Revealed - My Japanese ‘Idol’
I’ve been eyeing on the not-so-new Toyota Hilux Vigo for the past week. Have been doing lotsa research on online forums on how great a monster this machine is. It still boggles my mind on the reason why prices of pickup trucks are quite affordable in Bolehland. I mean, you get a 2.5 liter engine with airbags, heights, looks and lots of muscles on this machine at a mere price of MYR88k+! So much cheaper than MPVs and SUVs which would cost somewhere between MYR99K - MYR250k! I’ve always been a fanatic of cars with an ass that can swallow enormous weights and loads although I dont really carry weights on my car daily.
Check out some pics, copyrighted by their respective owners:
Exterior - Toyota Hilux Vigo 2.5L D-4D Diesel
Truck you say? Nay, its a car INSIDE! 
Hilux with a hard top canopy, bonnet scoop and bull bar (only available in Thailand - 3L Turbo-diesel)
A souped up version with projector head lamps, sports rims and bed cover. *droooool* :)~
What I love about this machine is the height and the interiors. Toyota has always been THE name in comfort for non-European vehicles. This I defend as I had the chance to test drive this monster last weekend and had my other half to enjoy the back seat (coz the salesman was next to me) I must say it was a pretty smooth ride around the showroom in Cheras. Better comfort compared to a rival car maker that I had driven a year ago I must say, in terms of rear load feel and it was gentle on my bones too.
Then it was time for the Ringgit and sense part. Monthly installment of MYR1120 over 7 years with interest rate of 2.6% is not too bad on my budget. What a temptation! Everything looks good - the pickup, the price and the package, but not the salary on paper. :( After days of pondering and deep thinking, I decided to give it a pass to this idea of owning this baby. I wouldn’t pass the banker’s requirements with my miniscule salary. *SIGH* It was a potong steam moment when I did all the maths. And there I was, trying hard to accept the fact that it was, for now, impossible to own that truck. Double SIGH. To rub salt into the wound, the yearly roadtax and insurance would cost a whopping MYR3k. A full tank of diesel at MYR110 that would last about 5 days (about 500-600km), change of engine oil and filter at around MYR150 (per 5000km) and tyres around MYR250+ each.. I must say I havent reached that income level yet to upkeep this truck. I always tell to my peers that anyone can buy any car even a Merc or a BMW but try maintaining it and see… 
To console myself, I would first clear all my debts and be financially fit first before I even think of buying a car. However, ogling over beauties in showrooms won’t do any harm, doesn’t it? 
Maybe I should not be too impulsive to change to a new car. Maybe it’s taking a turn for the better for me to actually finish up my homework before amaking a desperate purchase on anything my eyes had laid upon.
Lately, this Hilux has been hot among car-jackers and thief syndicates to steal or acquire from owners, either at knife point or while driving. Now this is not the kinda thing I would want to expect if I ever own this pickup. Like I said, the whole package is to-die-for but not AFTER you actually own it. One’s life would be in great danger either in stationery or in motion. There were many cases (and still more) of Hiluxes being stolen/hijacked each week. Word has it that the crooks would steal and dismantle or slice every part of the car and sell to our northern neighbour. This I dare not be sure as it was just words in the air. But why ?
No matter how much you invested on your beloved car, when they want it, they would do ANYTHING to get it. I am now breathless to sigh anymore..
But, still, I’m not giving up on this dream to own a Hilux. Even if in a few years to come, the HIlux would be better improved and, if God willing, I would be at that level to eventually own one.
I am in no representation of Toyota Motors or their customers to praise/condemn on their products in this blog. It is merely a sharing of my passion to all readers of this blog.
