I now want to convert it to left hand drive. I would like to know which models of mitsubushi will be identical to proton? The parts i need to buy is just the dash board and the steering beam

Plesae respond

Jeremy Clarkson's comment on Proton has been well said. No doubt it is harsh but it is true. Its not about who owns someone else's company. Its about the car and its manufacturers ability to build a PROPER car that fits its price tag. If a person wants to travel from A to B in the cheapers mode possible, try the bicycle, kereta lembu, bus no 11 or blaging a ride from your neighbour.

Yeah yeah we live in a country which makes expensive lousy cars which can sell cheaper in Uk than back at home and we are proud about this???

Our cars are so lousy,so expensive, overly protected for 20 years and we are still want to protect it?

Yeah yeah yeah British people love to critisize our stupid cars because the cars are just that, Stupid!!!! How many of our ministers would actually buy a Proton?? the word I use is buy. Not provided. Our Members of Parliment drive Mercs, Lexuses, BMs, no Savvy in the list though.

So why should we be proud when the people in the Government use non protons? Sure you see them trotting along in their Govenrment issue Perdanas but come Sunday at the Golf Course,none of them would be caught dead and rotting in a Proton.

And here we are scolding,swearing and cursing a frank british fellow thousands of miles away critisizing our stupid cheap but expensive lousy protons,peroduas.

Earlier there was an advertisement where Proton MD whateverhisnameis said that no doubt proton cars have got a lot of bad publicity/complaints,when one is overseas and sees a proton, one would be bursting with pride……..

whatever ounce of pride left, was drained away last month when i met a Iragi businessman who told me Proton was being sold in Irag now after the saddam regime……for USD5000.00 only. And here we are like fools paying 33K plus for the same lousy cheap expensive car.

Do u know what's the top speed for the Savvy… its 170 km/h. Yes, not bad for a 1.2 car. (At that speed, it's still stable) Why??? Because of it's sturdy body. Proton did not lie about the sturdy body. THATS Y THEY DUB IT "BUILT TOUGHER THAN U THINK". But i didn't liked monster ad. It's lame.

For me, the Proton Savvy should not be called 'My First Lotus', coz, sure memang kene kutuk punya. But, i think the Proton Savvy should be given a test drive first, then it's up to u guys (the customers) to judge. (Try driving it till 170 km/h. U'll be surprised it's meant to be driven that way)

check this out http://paultan.org/archives/2005/12/19/jeremy-cla…

No point making and selling junk.

so wats the problem here…??? proton owns lotus n have every right to use its expertise in whatever area that they feel would be best…n guys for your information lotus cars has never been about big horsepower or raw speed…they have always been about ride n handling, steering feel, being the best handling car out there…so wat proton is really referrin to is the way the car ride n handles…n if it does go fast well then its an added bonus rite….

im sorry if any of u feel offended…its your opinion i understand but please get your facts right…hold your jugement untill u have driven the savvy, n maybe just maybe its the closest thing u have ever experienced to driving a lotus…

Personally I still like the Savvy. I think it's so cute.

As long as you didn't think of expecting to see some kind of Mazda Miata from the phrase "my first Lotus"…

Those words… Killing the car before it is even seen lar….

"p" licence just chrashed her new myvi into my friends potong wita aeroback (back all smashed, no backside left hahahahaha)…poor girl, must be her first ride i t he new myvi , her father must be fuming mad!!! fortunately both the myvi's airbag deployed, probably saving her life (but not from her father!! : ( )……i have read so many news of people crashing and being thrown out their older cars without airbags…its pathetic and shameful that despite all the profits in the past, potong cut our throat (literally) when many lives were lost due being thrown out of their potong wira, waja, perdana blablabla..

here's some article on the ptotong waja…i have only drive potong saga, wira, and aeroback and i have also ride in vios, sentra, perdana and let me tell u the difference in suspenison and comfort is like night and day…even some days ago my indonesian friend (not knowledgenble about cars) commented how bad my potong is compared TO A KIA PICANTO…(

makes u really feel embarassed being a malayasian

It's a worry, er, warrior

Bill McKinnon

Tuesday November 27 2001

Comfort and smooth handling are the Proton sedan's strong points. Quality and misguided pricing are not.

Comfort and smooth handling are the Proton sedan's strong points. Quality and misguided pricing are not.

