Based on your budget, the Altis 1.8 at RM116k. Is this the right comparison with Cerato 1.6L? Not Cerato 2.0L?

Please note, C-segment 1.6L is not that much difference from C-segment 1.8L as the 1.6L engine will need to rev more to move from idle. Both returns around 9.2km/L to 10km/L in 100% city jam traffic depends on how jam. 1.6L engine only wins in idle only FC. Cerato wins on gearbox maintenance as Altis is CVT.

If you go for Cerato, NASA after sales, only few good sub-franchised SC that do things fast. Others, you'll might take longer wait. Spare part wise, plenty as spare part suppliers outside already bring in bulk cheap parts. After warranty or confirmed the car is not defective, you can send to Korean car mates or trusted workshops with qualified engineers for service. Hyundai-Kia reliability & durability is good, better than other Japanese brands but behind Toyota.

If you go for the new Altis, after sales and spare parts are fine but if there's any unexpected dispute like unusual defective wear & tear while under warranty, less likely you'll win against them should they want you to pay. Altis FC is good.

It's up to you which to choose. Go for Altis, it's newly launch, you'll get more attention. Go for Cerato, you'll get more package. If you're ok with Elantra 1.8, you should check that one too.

This post has been edited by jayraptor: Jan 30 2014, 03:55 PM

C-segment 1.6 is for those who can't afford 1.8L or 2.0L but wanted a C-segment anyway. So you're saying your crap 3rd nation Lavina 1.6L with poor aerodynamic and kerb weight as heavy as C-segment struggle on highway? Not just the 1.6L, even your 1.8L struggle on highway due to 4AT where FC won't go pass 14km/L unless you use cheat the fuel pump nozzle method in lightfoot contest.

I went for Forte 1.6EX because of less gadget and smaller tyres aka cheaper maintenance. Also, already predicted that NASA lousy marketing causing the 2.0L RV drop to just slightly higher than 1.6SX on first year.

Local Kia engine is in fact more advanced than Honta and N-brand but beaten by Mazda/Ford GDI engines. However, they already have downgraded injectors for their GDI engines and the Hyundai i40 has been altered to suit our local fuel grade. Toyota already has the tech available in Lexus, but not willing to use on Toyota in mass yet.

The name NAZAK and later NASA was given by you. Honta means Ultar while N-brand refers to 3rd nation junks. Nissan refers to Altima, Sentra US.

This post has been edited by jayraptor: Feb 2 2014, 12:05 PM

That name was given by jolokia and N-brand marketing staff back in AW forum. At first they used NAZAK, then NASA. I just follow them. They are afraid of lawsuit probably.

Don't try to twist and turn with my comment. The Lavina 1.6 doesn't have VVT therefore it returns poor FC. Aren't you forgetting that you infected the local journalists back then? Because of that, they still have to stick to fake report in their article today. AW, Paultan & CBT are nothing more than thrash, today, they would be more careful and stick to facts hoping that people will forget what they said back then.

That Forte EX so cheap, I only took short term loan. It's confirmed reliable and durable despite not much attention paid to it, still good as new. The ultra reliable engine blue taxi in Sonata NF already proven trouble free. The Sylphy & Cefiro are proven to be junk that are not so practical compared to Sonata NF.

Still bragging of bringing in new Altima and US Sentra? Lol!! Your Japanese principal don't even want to give you the plant as you ruined things up with earlier models until almost drag them down. If you want to sell new Altima, wait until Nissan setup plant in Thailand. As for US Sentra, why haven't you brought in to sell yet? The new Altis 2014 already here before you? Is it because you don't get to maximize max profit if you take CBU from Thailand?

Record in AW shows you and your earlier username Popcorn used NAZAK first and then changed to NASA.

Forte RV still ok, it has stronger RV than N-brand now based on actual price paid by customers. Check trade in RV at Toyota, the used car dealer gave better value to Forte than Latio from same year. Forte 2.0L RV still ok compared to Sylphy. Sylphy is now "Cold Door" car together with Latio labelled by used car dealers that are difficult to sell with poor demand. Even your sales has been all time low.

