Bro, dont u think these 2 cars are a bit over the top for you? I think u should focus on buying properties. Cars are a losing commodity and as i mentioned on the Optima forum, if ure not earning at least RM8K per month and have at least 1 property, u should give this car a miss. Your time to own a d segment will come later. U still have your whole life ahead of you. Dont get caught up in all this hype.

Ive been earning a 5 figure salary since 2006 and driving a 2003 Vios 1.5E till today. I have 2 prime properties in KL and its only now in 2012 that im finally thinking of upgrading while looking for my 3rd property to invest.

No offence to you. Just my humble advice.

I started with 5 figures when i was <30. 

Instead of a car, why dont u use that gift money and put downpayment for a property? Thats more worth than a car. Get a simple car but go for property. U wont regret. Ive already made more than 500K in the past 3 years in property appreciation.

Since your parents are successful, no reason why u cant be as well. Learn to stand on your own 2 feet. Being young is not an excuse. I started off earning just RM1,700 per month and i was also paying RM800 for my new Wira back then. Still i never took a cent from my parents not because they couldnt afford to give but because i didnt want to parade around in something which was not of my own hard work. If i couldnt afford something because of my lower earning capacity back then, i just didnt get it. Simple as that. Personally, i dont see why our parents should support us in any way once we start working.

If it was me in your shoes, i would rather drive a smaller Vios paid 100% by me rather than drive a much bigger car paid for by my parents.  You can see many young ppl in KL driving around in big cars. What do you think when u see them? Usually we say 'ya la he can drive that cuz his parents are rich' right? Most will feel envious but how many will have respect? And even if they did have respect, how much is it for you? I would rather drive something which ppl will say 'ya le he can drive that because he is successful in his career' cuz then the credit is mine alone. I know many wont agree but its a matter of philosophy.

I drove a Vios since 2003 and despite moving into the 5 figure bracket in 2006, i still chose to continue using my Vios till now. Yes i could have afforded a much bigger car. Even now i can easily afford to move into the big league of BMW, Audi, etc but i decided against it as cars are a losing commodity and i didnt think i am at that level yet.

Anyway, the choices you make are yours alone. All i hope is for you to make the correct ones. Cheers!

Maintenance is not just restricted to regular servicing. Its also replacement of parts due to wear & tear. This is what car manufacturers do not show u. All of them have servicing schedules where they all claim its a few hundred bucks every time. But what they fail to tell you is the cost of spares.

In the case of Kia, if their parts are not durable (as in previous models), then ull end up replacing them more often and Kia isnt cheap. It will be worse for conti's.

Anybody can spend a few hundred bucks twice a year for servicing, but how many can afford changing other spare parts thru wear & tear?