1. Brand.
Local/Japanese

2. Budget.
~RM100k

3. New/Used/Unreg.
New unit

4. Specs.
ICE or hybrid.

5. Transmission.
Auto

6. NA or FI ?
Either is fine, but prefer turbo.

7. Type.
Sedan / SUV

8. Remarks.
Currently driving about 60-70km to work daily so would prefer a car that has all the safety features and ACC. Fuel-efficiency would be a plus since long distance driving. Currently no kids yet but will be planning for it in the future.

Thanks!

SUV/ Sedan exclude Hatch, MPV, China

Segment	A	B
40-50K	oldSaga1.3NA Bezza1.3NA
50-60K		newSaga1.5NA
60-70K	Ativa1.0T
70-80K		S701.5T newNexis1.5NA
80-90K		City1.5NA
90-100K		X501.5T WR-V1.5NA Vios1.5NA Almera1.0T

For Turbo - Ativa, S70, X50, Almera
Some models lower variants no ACC gotta check
FC if careful driver NA not much difference, smaller engine lower, turbo higher.
Planning for kids - any 5 seaters still ok. Unless expect triplets come out 😅 then better MPV
Want hybrid so far only Tiggo Cross ard 100K unless wait for Yaris Cross 2026.

This post has been edited by dogbert_chew: Oct 21 2025, 10:18 PM

Thanks. So far I've checked out the Tiggo Cross and X50. Leaning towards X50 as the test drive on the X50 feel smoother. The City also feels spacious but interior is dated. Haven't check out Vios out for now, so will go check it out

Since you rarely change car and keep > 10 years,
resale value is probably not that relevant.
Hence do you intend to take advantage of the massive discounts for year end cars and register one by Dec 2025?

Eg X50 can probably try aim for > 10K discount for higher variants? 🤔

Same idea for RV, own till 9 years onwards wont effect for rv

Yeah currently planning get it by end of this year hoping for more discounts being lashed out. Currently gotten an offer for 7k discount plus tinted and dashcam as free gift for the X50 Premium variant. 4k is by Proton and another 3k is by the SA himself. Honda City is also giving out 15k discount but like I mentioned the interior is dated and not to my liking. Was waiting for Nexis but the waiting game has gone on for too long until I am no longer interested hahaha.

1. Brand : Proton
2. Budget : 40-50k
3. New/Used/Unreg : new
4. Specs : the highest spec ? Premium if not mistaken
5. Transmission : AT
6. NA or FI : NA
7. Type : Proton saga ( the new one )
8. Remarks :

Hello all, this is going to my first purchase of car, I plan to buy the new proton saga next year, as it fits my budget for monthly commitment, and also I want to ask for general advice on the proton saga, as well as some car financial advice.

I initially thought of going straight for the car that I wanted, but on second thought I decided against, I plan to buy the proton saga first, loan it for 7 years, own it for 3 years, then sell it off as the value will still be there, and with the money that I sold for the proton, i will then add in some extra money for a down payment the car that I initially wanted to get, so basically this saga I'm only buying it temporary because my main priority is petrol consumption, my current car is very old and it's a 2.4 CC which my dad bought over from a friend, it drinks too much petrol and I can't handle the fuel price.

So just like to ask for general advice on both the all new proton saga and this.

This post has been edited by Sotsotzaii: Nov 18 2025, 01:32 PM

How is your usage of current car. How many passengers, distance per day, city/ highway, fast or slow drive, etc

Budget 50K new car can get Axia, Bezza, Saga, Persona.
Low fuel consumption get Perodua.
Second hand value also Perodua.
Best is Axia Rahmah 22K if can drive manual just take 3 yr loan.

Which car u initially wanted ? 🤔

if like this, take 5 years loan. since u already plan to letgo of it in the 3rd year. Be it Proton, the RV is not their forte, not due to the products, but the rebates game by Proton SA or Proton in general. Inb4 rule of thumb, want to buy proton car, wait 6 months, later many SA give huge rebates.

check the facelifted X50, already plenty of SA offer 4 figures rebates, just need to whatapps more the SA from FB. Rebates effect RV

for the 2.4L engine car, if already more than 5 years old, high mileage, please change the Oxygen sensor, got 2 of it on the exhaust routes. one is downstream another is upstream. After changing both, the FC is getting back as new back.

