Find Used Cars for Sale: 2015 proton

Showing posts with label 2015 proton. Show all posts

Monday, October 26, 2015

What handles decently well and is under RM50,000? The Proton Iriz these days.

Admin 8:20 AM 0

I was at the Giant Mall in Kelana Jaya and the Proton dealership there is offering the Proton Iriz with a discount of up to RM9,268 (T&C applies obviously). This has to be the fully loaded 1.6 CVT Automatic or the 1.6 Manual. I checked the online adverts for the car and yes, you can get a full monty Iriz for under RM50,000. Compare this with the retail price of RM61,691.31 / Solid CVT or RM58,815.04 / Solid Manual.

Now the 1.6 Iriz is the ONLY Iriz worth to buy simply because of the performance it gives you. It's engine works better with the CVT and the extra power helps make it so much better to drive. The wider tyres also help the car alot. I have driven both the 1.3 and the 1.6, so I can safely say that until the 1.3 turbo version that supposedly will come with an upgraded manual gear shift, this 1.6 is the one to get. Manual or Automatic. The link to the Iriz 1.6 CVT is here and in there is a link to the Iriz 1.3 Manual.

Why am I suggesting this car? Hello...It is RM50,000. What else can you get that is new, drives decently well, is cheap to maintain (no turbocharger to go wrong and being a Proton, it is even cheaper to maintain than a Perodua) with the exception of an aging engine setup that is coarse and rough with a CVT that likes to hold 5,000rpm if you're gunning it. This isn't a nice feeling if there's no power there. So a 1.6 IS the version to get as it has the biggest engine in an Iriz. Less strain means it will work less hard than the 1.3 and therefore make less noise overall. Being the full specced car, it would also be very well equipped. Proton, when they first sold this car gave it all sorts of equipment. More than most wold give at this price range.

So yes, you can buy this car for its price. It is less common than the Perodua Myvi and sometimes being a little bit less popular is a good thing. Your other option is the Great Wall Haval M4. That is selling from RM53,000 to RM62,000 or thereabouts. This is a mini SUV and the only mini SUV in the category. It handles well and it is refined to drive (the ride is nice and comfy), but it only has a 1.5liter engine that is adequate to lug it around (1,300kg ...whaddya expect from a mini SUV. It's not about speed and performance here but looks, height and added versatility). But if you want to drive really fast round bends, the Iriz is the one to get. 1.6liter engine in the Iriz makes 108hp and it weighs 1165kg. A Myvi 1.5 weighs in at around 1,000kg and makes 102hp but with less torque. 136 over 150nm in the Iriz. But the Iriz handles better than the Myvi 1.5. So there.

Now factor in that RM9,000 discount for the Iriz and you're getting a fully loaded 1.6liter car at RM50,000 the Iriz is a good buy. Go look at it. Heck. At under RM50,000 you still want to be prejudical? Hello, beggars shouldn't be choosers. When you have the budget for a better car, then only you should be a car snob. Till then. Have a look at this massively discounted Proton.

Proton Inspira production has ended. Buy them while you still can

proton inspira

Admin 8:37 PM 0

A source mentioned to me that Proton had produced its last Inspira in early April. Yes folks, production of the rebadged ninth generation Mitsubishi Lancer has wrapped up. This was inevitable as I believe the original arrangement to rebadge and assemble the Lancer here in Malaysia has come to an end. I actually find it a pity as the Inspira offers fanstastic value for money.

I've already mentioned in a previous posting how good this car is for its price and I still think its a darn shame many of you aren't buying it over the smaller, slower, less comfy Toyota Vioses and Honda Cities out there. So much more car for you money.

Anyway, Proton still has a stockpile of these cars and will continue selling them till they run out. If you are reading this, and intend of getting a 4 door sedan under RM90,000. This should be your choice. Who the heck else is giving you a 1.8 manual to shift the gears yourself under RM75,000? Who else is giving you a 2.0liter C segment sedan for under RM85,000? These cars can cruise with ease above the speed limits (not that I am suggesting you to do this) with ease. Why bother with a tiny 1.5liter when you can belt all the way down to JB or up to Penang with the relative power and performance of a proper 1.8liter or 2.0liter car?

Try not to pass up this opportunity folks. Tell me what other car under RM90,000 has this much performance on tap? Pray tell.

Anyway. So long, and thanks for all the fish. Er, fun.

New Proton Compact Car - AKA the Proton Iriz - Our initial opinion.

proton iriz opinion

Admin 11:13 PM 0

Proton has previewed its all-new Compact Car on its own microsite called http://www.betulbetulonz.com.my/.

BUT to view the car Proton expects us to catch a glimpse of the car by asking us to scan the QR Code on the website and get 3 other friends to do so and then link the photos together. Fortunately for us, and unfortunately for Proton we have Paultan.org, Malaysia's largest automotive portal to do that for us. And in doing so undermines what Proton is trying to achieve with all that nonsense about linking photos together, making life difficult for you and I as well as losing a ton of traffic on their own micro site and getting Paultan.org more hits. Fantastic isn't it? Anyway, for more explanation on the new car which according to sources is to be called the Proton Iriz you could head over to Paultan for more. But if you're here, it means you value what I think about the car.

The Proton Iriz, as it will be called (even that micro site is called betulbetulonz, which makes no sense for the 'z' to be there) will be prices from between RM42,000 to around RM63,000 (I could be wrong). This could be very true as it is Perodua MyVI sized and should cost about the same. I am of the opinion that we would get to see two engines - the 1.3l ( like in the 1.3 satria neo) and 1.6l campro in the car with the range toping turbocharged 1.6 campro making it cost RM63,000. I mean, there can be no other reason for such pricing especially when the Perodua Myvi 1.5SE costs cheaper. I do hope they launch this turbocharged variant and launch it as soon as the Iriz starts getting sold.

As for its looks, I think this is just another compact car with smallish wheelarches and a tall body. Great for space, but if you look at the wheelarch to bodywork ratio in the main picture above, it looks pretty awkward. But one photo isn't something to be judgmental, and it also looks very similar in styling, size and space to the Perodua Myvi.

1st gen Hyundai i10 (facelift)...+

2nd gen Hyundai i10..

= Iriz?

That largish front lower grille looks pretty much like something from a Hyundai i10 as well as that rear wheelarch proportions. Imagine the styling of the first i10 pictured above coupled to the latest styling cues of the latest i10 with slightly larger dimensions of the Perodua Myvi and you get an Iriz. It seems that Proton may need to get their hands on some proper car designers.

Aside from that the car is loaded with all the comforts and more. You would expect a lot of kit from Proton as they need to impress people and get them to buy this car. So if the looks don't get you, the equipment and safety kit (lots of airbags for the top spec - see pic below) should. This is what Proton's hoping.

But let me reserve my full judgement until I see it in the flesh. As for now - It looks normal, has tons of equipment and if they bring out the turbocharged version, will be fast enough to be fun.