I think you could take Elantra's RV to get rough estimate on Cerato's predicted RV as the 2 are based on same platform. Elantra is currently Korean model with strongest RV that is getting closer to Toyota and Honda. Anyone managed to get test drive on the new Altis? I've just checked the Altis and here's my verdict without test drive.

Exterior design is acceptable, looks more European taste. I prefer US Altis that resembles Forte front. Roofline is made aerodynamic, size has increased much to Elantra/Cerato size dwarfing the Civic that seems out of the league. At least Toyota's feeling the pinch of Koreans invasion and decided to come up with something equivalent. Interior wise, the Altis legroom and headroom are good but interior width lost to Cerato. My head is leaning on the C-pillar. The dash looks like retro conti design, at least they put up some quality material there. The seats are thin look cheap a bit and doesn't suit the new Altis look. Splitfold doesn't really come down flat with smaller opening access to boot. For the first time, Toyota is generous to give thick pillars and doors for extra safety.

Dimension LxWxH
Cerato : 4560 x 1780 x 1445
2.0L dual VVT
output 161ps@6500rpm
torque 194Nm@4800rpm
kerb wei

Altis : 4620 x 1776 x 1460
2.0V dual VVT
output 145ps@6200rpm
torque 187Nm@3600rpm
kerb weight 1300kg/1295kg

1.8L dual VVT
139ps@6400rpm
173Nm@4000rpm
kerb weight 1270kg

Elantra : 4530 x 1775 x 1445
1.8L dual VVT
output 150ps@6500rpm
torque 178Nm@4700rpm
kerb weight 1269kg

Since Cerato has 2.0L while Elantra has 1.8L, the Altis 2.0 and 1.8 are compared to different Korean brands. As usual, Toyota is tuned more towards FC rather than performance, it has high rev capability. For the 1.8L is fine but for 2.0L, those who would go for it would have wanted performance instead of FC. Else, what's the point for buying 2.0L when 1.8L is adequate for C-segment. The 3ZR 2.0L Toyota engine is capable of having 194Nm@4000rpm if tuned up to 150ps beating Nu 2.0L MPI engine. Because the 2.0L is tuned for FC, acceleration 0-100km/h is only 10s that is only 0.2s faster than Elantra 1.8L. The previous Altis FL already come with better suspension with acceptable handling, I expect the new Altis should be somewhere around there.

Everything seems ok, only letdown is the CVT gearbox that brings down practicality and durability score. Toyota should have fitted conventional 5AT or 6AT instead.

Check your comment, you brought up Lavina 1.6 vs 1.8 first in your reply to TS, with twisted comment that you said from me. I'm just countering back with facts.

FYI, my Forte loan already settled long ago. Luckily NASA managed to sell it at low price before there was Inspira.

Sonata NF based price sold to blue taxi company in here and in Singapore costs more expensive than you offering your Cefiro and Sylphy during the evaluation. Sonata NF won because of better FC, better performance & handling, better comfort NVH. Yes, that old Sonata NF was well built at its time but sacrificed in order to prove its reliability & durability in maintenance and toughness which proven good. That is why people dare to buy Korean makes nowadays.

Your Almera is sold at P1 price, sure can beat City. But now that Preve safety rating is proven and it's better than your Almera in safety, performance and handling, do you think it can snatch back the sales you stole from them?

If CVT broken, can your SC overhaul or have to order brand new from Japan at high price when no more warranty? Do you know why Audi dropped CVT gearbox from its current models and picked conventional gearbox back?

This post has been edited by jayraptor: Feb 13 2014, 09:50 PM

Your infected Paul Tan the rubbish again? Already desperate enough to forgo the huge profit and bring in CBU from Thai? Or that's just a long time wait news that you spread out to get buyers to wait for you? When you really launch already then you come here and brag. Don't talk something that you still refused to bring in just because you can't get CKD for max profit.

