Hi to all Saga FLX Users,
A friend gonna let go his 2011/2012 Saga (Manual) , thinking of grab it for local use.

I'm here to ask your opinion or reviews, any problems so far from your driving and maintenance experiences should I considering?

Your reply is appreciated!

Decent car to get you to places.
Make sure previous owner didnt trash it during his ownership

Not too bad...
Cautious of the IAFM problem...
Other than that, a reliable car...

Thanks. Local use? How bout Highway drive?

Thanks. What is IAFM? haaa...

if it is well maintained, you can speed up to 140km/h without an issue. i like the handling, a bit heavy and comfort for long journey.

Thanks Bro!
Any huge cost to spend other than normal maintenance like engine oil changed?

How about the Alignment? Easily Out?

IAFM stand for Intake Air-Fuel Module bro.. its the intake system for saga flx.. there will be a loud tuk tuk tuk sound if iafm is rosak.. other than that there is no any major issue in saga flx..

might have the dashboard rattling or door rattling sometimes..

Owned the 2011 model for 5 years, never encountered any major repair apart from the regular maintenance based on the manual (i.e timing belt, engine oil etc).

no issue with the alignment as i rotate/balance and align every 10k service.

A simple and honest car, more so if it's a manual transmission.

Commonly the most expensive problem that might hit you in 3-4 years is the aforementioned IAFM, which will set you back around RM600 to replace.

But you can bring it to Campro specialists like Zordaq in Bangi and look for an alternative solution.

This post has been edited by dares: Sep 9 2016, 03:41 PM

manual is cheaper to maintain. huge cost? hurmm..nothing much or major actually. alignment not easily out..this car quite sturdy. been using blm for the past 7yrs. just recently the got sick (now in workshop..still troubleshooting)..but after 7 years, i understand.

Why not wait for new saga?
New facelift.

My friend Saga BLM, 2011 Manual...clocked 150K km...so far so good, no issues... only engine started to get rough abit...

I suggest wait for new saga then you decide.. It is expected to be released end of this month of all goes well..

I've a 2010 version (pre FLX). The last one in the line, ha ha.

Auto, decent one. Gets you from point A to be without issues. Body for a 1.3 a bit heavy, but otherwise it's alright.

No major issues- just the usual stuff for maintenance (engine oil, brake pads etc). Servicing is cheap too.

driving Saga FLX 1.6 SE since 2012. I love the car, handling is good, engine is powerful, but mine is the CVT version. Insulation is zero, you have to bear with all the noise from the engine, wind when you are cruising at high speed.

It is still a reliable car, still loving it.

Oh. My bad, it's IAFM! Haaa...
Btw, is this a common SICK for Saga? Once it is dead, still can move? What will happen if IAFM really out of service?

Thanks All! It seems a Strong Car ya! So, Engine and Wind (noise isolation) are the main disturb your ears? Really that loud? Hohoho...

When IAFM breaks the car still can drive, but there will be a loud tapping/clicking noise coming from the engine bay and the engine will feel sluggish at either low or high RPM depending on the nature of the fault. But yea, still can drive.

It's a common problem, but not all Saga will experience it.

I see. The the faulty might depends on your luck? Or certain year of producing?

Got a few factors, but mostly depend on your luck

Haha...thanks Bro!

Btw, FLX Manual got a lot of version?

From 2011 til now....started with FLX Standard and FLX Executive. Standard is then replaced with FLX SV, which in turn is replaced with FLX Plus.

Get the Executive version if you can.

Saga FLX MT gearbox is by Getrag, excellent shift quality feel compared to previous BLM FL MT.

Hey Bro. this is clear enough! In fact, how much different in terms of Price and Spec between Standard vs Executive?

Bro. FLX MT means? Alamak... I really lack of knowledge!

MT = Manual Transmisson

Thanks Bro.

Standard has no airbags, no ABS, no foglamps, no steering mounted audio controls, no spoilers. etc. The price difference was around RM4k for new cars back then in 2012....38k vs 42k.

Oh, I see. Then my friend's one is Executive then. Just wondering, executive came with Tinted Film?

standard film bro but not darker..

dont worry about IAFM bro.. u can repair it or replace it if its gone..

if possible, try FLX 1.6 SE .. sporty and better handling.. i kaw kaw hit the pedal..

Awesome comfort, thank Bro, haaa...

Aiya, my friend's FLX is 1.3, no chance to test the 1.6

sadly that model end of life ready.. 1.3 flx also nice car bro.. better that saga plus..

