Hi sifus, been a lurker here for a while now but as I'm planning to get a car soon, thought i create an account and ask for advice. So as the title denotes, I'm looking for a used car to be daily driven. As of right now I have the Suprima, Inspira 2.0 and 2006/2007 Mark X in mind. The reason I've included the mark x is because I've heard it is remarkably reliable despite being an older car and I am looking for a car that can suit my driving style that is rather aggresive and heavily right footed. Need a car that can be a reliable daily driver as well as a good zippy one for the occasional spirited drives. I like the suprima but am abit worried about the maintenance as it is a turbocharged car although my friends tell me it handles great. The inspira looks nice for me, but as with the suprima has a cvt and I'm not sure how bad is the delay and whether or not the throttle response is weak in the lower gears( drove a nissan once, the cvt was awfully draggy and irresponsive below 80kmh) and in that sense I much prefer AT cars with the better power delivery. I know performance doesn't go hand in hand with reliability but I'm pretty much trying to find the best balance between the 2.

So as I see it all of these options each have their respective pros and cons and wanted to get advice to choose between them or any other cars that I've missed out on that fit the bill. Thanks

Inspira or Lancer, their CVT leaves a lot to be desired. Seriously. It's the INVECS that is not that quick and maybe a generation or two back compared to the CVT in cars today.

This post has been edited by lowpro: Mar 8 2018, 06:00 PM

If you’re worried so much about the CVT, then get the 1.8mt inspira.

Inspira has tons of potential, and is more than enough for your right footed ness or spirited driving. Nothing stopping you from throwing in a BOT on a 1.8mt inspira and get 200++ bhp easily.

If still not enough, just plonk in an evo x or ralliart engine and have fun going around 300bhp.

I see, haven't driven MT for awhile now. Perhaps I'll go test drive one and see if I still got it.

Thanks for the reply. Any reason why markx is on top of your list?

I see, is it better in the suprima? And if I use the shift paddles will it be any different?

- good zippy one for the occasional spirited drives
- automatic transmission

Pick only one.

mark x is a class (maybe 2) above inspira or suprima even tho it's an old car. everything is superior from suprima or inspira. if money and maintenance is not an issue..i'd go for mark x (bcause i love is150..but mark x is cheaper).

Agreed on this^. IS250 is the one if that fall within your budget. Roughly about 10k+- higher than mark x for an used unit around the same year. Otherwise mark x will be a good choice.

Hmm okay so I'm guessing you're suggesting the 1.8 mt INSPIRA ?

The maintenance for Mark x is very costly?

Would rather spend the extra money to maintain that's why I'm going for one with the budget of the 3.

How much is your budget? up to 60K?

Not sure why would people keep praising a first gen mark x but my experience with it ain't no fun. Drove a 3.0 mark x back in a small town getting out of the car is a pain especially for elders. The driver and passenger safety belt is extremely annoying with rapid beeping.

Probably coz it's a bit lower or the car had been lowered?
The seat belt thing, if you're disciplined then should be no issue.

I never sit in another mark X but I guess it's a bit lower. From outside the car does not seems lowered and everything is original. The car is still equipped with the original head unit in Japanese where the radio FM at max 90mhz.

This post has been edited by therain01: Mar 9 2018, 09:06 PM

Makes a lot of noise, then you wait...it'll move... I'm exaggerating a bit here but the transmission can do a lot better.

Trying to stay around the 40-50k range.

I see, so amongst the 3 which would you recommend ? Or any other cars within that range ? As I mentioned previously if the cvt is really slow then I'll have to consider other options as the last cvt car I drove I could barely over take other cars in day to day traffic so definitely a no-no for me.

I drive an Exora (same gearbox and engine as Suprima, minus the paddle shifter option)
My dad drives a City Idsi and a HRV. Both also CVTs. I have to admit that Honda CVT are better than Protons.
My dad's City have a paddle shifter but to be honest its better to let your right foot tell the accelerator what you want rather than shifting yourself. The accelerator takes in your command and tells the gearbox what you want. Thats where CVT and most hated Drive-by-Wire accelerator does the job for u.
paddle shifting have fixed gear ratios. Kills the whole purpose of having infinite gear ratio.

For my exora. Sometimes i switch on the SAT mode just to feel the virtual gear shifts and the virtual engine rev up and down. In real life it hampers / slows down the acceleration. (And i have to press harder just to get it moving. Can feel the turbo working harder to push the 1.5 ton MPV with SAT mode on)

Yes i know older CVT makes driving rather boring / souless. But newer CVT nowdays have virtual shifting (like in the HRV) points even without turning on the SAT mode.

