Proton Gen 2 - any advice/ knowledge wanted!

[jay44]

Hi guys,

I'm after a low engine (1.2-1.3l) car. My first car was a 1.1 hyundai getz, but as I'm still a student at uni, my budget is quite restricted. This is where I stumbled upon the proton gen 2.

I wanted to know:
1) if anyone knows what this car is like to drive from personal expirience
2) if getting hold of parts for repairs is hard and/or expensive (like rover / MG)
3) if there is something I'm missing as to why it is relatively cheap for what you get


thanks in advanced people, any advice is really appreciated!

[Martin4x4]

I have the 1.6 GSX Dual fuel (Petrol/LPG) for my daily commute.

Not fast but reasonably nippy by 1.6 standards. I've previously had a Satria GTI and Wira SRI. Handling with all of them has been good due to the Lotus designed suspension. (Lotus are now owned by Proton).

I get mine serviced at the main dealer so can't comment directly on spares. However they are popular with private hire so probably not too bad. They might not have a strong brand profile but they do what you expect, good value, decent build quality and comfortable. Some models like the GSX are pretty high spec on extras, my GSX includes Leather seats, reversing sensors, electric everything, Air-Con, Blankput radio/cd etc.

Edited by Martin4x4 on Friday 5th September 01:34

[anonymous-user]

I live in Malaysia there are millions of them, they are Ok as cheap cars, I know a few people who have 200,000 miles on them and little or no service history, the problems with Protons is the eletric component, window wippers and window motors, and to a lesser extent starters, alternators etc.

Their new car is being called Iziz, the current joke in Malaysia is knock knock whose there? Iziz who? answer Iziz having trouble with my windows,

If you buy them then look at sourcing bits in Malaysia (Mudah.com), i've sent a few things back to proton owners and they are much chaeaper here

[jay44]

Martin4x4 said:

I have the 1.6 GSX Dual fuel (Petrol/LPG) for my daily commute.

Not fast but reasonably nippy by 1.6 standards. I've previously had a Satria GTI and Wira SRI. Handling with all of them has been good due to the Lotus designed suspension. (Lotus are now owned by Proton).

I get mine serviced at the main dealer so can't comment directly on spares. However they are popular with private hire so probably not too bad. They might not have a strong brand profile but they do what you expect, good value, decent build quality and comfortable. Some models like the GSX are pretty high spec on extras, my GSX includes Leather seats, reversing sensors, electric everything, Air-Con, Blankput radio/cd etc.

Edited by Martin4x4 on Friday 5th September 01:34

As I'm fairly new to the whole car industry in general, by main dealer, do you mean the dealership you bought it from? Or is there a specific service shop owned by Proton? Or what do you mean by that?

[saaby93]

They can be pretty good. Watch the central locking. Like most makes it's the dealers you have to watch out for. Why do they become a Proton dealer?

[V8forweekends]

I can't offer any practical help, but there's one that "lives" near my Ma's and I think it's a really nice looking thing. Pleasant change from contemporary Astra, Focus, Golf etc.

[Martin4x4]

jay44 said:

As I'm fairly new to the whole car industry in general, by main dealer, do you mean the dealership you bought it from? Or is there a specific service shop owned by Proton? Or what do you mean by that?

Main dealers typically operate with a fancise/partnership deal with the producers or importer in the same way some tied-house pubs do with brewers. Traditionally the volume producers demanded exclusive deals but that has slipped in recent years.

Yes, Maple Garage is a main dealer that sell them new and second hand. I got the Gen2 last summer at 3years old on 34k miles but it was originally sold by them, serviced by them and returned as a trade in and resold to me.

As to the question of why do they sell Protons. Well Maple have been around for many years and originally had an Rover/MG francise and a seperate Ford site. When Rover initially disappeared a few years ago they took on Proton and Isuzu, later added Ssangyong and MG when they returned. Though they did continue trading collectable MGs through out.

One of the reasons I buy Protons is because I trust this Maple and that is what they sold. They are that rare thing a trust worthy car dealer even their sales staff cannot be faulted. I've been buying my cars from them for 20 years, over a dozen in total, all good quality second hand cars and never had a duff one yet. I started going there because my father who used to be 'in the trade' bought his cars from them and has done for 30 years.

I suggest put your efforts into choosing the very best, most trust worthy dealer you can find and choose based on what they sell. Ask in the appropriate regional section and talk to every driver you know, ask where they bought from, were they happy, do they go back to the same place.

Edited by Martin4x4 on Friday 5th September 18:05