Oh that'll be great! Haha.

I saw the digital clock. It seems presented in 24hours mode instead of 12 hours (am/pm)? Can do nothing on that?

I have read the owner's book, you have to bear with the 24-hour clock.

Anyway, are you buying the car? I think it's a great buy since the trim is the executive trim and you are buying it from a friend, instead of a used-car dealer.

Speaking of the clock....beware that gets slower over time and requires frequent adjustment Check it against your handphone clock every 2 weeks

Wow... Bro. This is really encouring me to run no way, just grab the car immediately 😂😂😂

Just inspecting the car, performance still awesome. In fact, outlook really bad 😅 bang here and there, front bumper dented @ the center and sides were popped out 😝 Sides also got some dented. Absorbers time to replace.

Haaa...

Just wondering how much is the Tail Lamp? Whether got third part but long lasting?

I own saga flx since 2012, auto n executive model. It is a good drive n go car. Never had any major issue. Except batery kong after 2 years. Frequently used to go forth and back from kl to penang. Maintenance cost is pretty cheap is u ask me. Last oil change + filter and everything less than 200 ringgit. Depend on your oil type la. The bad is the noise insulation is out of the window, either u can live with it or not. But the sound speaker is quite decent is u ask me. Can help mask the noise from outside if u blast the song very loudly.

This post has been edited by asuka16: Sep 16 2016, 06:27 AM

RM400-500 per side with the LEDs, not including the normal bulbs.

I won't worry about them, I know people who owned the first batch FLX until now, the tail lamps never gave any problems.

This post has been edited by dares: Sep 16 2016, 08:07 AM

Hey Bro, this is really fun feedback, thanks man! Haaa

Wow... Forth and back from KL to Penang? I though highway long drive will be tired with this car (of course I'm saying the 1.3 😁) then, it's really awesome!

Ya woh, the Noise issue, even from the Window and Engine. Still, the when drive on some rough surface, the noise even Gao Gao. Agree? Any DIY resolved? 😝

The Sound System, not bad ya. Just lack of bottom low frequency, so the bass line not so clear 😁

Wow... Really expensive ya. Now I just realized, tail lamps is the most expensive part ya! Walau... 😝

My friend's FLX was bang, so tail lamp bottom side got lubang. Just thinking of replace, but super expensive after surfing online. Those Potong Car whether got? Any idea ?

Bros. I found a sound during the test on my friend's FLX. I When turning the steering from end to end, it sounded Cruck Cruck Cruck... Any idea? Btw, turning steering while car in stop position.

Another question, how much to spend for Suspension/Absorbers with the link as well? Macam also got problem. Walau... 😢

Oh, then you can try halfcut shops.

The steering sound could be driveshaft or the knuckle....or totally something else. I can tell you how to check but I think it's better to just send it to a workshop so you can be sure.

Here's a parts price list for the Saga 1.3 FLX exec for your reference. Bear in mind the list is a few years old, so there might be minor price adjustments over the years, and does not include GST or labour

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1771264...e%20%28A%29.pdf

Thanks Bro!
Don't know whether anyone could recommend the trusted halfcut shop?

Wah... Those Proton's parts quite expensive ya? 😁

All FLX Bros. Any idea about the price of Drive Shaft?

According to PDF it us 600++ ori. Third party could be less than half of that.

Ops, forgot about the price list 😅
600+ a pair?

Yes.

No its around RM600 per side.

Wow... Anyone knows about price of third party? Tahan ke?

Bros. How to check the Colour Code? As I know, there is something call "easy touch up paint" in the market. So, wish to check the code and do some touch up on that flx if the car finally good to go.

At the bottom of the driver side B-pillar there is a metallic rectangular plaque that contains the chassis number and engine number. The colour code will also be there.

Oh thanks Bro. How does the Code Looks like?

It's an alphanumeric string, should start with "A" or "AC", followed by 4 or 5 numbers.

try local or taiwan bro.. i bought taiwan set for rm240 last year and works fine until now..

its expensive because of LED bro..

Yo Bro, this really cheap leh! Where did you get it? Yours is FLX version too? Plastic Color never faded?

no bro havent faded so far.. got from PJ Bay brothers..

Hey Bro. Do you have it's website? Perhaps grab online, cause I'm staying far from PJ!

**RM200+- for a set?

* Do you Sound/Noise Proof your FLX?
* Do you think it's from Door's Gap?
* What and How you sound proof that? Use those Door Noise/Gap Sealed Foam?

