Proton Question

[Vit4wd]

I am puzzled by why so many people have a very negative perception of Proton cars in general.

 

Whenever my friends are looking for a car, at less than S$5K dep a year, I recommend the Wira (brand new).

 

But they frown at me and say its not reliable, its made in malaysia, its expensive to maintain, it has image problem. WHY WHY WHY? They'd rather invest in a 5 year old Jap car.

 

Honestly, the Proton , or Wira in this case, is one of, if not the best value brand new car in the market, and it uses a tested and proven Mitsubishi engine... even if its old technology.

 

I think its a matter of brand perception. Why do people pay above S$100K for a Mini or Beetle, which uses old technology? And talk about reliability, honestly, even the Japanese made Corolla has its own problems, like power window failing within 2 years, warped rubber seals etc.

 

Your comments and views please.

 

 

PS: I don't own a Proton. Neither do I have a stack in it.

[Ah_veo]

hmmmm.....you hv a point there. i totally agree with you,bro.

its all abt 'Brand' perception here. (as far as i'm concerned)

 

malaysia boleh!!!!!

 

 

 

 

PS: i'm not a malaysian, neither my in-laws are malaysians....

[Pauly75ts]

"not the best value brand"

 

Hi! there, Vit4wd,

 

The Proton Wira is a popular car in MY, engine's ok, but can't say the same for the gearbox, especially the auto gearbox.

 

The Waja has problems with the board for the ECU, for the 1st batch, so it's common to see it by the side of the road, waiting for a tow truck.

 

Now, there's the 2G Waja, not in SG yet, good luck to the buyer.

 

Rgds

 

Paul Yong

[Vit4wd]

I'vce so many friends who own Protons, From the Iswara to Wira & Perdana. No problems

[Pauly75ts]

[En0203]

hey do u happen to know the price of a new wira 1.5?

[Accenture]

that day saw in newspaper 1.3 model mannual brand new 49,800 that is really cheap...if I do sales and need to get around cheaply, I sure buy that car one man...

[Vit4wd]

Wira 1.5 manual $52,800

Wira 1.5 auto $54,800

 

Prices incl COE. Scrap value is S$6K.

[W210k]

For $54,800, I would rather add $4K more to get the Suzuki Ignis 1.3 Auto.

 

Suzuki engines are reliable and world-reknown. More importantly (to me at least), it is fully made in Japan.

And Champion Motors has a much longer history here in Singaore, with a relatively large workshop and adequate spare parts inventory to support Suzuki parts.

 

Not sure about the new Proton agent though.

Besides, with Mitsubishi already having recently sold its stake in Proton over 2 tranches, I would stay clear of Proton for a while, until they get their act together again.

 

Their new Gen-2 engine is fully designed and built in Malaysia. The first time for any engine in the whole history of the country (or even the Proton company). Will be prudent to let this engine be tested over time, before even buying a Proton.

 

p.s. I do not own a Suzuki, nor work in Champion Motors.

[Failuredrill]

hi bro! actually i think there is a valid pt in wat u say abt proton , but if u were to say add 4k more to get a ignis,why not add another 4k more to get a vios ,or add another 4k more to buy a mazda2(japan made)

My point is simple....buy according to each buget,jus like some pple buy korean car over jap,i down 11k for my mazda n when my fren ask with this type of down payment,why dont get a honda civic? well the above mention pt was how i reply them

[Failuredrill]

if u ask me is the 55k 1.5 auto is a good buy,i would say yes n also cos this is the 1st car i drove(rented) after i get my class 3 on the same day,but IMO, I feel tat the look of the car is somehow out-dated,for a 55k buget i would opt for a accent 1.5(imo) or aveo 1.5(imo)

[Yansen]

well my opinion is that, when u r ready to fork out so much money to buy ur own car, surely the image n perception of the general public of the car plays a big part other than its performance, maintenance etc. with so many people having a negative impression of proton, would u wanna be seen owning one?

