Whats Wrong With Proton Cars?

[Satria_neo]

Seriously, I am just wondering why so many people are so skeptical about Proton cars? Whats so bad about them?

 

Cause their cars are in fact quite popular in places like Philippines where people use them for rally races. The cars have no problem competing with the likes of Evo and WRX in their home rallies.

 

Cusco is using Satria Neo to race in Japan Its using stock engine with only upgraded suspension, roll cage and reinforced chassis (extra welding).

 

Then the S2000 Satria has won several races in APRC (beating more power Evo and WRX) and doing pretty decent in IRC as well (not top but can achieve top 20 easily competing with even conti makes).

 

Yes, I know its bad in terms of NVH. Its assembly is not fastastic as well (joints do not align properly etc). Despite all these, it performs pretty well for a non-Conti or Jap car.

 

I don't have any taste for Proton cars but like the Satria Neo alot about knowing about Cusco using them in rally and their S2000. I like it very much after that and bought one.

 

No doubt its lacking in terms of the latest technology. But then, this also makes it very reliable because as long as I can start the car, it will move. Pretty much like cars of the 90s.

 

I dare to say that the Neo beats many of the Jap cars like Vios (maybe cannot beat the black satki Vios), Altis in terms of handling and even acceleration any time of the day.

Edited October 17, 2011 by Satria_neo

[Kurty]

cause it's our neighbour made?

 

a love hate affair, yes.. satria is neat but for that kind of tag for a neighbour made.

many would go for others, just top a little.

 

myself also drive a proton..

i would say it's a nice car, decent FC and ride. the only downside is the perception, too much plastic, lousy design.

quite cheap to maintain if you know how.

mine runs on a renault engine

sometime when people ask about my car.. i will softly voice out and say it's a proton made..

 

it's just the perception lah..

[Nzy]

For me I guess after I test drive both I think korean cars still much better for just alittle more.

[RoadTricks]

For me I guess after I test drive both I think korean cars still much better for just alittle more.

I am the owner of a Neo, bought it in 2008, first hand until now.no complaints as i usually ride solo.yes, its the perception i believe but hell yeah, i dun care wat ppl thinks as long as i think its good, coz thats what really matters!

 

[Unidentified]

even the malaysians now also shun off their national car proton.u think outsiders like us will want?

[Satria_neo]

I am the owner of a Neo, bought it in 2008, first hand until now.no complaints as i usually ride solo.yes, its the perception i believe but hell yeah, i dun care wat ppl thinks as long as i think its good, coz thats what really matters!

 

Oh you driving a neo also!! Cool!! Any upgrades available?

 

Cause I heard that the campro engine can be easily converted into the CPS version by changing the head, manifold and ECU. Its a direct bolt-on. Is this true?

[Satria_neo]

For me I guess after I test drive both I think korean cars still much better for just alittle more.

 

OK, if you compare ride comfort and even build quality, I agreed Korean cars are better. No doubt. But in terms of handling I don't think so.

 

Cause I tested the Forte and Avante before. Seriously, they are not engaging at all. Its just like a Pt A to B car, thats all.

 

Also tried Sunny moving ~170KM/H up NSHW, handling is very poor. Car feels like floating. Cannot feel the road at all.

 

Then my Neo blast at ~200KM/H no problems. It just hugs the road and can feel literally every bump. Its sure not that comfortable but it gives great assurance and no problem with steering.

[Satria_neo]

even the malaysians now also shun off their national car proton.u think outsiders like us will want?

 

I guess its perhaps their cheaper rides. But afaik, the Satria R3 is quite popular in MY.

 

But the Satria is quite expensive for such a small car (compared to other cars in MY of course).

 

Too bad Proton SG does not have the Satria R3, else confirm I will get it.

[Mockngbrd]

cos ppl dun go rallying?

 

Proton Saga: $88,999 - $91,999

 

Daihatsu Materia: $88,300 - $91,300

 

Daihatsu Sirion: $76,800 - $80,800

 

Daihatsu Terios: $87,800 - $99,800

 

Prices all from sgcarmart, dealership prices.

 

Of these you'd rather buy a Proton Saga?

[The_Bear]

From a manufactuere who is more interested in domestic sales than export, it is difficult to find a good product.

Edited October 17, 2011 by Bavarian

[Nzy]

OK, if you compare ride comfort and even build quality, I agreed Korean cars are better. No doubt. But in terms of handling I don't think so.

 

Cause I tested the Forte and Avante before. Seriously, they are not engaging at all. Its just like a Pt A to B car, thats all.

 

Also tried Sunny moving ~170KM/H up NSHW, handling is very poor. Car feels like floating. Cannot feel the road at all.

 

Then my Neo blast at ~200KM/H no problems. It just hugs the road and can feel literally every bump. Its sure not that comfortable but it gives great assurance and no problem with steering.

 

Not everyone needs a car that handles well. Some put comfort and build quality as the priority. I am one of those. Most people in Singapore just want a pt A to B car which is comfortable and well built. Just ask around. Many people who aren't car fanatics think that handling is just how easily you can turn the steering wheel. lol.

 

I hardly go to m'sia and even if I go there max I go is 180-190km/h which I hardly ever do also anyway. Anything below that my korean car can handle it without any problems at all.

 

Anyway it all boils down to what you want. Like why get a BMW M3 sedan instead of a 7 series where the 7 series can even be cheaper. Both are sedans. If everybody just choose based on handling and speed then no one will ever get the 7 series already.

