So there will be a new talk show highlighting automotive issues in Malaysia called ' Autozone', coming to your TV starting February 2016. Apparently it is an offshoot of a radio talk show with the same name airing on Radio24. I hope they can discuss various way to solve the major automotive & transport issues in Malaysia such as:
1) Inefficient & unreliable public transportation
2) AP ( approved permit) policy
3) Bad quality on public roads
4) Second hand car dealers scamming buyers
5) JPJ/Puspakom governance issue
6) Uber and other ride sharing apps
The article can be found in the below link:
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v8/ge/newsgeneral.php?id=1195435
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Monday, November 30, 2015
2015 Ford Mondeo in Malaysia - The D segment car with a brutal 240 HP, 345 nm torque
The Ford Mondeo,
which was launched in Malaysia this year, is just one of the many cars
competing in the D-segment car market here. Rivalry is strong here, the Japanese
being the market leader with their reliable but boring work-horses, ferrying
company directors, local towkays and families around. But as always, car
manufacturers will always come up with new models to enter new markets and this
is no exception.
Exterior
Sporting a
new front ala Aston martin esque, this car definitely looks than the previous generation, replacing it's Nissan Sentra'ish headlights with a more sharper modern look. The rear lights are now LED bright, reminiscent of a facelifted Kia Optima K5. There are 4 exterior colors
available:
·
Techtonic
Silver,
(The classic choice,
suitable for the conformist or the one who wants to blend in)
·
Ruby
Red,
(Makes the Mondeo road
presence increases dramatically but the sporty nature of red isn’t popular with
the usual D-segment crowd, worth picking if you want to stand out)
·
Frozen
White
(Another classic choice)
·
Panther
Black
(A charming and suave color, pair it
with black rims and the car has a menacing sleek look while exuding masculinity)
Interior
The new
interior is more futuristic than the previous generation, the look is more
contemporary. Gone is the ‘ gym weight plate ‘ look of the previous steering
and in place is a 3 spoke steering with a V shaped bottom spoke design. The SONY brand is still displayed strongly in
the middle of the dashboard which I think is a marketing advert. Air conditioning
vent have been redesigned and there is now a push start system.
Performance
As big as it
looks, underneath the bonnet holds a 2.0 litre EcoBoost engine with 240
horsepower and 345 nm of torque. With a below 8 second dash from 0-100 km/h,
this macho beast overpowers every Japanese competitor in its wake. You can play
with the gears by using the paddle shifters. Besides the usual “D” mode, there
is a Sport Automatic and Sport Manual mode, the latter giving you the extensive
manual control over the gears for better driving enjoyment.
Safety
This big boy
also does a wonderful job protecting its occupants, with 7 airbags (driver,
front passenger, side airbags at all passenger sides and one of the driver’s
knee in front). It also has the usual ABS, EBD, Electronic Stability Control
and traction control.
For added
convenience, there is a hill launch assist, a system that enables the Mondeo to
have a smooth start when pulling away on a hill, removing the problem of
stalling or rolling backwards. ISOFIX mount points are also provided for installing
baby car seat.
The
Malaysian Mondeo also comes equipped with a Lane Keeping Alert + Aid. This
safety system is designed to prevent the car from accidentally going to the
next lane by alerting the driver through steering wheel vibration or a gentle
steering input back to the correct lane center.
Pricing
The initial
pricing when it debuted was RM 198,000 on the road without insurance (RM
203,771 with insurance). However year end promotions have now led to big
discounts, a quick check at Mudah & Carlist in the end of November shows
that certain showrooms are now offering this car from RM 180, XXX to RM 190,
XXX. Best to call for further details as it may not be the final price on the
road (exclude insurance & road tax)
Monday, June 15, 2015
Peugeot Malaysia's reversal of fortune
Tough times have hit Malaysia this year and most business industries are not spared, all getting hit hard by rising costs and a weak currency. The automotive industry, being one of the indicators of a booming economy or one that is going bust, will definitely be in the spotlight. Today i bring your attention to a certain European marque, which is Peugeot.