Thanks for the insight . So I take it the suprima's cvt will be sluggish as well regardless of whether it's the suprima or inspira is your exora the turbo one? If so how's the maintenance of it? Do you have to spend alot to fix parts related to the turbo and how much do spend yearly on maintenance? Very curious. Thanks

Suprise to see the mark x also on the ts list. If it is a recond model, do allocate some budget to change all wear n tear parts as well, especially the tyre, absorber, that engine mounting (which all of this can cost few thousand for parts n install). Then normal engine servicing with gb oil change. Since it is toyota, expect it to be reliable for use.
Suprima is on of the best looking proton car, especially compared it to preve and other proton model. Just that the CVT with clutch based might not jerking free on daily use. To be save better get suprima with under warranty as I see many Preve (same brand punch GB) had a cvt gb replacement under warranty. As i experienced on my office suprima, its FC is kinda high side, i can say my honda 2.4 have a better fc for daily working use (city jam around KL to Kajang back & forth daily)
Other than that, the HU on my office car is always hang n restart by itself especially when using gps on it.

Okay I see. How do you find the driving of the Suprima? Did you also find it underpowered?

Hi there.
Yup. Mine is turbo version.
In regards to turbo. They call for the usual every 10k / 6 mths for oil change or 5K / 3 months if you are driving mainly around town frequently. Its just like maintaining a regular car although recommended to use semi synthetic oil and above. No special requirements though if the engine oil is too black you better off change it quickly before it damages the turbo.

And if u ask do i spend alot to fix the turbo the answerr is "no" . Im still on my original turbo even after 4 yrs later.

To answer your question to ayamxxx whether is it underpower. For my exora turbo , its capable of catching up with 2000cc and above. 205nm of turbo charged torque plus CVT makes it a real challenger. Its not slow either.
The reason why initial acceleration from 0km/h to 20km /h is slow acceleration is because the initial clutch slip . Yes. Suprima / Exora has a maintenance free wet clutch for the CVT. Therefore it will slip first then only it bites around 15km/h.
But once it engages fully with the turbo kick in then you wont say its slow anymore.

This post has been edited by SleeplessEyes: Mar 12 2018, 08:35 AM

not sure how low is the car. but my benchmark of low sedan is civic fc. yes the car is a bit pain in the ass to get in and out especially for a tall person.

i am amazed to see the mark x on the list. the cost of ownership of the inspira and the suprima is almost the same, i cant say the same for a Mark X. leave alone the fact it is in a different segment, remember this is a grey import which also means parts are hard to come by from you local parts shop. Engine parts probably still source able as typical toyotas they share alot of parts across the range. however body and etc is a different story. Even power window buttons may take you time to source and even if you can find it, it wont cheap. i wont be surprised if its in the region of RM500 for a used one. If you are aware as to what it cost to own one, then it is a a decent car to own as typical toyotas they are built well. dont forget its a 2.5 so cost of road tax is a lil steep and its not exactly efficient on the fuel, however it does have enough grunt for a some spirited driving. All the best

In fact mark x mechanical and body parts are not expensive at all if you know where to get. A lot of Taiwan and Chinese parts available for the car, of course some of the Taiwan and Chinese part won't be available due to left hand drive. If you are sending the car to dealership service center it will be another story then.

This post has been edited by therain01: Mar 12 2018, 02:10 PM

Yeah the car is just slightly lower in std than most if it's a sport package version, and maybe your seat position was also set at the lowest.
The car is direct import from Japan so that's why the radio is like that. I think can modify, or many just change.

Hey! Do you own a Mark x? If you do could pls share some maintenance costs and what is the average cost of ownership per year? Thanks !

Okay thank you for the explanation it really helps. So your average yearly maintenance costs is around 1-2k? Thanks

Hi skrtskrt,

I found this in Proton website:

http://www.proton-edar.com.my/pdf/service-...vice%20Menu.pdf

This will give a good estimation on how much it costs. But i dont feel it will reach Rm 1k per annum.

It depends on how much you use.

This post has been edited by SleeplessEyes: Mar 15 2018, 10:32 AM

Maintenance is slight higher compare to camry as it's need 6 liters of engine oil.

For me personally, if I have the cash to maintain it (bear in mind it is not an official import and will be subject to non-official mechanics and you might need to be a bit resourceful to get the best of the mechanic), I will go for the Mark X. Will not comment on the other 2 though as I only have experience with the Inspira 2.0P. Well for the Inspira, it will hustle if you want it to. Just don't whip it to move. Gotta coax it gently to get the best of its CVT.

You can pm me.

That's really helpful. Thank you so much bro

Okay, duly noted. Looks like I have to find the right mechanic before thinking of getting one. Thank you.

You're most welcome

Since you're a lead foot your expectations of the cars mentioned are much higher than they really are.
I'm probably going to get flak for this but i'll be honest with you.
The CVT gearboxes in all Proton's are crap.
You're ever only going to feel anything if you floor it all the time, else it'll be like an old man taking it's own sweet time.
Suprima wouldn't give you much "turbo feel" unless you always floor it and drag the gearbox to lower gears.
So Inspira/Suprima out.

