I've been looking at cars lately, and don't know anything about Proton as a brand but they look quiet reasonable but have really varied reviews - what do you all think? Does anyone have any views? If you were to compare them to another car, any ideas so I can get a feel? Thanks!
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I believe they have superseded Mitsubishi mechanical parts. There are tens of thousands of them on the roads of far eastern countries so cant be all bad, spares may be dealer only and therefore expensive.
Edited by Old Navy on 05/11/2009 at 12:11
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They seem to have gone downhill of late as there are consistant reports of terrible build quality which is a shame because when they were producing Mitsubishi cast-offs, they were quite good buys if you didnt mind old-tech, but it seems current tech is a bit beyond them. They are also not especially cheap.
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I know someone with a Satria GSI and its has been a very reliable car.
However, It is expensive to tax, insure and run.
For example an indicator stork is quoted at £90 +vat + fitting.
Not too sure about the more recent Proton's though
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I used to be a member of the proton owners club, very helpful group of chaps. Did quite a few meets with them. always good for hints and tips, I brought a Proton Coupe as a project car, £150, had 120k miles on the clock and it ran perfect, I used it on track days and also dragged it a santa pod, it got me there and back no problems.
As what been said, they are mostly mitsi cast offs, mine had the 4g93 1.8 engine used in various mitsi's.
They are a bit basic inside but from experience relaible and fun!
Jon
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Is an indicator stork a Malaysian pregnancy test? Coat, hat etc!
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The first minicab i drove, on my first day in the job, was an M-reg Proton Persona, two years old and with something ridiculous like 150,000 miles on the clock. At the time this was by far the highest mileage car I'd ever seen and yet it was completely reliable and everything inside and out, whilst distinctly low-rent in appearance and feel, still worked perfectly.
Another Proton I know of belongs to a neighbour - an H-reg 1.5SE which he bought as a "station car" for £50 5 or 6 years ago. It starts without fail even when under a foot of snow and I don't doubt it will continue to do so for a few more years yet.
Based on these experiences of the cars, I'd have one.
Edit: the indicator and wiper stalks (I can spell!) are the correct way around for RHD too, ie indicator on the RH side to allow simultaneous signalling and gear changing.
Edited by Dave_TD {P} on 06/11/2009 at 01:18
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Humberside police use Proton's
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Dave_TD {P}, yes the idicator storks are better on the right hand side.
As you say, the driver can indicate and change gear at the same time.
Kia also do this on some of their cars as well.
Maybe its a Korean thing !
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Maybe its a Korean thing !
It used to be the same with almost all RHD cars, and it is the correct way round for RH driving.
Incidentally if you check out a MB 124 (probably others MB's too), you'll find the one and only column stalk is on the correct side.
Edit, i quite like the non main seller's of Korean cars, seem excellent value and are usually competent and reliable.
Edited by gordonbennet on 10/11/2009 at 09:36
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maybe its a "backroom drivers thing" for those who cant cope with anything remotely out of the ordinary.
there is no wrong or rioght side, nor is there ever a need to change gear and operate the indicator at the same time.
Edited by Altea Ego on 10/11/2009 at 09:57
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Maybe backroom driver's use indicator's at the correct times on roundabout's etc , so find that in car's made proper the whole thing flows.
On my main vehicle the indicators are on the left and the manual (electric) gearchange in exactly the same place on the right, that too works well.
If it's too complicated to work a gearbox and indicate appropriately simultaneously....as we see countless times every day then i can understand why so few even noticed the changeover.
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>>If it's too complicated to work a gearbox and indicate appropriately simultaneously....as we see countless times every day then i can understand why so few even noticed the changeover.
But people can do two things at once whilst driving......witness the number of drivers who wedge a mobile phone under their chin whilst trying to steer and change gear and indicate
Edited by Armstrong Sid on 10/11/2009 at 11:24
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And smoke.
I'd have a Proton if it were cheap enough. But when you can get a used VW Phaeton for the price......................
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