Good: Spacious interior and big boot. Handling and steering. Reasonable brakes.

Bad: A very speculative investment. Sluggish, thirsty, unrefined 1.6. Abrupt clutch. Excessive tyre noise. Uncomfortable driver's seat. Relatively poor fit and finish quality. Premium unleaded. Dated, inefficient control layout.

Verdict: Waja want to buy it?advertisement

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Stars: 1 (out of 5).

Let's get the obvious question out of the way first, as I'm sure you're curious. Waja, pronounced wah-jah, means warrior in Malaysian.

This mid-sized sedan has more of Proton's own engineering and design input than the Satria and Persona, which are basically reskinned, superseded Mitsubishi Lancers.

The Japanese car maker has a stake in Proton; it also supplies components and technical know-how.

The Waja, though touted as the company's first fully designed and manufactured model, still runs a Mitsubishi 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine and five-speed manual/four-speed automatic transmissions.

This makes the Waja, on paper at least, a relatively humble 1.6-litre sedan on which, if they want to sell any, you would expect a circa-$20,000 pricetag.

After all, you can buy a Laser, Corolla, Pulsar and many other long-established names for this sort of money.

The Proton badge may shine brightly in Malaysia, but here it is still a fringe player which draws "A what?" response.

The formula for new Asian brands looking to sell mainstream domestic product here was established by Hyundai: when there is no other reason for people to buy your cars, start by dangling a cheap price as the hook.

Proton Cars Australia is having none of that. It wants $27,990 for the base model Waja 1.6 and $29,990 for the better equipped 1.6X.

"Waja will be pitched against European competitors and high-end Japanese products rather than bargain-basement models from Korea and Japan," says local boss Anuar Rozhan. Pride in the product is one thing, but this is hopelessly optimistic and misguided.

Proton justifies the ask by pointing to suspension input from its Lotus subsidiary, as well as high equipment levels. Terrific – but at best the Waja is still a $20,000 car.

The 76kW 1.6 is your basic, honest slugger. It has a reasonably strong spread of torque so is fine around town but at the top end is all noise, buzzes and no action. It cruises adequately at 2900rpm/100kmh in fifth.

Premium unleaded is recommended. If you're prepared to pay way over the top for the car you may as well do it for juice too. Japanese rivals run regular unleaded.

The 1.6 drives the manual Waja from rest to 100kmh in 13.3 seconds – at the slow end of the class. The gearbox is also a slow shifter, while the clutch is far too abrupt in take-up. Smooth starts require practice.

Proton's handling claims for the Waja are more valid. The car runs independent suspension and discs with anti-lock at both ends, 15-inch alloy wheels with 195/55 tyres and power steering.

On the road, the Lotus input is clearly apparent. The suspension is Euro-style taut and sporty in tune, the damping is well controlled and the car handles on the open road with confidence and poise.

The steering is quite heavy at slow speeds, but at 100kmh is communicative and precise, with minimal kickback on rough surfaces. The brakes are fine, while grip from the Goodyears is adequate. The tyres, however, generate a racket on coarse bitumen.

The ride is also continental in character, relatively firm but acceptably compliant. Poor surfaces are absorbed with finesse.

Inside, the Waja is more spacious than many of its rivals. Its tall body provides plenty of occupant and boot space and easy access; it is also wide, so three adults can fit in the back seat.

Up front, the driver's accommodation is ordinary. The seat is underpadded and has little upper-body support.

It is height adjustable, as is the wheel. However the wheel protrudes quite a way from the dash, so short drivers may find themselves sitting uncomfortably close in order to reach the pedals.

The back seat is better. There is plenty of space by class standards and the seat itself is comfortable. Three lap-sash belts are provided, but no centre armrest or head restraint.

The boot is a large, square box, which can be extended with the split-fold rear seat back. Hook-style hinges intrude into the load space. A space-saver spare is under the floor.

The dash layout is fussy and dated. Switches and controls work with $13,990 feel and precision, the olde-worlde air-conditioning controls are too low and far away from the driver and the Clarion single CD/six-speaker audio system, also too remote to easily reach, has poor AM reception.

The body is solid enough, but in other respects the Waja's quality is C grade.

