wrong with their car while the vehicle is in possession of TOSCC. But of course all within the legal parameters of the law.

4. Why should I use TOSCC?
More often or not, we always have a friend or a friend of a friend or a relative who knows bits and pieces about cars. Here is why TOSCC is a greater advantage than them, we know EVERYTHING! We know what to do, why to do it, where to get it done, how is should be done and most importantly how much will it cost. We guarantee the best prices with the highest of quality. The network of people we deal with, we have been dealing with them for the past 20 years and that is why there is such a strong trust factor. Another clear advantage of TOSCC is that we take your problems (car) off your hands so you can go on with your normal life. Come time to use your car, there it'll be all fixed and ready to roll.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

The Lancer GT Unleashed

The One Stop Car Consultant decided to check out the Mitsubishi Lancer GT and who else better to invite than our own Saini! He is like the 'Stig' to us...

I have to say the Lancer is definitely built with one thing in mind; Brutal Speed.

Design (exterior)
It is an eye catcher, isn't it? Especially in that blood red paint work of it. The color of Mitsubishi Ralliart... I love the front grill. It has one of those 'Rear view mirror thrillers' if you know what I mean; You see that grill on your rear view mirror, you'd want to move over and let it pass you.


Although the rear portion of the car is a little bulky, (only in my opinion of course) but it suits the overall build of the car! It's ver rare to see the car without it's famour rear wing and to be quite honest I don't think it will look nice either.


Comfort and drive-ability
I'd like to give this car an 8 out of 10. For a car with power under the hood it is quite easy to drive it. Easy to handle but not because of the way the construction of the chassis and the wheel-base. It feels easy because of the steering column and the driver focused cock-pit.


The interipr of the car is nice too. It's fully black, almost can pass off as full Italian leather design like an Alfa or the Fiat Coupe.


Performance
This was the most sticky part of our test drive. The car has power, no doubt about that! It has perfect drag out on a straight burst but when you start compensating curvy roads, the power ratio between gears felt really funny. It was the auto selection that made decision for the driver and it started to really annoy us. The worst thing you want a car to tell a driver's driver is that, it is going to select the gears for you and there is nothing you can do about it.

The Lancer GT did have a smooth glide to it. The suspensions are pretty good for a car that's MYR114,000! It's no Porsche but hey, it's definitely something to consider if you want a decent power from a road car.

It is after all the sister car to the all mighty Mitsubishi Evolution!

Don't believe me... Go test one out now! Better still call The One Stop Car Consultant to come along with you....

Monday, August 9, 2010

The BMW E-Chassis Codes

This one is not for all you BMW enthusiast out there but for the BMW retards. I'm sure a lot of you have heard people referring to a Beamer with the E## term. And don't lie, how many of you pretend to know what they are? Here it is boys and girls, the secret unveiled, just for you courtesy of yours truly; The One Stop Car Consultant...

SERIES
E Chassis Code — Production Year

BMW 1 SERIES
BMW E87 — 2004 till present

BMW 3 SERIES
BMW E90 — 2005 till present
BMW E91 Touring — 2005 till present
BMW E92 Coupe — 2006 till present
BMW E93 Convertible — 2007 till present
BMW E46/5 Compact — 2000 till 2004
BMW E46/4 Sedan — 1998 till 2005
BMW E46/3 Touring — 1999 till 2005
BMW E46/2 Coupe — 1999 till 2006
BMW E46 Convertible — 1999 till 2006
BMW E36 — 1991 till 1999
BMW E37 M3 — 1991 till 1999
BMW E36/5 Compact — 1995 till 1998
BMW E30 — 1982 till 1991
BMW E21 — 1975 till 1983

BMW 5 SERIES
BMW E60 — 2004 till present
BMW E61 Touring — 2004 till present
BMW E39 — 1996 till 2003
BMW E34 — 1988 till 1995
BMW E28 — 1981 till 1988

BMW 6 SERIES
BMW E63 Coupe — 2004 till present
BMW E64 Convertible — 2004 till present

BMW 7 SERIES
BMW E65 Short Wheelbase — 2002 till present
BMW E66 Long Wheelbase — 2002 till present
BMW E38 — 1994 till 2001
BMW E32 — 1986 till 1994

BMW Z4
BMW E85 — 2003 till present
BMW E86 Coupe — 2006 till present

BMW Z3
BMW E36/7 — 1997 till 2002

BMW Z8
BMW E52 — 2000 till 2004

BMW X5
BMW E70 — 2007 till present
BMW E53 — 2000 till 2006

BMW X3
BMW E83 — 2004 till present

Now let's see someone make a fool out of you with these terms. Oh yeah, by the way; did I mention that BMW has evolved to the F Code Chassis? Don't worry, those are all the 2010 7 Series models.

Drive safe!