The ' pug ' has enjoyed some success in Malaysia, as evident by this news article last year, http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/Business-News/2014/01/15/Peugeots-runaway-success-Nasim-having-problems-keeping-up-with-demand/?style=biz
However, this year is different. Inital expectations were high since they are now banking on the 2014 European Car of the Year - the Peugeot 308 THP to continue its blazing trail and the facelifted 508 to demolish lesser Jap competitors.
But now, as reported by Paultan, Nasim the main distributor of Peugeot cars has revised their 2015 sales target down by 30%..That is no small amount. Well, personally i don't blame them,..Lets look at what their respective models are facing down the in the war-zone.
Personally i have test drove some of their models and i really like that they bring reasonably priced Continental flavor to us. The build quality and superior noise, vibration & harshness ( NVH ) to the Japs are one of the reason i would choose a Peugeot over its competitors..However, there is more to car ownership than just features and we need to see the bigger picture, which includes great customer service, sufficient and efficient workshops and to some people, high resale value. ( -_- ) Finally, Peugeot in Malaysia can improve and i certainly hope to see them succeed in here.
The ' pug ' has enjoyed some success in Malaysia, as evident by this news article last year, http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/Business-News/2014/01/15/Peugeots-runaway-success-Nasim-having-problems-keeping-up-with-demand/?style=biz
However, this year is different. Inital expectations were high since they are now banking on the 2014 European Car of the Year - the Peugeot 308 THP to continue its blazing trail and the facelifted 508 to demolish lesser Jap competitors.
But now, as reported by Paultan, Nasim the main distributor of Peugeot cars has revised their 2015 sales target down by 30%..That is no small amount. Well, personally i don't blame them,..Lets look at what their respective models are facing down the in the war-zone.
- In the hatchback market, the 208 model competes with the popular Honda Jazz and one of the coolest car, the Mazda 2 . Tough fight but it wont be as bad as it's bigger brothers below.
- The 308 & 408 is in the competitive C- segment market which is currently lighted up by the arrival of the new Mazda 3. The Mazda 3 GL spec has an unbeatable entry price of RM 105,000 and yet is still well equipped compared to some of its rivals.
- The 2008 pales in comparison to the undisputed hottest car in the B- segment SUV scene and possibly the entire market right now, the Honda HRV which has gotten more than 13,000 booking since its February 2015 debut!
- In the C-segment SUV market, the Mazda CX-5 and Honda HRV is running rings around the poor 3008. And dont get me started on the 5008, NOBODY BUYS THAT.
- In the big boy D-segment , the 508 model is unlucky to be launched in the same year as the new Toyota Camry, the latest Far East weapon which will surely help Toyota gain more market share. The Honda Accord is also big here.
- The Peugeot RCZ will never be a big part of Peugeot's sales so no need to mention here.
Personally i have test drove some of their models and i really like that they bring reasonably priced Continental flavor to us. The build quality and superior noise, vibration & harshness ( NVH ) to the Japs are one of the reason i would choose a Peugeot over its competitors..However, there is more to car ownership than just features and we need to see the bigger picture, which includes great customer service, sufficient and efficient workshops and to some people, high resale value. ( -_- ) Finally, Peugeot in Malaysia can improve and i certainly hope to see them succeed in here.
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
3 YEARS OWNERSHIP EXPERIENCE OF PROTON SAGA FLX 1.3
3 Years ago:
Just started working for a year plus and with the old Honda City showing signs of aging, it was time to look for a new workhorse, one that could bring me to work back & forth reliably and also for leisure rides. With a budget of about RM 50,000, i set forth to search for a suitable car, keeping in mind to avoid second hand cars as their unexpected repair bills will hurt my wallet.
In 2011, with that budget in mind, one has a few choices which if taking into consideration only buying new cars, are just left with local brand cars. At that time, it was down to 3 choices:
1) Perodua Myvi 1.3
2) Proton Saga FLX 1.3
3) Proton Persona 1.6AT
I wanted to buy the highest spec and this puts the Proton Persona at RM 49,XXX the most expensive of the three, followed by the Perodua Myvi at RM 45,XXX and the Proton Saga the cheapest at RM 44,XXX. Looking closer, although the Myvi is widely perceived to be of better quality, it did not appeal so much to me after realizing the boot was small (208 litres only) and its handling was like steering a toy boat ( light steering with little feedback and below average cornering ability).
