I’m a single mid-30s guy in KL. Upper middle income, not rich. I still drive a 10 year old Proton that I got from my fresh grad job. Still drives and looks ok.

I own and stay at a nice condo but drive a cheap car. I probably have the cheapest car in terms of residual value of the entire condo car park.

Got out of a 3y+ relationship. Been single the past 1 year. I used to take pride in being prudent but recently I’ve been dating around (nothing stuck so far) and I do get self-conscious when my date sees me driving an old Proton.

Should I buy a new car so it reflects my current financial level (no longer fresh-grad salary)? I’m thinking of getting an EV actually. There’s still time before the tax incentives expire this year.

u only need to save enough for 6mths of emergency. any extra u r just wasting ur time on earth. u live everyday and die once. u shud spend a little to upgrade living status. u be surprise u got new circles and find new level. some ppl say no debt is the best la this la but imagine u die tomorow all not ur problem aso. dont stop ur self from dreaming big but dream with a plan. always say this kenot tat kenot until when can? then when reach 40 ask y fren can drive merz stay bungalow u still stagnant there

Please no. If a girl is impress with your car, I would run away. If it's me I want the girl to like me not because of my car.

That's why I tell girls that I meet, I don't spend, I don't do overseas travelling or weekly makan , I got old car, my phone is like 4 years l old, my laptop is like 10 years old. Most walk away. Totally fine with me. That's the type of girls I want to filter out.

Don't get me wrong. I can buy a honda city, a Tesla with cash but nope. Not going to do that as my car is still functioning very well. Rarely spoil.

This post has been edited by Ramjade: Dec 8 2025, 07:36 PM

Your 10 year old car still road worthy or not?

Dont buy car to impressed others,buy for own sake.

Girls?...you need to go out and experienced more..mat rempit ride motor also can get girls

As long its not a beat-up car with peeling paint and dents, you should not be judged by the car you are driving

The right person won’t care what you drive
they’ll care how you drive your life

TS go ahead to buy if it help ur confidence as long u really can afford it. emas 5 seem affordable but would charging be a issue at condo

Best advice I ever received from an old unker: Itu besi buruk is a waste of time and money...

I use to drive the smallest national back in my old days...When I submitted my payslip to the dealer to purchase my cars, he was shocked. He told me "Boy u can buy a bigger ride...I thought yr father or mother is paying for this car"....I chuckled ....I drove that small car around town for 9 yrs, then sold it off and bought a second hand national car for 5K.

U buy a new car, the feel good will only last for 2 - 3 yrs, after that u be bored...My ex colleague buy a conti sedan above 200K, feel good...but he said feel good only last for 2 years, after that, no more feel good...

I am sure they will be others coming to whack me, aiyohh, car safety is no 1..better drive conti lar....

This post has been edited by LDP: Dec 9 2025, 08:51 AM

I used to think yes you need to drive nice expensive cars. Now I almost 40 fuckit just drive whatever car you feel comfortable and not causing you a headache later in life.

Your life is to please yourself not others

I sold everything after C19.

Now only kept an old Sorento, Ria and Savvy. Exora was a recent purchase because it was much newer and under warranty.

The Sorento is for flooded roads. Ria is a part time mobile office (still perfecting). Savvy is a grocery getter.

I would say get a decent car with reasonable safety protection system such as 6 airbags, ABS, VSC....

Get the car for yourself, for your own good. Not to impress the girl.

Like you, I used to be prudent and self restrained, often leaving myself feeling a little less happy than I wanted to be. For example, I used to hold back on getting big meats during lunch at simple zapfan/mixed rice. Long story short, life happened that made me question that concept, so I took years to find my relationship with money again. Now I think I'm quite happy where I am. Fortunately, I think I have a decent career that gives me options like these: save enough, but also spend for my own happiness and well being. I'm still at a level that my partner would call me "too calculative sometimes".

Personally for me, a safe car is the most important, both active and passive safety. That means, a 20++ yo car would feel unsafe to me, due to potential rusty body and higher likelihood of breakdowns. I myself drive a 6yo Proton and I value the quality delivered by Proton more than Perodua (maybe I'll spark some debate here but that's not my point lol). If your car is well maintained then I don't think there's an issue, but weathered paint may not paint a good first impression.

Lastly, it takes years on average to find someone you can officially start a relationship (based on personal experience + friends), so don't feel too dejected about it... also he careful not to appear too desperate. Good luck!

a nicer car would be good, but if you maintained the car well, is always clean, drives good and quiet it would definitely be noticed. Be proud of your car, and that attitude will reflect to others. Owning an expensive car means nothing if you can't take care of it properly.

if you're self conscious about your car, you might want to start looking for a better one. How you feel about your car ultimately is what you are after.