Goood, if can get from someone U know that takes good care of the car... Otherwise it's kinda scary

If 1.5
Vios
Jazz, GD or GE or GK
Myvi

If you want packed a punch like 1.6 above
Civic ek/ej/eg with B16B/B18Cr
SEG with 7age

Stay away from proton, unless you like repair it.

If bring passenger, jangan la bezza.. the back seats really cham.. just sat a grab car today adoi..40mins also feel x syok d. I would recommend saga compared to bezza.

car is depreciate, beli axia jer
cheap easy to maintence cost tak tinggi
cuma takdapat cari jodoh jer.

Thanks for your insights, I've narrowed it down to
Saga, Toyota Altis/Vios, and maaaaaaybe inspira.
Previously did consider satria and civic. Forgot about the fact that they are thief magnets 😂

Never mentioned Korean cars because I don't have a single friend that drives them 😅 that's why I don't know whether they are reliable or not. Plus they feel expensive, not sure about the price. I'll look into it.

Peugeot 508GT diesel, cheaper than lowest spec current gen axia, but got features that BMW Merc or Audi don't have.

From your list I highly recommend the Toyota.
I opt out on national car because of the build quality.
Buying used car on a budget, most important is parts availability.
Fixing the E36 would be more of a hobby if you can afford, it is a very nice car to drive, but be prepared at least 5k-10k.

I used to own the SEG and I still miss it today.
Another cheap option maybe the KIA RIO around 25k but parts are slightly hard to come by, good build quality.
The VW Polo 1.6 hatch back is fun car to have and quite reliable from 30K, dont touch the TSI or the sedan.
Lastly, you cannot go wrong with the Axia if you just want 4 wheels.

From your list I highly recommend the Toyota.
I opt out on national car because of the build quality.
Buying used car on a budget, most important is parts availability.
Fixing the E36 would be more of a hobby if you can afford, it is a very nice car to drive, but be prepared at least 5k-10k.

I used to own the SEG and I still miss it today.
Another cheap option maybe the KIA RIO around 25k but parts are slightly hard to come by, good build quality.
The VW Polo 1.6 hatch back is fun car to have and quite reliable from 30K, dont touch the TSI or the sedan.
Lastly, you cannot go wrong with the Axia if you just want 4 wheels.

You're mechanic? Mechanics dont get the luxury to choose their ride. They drive whatever car customers dont want to pay and leave at their workshop to rot.
Anyway get a Vios, parts are cheap and plentiful. Engine and Gearbox are bulletproof proven for decades.

Don't tell me you dunno about safety hazard? Car with extra fuel left in tank are considered as fire hazard you know , so to protect themselves, car with plenty of fuel left must be used and driven by them in the name of "doing a test drive". Be it using the car to carry spare parts or household chores. Less fuel in car, means lower risk of fire hazard. When i go to my mechanic friend, when i want to buy drinks or food, he give me his customer's car to drive  On top of that after he refuel the car, he charge it back to the customer.
My mechanic friend is a VW specialist, he drove a proton saga and honda city. I ask him why u don't buy one to drive? He say u always comes my shop, u also know what the common prob of typical VW and Audi car lo

If used try Inspira , check with mechanic for GB and suspension  . It's one of the nicest cars for the money and very good FC long distance not so much within city.

Comfortable and reasonable power. Fit and finish don't expect soft touch plastic but it's very well built .

Personally TS at this juncture if I were you I'd just go for new saga as it has warranty and its a solid first car with cheap maintainence I prefer this over Persona in terms of NvH and comfort. Also with a 4AT its reliable.

Pressure you are young and want to build your career so if you don't like workship visits and shock expenditure the Saga is perfect cause any old car there lot of things to look for which you can't tell

1. Gearbox lifespan.
2. Suspension components
3. AC/Radiator hoses cooling system
4. Plugs/gaskets/coils/timing chain/belt
5. Tyres.
6.Brake system
7. Steering system.
8. Wiring.
9. Bodywork
10. Interior .

Are some I can think on top of my head which might suddenly fail or may need replacing albeit the last two is superficial but it's part of your experience day to day.

TS, if u r adamant on spending 40K on a used car, may be look at a Lexus? My good buddy swears parts are cheap.

mechanic should know what type of cars sell cheap, easy to get parts, easy to fix right?

just buy yourself the new car, no matter cash or loan

you will thank me later

all the cars you listed are very old and requires (alot) time and money to make it comfortable & reliable for daily usage

trust me, i was in your shoes and life was so much better after getting rid of oldshitboxes