Further research on the other 2 Proton models lead me to discovering that the new Proton Saga had a new gearbox, a CVT transmission which claims to save fuel compared to its predecessor (engine & gearbox is very important) , adequate safety features like dual airbags, ABS & EBD and also, a bigger boot space of 413 litres.
Finally i made the choice to get the Proton Saga over the Persona because i could save almost RM 5,000 , it comes with new gearbox and consumes less fuel.
3 years later
The car has clocked 45,000 km mileage and this is slightly below the average usage of an ordinary commuter of 20,000 km per year. The car still run okay and the tires , Goodyear Dugaro's 14 " still have grip.
Issues faced during 3 years of ownership of Proton Saga FLX 1.3
1) CVT gear light flashing which normally indicates the gearbox is overheating and is recommended to turn off the engine and wait for several minutes before starting the engine again.
2) Car headlight bulb fused twice in a span of 3 years.
3) Vibration from dashboard during acceleration.
4) Back seat fabric torn.
5) Interior roof light takes a long time to light up when car doors are opened.
Tips for owners of Saga FLX 1.3
1) Best fuel in my experience seems to be BHPetrol followed by Petron then Petronas then lastly Shell. I usually pump Ron 95 but with the price gap of it with Ron 97 getting closer (as of end of November 2014, the price is RM 2.30 per litre for Ron 95 and RM 2.55 per litre for Ron 97 ), i would give it a try.
2) During service at Proton centre, you can save about RM 48 by not taking the X1R engine treatment being offered by the service advisor. Many Saga users claim it is not necessary , from https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/3398555
Just started working for a year plus and with the old Honda City showing signs of aging, it was time to look for a new workhorse, one that could bring me to work back & forth reliably and also for leisure rides. With a budget of about RM 50,000, i set forth to search for a suitable car, keeping in mind to avoid second hand cars as their unexpected repair bills will hurt my wallet.
In 2011, with that budget in mind, one has a few choices which if taking into consideration only buying new cars, are just left with local brand cars. At that time, it was down to 3 choices:
1) Perodua Myvi 1.3
2) Proton Saga FLX 1.3
3) Proton Persona 1.6AT
I wanted to buy the highest spec and this puts the Proton Persona at RM 49,XXX the most expensive of the three, followed by the Perodua Myvi at RM 45,XXX and the Proton Saga the cheapest at RM 44,XXX. Looking closer, although the Myvi is widely perceived to be of better quality, it did not appeal so much to me after realizing the boot was small (208 litres only) and its handling was like steering a toy boat ( light steering with little feedback and below average cornering ability).
Further research on the other 2 Proton models lead me to discovering that the new Proton Saga had a new gearbox, a CVT transmission which claims to save fuel compared to its predecessor (engine & gearbox is very important) , adequate safety features like dual airbags, ABS & EBD and also, a bigger boot space of 413 litres.
Finally i made the choice to get the Proton Saga over the Persona because i could save almost RM 5,000 , it comes with new gearbox and consumes less fuel.
3 years later
The car has clocked 45,000 km mileage and this is slightly below the average usage of an ordinary commuter of 20,000 km per year. The car still run okay and the tires , Goodyear Dugaro's 14 " still have grip.
Issues faced during 3 years of ownership of Proton Saga FLX 1.3
1) CVT gear light flashing which normally indicates the gearbox is overheating and is recommended to turn off the engine and wait for several minutes before starting the engine again.
2) Car headlight bulb fused twice in a span of 3 years.
3) Vibration from dashboard during acceleration.
4) Back seat fabric torn.
5) Interior roof light takes a long time to light up when car doors are opened.
Tips for owners of Saga FLX 1.3
1) Best fuel in my experience seems to be BHPetrol followed by Petron then Petronas then lastly Shell. I usually pump Ron 95 but with the price gap of it with Ron 97 getting closer (as of end of November 2014, the price is RM 2.30 per litre for Ron 95 and RM 2.55 per litre for Ron 97 ), i would give it a try.