Really can't tahan the noises, haaa...

i sound proof 2 layers for front door.. for door gab, you can do door seal.. check in EA Autoworks in FB..

i did stp sound proof because main sound system bro..

btw, you can check Bay Brothers in fb..
https://www.facebook.com/Bay-Brothers-Auto-...77094889074587/

Got BLM 1.3 manual at home, used to drive fren's 1.6 FLX CVT frequently and a few times driving FLX 1.3 manual SV.

They are all quite sturdy. Minimal vibration or rattles but sound proof is almost close to non. Wind noise is apparent when driving above national speed limit. CVT noise is very loud too.

FLX manual is a much better manual in BLM. Not sure if it is different gear ratio or different tuning on the IAFM module (BLM is IAFM and FLX is IAFM+ if im not mistaken), pickup in FLX manual is stronger. On the same hill BLM need downshift to gear 2 but FLX can just cruise up the hill using gear 3. Translate to smoother drive to me.

FLX's body is stronger too. Less body roll is felt in FLX even with SV 13inch steel rim. Possible is due to the additional bar at the back or revised suspension setup.

FLX SE 1.6 CVT felt the slowest here among 3. Some users like me is hard to get used to the sluggishness and become heavy footed when driving it. My fren the owner can achieve much better mileage with a feather footed driving pattern which I can't tahan LOL.

BLM is more than 7 years old with mileage about 150k? Aircond compressor is dead recently and the radiator is clogged due to rust. It wasn't well taken care and had quite some abuse and harsh driving. To me it is quite tahan lasak.

FLX SV i think around 3 years old, friend feed good oil and taken good care. Still like new with close to no unwanted noise at all. FLX SE CVT also around 3 years old if not mistaken, mounting have some issues but replaceable with few hundred bucks. This friend just treat it normally and always fly over bump but the car still ok LOL. CVT oil is abit more expensive though, overall CVT maintainance is higher.

I was looking for used FLX too previously, the only turn off to me is lack of safety features like ABS EBD. Most of the older cars at home is without these safety features, tired of skidding here and there. So prefer to have better equipped car in the future. And also bored of driving 1.3L car HAHA.

Good luck in getting the saga FLX.

This post has been edited by choonyink: Sep 21 2016, 12:36 AM

good and well behaved car. owned one since dec 2011. no major problems other then wear and tear.

flx 1.6se is slow in low rpm.. above 2.5k only can feel the power..

Yea. My experience is these iafm models having a torque tip in earlier rpms. Once reaching 2.5k~3k, can feel the pickup is stronger.

yet a nice family sedan love it when cruising on highways.. hope TS also enjoy his ride..

Bro. Appreciate your provided info! Btw, you drove there for the service? Or fixed your own?

Wah... Perfect reviews. Haaa...
Btw, what's CVT? and it's only came with 1.6L version?
Indeed, 1.3L is perfect on City Local drive. When over 110km/h you can feel the underpower.

FLX MT, FC like RM0.13 per km (Local/City drive) ?

There are two version of MT gearbox used in SAGA BLM/FL and FLX

Pls go for the getrag which provide u lower rpm and higher crushing speed ( 100-3000) where blm mt sourced it gearbox from NISSAN with FINAL DRIVE 4.7. ur RPM will be clocked at 4000 when crusing at 120kmh which cause loud engine noise.

Some flx SV early batch came with nissan gearbox too.

So pls go for getrag MT.

Pls add cabin filter which can help to filter most of the dust.

In addition, FLX using 32bit ecu compared to 16 bit ecu which using in pre Flx.

This post has been edited by sg999: Sep 21 2016, 10:16 PM

i did soundproof in my fren's shop in old klang road.. 2 layers for rm 340 for 2 doors..

but i saw EA autoworks do door seal sound proof which will cost you less and its value for money..

perhaps you can ask for quotation bro.. and then u decide bro which soundproof you wanna do..

that ecu can modify ah bro? i mean for fuel consumption.. i asked proton but they said its pre programmed ecu, cannot modify only can reset to default..

OEM Tail Light (Smoke Version) RM340/Pair. Ok?

CVT is a type of automatic gearbox call Continuous Variable Transmission where it doesn't have fixed gears like conventional auto gearbox with fixed gear ratio like gear 1, gear 2, gear 3 and etc. Instead it uses a range of effective gear ratios and changes according to speed and throttle input etc. Can google and further read up.

All saga FLX auto is with CVT, be it 1.3L or 1.6L version. Saga BLM auto is using the conventional 4 speed auto gearbox.

