A round up of cars which you probably can still get a loan for worth considering before they're cash only buys.

2016 Subaru Forrester - if you're looking for a reliable SUV which is big and spacious you can consider this, the top of the range IP model has power boot as well. It may lack the safety features of newer SUV's, even back in 2016 it is lacking compared to many but if you want big size, reliable and power boot this is probably the cheapest option available. This is when Subaru got bought over by Toyota and they start to make reliable non-turbo engines but still boxer and implement them in the Forrester, XV and BRZ. The bad? Poor fuel consumption due to always-on AWD but you're assured not to skid on the road.

201 Pug 208 GTI - this is if you want a piece of motoring history else just skip it, and if you decide to buy it, it is for weekend and fun drives only. Do not ever depend on it, it has to be like 3rd or 4th car to make sense.

2016 Renault Koleos - is it any good? Well think of it as a Nissan X-trail but instead of a 5+2 seater it is 5 seater only. Instead of crappy boring nissan design inside and outside, you get Renault aka european styling. Maintainenece just like X-trail but you get that euro refinement.

2016 Kia Optima - another grab for motoring history, the car that started the 20k salary in /k

2016 Citroen DS5 - the very beautiful DS5, I don't think there will be anymore new DS or Citroen's coming to us so if you want a piece of history and feel what a great interior design can be, get this. it will make all the big screen EV's look like a basic bitch. reliability? like a pug, don't rely on it.

I would put Honda BRV in the same category as Toyota Avanza/Rush G1 and Perodua Aruz.
Reason why is they're all made from a van platform and should be categorised as MPV not SUV, but at the time SUV is all the rage so they repurposed Van platforms to make cheap SUV's. That's why these models usually sit higher than true compact SUV's of the time, e.g. Toyota C-HR and Honda HRV.
So they up the interior to look nicer as an SUV usually means it sits higher and most plush interior compared to MPV/Van.
But it has terrible ride and handling because of its van roots.
Reliability? Yeah it is good enough but under powered thus long distance driving is tiring.
Generally for Honda and Toyota most workshops can handle them, only issue is they honest or not.

2021 Toyota Rush - so this generation of Rush is the twin of the Perodua Aruz, nothing really between them. As a used car punter I suggest you hunt around for G-spec Rush because it will have better accessories than Aruz as even the top spec of Aruz will usually be around the mid-spec for Rush. This is how Toyota plays the game.

2021 Toyota Avanza - the current generation of Avanza and Veloz are basically the same thing. Similar like how they market the Alphard and Vellfire which is basically the same thing but one which is more basic and cheaper used for fleets and the other has design elements and accessories that makes is more luxurious and sporty. However, under the hood it is basically the same, upkeep wise. If you want to go cheaper and max out your money woof then get the full spec Perodua Alza which the current generation is a mirror to the Veloz and Avanza.

2010 Toyota Mark X Zio - if you're wondering what you can get which isn't a shitbox / greybox then you have to look at something older and it will surely be a cash buy. The Mark X Zio is basically the Mark X but stretched to become a 7 seater which is targeting Honda Odyssey as their size and engine displacement are similar, also they're both considered low slung for MPV having that crossover ride height which is a welcome change for two reasons. (1) easier to get in and out, no step so while you're standing the seat height is about as high as your bum. This is a plus point for seniors as too low or too high is not easy for them. (2) drives better as lower on the road. It is a JDM and at this level you should expect it to be a very nice car to be in new grey import was upwards of 180k back in the day. As a car you buy today as long as it wasn't abused setting aside RM5000 for a full service including aircon cleaning and service plus new brake pads, replacing all rubber based parts like timing belts, brake hose, window seals. It will feel refreshed. If there is extra funds replace the shocks and the car will drive like new.