2) During service at Proton centre, you can save about RM 48 by not taking the X1R engine treatment being offered by the service advisor. Many Saga users claim it is not necessary , from https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/3398555
Friday, April 17, 2015
Proton Iriz 1.6 Executive CVT Review
On one nice sunny Saturday afternoon, after having lunch & coffee, I was just lazing around at home and was thinking on what to do next. At that time, my wife was in the middle of her driving lessons and so she had voiced out her interest in a small nippy easy to drive, easy to park city car, something a Perodua Myvi or Viva had always excelled in.
But today, we decided to check out the Proton Iriz instead. It is a newer car compared to the other two cars above and reasonably priced against the Myvi. We headed to the Proton showroom in Mutiara Damansara and quickly got a test drive arranged. There was no 1.6 premium CVT available so we took Executive version instead.
Compared to the 1.6 Premium CVT model, the 1.6 Executive version does not have the following:
1) six (6) airbags ( driver & front passenger, front side & curtain )
2) Leather seats
3) Leather wrapped steering wheel
4) Keyless entry & push start button
5) Auto-folding side mirrors
6) Daytime running lights on fog lamp position
This difference between both model is roughly RM 6000 and in my opinion it is worth taking the Premium model because it is safer with the additional 4 airbags and it is something you cannot put a price to it.
Moving on to the test drive, after easing myself to the seat, i must admit the lack of push start button was slightly disappointing. If you must know, the push start button on the Iriz is different from the Preve & Suprima. The Iriz 1.6 Premium has full key-less entry & push start system, just open the door, press the button and drive away. On the go, the Iriz 1.6 engine has some oomph in it, although there is a slight delay when pressing the pedal down.
Putting pedal to the metal will induce a whining sound, the trademark of the CVT gearbox. This can be annoying to drivers who are not used to it. The trick is to let the car roll on its own for a few seconds and then stepping down on the pedal slowly, resulting in a smooth drive with no jerkiness felt.
The electric power steering is not too light ( better than the Myvi ) yet not heavy as well. This gives it good maneuverability on the road and parking is made easier. Acceleration was linear, gently press on the pedal and the speed climbs up gradually, in this way it minimizes the CVT droning sound. Push the pedal hard and the engine makes itself heard, straining and groaning, not very pleasant at all.
I tested the brakes and it did its job well, had a nice bite to it when stopping the car's 1170 KG weight. Handling is superb, on the corners the minimal body roll really gives you that confidence to push it more. If the driver has big balls, i think this car could boogie woogie with the Ford Fiesta in the corners.
Safety is top notch in this car. Each variant gets at least 2 airbags ( 6 airbags for the 1.6 Premium), ABS, EBD, Brake Assist , ESC and Traction control. This car scored well in the recent ANCAP safety test, getting 5 stars in the Adult Occupant Protection and 4 stars for Child Occupant Protection.
Good job to Proton for setting a good example on safety to other car manufacturers. Overall this car is worth getting as a first car for young people or for those with a tight budget as it has all the necessary features in today's world for a safe and comfortable driving experience.
But today, we decided to check out the Proton Iriz instead. It is a newer car compared to the other two cars above and reasonably priced against the Myvi. We headed to the Proton showroom in Mutiara Damansara and quickly got a test drive arranged. There was no 1.6 premium CVT available so we took Executive version instead.
Compared to the 1.6 Premium CVT model, the 1.6 Executive version does not have the following:
1) six (6) airbags ( driver & front passenger, front side & curtain )
2) Leather seats
3) Leather wrapped steering wheel
4) Keyless entry & push start button
5) Auto-folding side mirrors
6) Daytime running lights on fog lamp position
This difference between both model is roughly RM 6000 and in my opinion it is worth taking the Premium model because it is safer with the additional 4 airbags and it is something you cannot put a price to it.
Moving on to the test drive, after easing myself to the seat, i must admit the lack of push start button was slightly disappointing. If you must know, the push start button on the Iriz is different from the Preve & Suprima. The Iriz 1.6 Premium has full key-less entry & push start system, just open the door, press the button and drive away. On the go, the Iriz 1.6 engine has some oomph in it, although there is a slight delay when pressing the pedal down.