Edited October 17, 2011 by Nzy

[The_Bear]

cos ppl dun go rallying?

 

Proton Saga: $88,999 - $91,999

 

Daihatsu Materia: $88,300 - $91,300

 

Daihatsu Sirion: $76,800 - $80,800

 

Daihatsu Terios: $87,800 - $99,800

 

Prices all from sgcarmart, dealership prices.

 

Of these you'd rather buy a Proton Saga?

 

In reality, Toyota, Honda and many other manufacturer's has lower cost of production per unit for comparative car than Proton.

[RoadTricks]

Oh you driving a neo also!! Cool!! Any upgrades available?

 

Cause I heard that the campro engine can be easily converted into the CPS version by changing the head, manifold and ECU. Its a direct bolt-on. Is this true?

if u are an all out hardcore track junkie, den the normal version is the better option, its too long for me to explain, but if u can source on youtube what Tengku Djan explained on the mod limits on both versions, u will understand! even he, recommends the first verson for track-oriented mods.

[Fastfive1]

The brand lacks prestige.

Owning one will make you look as if you couldn't afford anything else.

You'd be embarrassed to tell people you roll in a proton.

The cars they produce are often copies of Mitsubishi.

The cars which are supposedly their own design, are ugly as hell.

Modified proton cars are associated with people who are wannabes and cannot afford proper cars.

The Mitsubishi brand gets degraded because people try to make their protons look like Mitsubishi

 

However,

parts are easily available in malaysia.

They're better than China cars

Because the wira is a copy of a mitsubishi, it can drive and handle like one (subjective)

[RoadTricks]

The brand lacks prestige.

Owning one will make you look as if you couldn't afford anything else.

You'd be embarrassed to tell people you roll in a proton.

The cars they produce are often copies of Mitsubishi.

The cars which are supposedly their own design, are ugly as hell.

Modified proton cars are associated with people who are wannabes and cannot afford proper cars.

The Mitsubishi brand gets degraded because people try to make their protons look like Mitsubishi

 

However,

parts are easily available in malaysia.

They're better than China cars

Because the wira is a copy of a mitsubishi, it can drive and handle like one (subjective)

you see, so many negative perceptions, but really, as long as you are comfortable wit it, that is what really matters!i dun give a hooooot what ppl thinks about my Neo, haha, if i am reallllyyy disturbed by it, den i would be ashamed to tell ppl i live in HDBs, or, that the club membership i got is to Safra clubs, and the list go on and on and on..

if i drive a made in china car, hell i wouldn't giv a damn what ppl thinks too!

[:)]

[Tigershark1976]

i dunno how goo/bad is proton... many Malaysian friend complained abt proton's quality, but yet, I can see 20yrs old + proton saga speeding on the NSHW at 150km/hr... i

 

When i ask these malaysian friends, why do they think that proton is so lousy... they quoted me many incident and example... how the power window failed them within 1 yrs time, how the aircon kaput in 2 yrs time... how the engine sounds after 4 yrs time... and many more.

 

i ask them... so they think Japs/korean/conti rides doesnt have all the problems they mentioned? My vios MAF sensor kaput in 2 weeks time, my elantra power window failed on the 5th yr... my father altis's rear absorber gone on the 2nd yr... my friend Avante alternator stop working by 2nd yr.. my customer Benz E-power steering gave her problem on the 2nd yr.. etc...

 

So? I always believe that cars breakdown and parts get worn from time to time... whats most important is, availability of the parts and someone know how to fix them and cost of maintainance/repair is affordable... If im in malaysia, Proton is confirm my choice....

[Fastfive1]

you see, so many negative perceptions, but really, as long as you are comfortable wit it, that is what really matters!i dun give a hooooot what ppl thinks about my Neo, haha, if i am reallllyyy disturbed by it, den i would be ashamed to tell ppl i live in HDBs, or, that the club membership i got is to Safra clubs, and the list go on and on and on..

if i drive a made in china car, hell i wouldn't giv a damn what ppl thinks too!

[:)]

 

Sometimes people care about how they look on the outside and the image they carry. As human beings, we're superficial.

Imagine someone who drives a luxury car but took 100% loan for the car..silly ain't it? People sometimes try to look wealthy when they're not wealthy at all.

Isn't that the case with the iphone? People are desperate to own one such that they'll do anything to get it, even resorting to prostitution. At the end of the day it's about how we want others to view us by giving a good first impression.

[Satria_neo]

Not everyone needs a car that handles well. Some put comfort and build quality as the priority. I am one of those. Most people in Singapore just want a pt A to B car which is comfortable and well built. Just ask around. Many people who aren't car fanatics think that handling is just how easily you can turn the steering wheel. lol.

 

I hardly go to m'sia and even if I go there max I go is 180-190km/h which I hardly ever do also anyway. Anything below that my korean car can handle it without any problems at all.

 

Anyway it all boils down to what you want. Like why get a BMW M3 sedan instead of a 7 series where the 7 series can even be cheaper. Both are sedans. If everybody just choose based on handling and speed then no one will ever get the 7 series already.

 

Hmm, that I do agreed. I am just one of those who prefers performance above anything else.

 

Actually, build quality matters to me quite alot as well. However, its just in a different sense. I am particular about welding, chassis metal reinforcement etc (all these which affects durability and handling). Not particular about cosmetic ones though.

 

I have face chassis cracking on the BMW E36 back then (its a bloody common problem with rear subframe mount cracking....sucks).

 

At least I don't think I will face that with the neo. Welding looks good.