The test car's cabin had the full menagerie of chirps, buzzes and squeaks, loosely fitted or roughly trimmed plastic pieces, creased seat upholstery and roof lining, an interior light and door-ajar light which flickered on rough roads and back doors which were stiff and difficult to open.

Standard equipment in the base model includes two front and side airbags, traction control, power windows and mirrors, remote central locking and wheel-mounted audio controls. The 1.6X adds automatic air and leather upholstery.

At the bizarre asking price – $30,000 on the road – the Waja is not even worth a look. At $20,000, you might think about it, but apart from handling and interior space, the Waja also fails to match current performance, refinement and quality standards at this pricepoint as well.

We thought 2001 was going to pass without a Drive one-star car. On the basis of an inflated pricetag on mediocrity, we got one in the end.

Vital signs

Engine: 1.6-litre fuel-injected 16-valve four-cylinder.

Power: 76kW at 6000rpm (average).

Performance: 0-100kmh in 13.3 seconds (slow).

Brakes: Discs with ABS (average).

Economy: Highway 9-10 litres/100km (thirsty). No city figure – expect 10-12.

Price: Recommended retail – $27,990; 1.6X $29,990. Street price – Should be $20,000.

Main options: Automatic transmission $1,850.

Warranty: Three years/one million km (above average).

Safety rating: Not yet tested.

Residual value: Would suggest poor as a percentage of recommended retail. 59 percent after three years (Persona XLi; average).

Alternatives:

Ford Laser GLXi 1.8 – $23,950

Holden Vectra GL 2.2 – $24,490

Honda Civic GLi 1.7 – $23,950

Hyundai Sonata GL 2.4 – $23,990

Mazda Protege 1.8 – $26,635

Mitsubishi Lancer GLXi 1.8 – $23,490

Nissan Pulsar Ti 1.8 – $25,990

Subaru Impreza GX 2.0 – $25,990

Toyota Corolla Conquest 1.8 – $24,590

Volkswagen Golf GL 1.5 – $25,990

Prices correct at publication date.

Well, like you said, I can afford an expensive car, because I deserve it. You want an expensive car, then work for it.

As for my wife's Kancil, that's why we are upgrading to Myvi – dual SRS airbags. So don't call me a hypocrite. Because we can afford it, we are upgrading, because we value our lives and our children's lives.

In fact, I expect in about 3 to 4 more years, I will be able to afford a Volvo, with even better safety features. Insyaallah (God willing).

In the meantime, happy motoring with your pathetic Proton. Touche'!

and all these remarks from you, 'So, I welcome fanatical Proton fans to challenge me','To existing Proton owners – suckers!!!!!', you, yourself a 'suckers!!!!!' as you said! just because you can afford expensive car, you kutuk existing proton owners, i'm one of them, proud as ever!

and talking about fairness and courtesy, vernox responsed 1(one), you responsed three (3)…hehehheh..just like you drive civic 2.0 (with all the airbags etc), your wife drive kancil (and you talk about safety lacking in proton cars), what a hypocrite!

dont waste ur time bashing this SOB vernox.. this 2-bit dickhead is good for nothing. he can’t even think past all that…how pity.. no wonder the same government is controlling them since some 48 donkey years ago.. Buying proton is buying malaysian, and thus being patriotic. What a fallacy and the argument itself shows lack of intelligence in him.

To Vernox

“Proton made Msia da 11th country in WORLD that is capable of producing their own car from scratch!!” I call this BANGGA BODOH. So, what? Does that mean you can buy cheaper and better quality cars? A Mazdaspeed MX-5 Miata is only USD25K in the US. Roughly RM90K. And that’s considered very expensive for a car there. A Civic is only USD18K (RM78K).. here RM120K.. why? Becoz we want to be in the list? Wat a pity.. Honestly vernox, you are being penny wise..and pound foolish.

Zimbabwe or some African countries also can be car manufacturers if they allocate all their resources, forgetting all other important and more urgent things… The founder of Proton (you know him) was pre-occupied with whether or not he could, he forgot whether or not he should. No wonder someone had said before that he was a menace to his own society.