Putting pedal to the metal will induce a whining sound, the trademark of the CVT gearbox. This can be annoying to drivers who are not used to it. The trick is to let the car roll on its own for a few seconds and then stepping down on the pedal slowly, resulting in a smooth drive with no jerkiness felt.
The electric power steering is not too light ( better than the Myvi ) yet not heavy as well. This gives it good maneuverability on the road and parking is made easier. Acceleration was linear, gently press on the pedal and the speed climbs up gradually, in this way it minimizes the CVT droning sound. Push the pedal hard and the engine makes itself heard, straining and groaning, not very pleasant at all.
I tested the brakes and it did its job well, had a nice bite to it when stopping the car's 1170 KG weight. Handling is superb, on the corners the minimal body roll really gives you that confidence to push it more. If the driver has big balls, i think this car could boogie woogie with the Ford Fiesta in the corners.
Safety is top notch in this car. Each variant gets at least 2 airbags ( 6 airbags for the 1.6 Premium), ABS, EBD, Brake Assist , ESC and Traction control. This car scored well in the recent ANCAP safety test, getting 5 stars in the Adult Occupant Protection and 4 stars for Child Occupant Protection.
Good job to Proton for setting a good example on safety to other car manufacturers. Overall this car is worth getting as a first car for young people or for those with a tight budget as it has all the necessary features in today's world for a safe and comfortable driving experience.
Sunday, November 30, 2014
TOP 5 MOST EXPENSIVE CAR ON SALE IN MUDAH.COM ( WEEK 4 OF NOVEMBER 2014 )
Mudah.my is a popular website for buying & selling things in Malaysia and therefore it will have many car listings. Besides surfing this site to check out that car you have been eyeing for a long time, i thought it would be interesting to list down the top 5 most expensive cars listed in Mudah in the 4th week of November 2014.
No. 5: http://www.mudah.my/Ferrari+F12+Berlinetta+6+3L+V12+A+-30652841.htm
Price tag of this Ferrari = RM 2,130,000.00 !!!!
Maranello's current high end GT car , the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta can be yours for the price above. It doesnt take a genius to figure out that there is only 3 kinds of buyers that could afford this Italian beauty, i.e the rich successful businessman, the well connected crony and the underworld bosses.
No. 4: http://www.mudah.my/Lexus+LFA+4+8+A+-31157383.htm
Price tag of this Lexus = RM 2,170,000.00!!!
Since it was highlighted in this blog last year, this stunning Japanese super car is still on sale in Malaysia and the price didn't really drop yet, still in the range of RM 2 million something. Probably because it is limited edition with only 500 units produced.
No. 3: http://www.mudah.my/Lamborghini+Huracan+LP+610+4+UNREG+2014-31085172.htm
Price tag of this new baby Lamborghini : RM 2,380,000.00 !!!
The new baby Lambo, replacing the best selling Gallardo has finally arrived in recon car dealerships in Kuala Lumpur, With its new more aggresive exterior and interior inspired by the Aventador, you know it wont be long before its takes over the Gallardo as the best selling Lamborghini.
No. 2: http://www.mudah.my/Lamborghini+Aventador+LP700+4+Sensonum+50th-31362611.htm
Price tag of this Lamborghini ; RM 2,490,000.00 !!!!!
This is number 1 on my buy list when i strike the lottery * prays to God of Wealth for luck*
No. 1: http://www.mudah.my/Rolls+Royce+Wraith+6+6+V12+twin+turbo-29246425.htm
Price tag of this Rolls Royce = RM 2,550,000.00 !!!!
The ultimate in British luxury automobile and sophistication , Rolls Royce have always been favored by the elite, the VVIP's and the truly rich ,so rich until no need to work for many generations. Im so jelly!!!!
No. 5: http://www.mudah.my/Ferrari+F12+Berlinetta+6+3L+V12+A+-30652841.htm
Price tag of this Ferrari = RM 2,130,000.00 !!!!
Maranello's current high end GT car , the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta can be yours for the price above. It doesnt take a genius to figure out that there is only 3 kinds of buyers that could afford this Italian beauty, i.e the rich successful businessman, the well connected crony and the underworld bosses.
