Let say, from Lancer/ Honda/ Mazda,

back to national car like P1 and P2

do you feel the refinement gone? can you live with so? (Some might have no choice as to how their wallet is currently)

just want to know your thoughts

sounds like part of you want to change your car and also lower your commitment. it all depends on what you want and how you want others to perceive you (status).
i wouldnt mind getting a proton S50, been driving a honda since i got my license 25 years ago because at my age, i dont really care anymore, i would wan to have more disposable income to do whatever i want and not be tied down with commitments.

i drove alot of luxury brands, conclusion is cheap car that doesn't break down often is enough. Spend your money making memories with family better.

Why need to care for other, no matter what you do ppl who want to judge always can come out with funny statement from their mouth

BMW F30 to Axia G.
miss power but no regrets. just drive 1km to mrt station now.
new cars not appealing to me now, only tesla looks good.

my dad used to drive land cruiser prado , but now he drive myvi gen 3 .. he already 75 , he said small car just fine , easy to drive

I guess you already knew the answer. In the end it will all depend on your financial status. There will be good cars and average/poor cars so if you go downgrade, of course you will feel the refinement, power, comfort or whatever is gone. This question I presume you don't need to ask. The only question you are asking whether one can live with it, if you don't have much money left in the bank, you will still have to live with it, a Proton or Perodua even though the refinement is inferior or poor.

However, I can understand the situation right now. The prices of everything especially cars have gone up considerably throughout the years due to inflation while the income may not seem to be catching up or matching the increase in prices of everything. A C-segment car used to sell for RM100k to 120k about 10 to 15 years go and now it's selling between RM130k to 150k. A Honda City or Toyota Vios used to sell for RM69k to 75k+ and now the high spec model seems to go above RM100k already. Even Proton or Perodua which are considered bread and butter are not exactly cheap anymore although they are considered the cheapest you can buy.

I have not "downgraded" yet as I am sure I won't be able to live with the downgraded performance but I do know well one day I will be going the same route. When you reach a point especially after retirement, you don't spend money on cars anymore as it's the lowest priority. It's a liability. As some have mentioned, the most important is TROUBLE-FREE car, a car which does not give you headaches, and this means brand new cars which include Proton or Perodua. Not 2nd hand imported cars where breakdowns and high cost of maintenance will add more to your misery. I guess you are not retired yet so it may be out of topic. However, if you feel you are somewhat struggling, then by all means downgrade and go with a vehicle that you can comfortably afford while you maintain your everyday life.

My own motto with vehicles is always buy new within your means, which means either cash (easier said than done for fresh graduates or youngsters) or the max 5 years loan or shorter, say a Perodua Myvi rather than going with Toyota Vios or Honda City for status and stretching your loan to 9 years etc. I am at a stage where I don't pay car loans anymore. All my previous cars the max loan I took was 5 years and not more.

Depends on usage and your income level + commitment.
If you are comfortable with current car, why change?

no

rather buy jap car to mod rather than conti

more choices, more potential, more reliability

jdm to mdm. not much la
msia cars r nice too. never look down

I “downgraded” from German back to Japanese a few cars ago. Personally, I feel it’s an upgrade, especially if it’s a JP-CBU model (eg: Lexus, Harrier). Stuff like character or handling mean jack squat to me in a life of traffic jams, speed bumps and potholes.

from conti to P2. best decision ever

Preach!

i would not opt for the low end proton for safety reason. im driving an lexus es250 now my old car was a kia forte for 15y. as u get older u would want better things. maybe thats cause i havent experienced it before. Maybe if u have tried everything u wouldnt care.

But i still wont opt for a proton. it just feels different. might as well dont drive

almost same situation here. from BMW x7 to axia g. just drive 10km daily to work only. cars brand & model not appealing much to me anymore.

I look into 2 perspective which are;
1) Car just for commute from one Dest to another Dest (either personal or family)
- buy within budget car (<RM 65k) and more disposal income in every month for family plan, kids edu etc.
- less headache with national car and less maintenance.
2) Car is for self personal image presentation and packaging.
- higher monthly commitment car installment (car price >RM 90k)
- bla bla bla (you can read in forum)

Either one option, it will come back to you. So choose wise.

thanks . really liked your answer.

cars going up in price is very real. back then you could still get a decent jap car for 70k. Not now, however. damn the inflation.

i'm still thinking whether to keep this car with high sentimental value but with money pit (calculated , spent 9k+ this year on year 9 for all service and wear n tear, not plus insurance yet). its equivalent to almost 7++ / month to keep aside. Pray to god no serious problem come yet (gearbox change/etc).

Otherwise, its a joy to drive.

possibility or get a more reliable and cheap maintaining car., but I donno man. Having some serious second thoughts. I know i need to change this car , its just a matter of when (since i rely on my car for daily work travel).

Yeah. With the car prices these days.. unfortunately with my current commitments and family, could only opt for national car.

If last time single/YOLO time, could easily afford Civic or any other C Seg.

things we do for family.

1) affordability of the car
2) priority in life

with these 2, you will get the answer

I drove P1 and P2 only so far - satria, kenari, kancil, exora bold, and I don't mind any of these, main car being the Exora, whenever I use the smaller ones, I can actually feel the bliss of using them... main reason, the clunky CVT on the Exora can be a pain but I'm compromising about that

truth is, I've been in other cars as well, long term co-ownership, or just pinjam kawan, or test drive...
Honda, Suzuki, Pug, Audi, BMW, Merc, Toyota, Mazda etc... I do not buy those refinements, or rather cannot, not with my hard earned money... sometimes, I get used to the refinement and they I can live with or without it

what I need now - parking camera, cruise control, and a bluetooth capable player, turbo would be nice to keep the engine rev low, and misting type windshield spray (instead of the jet type)

I don't want these: lane assist, departure alert, automatic wiper, adjustable headlights, ultra expensive LED headlamps, steering with too many control buttons, etc etc...

a car is just a car, and dream cars remain better as a wallpapers, and my dream car changes, I used to like the new Harrier, and that's fading away now

tend to be more tolerant to issues and worse NVH, because we know "it's like that one", but when u drive a higher end car, you may feel something is wrong and the urge to fix it; simple example: arm bush loosen - P1/P2, I'll just think "ok, later get it checked" and keep going

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