[quote=zenix,Apr 30 2016, 09:56 AM]
I know there is an attraction for Suprima/Preve because they've got a turbo. Honestly, when I had tested one I wasn't really impressed as it was as impotent as the first batch of Pug 308's -- do note I think Pug have made much improvements and I was honestly surprised of the response of the Pug 408 when it came out but whether or not that translated to the 308 I can't say as I haven't touched one since.

So usually when something really excites your heart you'd be willing to go through all the crap of owning it for those moments of bliss on the road, but since they didn't give me that feeling I'm not too sure you'd want to go through that trouble as Proton service centers haven't improved although their cars have improved.

Almera & City are pretty much the same in a few ways yet different in others. They're both the same as in their chassis design is all new and keeping with the trend that more buyers in the Asian region are going for B-segment cars (as oppose to C-segments) due to economic reasons (cheaper to buy and maintain) yet want something abit bigger thus both these cars are slightly stretched so that even when the front passenger/driver is a tall person and pushes the seat all the way to the back there is still lots of leg room for an average sized adults at the back. They both also have reasonably large boot space for the segment. And while both have similar design goals but I think Honda did a better job of hiding the hideous proportions than Nissan as the City does look sleek and sporty especially with a bodykit, while Almera with a bodykit looks better it is still pretty ugly. Also Honda has a better engine and gearbox so it can give you better FC and performance without feeling too laggy, Almera I feel is slightly under power.

Vios is a no brainer choice if you're looking for the cheapest to buy and maintain, high resale value and good reliability. However, it lacks alot of finesse because it is basically evolved from the first gen until now carrying forward almost the same chassis, gearbox and engine. This parts compatibility is good when you need to buy parts because of economics of scale it is cheaper but the bad thing is there isn't much improvement on the vios since the first gen. It doesn't have the large spacious cabin of the almera/city. Fuel consumption figures haven't changed because it is the same engine and gearbox since day 1 unlike Mazda which redeveloped everything into the Skyactiv filosofi, but it is the cheapest to buy as the J-spec is the cheapest of all japanese make b-segment cars. It is a solid design and worry free mostly, but can be boring.

With that budget you can also consider Mazda2 Skyactiv it has a redesigned body, engine and gearbox which is top notch when it comes to safety, performance, and fuel economy. The interior cabin of Mazda even in the Mazda2 nowadays is pretty classy and sleek, giving a sports car like feeling. People do say Mazda cars are expensive to maintain but that isn't really the case nowadays especially with the success of Mazda in recent years you can source for parts outside of Mazda 3S cheaper (oem, compatible, or mazda original from other countries) from stockist or distributors. In this range Mazda is probably the only one giving out 5 years warranty (i dunno if the 5 years free service promotion is still on or not).
That kind of specific information you better talk to people at www.bmwclubmalaysia.com

You're getting one of these?

Budget wise it is Almera, but value wise it is a tossle of a coin between City and Mazda2.
I'm guessing you'll still look for something with a spirited drive so here are some cars which would be suitable for your needs and budget.