This post has been edited by ayamxxx: Nov 19 2025, 09:10 AM

I may decided against selling it and instead, keeping it long term, so anyway 7 year loan is still feasible for me because 5 year loan isn't too much to my commitments liking. Oh wow, ok will definitely check out the Oxygen sensor, so change 2 of it to a new oxygen sensor ? Never knew about this, you probably just saved me tons of petrol money.
I initially wanted to get Omoda, I mean technically I could afford it, because in about 1-2 months I will get increment salary of 2K, which this 2K I have no use for it which is extra money. But looking at how the new saga is really intriguing, I might give it a chance to buy it and keep it long term, still I need to test drive it and check out all the features first before I can put my money down. Though, I heard from plenty of people this new saga is a game changer, and could probably be the best saga ever that Proton have made.

Yes change the 2 of new oxygen sensor, if lazy just ask workshop to find the parts and install. If wanna cheaper a bit, find online and send shop for installation. My car, 2.4L as well, when heading 200k km, the FC went worst, make all parts changed, spark plugs, engine oil, atf, filter, fuel filter, etc, but FC remained same, until this O2 sensor. Now back to new back

Mine is a very old 2006 mitsubishi outlander VRX, will definitely go to my friend's workshop and get it check and tell him about the O2 sensors, hopefully i can notice some difference and at least save me some petrol money until I get the new saga.

what was the 2.4L car? camry?

if planing to sell midway, take shorter loan. not just proton, all brands except perodua RV not viable to sell midway if taking >5 years loan. but proton higher risk sometimes their value memang drop to kesian levels of low. (looking at you x70)

i was somewhat in the same boat as you; 2.4L car before changing car. but my current car is persona, mana tau fuel consumption same same only (around 10% better only) but have to add on monthly installment. only benefit of changing is got more airbags and isofix. other than that really no benefit of changing from old luxury to modern economy.

so the question is if the fuel savings from a lower CC car can cover the fuel cost + monthly installment.

i'd suggest wait for the first batch owners receive their cars, get them to beta test first. see if the fuel consumption really that good as proton claims (iirc they claim around same as bezza).

never rush with purchase of cars. never give in to the rush and racun. this is one of the most expensive things you will be paying for.

Can ask for new loan structure next year?

https://fintechnews.my/54497/fintech-lendin...f-78-abolished/

Salary increment 2K (before tax?) is not a lot. Better put aside for investment eg taxes, legal fees, renovations for property purchase.

Its still the same chassis. We pay extra 3-5K for a new engine, more airbags and safety system hence the best variant might be Premium but back to Punch CVT 😅

	old Saga	new Saga
price	Std39K Exe42K Pre45K	Std42K Exe45K Pre50K
Engine	1.3L	1.5L
HP	95	120
Nm	120	150
Timing	Belt	Chain
Gearbox	4AT	4AT/ PreCVT
Headlamps	Halogen	LED
Airbags	2	Pre6
Extras		AEB LDW LKA etc

This post has been edited by dogbert_chew: Nov 19 2025, 04:47 PM

i'm happy for the upgrade but all that change but no auto down power window as standard. this really irks me.

Thanks for the advice, the 2.4L car is a old 2006 mitsubishi outlander VRX which my dad bought over from a lady friend. Assuming I drive it daily, my petrol alone would costs me about 350-400 maximum per month.

Actually I just had the same discussion that you mentioned above from my close friend, he also mentions the same thing, asking me to weigh in whether the new car's monthly installments plus petrol altogether is already more than my current petrol amount, which it is yes. Assuming i get the new saga, my monthly payment would be around 500-600, including petrol let's say maximum 200, that's a total of 700-800, which overshot my current maximum 400 monthly for petrol, so I'm still weighing and thinking, of course I have no rush in getting the new car, if at all. I'm waiting patiently to see, test drive it and continue thinking.

Civic if you can tahan how it ride

High 120s can get v spec
Low 130s can get RS petrol

This post has been edited by bearbear: Nov 19 2025, 05:43 PM

While older cars might no longer have outstanding loan, they have higher risk of major breakdown with significantly high repair cost. New cars are shielded from this via a 5 year warranty.

Also vehicles with larger capacity engine usually have costlier parts, larger wheels, higher roadtax etc and maintaining them in tip top condition for interstate travel also takes increasing effort. Eg Oxygen sensors 😑

This post has been edited by dogbert_chew: Nov 19 2025, 06:46 PM

U do have a few very good valid points to get a new car even though my current old car is no longer on loan. Yeah it does make sense too, the roadtax for example is close to 800 for 1 year.

I'm still in the midst of considering and making the right choices as I got plenty of time to make a decision. But thanks for the 2 cents bud