[Ravinged]

Image problem indeed ... I am just so allergic to the word "Proton" ... even though I know it has a Mit engine ... any upbeat Proton can be a racer on the road anytime. It is like a MY version of Honda Civic ... loads and loads and tonnes of possible mods you could do to the engine.

 

Imagine me owning a Proton ... ... I try to imagine again ... possible but very very slim.

 

Ed

[W210k]

Sorry, I will not consider a Thai-made car like the Vios, even if it is of the same price as (or cheaper than) the Ignis. Its just a personal preference, though nothing against Thai, Korean or Malaysian made cars.

 

As for the Mazda2, I have test driven both that and the Ignis.

 

Personally I still think the Ignis has overall better quality of fit than the Mazda2, although the Mazda has a bigger engine (flat at high rpms though), a more-modern interior and handles better. Looks are subjective though. My wife prefers the Mazda's shape, while I think the Ignis shape is more macho, high and unique. Besides, the Ignis has a wider rear opening than the Mazda2 (believe it or not), although the latter is wider. Its because of the space-consuming wheel arch that eats into both sides of the Mazda2, while the Ignis' floor being higher, has no wheel arch intrusion! Clever move there!

 

Can one justify the additional $8-9K in going from Ignis 1.3 to Mazda2? I really don't know.

 

Perhaps the Ignis Sport (0-100 in 8.9 secs) is a good compromise! It is one of the very few (maybe only) super-mini hatchbacks that have disc-disc brakes front and rear. Almost all others, including Jazz, Getz, YRV, March etc. all have rear drum brakes. ..... And the resale market is very harsh on manual 2-door cars here in Singapore.

[Vit4wd]

Honestly, I don't give a damn on what people perveive of my car.

 

The more expensive your car, the more taxes you are paying. The bigger capacity your car, teh more fuel it comsumes = the more taxes you pay to the govt through petrol excise duties.

 

My first car was a run down '81 Lancer. The interior smelled, the seats were sagging, the air-con wasn't cold, the steering was rock heavy. Colleagues & friends who took lifts from me always commented "Ai Yo, can scrap already lah, why don't you get a new car?"

 

Next I got a brand new Daihatsu Extol 1.3 van. Paid only S$34.9K. It caught everyone I knew by surprise. Rd tax only $400 a year, saved a lot on parking by parking in Loading & Unloading Bays. But yes, I faced lots of discrimination. When I went to country clubs to meet friends or dine, I am almost always stopped by security and asked to park in loading and unloading bay... cannnot park in car park. The other cars just drive in without being stopped.

 

You laugh? But the savings I got meant I laughed my way to the bank. To those who are struggling to pay your car monthly installments... S$600? S$700? S$800? or > $1K? Think of what you could do with this money? How much interest are you paying to the bank?

 

Whether it's a Proton, Lada or Mercedes, BMW, they are the same in 1 primary way. They all have 4 wheels. If you want that ego or friends to praise your branded wheels, or to attract that babe, then it comes at a price. Fine if you have the dough, but if not, it may not be a very wise long term decision.

Edited March 13, 2004 by Vit4wd

[Vit4wd]

For $54,800, I would rather add $4K more to get the Suzuki Ignis 1.3 Auto.

 

 

 

For your info, Champion Motors could not repair my Suzuki's faulty auto tranny. They simple do not have the facilities and experties. I had to send it to CAS.

 

And you'd be surprised that Suzuki spare parts are more expensive that Toyota's

[Vit4wd]

if u ask me is the 55k 1.5 auto is a good buy,i would say yes n also cos this is the 1st car i drove(rented) after i get my class 3 on the same day,but IMO, I feel tat the look of the car is somehow out-dated,for a 55k buget i would opt for a accent 1.5(imo) or aveo 1.5(imo)

 

I've rented both teh Accent 1.3 and Wira 1.3 before, on several occasions.

 

The Accent drinks and the interior was cramped. Boot space was limited.

 

The plus point of the Accent is that its engine has more low end torque than the Wira, but the engine sounded on the harsh side.

[Vit4wd]

.... and don't forget the high insurance premiums for the Ignis Sport