That Rio 1.4 engine + 4AT are actually stronger than your weak sluggish Almera outdated tech engine + weak 4AT. Currently, NASA still thinking whether to bring in existing Rio 1.6 sedan now or wait for the next new Rio that is not yet built for the RM80k market.

You have been coming up with false claims & fake news many times. Like the boy who cried wolf or tiger, people already don't bother with whatever new cars that you claimed will bring in. People just listen right ear in, left ear out with your fake promise.

Toyota won't have to afraid at all. Only thing is they are waiting for new total redesign Camry as the current is a let down. The new Altis and Vios however would be strong like proper Toyota. That US Sentra look is outdated compared to Altis. Who would want to buy an uncle looking Sentra that copied older Korean design that is obsolete. Better buy Altis.

Since when did your 3rd nation N-brand beat Honda? Ugly Teana already joining Sylphy's fate on poor RV and demand. Almera can still sell because of selling at Preve's price. However, Preve's reputation is getting better than Almera on its proven safety by that Nurse who lost control in Terengganu highway.

People better buy Samsung Galaxy Note than buying that Note hatchback that you intend to bring in. Could be another failure as the hot hatch market has been dominated by Fiesta and VW Polo that have performance & handling.

Sonata NF blue taxi here is petrol 2.4L. In 2008, there was a competition held by local Blue Taxi fleet where chosen winner will be primary taxis. Few car companies provided their models and Sonata NF won despite costing more expensive than Cefiro & Sylphy.

Lol, with your bunch managing the company, you sure you can sell Note better than lousy Jazz? What will you do this time? Throw CRA2Y discount again? FYI, if you bring in dual VVT engine, under revised P1 protection, you'll be forced to sell higher. Anyway, you have CRA2Y discount, if have to set selling price at rm100K also no problem. You can throw lots of discount until it is priced at RM70k to counter Jazz.

Under lousy people like you in NASA, they said MPV if priced over RM100k can't sell. What a stupid remark there. If that's how it's like, wonder why Hyundai selling Starex at RM150k can sell well. If brought in Caren price tag should be RM140k region. They probably assumed by using Orlando as example which is totally wrong.

Problem with i20X and Accent, if SD bring in, do you know they'll have to be priced not too much different from Inspira? i20X and Accent will be priced at >RM90k region which is so close to Elantra 1.6, do you think people will buy Elantra or would go for something lower at similar price range?

Rio might get new replacement anytime as it has been around since 2011, NASA doesn't want to risk plus they already brought in Cerato 1.6. If brought in, Rio 1.6 sedan priced at RM90k+, you think people will go for Rio or pay little more for Cerato 1.6? If you have forgotten that bank loan currently offer very low interest rate, you take higher loan, every month, you only pay RM10-30 more.

Common sense, under new P1 protection, if a car has better tech than Inspira like having dual VVT, 6AT gearbox automatic have to priced higher. Heard they wanted to come up with CKD Jazz petrol which will enjoy cheap price at RM80k range. It's still using old tech therefore can be priced lower.

For Hyundai, there's already Elantra 1.6 at RM98k, if they brought in Accent 1.6, they have to price it at least RM90k bottomline.

For Kia, the Cerato is at RM102k, if they brought in Rio 1.6, it'll be priced at least RM90k bottomline.

Carens at RM140k can actually sell. It comes with new GDI engine in Australia. Since the i40 has downgraded injector to suit RON95, then expect newer Hyundai-Kia upcoming batches to have GDI engines like Mazda.

Carens specs:
Nu engine 1999cc (81 x 97)
output 163ps@6500rpm
torque 213Nm@4700rpm
Compression ratio 11.5 : 1

6AT gearbox (4.212, 2.637, 1.800, 1.386, 1.000, 0.772)
reverse 3.385, final 3.510

Length 4525
Width 1805
Height 1610
Wheelbase 2750

NASA might need to rethink and get this in. Those who have budget around RM150k, this would be ideal more car like 7-seater for them. It won't be competitor to Starex which is large MPV with boxy style which serves different purpose.