To Vernox, what has proton given you thus far in return.. ?? nothing.. almost nothing.. Other assemblers pay full taxes and don’t get any tax incentives.. proton also pay tax but lesser due to some incentives. Imagine if all manufacturers/assemblers are teated the same and pay the same money.. more will come and set-up their bases here because of level playing field. You think BMW and Daimler-Chrysler would very much love to base their operations in politically unstable Thailand as opposed to Malaysia? Nope.. The only reason that drove them away was unequal playing field and uncertain automotive policy.. Now that Ford Focus are being assembled in the Philippines, how many jobs we lost there, considering we are better-off than the phillipines when it comes to viable business investment.. Total workforce employed by assemblers in Malaysia had we not had Proton should be more than double than what Proton now is hiring… Again, you must have slept through Economy101 class, if you have ever attended one.

If you are a Malay, I malu la… because your foul language will tarnish our (like me and Ridzuan)

Damn, what am I doing? I AM wasting time on a 2-bit dickhead like you… haiyaa..

I think by now, everyone in this forum must agree that you are a jerk. I'm confident.

How does it feel now, Vernox?

One more thing, I was educated at Imperial College, University of London, okay? I also have an MBA from Universiti Teknologi MARA. Meaning, my education is hybrid – both local and international. So don't call my brain bloody kampong and uneducated. Besides, what's wrong with kampong? You have anything against kampong people? Are you so urban, ah?

Let me tell you something. Eventhough I was born and raised in KL, but I still treasure any moment which I could spend in the kampong. I'm rather fortunate because my mother-in-law (who lives in very urban JB) still has many relatives in Batu Pahat (which is very kampong). Each time during Hari Raya Aidilfitri, we would visit her relatives in the kampong. One thing's for sure – even though they are not affluent and urban as you, Mr. Vernox, they are very, very nice and hospitable people. They don't use foul and abusive languages. And they are hardworking people, slog it out to make sure their children obtain good education. And I'm proud to tell you that all their children are successful. You can see Mercedes Benzs, BMWs, Hondas (that would be me), Toyotas and all the nice, fancy cars parked at their parents or uncles or aunts houses in the kampong. What a sight!

So, Vernox, please be careful when referring to kampong people. In fact, the way you talk, I take it that you are from some remote "New Village". Are you? Oh, but then again, you could be Malay, which is even worse. You disgrace our race with your language.

How does it feel now, Vernox?

Please refrain yourself from using foul language, okay? This is a public forum. You tak malu ke? Yes, you are entitled to your own opinion on this issue, same like me. But please don't use foul and abusive language. How dare you call me a bastard when my parents were blessed with their eldest son (that's me) by Allah s.w.t. after one year of sacred matrimonial ties (akad nikah). I was not born out of wedlock, you moron! Leave my respected parents out of this!

I don't understand what the hell your problem is, Vernox. Like I stressed in my comment, this is no longer a question of patriotisme. Just because I no longer own a Proton, does that make me less patriotic? Don't you dare dismiss me as unpatriotic! I am working for a Malaysian multinational, you moron! Am I damn proud of it! For your info, I have been offered to work at foreign multinational which offered me 3 times my present salary. But I declined because I wanted to serve my country. All of us here at this company (if you're smart enough, you can guess which one) are patriots. Because our salary is considered pittance compared to other foreign companies who are in the same business as us. But money is not everything, you dumbass! It is self-satisfaction, sense of belonging and pride in being part of a national institution. Moron!

And at least I have the guts to write using my own name because I'm proud of it. What's your real name Vernox?

And for your sake, I hope to God that you are a Proton owner because if you're not, then you can shove all that you've said into your shitty ass!

ok, lets get bck to business. I'll give u a few suprising facts bout AP issues!

1. Do u know how much they declare a Kia Picanto before bringing into Msia?

RM5-8k!!!! (i 4got the exact value) Who in da world would believe cost of a car at that price? well, it seems that our PPL up there do! and they allowed these Korean junk to b brought in!

2. Do u know how long it took Koreans to design their own car?40 years, my fren!! and they r still using other manufacturers engine! Proton is only 20 years n they oredy capable of designing own car and ENGINE!!

3. Proton made Msia da 11th country in WORLD that is capable of producing their own car from scratch!!

4. let me ask u something…how long has Honda existed?? dunno arr….almost 60 years!!do u know the west used to compare Japanese cars wit an empty can? how long it took 4 them to improve?

5. in Korea, only 2% of foreign cars (from market) are allowed to be brought in…and in Japan only 5% from their total market…this show how supportive da their gov….

