Great FIRST-HAND reviews. This are what all car reviews should be and not just some baseless bashing.

I dont think ppl should make their opinions based on reading the brochures or what's available online. They should get one or at least go to the showroom check out/feel everythings and if possible test drive it first to get the proper impression.

Anyway, Im in the mid of looking for another car having paid in full my trusty Perodua recently.

As the family is expanding my choice is definitely an MPV however a mini version will do as I don't like big car like Innova, Ria etc.

It is now down to either Rondo and Rush. I've gone to both showrooms many, many times. Talk to the sellers and owners as well as check forums and websites in order to make an informed decision.

Both have pros and cons -- I loved both cars' pros so that y it is really hard to choose.

Having said that, since I just fully paid my car's installment I will be taking my time to purchase it. Coz I just want to enjoy a free-car installment month for at least a few more months.

Coming soon more models will come in which surely make it more difficult to decide but its ok. The more the merrier. I will just hv to pick the best (in my opinion) among them.

Anyway, today there is a nice article in The Star rgdg the MPV situation in Malaysia.

http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?f...00&sec=business

NEW CARS AMID SLOWDOWN

By EUGENE MAHALINGAM


PEOPLE looking to buy cars this year have a lot to look forward to as a slew of local automotive players will launch new or variant models this quarter (Q1).

Ushering in the new year will be Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd, which will launch the Nissan Grand Livina tuned by Impul today.

Impul is a well-known Japanese after-market tuning house.

First quarter will also see the launch of Proton Holdings Bhd’s multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) while Nasim Sdn Bhd, the franchise holder for Peugeot vehicles in Malaysia, will be unveiling two variants of its Peugeot 308, namely the 308 VTi and 308 Turbo.

The premium segment will also see the launch of a new BMW 7-Series from BMW Malaysia Sdn Bhd (this month) and the Volvo XC90 D5 (diesel) SUV (sports utility vehicle) from Volvo Car Malaysia Sdn Bhd.

The new Volvo XC90, which is expected to complement an existing petrol version, is said to be cleaner, more fuel-efficient and more powerful than the latter, according to industry observers.

However, with the current economic slowdown and weaker consumer sentiment, the question that arises is whether the timing is right to launch a new vehicle.

An analyst from a local research house said launching models early in the year would be beneficial for auto players and the automotive industry as a whole.

“Having launches in the first quarter would actually be good timing because it would cushion the decline in total industry volume later in the year. It is also a good marketing strategy – the first to launch will be the first to receive bookings,” he said when contacted.

He noted that the Proton MPV was a highly anticipated vehicle and launching it early in the year would serve as a buffer for the slowdown in sales of Proton’s previously launched models.

On the industry outlook, he expected total industry volume (TIV) to contract by 17% this year.

Despite the weaker economic climate, OSK Research motor analyst Ahmad Maghfur Usman said there would always be people who wanted to buy or change their cars, adding that there was also a lot of people who were looking forward to the Proton MPV.

“There are many people who are keen on MPVs, especially for the Nissan Grand Livina and Toyota Avanza. But a lot of them are holding back on their purchase because they want to see what Proton has to offer.”

He added that the MPV would be well worth the wait.

“I have seen a closed-door presentation by Proton on its MPV and it looks quite appealing,” Ahmad Maghfur said.

Another analyst from a local bank-backed brokerage said there was no right or wrong time to introduce a car into a market once a launch date had been decided.

“Proton, for instance, has been talking about its MPV for a while now and it would have obviously put in a lot of cost in preparation for the launch. To pull back now just because the timing is not right would not be feasible,” she said.

On the launch of the BMW 7-Series or the Volvo XC90, she said: “Considering its target market, I don’t think the time to launch would really matter.”

She added that auto companies also needed to launch their cars to maintain market share.

“If they hold off just because times are bad, customers who are looking to buy cars will switch to other brands to get the latest models, which will result in a dip in market share.”

The analyst forecasts TIV to contract as much as 30% this year, with consumer confidence being the main dampener to car sales.

“People in Malaysia still have money and unlike in other countries, our unemployment rate is still very low. They are just adopting a wait-and-see approach now and are cautious about their spending,” she said.

This post has been edited by Juztea: Jan 5 2009, 01:54 PM

As I mentioned last Jan, was looking for an MPV and... still looking. Actually, Im waiting for the Exora to come out first b4 deciding. But, right now Rondo still on the top of my list.

I've read in another forum, the 2009 model hv many minor changes. Dunno whether its bad or good. Hope they will not change Rondo too much (especially if it was done to save on cost).

The only other two things that I would like see are price reduction and better interest rate. Afterall, Exora is already priced below RM80k.

For now, Im enjoying a free monthly-car-installment period after finished paying for my car last Dec.

Hope this will explain everything.

Sourced from Autoworld forum

REMOVED ITEMS (previously were in the 2008 version and not available in the 2009 model)
Driver's foot rest
Central locking button on the front passenger door
Front passenger seat under-tray
Rubber mat lining the tray directly under the cigarette lighter
Rear cupholders and ashtray located below the 2nd row air-cond vents
2nd row centre arm rest
Covers for side storage compartments above the rear wheel wells (where 3rd row passengers rest their arms)
ECU cover


CHANGED ITEMS
Front headrest tilting function removed (2009 Rondos will only have front headrests that move up and down)
Cigarette lighter no longer lit
There are 2 horns on the Rondo, one behind the front bumper and the other somewhere else (not disclosing here as thieves would then know where to find the 2nd horn). This other horn has been relocated to save on wiring.
2nd row bench now a single piece item instead of a 2-piece. 2nd row seat backrests maintain their 60:40 split.
On the EXS, the steering wheel audio controls for volume will NOT be illuminated (the 3 buttons for MODE and selection will continue to be lit)
On the EXS, the roof rack has been changed to a simpler design similar to Citra I (with no cross bars)
1 rubber seal in the engine bay has been reduced in size
Wiring harness for the audio system has been changed
Frame holding the 2 DIN head unit has been changed to allow for a 1 DIN aftermarket fitment. There is no indication that a 1 DIN after-market head unit will be offered so I believe that this change was done to make it easier for owners to use 1 DIN head units if they decide to change.
Titanium Silver replaces Urban Grey, Tomato Red replaces Volcanic Red, another silver replaces Fine Silver. All new colours appear very similar to existing colours.

This post has been edited by Juztea: Mar 16 2009, 12:44 PM

If not mistaken instead of two-piece seat where u can fold down individually, the manufacturer replaced that with a single type. Now, u either fold down or unfold the whole thing. But to confirm this, I will try to go to the showroom today after work.

Yup, i noticed those (the Exora's split 2nd row seat as well as the neat seatbelt storages) too. Frankly speaking, Im drooling just by looking at the picture. But again, can't trust the pix alone, will need to see the real thing first so Im reserving any thot on that matter till then.

Btw, I didnt manage to go to the Naza showroom today, too many other things that I must do. Hopefully, will b able to do it tmrw coz like u I found all these "downgrades" in the new Rondo to be really depressing. Still, need to see the changes myself b4 deciding.

Yup, I agreed.

That's y I said earlier, will wait for the Exora to come out first and test drive to get the feel.

However, having said that I will not go for the first batch knowing most if not all buyers of first batch's cars are actually the guinea pig for the model. Problems will crop up and only iron out in latter batches.

Im very patient and will also wait for the proper reviews from actual owners (and not rely solely on reviews by paid-reviewers published on online and offline car magazines) before making my decision.