Hello, so I'm planning to get the new saga, mainly because it fits under my budget and I do not want to have a higher amount of commitments than this for now. I've been to test drive the car a few times, to my surprise even though it's a A / almost to B segment entry level sedan, the power is sufficient, handling is good, and NVH is decent, fuel consumption is good, no complaints there.

My dad was asking me this morning what car I'm planning to buy, I told him Saga, he said why not consider Perodua ? Because he believes that Proton is not as reliable, in terms of their QC, defects, quality and everything, which is true, I'm also in the Saga MC 3 group, so I can see all issues about it. This is also particularly why I'm waiting for 2nd / 3rd batch of Saga, as yes there's a lot of small - big issues when they launch the 1st batch saga, so I'm still keeping my fingers crossed and hoping they would improve and do well on the QC, quality and every other aspects.

So just putting it out here for discussion, with 50K budget, excluding second hand cars, is this the best value for money car we can get ? I personally love to have some fun drive, and surprisingly according to most car reviewers, if you are on a budget, and you enjoy driving, look no further than the saga.

This post has been edited by Sotsotzaii: Jan 15 2026, 12:25 PM

Follow your dad advise.
I driven proton and peroduo at the entry segments.

From accidents, repairs, to 3rd party support, peroduo win by 10 miles.

Is nice to drive a proton where peroduo really handles like a toy car.

Looking at the financial side peroduo makes the most sense.

Sos: trust me bro I drove / driving proton for 10 years...

If money no issue and comfort is your priority, get proton.

If you are very conscious with money, get perodua.

why? perodua is everyday cars and parts shared between a lot of manufacturer,

proton is like a custom/exotic car. it does not share a lot of part with other manufacturer, last time it was mitsubishi based, then proprietary based (campro) now it is volvo based (geellee owns volvo).

reliability?

if you know cars, or willing to study about car maintenance then no issue for any brands.

if you malas headache go with perodua.

Follow your heart or you will regret forever

if you drive like a good boy go for p2

if you're already keen, just go for it.

qc likely won't improve by much. talked to proton SA friend, mc2 time he show me quite a lot issues from factory even though already close to end of production time.

but yes in terms of reliability and after sales, i've had much better experience with p2 over p1. driven and owned (both personally and family owned) few p2 and p1, p1 gives more headaches but ymmv.

i prefer p2 cars by a lot but 1. im not a spirited driver most of the time, it's a tool, 2. i dont drive long distances much as i live close to where i work. if your situation is opposite of mine, maybe p1 is more suited to you.

in the end, buy whichever that you yourself like more. it's your money, your choice. we give opinions and personal experiences, but tbh it doesn't really matter in the long run. both p1 and p2 are susceptible to lemon units anyways, it's all in the luck of the draw.

No one can answer this for you because the car just launched, it takes time to learn about their problem.

Feature wise Saga win most of the aspect

Next is wherther u willing to try it yourself or not.
Buying car also see your luck one, I got my x50 at launch, 4 years passed I did not face any major issue, small bit of nitpicking yes but they resolved for me.

Parents usually prefer the safe route, if you are curious and ok to risk a bit for possibilities of failure that no one can tell, u can go ahead with the Saga.

My parent Saga FLX have no issue since purchase till now despite ppl calling it problematic, that depends on you I would say.

The lowest risk Saga u can take now is probably the 4AT which is more robust compared to the CVT.

even emas 7 PHEV using saga engine

so if can buy saga at 38k then it is a bargain

Is a mix bag nowadays, some model like Smart (joint venture with Merc), while Proton Saga latest MC3 1.5L engine (X50 4-cylinder) is collaboration between Renault knew as Horse Powertrain. So in term of reliability & long term spare part support, i gonna vote Perodua as they got more align/sharing parts with Daihatsu/Toyota and aftermarket choice (half-cut, performance part) from Japan.

This post has been edited by littlefire: Jan 15 2026, 02:32 PM

if you enjoy driving and travel a lot, get the Saga. if you think driving is a chore just get the bezza or axia.

Thank you all for the opinion and advice.

I've made up my mind, I'm going for the Saga and praying that I get lucky to not get a lemon unit, I know small nitpicking issue is unavoidable in the end but hopefully any issue occur will be easily resolve by Proton.

The reason I decided to go with the saga is after carefully consideration and taking in all the opinion from all of u, I do want a car that allows me to travel and have some fun on the highway, I also value comfort and handling, and good NVH, which saga seems to tick every box.

So I guess at the end is as what many have said, it all comes down to lucky or unlucky, any brand is the same, so hopefully I will be the lucky one to get a car that has no issue whatsoever.

P/S - I'm not closing this thread, please do keep the opinions and feedback coming.

This post has been edited by Sotsotzaii: Jan 15 2026, 03:04 PM

renault again?? omg
downvote p1

not sure what do yall mean fun. by general got modify upgrde baru fun. example r3 and the like.

not modded just a standard vehicle. same applies to every brands

maybe budget a few hundred more to set aside for some basic additional soundproofing on the doors, that will enhance the nvh further without breaking the bank...up to 1k if want to include the hood and rear boot.

congratulations in advance to your soon to be new ride

Yes, that why i until today not really recommend Proton Saga MC3 for b40 or people with low knowledge about cars even tho it improved a lot. Supposing it should be a b40 cars which is cheap to own and cheap to service aftersales, but with the Renault collaboration engine and advance technology i dont think much b40 can pay for the maintenance after warranty end (Just the electric water pump itself can empty most b40 pocket). The latest Proton models if you ask me who is suitable to buy/own, i would recommend those from M40 above and got some knowledge/experience in term of maintaining continental cars then ok, If not sure gonna see and hear a lot of complains after warranty ends.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse_Powertrain

The venture holding was established in May 2024 and is equally owned by Renault and Geely (including Geely Holding and Geely Auto). It is headquartered in London, United Kingdom.

Proton latest 4-cylinder engine is under Horse B15 engine range (BHE15-CFN to be precise for Proton Saga MC3)

This post has been edited by littlefire: Jan 16 2026, 08:51 AM

all cars got potential to be lemon, comparing all might be tedious and not really helps. Quality improve, dont let anyone said otherwise. P1 ka p2 ka. both had quality issues, just some dont want to admit.

Have a Saga BLM still after 15 years coming 16. the worst issue was the drive shaft, stupid overturning will cause the boot to koyak.

Bezza, the gearbox funny, work 1 time stop working the next day. luckily warrranty cover.

yeah both got quirks and irks. just make sure you know your consumer rights and use it.

have fun owning a car. what ever people said here....owning a car is tedious...driving it is fun...owning it is not the fun part....

Glad you value good driving, ride and handling
Wishing you all the best in your upcoming new Proton Saga.

If I were to nitpick, is the full digital meter cluster (I prefer analogue just like I prefer clutch 3 pedals manual cars), but that's no longer the trend
And, tires - which is something easily solvable by end users by just spending a little bit

And, if your requirement aren't too high, who knows even the Atlas/Linglong tires are sufficient?!

1-2 years sufficient to develop an engine?

Volvo Geely Renault Link & Co etc are good.
But not 2 years 1 engine like smartphones THAT GOOD.

p2 accident will be tin milo

i rather pick the new saga vs the tin milo bezza