2018 Renault Koleos - okay so you want something newer so you can loan and since it is newer you don't really need/want to set aside funds for any repairs then consider this. It is actually the mirror to the Nissan X-Trail except for the fact that it only seats 5 and have a redone interior and exterior, the engine and gearbox is the same as an X-trail so you can go to any workshop to be maintained no need any conti car specialist. It will have the same pros and cons as the X-trail.

2020 Subaru Forrester - if you can look past the badge this is a good bargain for under 60k you get an SUV body, 7 seater, power boot, relatively reliable and japanesse brand. The biggest downside to most Subaru cars is their selling point, which i the AWD. If you're worried about grip and handling in all sorts of terrains as you travel around then the AWD is a blessing, if you're just driving it around the taman to send kids to school or stuck in traffic then you wouldn't think the AWD is helpful and think it is a fuel guzzler. Since Toyota acquired Subaru their newer cars are all quite reliable. However, Subaru cars not having the critical mass will tend to have slightly more expensive spare parts like Mazda, Mitsubishi, etc.




An even worst scenario than when we had Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0 and Proton Inspira 2.0
It was almost 1:1 but Proton using proprietary shocks and Lotus tuning meant it is going to be more expensive to replace unless you change all 4 to Lancer shocks.



G1 Alza was based on G1 Myvi which was based on G1 Daihatsu Boon.
Boon is the granddaddy for the other similar clones such as Sirion, Justy and Passo.
For the case of Myvi the collab part from P2 was mostly on reengineering parts for CKD then local assembly with localized parts makers.
G1 Alza is based on Daihatsu Boon Luminas or Toyota Passo Sette, again I think the collab was mostly on localizing and reducing cost for local production.
P2 only really worked on G3 Myvi on their own based on Toyota's platform and engines at the time.

So saying Alza is Japanese is mostly true.
It has very Toyota-like DNA being a reliable work horse, just enough power, and not fuel guzzler while being an unremarkable grey box to most car lovers, it is a precious work horse for the everyday man.

sharing with you the latest brainrot.




Is your uncle and your father close by?
Ask your father to do a once over just in case.
If it is true mileage and you getting it below market price from relative whom is honest then good.
Second hand car you'll be paying higher interest rates but for RM23k it is not much.
Expect the car price to be floating near 10k when you resell as it will be 12 years old then, cars over 10 years will be closer to 10k as it is easier to sell for cash amount, loan kedai or sambung bayar. I think carsome or something similar will only give you 6-8k then. Because the next buyer will be 3rd owner so after that the car really has no value.

New Axia isn't much difference from Bezza they've matched each other in terms of looks, features and safety standards.
Bezza you get an ass, which is better for short trips and becoming MOT for friends and family.
Axia doesn't have space but i think the current gen looks nice and is capable, though some do get phobia of small car without ass if kena accident.

I say the relative used car is a decent and cheap way to get a car for mobility until you earn enough to get something better.
I suggest you discuss with your dad since he is a foreman to calculate the things you'll need to do, e.g. service engine, aircon, brakes, etc.
So I think press relative a bit to either get all that done at your dad's shop or discount you until like 19k so u can do those things.
Proper aircon service with cleaning everything (by 7 years sure got green stuff which is mold growing if not cleaned regularly) and service coils will set you back minimum rm1k.
Engine service with the usual consumable parts will be about rm150-250 but do a full one of radiator flush, brake flush, new brake hoses, etc. another rm2k there.



Decenly car, it is under the Toyota family now so it is okay in terms of reliability and long lasting.
However, second tier japanese brands like suzuki, mazda, mitsubishi face a small market size thus spare parts price higher due to stockist keep it longer before selling.
Lastly, subaru's are all AWD so while safety is good FC higher.



correct a lot of bezza's were bought new for "investment purposes".
someone would buy it new then lease it to a grab/taxi-like company that would rent it out daily to taxi/grab drivers.
those are on heavy mileage and have seen better days.
if you want to give it a try press the price to the bone then give the car some TLC.

This post has been edited by zenix: Apr 29 2025, 10:56 PM