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

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

Fuiyoh. But what do you expect with the Honda City? It is a Honda and therefore its badge carries some weight. The all-new Toyota Vios seems like a rehash of the earlier one with and basically has a new suit (I have come to the opinion that Honda seems to have won this round as it has more tech, equipment and is unpretentious - I mean check out the Vios' interior fake leather stitching made out of moulded plastic for heaven's sake!!!!). The Nissan Almera seems to be downright dowdy in terms of styling. And everyone who's badge conscious, and there are many here in Malaysia, would not want to be seen in the quieter, more refined, sometimes faster (when turbocharged) Proton Preve and Suprima S.

So do read onwards to the press release if you are interested folks.



PRESS RELEASE
- Highest ever bookings for a new model in Honda Malaysia's history 

- Honda Malaysia?s sales performance increased by 30% in Q1 2014 compared to Q1 2013 

Petaling Jaya, 22 April 2014 - The All-New City has set another new benchmark for Honda Malaysia when it received 10,000 bookings within 1 month from its official launch on 20 March 2014. The booking figure surpassed the previous record of 3,000 bookings within a month for the newly launched CR-V last year.

Despite this strong demand that exceeds the anticipation, Honda Malaysia will be able to complete delivery for all 10,000 bookings of All-New City by the end of June. The newly opened No.2 Line in Pegoh, which doubled Honda Malaysia?s production capacity, has enabled flexible production scheduling that will help speed up production and shorten waiting time.

The All-New City received positive reviews from Malaysians who love its advanced features and unrivaled cabin and cargo space. This 4th Generation City is equipped with class-leading safety features including 6 airbags, VSA and ISO Fix while its trunk space is the largest in its segment at 536L. In addition, drivers can enjoy convenient and practical features such as Smart Entry, Push Start Button, Cruise Control, Touch Panel Auto Air-conditioning, Rear Air-conditioning, and entertainment enhancements such as the 7" Display Audio and 8-Speaker Audio System. Combined with the fuel efficiency and practicality, the All-New City is one of the most anticipated sedans in Malaysia.

Even before the launch of the All-New City, Honda Malaysia?s sales had recorded an increase of 30% in Q1 2014 over the same period of last year due to the steady and strong sales of other models including the Accord and CR-V which were launched last year. As the first model launched for 2014, the All-New City will gear the company in the right direction towards achieving its annual target of 76,000 units.

Honda Malaysia is grateful to all customers for the support and belief in Honda products and services. With the launch of the All-New City and more to come in 2014, Honda is committed to excite Malaysians with new models that achieve good value for money while maintaining superior quality and performance.

Customers can view and test-drive the All-New City at any of 75 Honda dealerships nationwide. For more information, please call Honda?s Toll Free number at 1-800-88-2020, or log onto www.honda.com.my.

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??????



Now if you are supposedly crazy about cars, performance and driving which would you have? The yet unnamed 2.0liter car or the TRD Vios whilst it may be a Toyota and somewhat decent looking (these days) is actually rubbish when it comes to performance and technology given at that price. The same could be said if you bought a Honda City, which gives you a 1.5liter engine but slightly better tech in terms of a 5 speed automatic gearbox but is equally expensive.

You could go out and buy a Kia Cerato 1.6 at RM99,888.00. It would give you a 1.6liter engine that makes 130ps and 157Nm  via a 6 speed automatic. It still has a beam axle type suspension but it would be even more refined than the City or Vios as it is a larger car, much like the unnamed 2.0liter above. You still get better value for your Ringgit.

So it would seem that the unnamed car is actually the best buy yet. It is actually the Proton Inspira 2.0. I somehow wonder why there are alot of supposed car enthusiasts end up buying Vioses or Cities when there is a Japanese rebadge that would give them soooooooo much more car than what they could have with RM90,000.

Of course some of you out there are badge snobs and the very sight of a Proton would bring shivers down one's spine but this Proton is actually very Mitsubishi (it is a rebadged Lancer GLS aka Galant Fortis over in Japan). Hence very Japanese. Some parts may be now made locally but alot of it is still Japanese. I recently had a ride as passenger in a brand new  Inspira 1.8E manual and it was extremely comfortable around town. The suspension was supple and it was pretty quiet as well as refined (as I've said earlier, the 205//60/16 inch wheels of the standard Inspira is good for ride as well as noise supression compared to larger tyred versions).