No. 4: http://www.mudah.my/Lexus+LFA+4+8+A+-31157383.htm
Price tag of this Lexus = RM 2,170,000.00!!!
Since it was highlighted in this blog last year, this stunning Japanese super car is still on sale in Malaysia and the price didn't really drop yet, still in the range of RM 2 million something. Probably because it is limited edition with only 500 units produced.
No. 3: http://www.mudah.my/Lamborghini+Huracan+LP+610+4+UNREG+2014-31085172.htm
Price tag of this new baby Lamborghini : RM 2,380,000.00 !!!
The new baby Lambo, replacing the best selling Gallardo has finally arrived in recon car dealerships in Kuala Lumpur, With its new more aggresive exterior and interior inspired by the Aventador, you know it wont be long before its takes over the Gallardo as the best selling Lamborghini.
No. 2: http://www.mudah.my/Lamborghini+Aventador+LP700+4+Sensonum+50th-31362611.htm
Price tag of this Lamborghini ; RM 2,490,000.00 !!!!!
This is number 1 on my buy list when i strike the lottery * prays to God of Wealth for luck*
No. 1: http://www.mudah.my/Rolls+Royce+Wraith+6+6+V12+twin+turbo-29246425.htm
Price tag of this Rolls Royce = RM 2,550,000.00 !!!!
The ultimate in British luxury automobile and sophistication , Rolls Royce have always been favored by the elite, the VVIP's and the truly rich ,so rich until no need to work for many generations. Im so jelly!!!!
Sunday, November 23, 2014
THE TOP 5 FUNNY CAR MODIFICATIONS
Every car enthusiast or the average Joe have all contemplated putting in modifications into their ride. It could be an internal mod like an air filter for better air flow & dirt protection, while others prefer dressing up their cars with fancy body kits or lighter sport rims. Doing it gives them a sense of uniqueness and customization, or even pride because their car is enhanced or just simply looking different from others. But even then, some mods can turn out to be down right ridiculous instead of impressing others.
1, EYELASHES FOR CAR
Eyelashes, now this is silly, car headlights are not eyes and those eyelashes only collect dust and reduce drag too ;p
2. BIG ASS SPOILER
This...picture...doesn't...need...much..words...
3. WEIRD BODY KITS
Body kits like this only achieve 3 things. : The public laughing at your car, your car drinks more fuel because it is heavier and you get stopped by the enforcement authorities.
4. FUNNY TYRE ALIGNMENT
When putting in a new body kit is so passe, comes a new culture of exterior modification and this is called "Hellaflush'. "Hella" means a lot of , or very, for example this car is hella fast.. "Flush" on the other hand refers to the fitment of the wheels and tyres with the fenders & chassis of the car. This is a whole new level of stupidity as the car's ride and comfort is affected negatively to achieve that look. And it doesn't even look good in the first place.
5 fuel save mod
This sticker claims to save fuel by up to 25% for 2 years. If that was really true, why are car companies with their billion dollar R&D spending lots of money on technology like hybrid cars and start-stop systems...they could have just put this 2 or 3 of this stickers instead.
1, EYELASHES FOR CAR
Eyelashes, now this is silly, car headlights are not eyes and those eyelashes only collect dust and reduce drag too ;p
2. BIG ASS SPOILER
This...picture...doesn't...need...much..words...
3. WEIRD BODY KITS
Body kits like this only achieve 3 things. : The public laughing at your car, your car drinks more fuel because it is heavier and you get stopped by the enforcement authorities.
4. FUNNY TYRE ALIGNMENT
When putting in a new body kit is so passe, comes a new culture of exterior modification and this is called "Hellaflush'. "Hella" means a lot of , or very, for example this car is hella fast.. "Flush" on the other hand refers to the fitment of the wheels and tyres with the fenders & chassis of the car. This is a whole new level of stupidity as the car's ride and comfort is affected negatively to achieve that look. And it doesn't even look good in the first place.
5 fuel save mod
This sticker claims to save fuel by up to 25% for 2 years. If that was really true, why are car companies with their billion dollar R&D spending lots of money on technology like hybrid cars and start-stop systems...they could have just put this 2 or 3 of this stickers instead.
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