Like some other users here mention, saga FLX with Getrag manual is a better gearbox than the manual in BLM.

Depends on your driving pattern, my experience 12km/L is achievable which translate to RM0.14 @ today petrol price RM1.70 for saga BLM.

I usually calculate based on KM/L as our petrol price changes every month.

So RM0.13 per KM or 13km/L is achievable for saga FLX MT with proper driving pattern.

This post has been edited by choonyink: Sep 22 2016, 06:37 PM

My BLM MT roughly 12-15km/l range

different hardware...

Haha. Which means I'm consider as a good boy driver 😅

Anybody?

So Bro.
** The sound proof really did it's work? Huge different from before?

** They only sealed the edge door or patched the pad inside the doors?

Just received an update from friend, the FLX Absorbers (the 4 units) are going to be replaced, cost RM700++

Is this about the price? Yours git such issue? Car for only 5yrs + 😢

yup, huge difference after installed soundproof..

door seal is for the whole door bro.. black thick rubber covering the door.. it reduce the wind noise..

proton ori or local bro..

If ori means, thats the standard price around..

Wow... So yours are just Door Sealed? No bonnet and door inner sound proof?

no bro, mine is inner door soundproof.. only front 2 doors..

No wonder, better effect ya.

* Inner Door Proof or Bonnet Proof are using the same type of material? Those Pads type or Grey like fabric type?

i used stp silver as 1st layer.. and another different stp material as 2nd layer.. its pad type..

Proton original wasn't local? Proton is local mah 😅😅

Just received update:
Front Kayaba (RM198/each), Back Hara (RM128/each).

I drive Saga FLX SV CVT for 3 years, here's my thought on my car:

-Agile car with good handling even without abs/ebd/ecs system
-NVH not so good but I don't care
-Good looking car especially with the elegant brown colour
-Regular maintenance is about RM 250+ (can get up to RM1000+ if you change the cvt auto transmission oil, timing belt etc)
-Good audio (speaker) system. It has clear sound and good bass depending on your mp3 bitrate quality. Way better than perodua and most toyota car audio.
-Hehe...no broken power windows so far for 3 years hehe
-Jerking CVT at low rpm or during bumper to bumper traffic jam but smooth when at high rpm
-Surprisingly durable car
-Front brake is already noisy (brake pads still thick) because I abuse it during my trip from Kota Kinabalu to Keningau and vice versa. The Banjaran Crocker when you drive from KK to Keningau and vice versa in Sabah is way tall compare to Genting hill in peninsular Malaysia (correct me if I'm wrong). I haven't change the brake pads for 3 years btw).CVT perfomance during that hill climb, 2500rpm at 35 km/h to 45 km/h. Slow but thats what you get from auto gearbox.
-Good suspension
-No interior rattle. The only rattling noise I heard is from pendrive, screwdriver inside the glove box, perfume spray can, and pen under the cd player thing.
-Sometimes my Saga FLX CVT can't start the engine. For example, when I park my car for 30 minutes to 1 hour to go shopping. Now after reseting the computer, It rarely happens, but it still happens. (any saga flx cvt sifu knows about this problem)
-Back right side got hammered by careless driver when that person was reversing. Got it fix but there's 'scar' leftover from that accident. Arggghhh...f#@! careless driver lol.
-Haven't change the headlight and taillight from the beginning. No burnt out light bulb yet during my 3 years car usage.

P/s I love my Saga FLX. Now I'm eyeing the new Saga huehuehue

This post has been edited by DX_Kidjal: Sep 24 2016, 12:44 PM

Are those shock absorber prices? And where do you live? Because they look really expensive to me
Try the automotive garage or survey online for prices, I don't think they should cost beyond RM600 for a full-set.

Awesome review, bro!

Aiyaya... This is the price from KL/Old Klang Rd, OUG area.

Anybody could confirm the price range?
Still, I don't know which brand supposed with the original Saga FLX?

proton oem is kayaba.. but kayaba also have few models for oem and aftermarket.. check with any proton sc and outside workshop to identify the price difference between..

btw local made means made by bosch and other local companies.. ofcos proton is local made mah.. apa la lu

imo, it should be less than 600.. because for my dad's wira it cost less than 400 for full set + workmanship at under the tree workshop in old klang road..

Guys, remember i mentioned about when turning steering wheel from left end to right end, then right end to left end, it sounds like Cruck Cruck Cruck?... Will this probably the Steering Rack Bushings issue?