Talking Straight

Q: Man, I stop you. What do you think happened?

Man: You tell me. I just stop because you are blocking my bike.

Q: Stop. Show your license. Why do you not use that road?

Man: I am not from here hence I do not know the rules here. Back home we can use whatever road we want. Here is my license if you don't believe me.

Q: So what are you doing here?

Man: Just get back from my uncle's home. First time going there on my own.

Q: Here. Just turn around and use the road.

Man: Ok

Description >>

Q: Traffic Officer

Man: Me

Moral: Just tell the truth. Talk straight.

Satria Neo: An Old Friend with 145HP

(Satria Neo - we just can't have enough of it)

Over the years obsessing myself with cars, I try many times to come up with reasons why people buy cars. As I found out, they were many weird reasons but pretty reasonable. Some buy them due to its large boot size, which make them easier to stuff their items. Some buy because of style as having Italian or German cars make them look smarter and stuff. I need not to explain further as they are countless of reasons you can think of. So to come up with a single expression to simplify my findings are impossible. Some of them which I can think of includes:

1. Buying a car is like choosing a girlfriend.
Reasons: most people buy car just by their look, which is just why boys only like pretty girls

2. Buying a car is like buying a handphone.
Reasons: most people buy cars only because of style, which is why Engineer bought Iphone

3. Buying a car is like buying a shirt.
Reasons: most people buy a car which make them comfortable and stylish, which is why people only wear Polo shirt.

So in this diverse population of car drivers, none of above expressions really works in real world, I think. And so do you if you agree.

As a result of this, I opt to make a note in my past reviews that these cars only suit these kind of person and etc. No general statement suggesting old people, teenager and adult should all go and buy out this kind of car just because I find one of its feature is spectacular. That's so biased and unfair, agree?

So came the new Satria Neo. In 2011 I must say. That is unmistakably significant years. This is because in this year we already see much adored plus affordable 1.2L VW Polo, Mazda 3 MPS, 1.4L Scirocco and 1.6L Ford Fiesta. So what Satria Neo have to offer than its more powerful continental brand?

Proton + Lotus roots

The original Satria Neo bodywork is already loved by all Malaysian. With so many World Rally appearances, it seems like these original frames is already accepted internationally, and recently the Japanese even seriously tweaking it and sell them to their hardcore fan. Keeping true to original 'face' is essential for both Proton and hardcore Malaysian fans. We always loved them. That's it.

Upgrades is not just about engine output

Old Satria Neo owners can vanquish silly thought that this car is mere an old model plus a new engine. These specifications tells it all.

1. S4PH makes healthy 145 hp at 7,000 rpm and 168 Nm of torque at 5,000 rpm.
2. R3 specified suspension and brake disc.
3. New camshafts increased valve lift and overlap. K&N filter in a carbon air box.
4. Lightweight adjustable camshaft pulleys.
5. R3 ECU calibrated with revised fuel maps.
6. Lotus Racing R3 4-2-1 R3 exhaust system, in full stainless steel.
7. Lowered 10mm ride height than the Neo CPS.
8. Brakes pads which could operate up to 400 degrees C.
9. Revised OE suspension setting.
10. Start&Stop button
11. New interior and R3 bodykits (refer paultan.org)

Handling, price and conclusions

Though I am not an expert on this handling issue, we'll leave it to the review once the team test it all out on real track. As an overall, we already adapted well with the Lotus handling and know how them behave compared to normal car. I just can expect this car feel just quicker and more matured from the previous Neo, with all the toys you get as described before. Plus the extra feel with the new interior and stuff.

As for the price, you will heard this often "RM79,797? Is that for real?". No need to compare with other brand. This is just as cheaper than you can get out there. Minus all the hassle trying to upgrade them yourself. You either go get it or just shut up.

As a conclusion, this is a car purely for Neo enthusiast, including me. If you are seriously into driving excitement but cannot afford a European hot hatch, this car suits you well. At this moment I will not suggest any other cars you can consider beside this Satria Neo as this is a hardcore-oriented car segment. We have to see whether Proton willing to offer sufficient parts in their 3S as my predictions is having to offer a niche market like this car require full-scale involvement to satisfy massive hardcore owners or this car will not last long years ahead.

For all Satria Neo fans, this is a Birthday Cake for you. Enjoy.

Walking, Running Scared

(Gone before you even blink)

With more than 25,000 killed in deathly quake in Japan, caused by so called "force of nature", I kept counting the day before the end of world actually take place. From this time on, we just cannot estimate where and when the disaster going to hit us. It's just snap out of nowhere, and people are running scared. People who can't imagined such massive casualties can go out at 4am in the middle of streets, lying back and imagined "where are all these people in the town?". Yong Peng is the nearest population with estimated 29,000 people. Imagined a day's quake killing all those people in the town. Nauzubillah.

Things which happening these days:

1. Energy crisis. Oil, coal just depleting too much fast before solar can be utilized globally. So do I care about electric car? nonsense.

2. Moral crisis. Worst crisis in humans history. Broadly accepted gay, nudism, capitalism etc.

3. Muslim going back to glory days. Rapid daily increase of Muslims throughout the world. Islamic countries may be united again (as Khalifa Umar empire) once all of them freed.

4. Warmer Earth. 1 degree celsius increase in average earth temperature will be fatal for human. Current crops just can't survive this, and countless animal species extinct as temperature and rain trend scattered all over the region.

5. .................................................

6. .................................................

7. .................................................

8. .................................................

9. .................................................

10. end?.

Feel free to think other signs which is happening right now.

Just be aware. We may not last longer.