Proton "launched for booking" its latest model, the new "SAGA" model, in late 2007. I was quite sceptical of the model as Proton's reputation at that time was not very rosy. Thus I decided to wait for the real car to arrive.
The car came to my local dealer mid 2008. Booked a test drive, ... Read review
Advantages: Nice well balanced car. Compact, Good ride Disadvantages: too revvy sometimes
Proton "launched for booking" its latest model, the new "SAGA" model, in late 2007. I was quite sceptical of the model as Proton's reputation at that time was not very rosy. Thus I decided to wait for the real car to arrive.
The car came to my local dealer mid 2008. Booked a test drive, and had to wait for a 2 weeks queu.
My first impression when entering the car on the driver's side was the seat ... ...engine is the 1.3 litre Proton Cam-Pro, which felt powerful, and is very lively. I mean it could speed-up quite easily. The only thing I do not like much is the engine speed is about 3500 rpm when the car is going at about 110 kmh. I think this is a bit on the high side, and is proven so when I discovered that the fuel consumption is high.
But I ebjoyed the drive when going at about 90kmh. The car feels responsive and lively, the engine ... more
Proton "launched for booking" its latest model, the new "SAGA" model, in late 2007. I was quite sceptical of the model as Proton's reputation at that time was not very rosy. Thus I decided to wait for the real car to arrive.
The car came to my local dealer mid 2008. Booked a test drive, and had to wait for a 2 weeks queu.
My first impression when entering the car on the driver's side was the seat is a la "real seat", not a la racing driver, prone postion. But it didn't feel too tall like an MPV or a SUV. There was also plenty of headroom.
The seat is height adjustable, as well as the back rest. These could be done easily via two easily reacheable levers. The seat covers felt soft and accomodating, without feeling too squishy. The steering height is also adjustable.
The test drive was was smooth, and all the controls felt in place. The air-conditioning functioned well, and quickly cooled the cabin space. The test car was fitted with automatic gearbox, which performed very well. When I wanted to overtake, it shifted down one speed, and the engine accelerated to give the required extra power, to complete the manoevre easily. But if you are playful with the throtle, the gearbox could be too active sometimes - it could change down earlier than expected. But cruising was sweet.
The brakes were quite powerful as well. This particular car is equipped with discs fronts, and drum backs. They are well balanced, and are very assuring when needed.
The engine is the 1.3 litre Proton Cam-Pro, which felt powerful, and is very lively. I mean it could speed-up quite easily. The only thing I do not like much is the engine speed is about 3500 rpm when the car is going at about 110 kmh. I think this is a bit on the high side, and is proven so when I discovered that the fuel consumption is high.
But I ebjoyed the drive when going at about 90kmh. The car feels responsive and lively, the engine is barely heard and i did not feel any vibration at all. As I said above, cruising was sweet. At this speed the fuel consumption was a lot better.
After that test drive I booked a car, and it came in February 2009, in metallic silver. I will get a photo of myself and the car up-loaded soon. I am very happy with the car, and after 15,000km, there is absolutely no problem with the car. The after sales service is not a problem (in Malaysia) and I have not needed to buy any spares yet. The car is warrantied for 100,000 km or 5 years - which ever comes first. You could buy extended warranties which I think is reasonable.
Advantages: You are treated like a woman and not a dumb blond. Disadvantages: The price of the new cars
...mechanics!
Back to the Proton Garage. We popped into this new dealership in Cambridgeshire. Straight away I was on the lookout for my brief and I seemed to find it in a Secondhand Volvo 340 1.7, in the lot. The salesman and owner of the franchise did not talk down to me and answered my questions with language of a technical nature. It was a refreshing change. Tumbs up to this owner, and any sales men out there, remember we women do not just want ...
wulise 17.11.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Proton
Advantages: Relatively cheap. Disadvantages: Things go wrong all the time.
...years back I bought a Proton car from Birmingham. It was a K reg. This car was fine. So, naturally, when the time came to replace the car, based on the experience with the Proton car I bought another Proton. This was the worst decision I ever made. Ever since buying it the radio has failed, the window has kept getting jammed, everything was going wrong basically. I have to say the customer service at my dealership was excellent, but I shouldn't have ...
goodematthew 09.12.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Proton
Advantages: Good looks, lotus handeling, well designed, rare. Disadvantages: Poor Build quality, poor service at dealerships
The Proton Satria is one of the great older Gti's as it has stopped in production now and the new GTi is soon to be released.
I bought my self a 2003 plate satria GTi in 2005. I had actually seen the car in 2003 sitting in the dealership window as it was used as there demonstrator model, and ever since seeing it I wanted one.
The car has amazing looks, and also the handling supplied by lotus to back it up.
So the day I bought the car, it was a dream come true. I did a bit of research into the car before the purchase, but the deal that sealed it for me was that it was 2 years old with less than 5 thousand miles on the clock. And the dealer offered me interest free finance over 4 years. And 5K off the new price so I snapped it up at £7999
The prolific problems are not really to do with the car when owning one, its more to do ...
Jaypetch 15.03.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Proton Satria
Advantages: Economical. Reliable. Comfortable. Comes with Warranty Disadvantages: Faulty temperature gauge. A tad underpowered.
I bought a Proton Wira 1.3L in August 1997 and have since had over four years virtually trouble-free motoring. This product is produced by the Malaysian automobile manufacturer Proton (Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Berhad), who are also the major shareholders in the British-based Lotus company. Understandably it is hugely popular in its country of origin but has also been exported to UK, Australia, Singapore, Brunei, the Middle East and various other countries.
Performance Specifications and Dimensions
The Proton 1.3L has a maximum gross vehicle weight of 1335kg and has a four cylinder, in line water cooled, single overhead camshaft engine. The compression ratio is 9.5:1. The 1.3L has a dry single disc clutch with diaphragm spring whilst the steering system is the rack and pinion type. The front brakes are disc whilst the rear are ...
ashford 26.10.2001 (08.01.2002)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Proton Wira
Advantages: Everything!!! Disadvantages: Cost of Mitsubishi parts, and high insurance- but well worth it!
This is an amazing car.
I have a Proton Compact GLi 1.3 12v
I have had mine 20 months now, and he hasn't put a foot wrong (touch wood).
He is fast - can out accelerate any other 1.3 we have found, and to be honest, can give most 1.6's a run for their money. They look amazing, and come in a nice range of colours (mine is dark metalic blue.)
I had had a Mini based Kit car for 2 years, and a Classic Mini for a year. Sadly, I had to get something bigger, so bought a Corsa B 1.4 LSi (had it for about a year) - nice enough car, but very sluggish, and poor handling, after this, I decided to sell both the Corsa and The Mini (Still keeping the kit car.) I looked around all sorts of cars. I wanted something bigger, faster, better handling, and better looking than the Corsa. I looked at MG- ZR's, Honda Civics, Rover 200's and 25's ...