6. P2 is NOT national car manufacturer! they r just dummies emplyed by da Japanese to cover up our eyes….ppl like Ridzuan Zulkifli (dumb,stupid)…

about TM n Tun M….do u guys out there want a dumb leader?? one who just follow everything those know-nothing politicians' word? one who kept quiet and get paid every month for doing nothing?? TM (both) dare to speak-up on APs issues…..if not for them, Msia econ situation worsen….As Msian, it is our duty to help boost-up our econ…..by buying foreign cars, u r actually helping their country development….Proton had been triyin to enter China market for the past 7 years but stil cant….somehow they (China) senang2 dpt AP bringing in JUNK into Msia….unFair rite??

and for Ridzuan Zulkifli , F**K U, Bast@rd! SHAME on u for being Msian!! TRully BAST@RD!

p/s: sori for all the @$$%## words….cant control myself when i read all this SH** from a Msian!

I pray to God that Proton goes bankrupt and close shop. Serve the bloody and lazy Proton engineers right! Serve the assholes at Proton R&D right! And serve the stupid vendors right! You know what the problem really is? Proton has a bad habit of helping out stupid vendors who supply low quality parts to Proton. And then, they sell the stupid cars at cut throat prices. I know, I was a Proton owner. The price of my Wira was RM54K. I had to take a seven year loan, with a monthly instalment of RM799. But I get crap! Wasn't worth it. Dah la tu, minyak kuat pulak tu. What do you expect, it's a stupid 3-speed auto transmission junk!

But Thank God, now my lifestyle is getting better. Eversince joining a large multinational corporation which gives out hefty bonuses annually, I am able to afford something better. I've already traded-in my stupid Wira for a brand new Honda Civic 2.0 iVTEC – sleek, sexy and sensational. Finally, a car which is worth the amount of money I'm paying. I don't miss my Wira at all. I wonder who is the sucker who will buy my Wira from the used-car dealer – may God have mercy on you, hahahhahaha!

This is no longer a question of national pride. I am not proud of Proton because for 20 long years, they have been short-changing Malaysians with lousy cars. Take the Gen-2 and Savvy for instance. Still no SRS Airbags, no ABS, no EBD. It's as if Proton does not value the lives of people buying their cars. Worse, Malaysians who buy Proton are actually subsidising for Proton export models. I've been to the UK a number of times and noticed that Proton cars there come with full safety specs such as SRS Airbags, ABS etc. Why the double-standard?

Now, Tengku Mahaleel has paid the price. Serve him right. Tun Dr M is also to be blamed for being over-protective of Proton. In fact, he brought up the AP issue because he knew Proton sales were hurting, he knew less and less people were buying Proton because they'd rather pay a bit more and get better Korean-made sedans or SUVs. In fact, I feel that Tun Dr M and Tengku Mahaleel are sour-grapes and very unsporting for bringing up the AP issue and taking pot-shots at Tan Sri Nasimuddin of Naza Group. We are a free-market. Consumers have every right to better choices. Do you hear the public complaining about APs? Why should they? It is because of APs that they have better and more options to buy Hyundai, Kia and other cars. It is Proton's own fault. They did not buck up and now, they have to pay the price.

Just drive around and take a look at Proton Edar or EON dealerships. There are so many ready-stock of Wajas, Gen-2s, Wiras, Perdanas and Savvys to an extent that they have to be parked by the roadside because the dealership parking is full. Just go to Proton Edar Taman Permata Ulu Kelang and see for yourself. What does this indicate? People are no longer buying Proton. Sad but true.

On the other hand, to be fair, just take a look at Perodua. Now, that is something to be proud of! Bravo Perodua! My wife's Kancil EZ850 DOHC is an excellent car. She loves it, I love it. Not a single problem. No funny noises. Neat workmanship. And new technology. She has ordered a brand new MyVi and doesn't mind waiting for 6 months. Why? Because MyVi is definitely 10 times better than stupid Proton Savvy. Enough said.

So, I welcome fanatical Proton fans to challenge me. But before you do, just bear this in mind. I used to be a Proton owner. So, I know what's going on. Jangan cuba nak chong.

In the meantime, I can't wait to go home from office today. In fact, I'll take the longer route so that I can spend more time driving my Honda Civic 2.0 iVTEC. Ah, this is the life.

To existing Proton owners – suckers!!!!!