Mark X is decent but it's supposed to be a luxo d-segment saloon so it's first gear if you don't floor it, it will be sluggish, second is feels sluggish too.
Third gear is where the fun begins.
You can also cruise happily at low rpm above 150kmh because of a very tall 5th gear.
It's RWD so it can be tail happy in certain situations.

The Honda CIty Idsi is not Drive-by-Wire. The generation after that only starting to use Drive-by-Wire.

Suprima = Preve = Exora = Punch CVT.

Inspira CVT = Mitsubishi Lancer CVT.

Is 2 different CVT gearbox. Technically Inspira is a rebadge Lancer.

In regards of the tail happy thing, how does it drive in the rain?

with that body width & wheelbase i doubt he saying "tail happy" is real

unless you drive like a maniac it is a stable car

Well, put in some cheapo tires (low grip 1) in behind and you will be screaming when entering corners in wet condition at higher speed. Some member even manage to do donut with it.. Is about the guts to put down the foot to the max pedal..

Some early Mark-X in market are damn cheapo/low in safety spec with only ABS and some air-bags only. Unless those higher spec. or newer version only fitted with VSC or TRC..
With those lower spec Mark-X you can do more stupid or fun things if you dare.

like that say every car r tail happy lo. myself suka play stunts kaki.
not specific to mark x

Yup, even Avanza also people did it.. I also did it in Nissan C22 van before during my young days..
But not until like you mention stunts or professional drift laa..
When you know the car well, limit and what it can do, is about guts & skill to push it.
Surely it is not recommended for majority drivers..

For those mark x without vsc/trc like mine, you can easily provoke an oversteer in the wet if you snap the throttle but in most cases it's ok. The stock setup actually still has a bit understeer so still stable and safe most of the time. Highly recommend to use minimum 225 tires or wider. Mine when came stock with 215/60/16 was quite lively and even easier to provoke a slide with the throttle even in the dry. Now I am using 245/40/18 UHP tires with TRD suspension, it sticks well, feels good on medium to high speed sweepers and tracks nicely on straights even at over 240kph. I need to be very aggressive to provoke an oversteer now, except on tight turns or wet surfaces. Note that few owners last time destroyed their X after just a short time owning because many of them came from low powered FWD but drove carelessly.

This post has been edited by 6UE5T: Sep 2 2021, 01:09 AM

Let's just say it can bite you if you drive a bit careless. Had happened a few times before, usualy by new owners who were too overzealous and overestimate their skill in catching the snap oversteer.

Hmmm... didn't manage to oversteer my X before...

That means you drive carefully enough. I managed to completely spun 360 twice in the wet despite using good 245 UHP tires luckily without hitting anything, plus several times of sliding that I managed to catch.

Just recently done that in a low powered FWD car recently, so fortunate to escape scratch less, hence looking at some options and Mark X I guess tick the reliability box and interesting rear wheel drive-drain experience.



Not a big concern, friend told me that the TC will intervene if you pedal too hard while exiting junction on a wet road, the intensity of intervention gradually increased with generation,
older generation (TC) don't intervene at all all,
mid gen Mark X would reduce torque when sense sliding
newest gen would cut of engine RPM straightaway when it sense slide

is that true? the newest gen even got these * Pre-crash Safety Sense (PCS) * Lane Departure Alert (LDA)

By the way, do you guys worry about the availability of parts in coming years
this is the biggest concern is still since the model ended in 2019, any concern with the parts for said next five years? 2019 +5 = 2024, still plenty of supplies from Japan right?

I was a Preve turbo owner (bought new in 2015) for 5 years and just got myself an IS250 last year.
Despite its 15 years old age this year (mine is a 2006 Japan recond unit), I would say it's 100% worth to take the leap of faith.

The smoothness of engine (barely feel any vibration at idle) and power delivery of 2.5L V6 engine, as RPM pulls to higher range, is sensational.
Interior space is more cramped compared to Preve (especially the rear passenger seat, only fits 2 comfortably), but the interior quality and NVH is another level.
Reliability wise, in my 1 year+ of ownership, I have only changed the suspensions (normal wear and tear), starter (around RM500-600), battery (again, normal wear and tear) and that's pretty much it.
Very reliable for a 15 years old, 160,000+ km mileage car.
Regular oil change is around RM400 (semi-synthetic oil). Roadtax is around RM870.

I believe 40-50k can get you an IS250. I got mine (directly deal with owner) for around 40k.
Since Mark X and IS250 is pretty much the same car (engine, platform, etc), if you can find one with good condition, I would say go for it!

My X is 2008 x120 G package with no VSC/TRC so I don't know how the VSC behave in detail but yes, with the VSC you cannot provoke an oversteer with the throttle so it's pretty safe.

Should be no issue. I have an Evo 9 and even that old discontinued car (last production was 2006) still can get parts easily.