In fact, once on a trip to Johor Bahru I was followed closely by a 2.0 Inspira at speeds above 150km/h for a duration of time and the main thing was that the driver wasn't even trying hard. Or he was trying as hard as I was whilst driving a W204 Mercedes Benz C-class (which was not trying hard at all). Less drama at higher speeds means more comfort and refinement and less driver fatigue over longer drives. The Proton Inspira lets people who earn much lesser the chance to own a 1.8liter or 2.0liter car for under RM90,000 (and maybe less if there is a discount - which there usually is).

Furthermore, it is more spacious, can carry more luggage than a B-segment car as it is closer to a D-segment car in terms of size. Did you know that the Inspira or Lancer shares the same wheelbase as the 1st gen Proton Perdana aka Galant Eterna (2635mm)? That was supposedly a mid-sized executive car and the Inspira shares the same wheelbase length but is shorter with less overhangs. The Inspira is also taller and as wide. So you get a lot of space to play around with. You also get a car which is stable at higher speeds which is why it can cruise effortlessly. And because its more of a D segment car, you get equal levels of soundproofing which you will never get in a Vios or a City which I repeat is only a B-segment car. Why buy basic then?.

The only car that you can really feel as complete would cost over RM100,000. And if you were looking at brand new cars in this category (those costing below RM100,000) you are essentially on a budget. So act like you are on one. Beggars cannot be choosers. The Inspira is the best out there at the moment for an enthusiastic driver who wants a car at RM90,000 (For around RM100,000, I'd recommend the Swift Sport if one wants a great drive and less on space that is).

Of course, if you're buying a car for the wife, and she adamantly wants to buy the City, by all means buy City. But if it is for yourself, don't. Do yourself a favour, save your money for a proper car later on and buy the Inspira 2.0 for all your kicks for now. Hello, dropping in a K&N, changing the exhaust of the Vios or City, lowering the car, spending unnecessary Ringgit on some performance parts to make 105ps become 110ps would not the make a difference. Imagine if I bought an Inspira and bought a complete R3 exhaust system (dyno tested at Proton's own dyno and made by a well known local exhaust tuner). I would instantly gain 20hp. Would a 1.5liter make as much from an exhaust and manifold change? No it won't as there is no replacement for engine size. The bigger the better.

So buy the Inspira over ANY 1.5liter sedan on the market at the same price range. It has my seal of approval. If you really want a seal of approval get a piece of white A4 paper, make sure you spill a bit of teh tarik around your teh tarik mug and then use the wet bottom of the mug to stamp the A4 paper with the warung teh tarik seal of approval.

As stated earlier, the new 2013 Toyota Vios will be launched soon. It looks good doesn't it? It has a sportier air to it than previously. But we over here have people travelling South-East Asia regularly and we can safely report that if you sit in this new 2013 model, it is actually exactly the same as sitting in the 2010, 2012, 2008 or even 2009 model of the Vios.

You see, when one of our group of motorheads was over in Jakarta, Indonesia recently he had the chance to sit in one of these new Toyota Vios. If  you end up in Jakarta you'd notice that most of the taxis there are Vios. The latest Vios is already in service there as of of those taxis that you can actually take to and from the airport or from any hotel you stay.



What we can say is that there is ABSOLUTELY NO DIFFERENCE IN THE RIDE AND COMFORT LEVELS of the Toyota Vios from 2013 or the Toyota Vios from the previous generation and to an extent, the one before that.

What this means is that the suit is new but the innards is still the same vehicle through and through. You may get a new dashboard with the meters in the correct place (in front of the driver) but everything else is the same. You may as well buy the one from 2007 and buy any Toyota dashboard that has the meter cluster in front of the driver, add some bumpers and wallah, you have the latest Vios. Check out the 2002-2007 Vios below, if you change the bumpers to the one on the latest model and change the dashboard it WOULD BECOME THE LATEST MODEL.

The problem with Toyota is that progress is very evolutionary. But its progress is glacial. This means that if the Vios were a human being, it would take about 10 years to complete a bachelor's degree instead of the usual 3 to 4 years. If it were a snail, a snail could evolve faster.

This is the same with the Toyota Camry I drove recently. Last year I drove the earlier 2.4v Camry for a whole week and this year I drove one in Australia for a week too. The only improvement was the fact that it had one more forward gear, 100 more cc's from 2.4 to 2.5liters, slightly better handling that most people would not notice and it got uglier. This is the problem with Toyota. Changes take place like how Charles Darwin would have liked it....over a period of 100,000 years. Yes the car is reliable and of a certain quality, but God dammit, sometimes one should be a little more forward thinking that be efficient and extremely profitable. Some sacrifice should be made.

I will report more on Toyota's efficiency later.