you are lucky that the "slick tyres" didnt make you lose control of your car in wet seasons.
10 years is stretching the limits.

life is not measurable by $$. some $$ are not meant to be saved. life is. just my two cents worth of advice.

Kindly put all the prices up in an excel spreadsheet and calculate total cost. It sounds like you are going to spend 3k just to keep it in good shape.

Are you keeping this car for personal reasons or financial reasons? Maybe you could take a look at a new basic axia e spec.

Anyway, there's no transmission filter for the manual tranny. The 75w90 fluid change should cost like rm70 Total to change, and you can also add transmission treatment if you'd like.

Saga iswara is a carburetor car. It is easy to maintain. Abundance of spare parts. This car won't die.

Yr iswara got consume engine oil?

No way spending 3k each year to keep it running in good shape. While I do agree with you that this round of service might be a little higher because 5 full years d never do any kind of "proper, full" service, but long term no way reach 3k p.a. in maintenance. Even if say somehow reach 3k p.a. also, still cheaper than say the cheapest Axia yearly payments of RM 4800/yr (RM 400/mo) - this only loan payment, if include RM 200 for insurance reach 5k already for brand new car ownership - and this RM5k p.a. cost still excludes maintenance. I'm the kind of person very cheap one, very sensitive to even the slightest increase in costs. So saving RM 2k per year is a big deal for me. But yeah... no way reach RM3k for service alone.... Say 100 +100 engine oil and transmission oil (total rm 200) changes every 3 months religiously (4 times a year), only comes to RM 800 per year - and this is on the extreme side because transmission oil only need to change like once a year i think. The other RM200 change all the filters, sparks, belts, tubes etc etc, you know the small things. Another 1k say spend on "high mileage" miscellaneous "big item" breakdowns. Still comes to RM2k per year maintenance. Kinda ok right?

Hey thanks for informing me that this car got no transmission filter. Did not know that. Because some modern cars, inside the transmission got 1. strong magnet filter and 2. transmission oil filter, a dual filter system which really helps keeps the oil in tip top condition which results in like once-per-5-years oil change cycle. Thanks for the viscocity and price as well. :-)

Thank you! My point exactly.

ATM yes, very very very "slight" consumption. 7 months back I put the engine oil at the "max" mark on the dipstick, now 7 months d, oil is at the "min" mark on the dipstick. So yes, there is a slight oil consumption. But this is a cheap and easy problem to fix. I know for one my head gasket is in good condition (no leaks, tested via radiator), so the only other 2 things need to adjust is the valve gaps and replacing the PCV valve which should solve the "slight" oil consumption problem. This servicing should result in zero engine oil consumption. Correct me if im wrong here.

Although.... there is some leak coming from the engine bay, could be brake fluid, could be engine oil. Some black stuff leaking under the engine when parked when left overnight (when running no active leaks otherwise sure got visible trail), very small amount of black stuff leaking (not visible - not actually sure WHEN it starts leaking) and dries up quickly the next morning. Dont know what fluid it is... because 1. engine oil got decrease a little and at the same time 2. the brake fluid master cylinder seems like got fluid coming out from sides (dirty walls on the cylinder), cap is tight though. This has been going on for like a month now or so. I know got leak because 1. I keep the engine bay super clean and if got leak it's immediately visible (like the brake cylinder dirty example) and 2. my car is parked on cement and since the underside got oil stain when I reverse out, there is a small leak somewhere.

Yes but at least the axia comes with 2 airbags, and abs brakes right? And it's much more comfortable in it?

Based on the content of your writing, your Iswara is like those 300k kilometres taxis thriving the road. Driving at 60km per hour feels like it's going to fall apart and disintegrated.

Isn't your life and safety more important than money? How about those people like your family members who sit in your car?

Since it is already July. We have a new car tax structure in place. Older cars will be taxed more. I think the car is more than 25 years old. Qualifies for the classic car road tax. Though you will need to apply for it. So please factor insurance as well.

Hahahahaha

Yea... my friend makes the same argument as well. Cant put a price tag on life and safety. I mostly drive alone btw.

Driven both Axia and Iswara. My ancient Iswara more comfortable. Errr... driving @ 60 is EXTREMELY comfortable actually. Smooth ride. It rides like a continental car doing 120 on highway. Slight tyre and road noise start entering at around 140, otherwise its a smooth cruiser. Can go 160 but at this topspeed the engine noise starts entering the cabin, tyre noise is ... well....kinda loud... but the worst offender is the sudden spike in WIND noise. Can't listen to radio. Very loud wind noise at 160. :-(

Any link to the new tax structure or how much old cars getting taxed more?

No la dont think so qualify for classic car.... saw the requirements need to have "high market value" or something.

Insurance price? Come on.... I think my insurance renewal was only like RM400-RM600 max. Cant remember though - was probably closer to RM400 if i recall correctly. CHEAPEST axia insurance for the basic model (the one with no radio one) is around Rm550 per year (this is WITH at least with a 3-year NCD), am i right? ..... holy i was surprised when I actually went and check. I thought new Axia insurance like 200-300 ish lol. Do correct me if im wrong.

Today learnt more about engine tuning. Found out about oil pressure, engine oil cooling, dry sumps, Accusump, bent rod bearings and what sound they make. Hmm.... everyday i learn more. :-) Knowledge is power.