2004 NAZA Ria GS 2.5L V6 quad cam from Malaysia

Summary:

Burn your wallet

Faults:

Maintenance cost is very high for this MPV. Irrespective of mileage, you have to spend lots of money to keep it running. Annual change of water pump, timing belt, spark plugs + cables = (RM900), lower arm, engine mounting, driveshaft. After 10 years, change all sensors, which is not cheap.

General Comments:

A comfortable car, but expensive to keep them on the road

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 18th July, 2017

23rd Jul 2017, 02:18

Burn your wallet - Excellent!!!

2004 NAZA Ria GS 2.5 from Malaysia

Summary:

Not worth buying

Faults:

Dashboard vibrated with noise when the speed reached 90km/hr from the first day. Sent it to a service centre during warranty, mechanic said no vibrations and nothing wrong. They advised me to send it for an in house alignment. Tyre department said I must change the tyres first before doing that.

Squeaking sound on the front wheel and premature tyre wear (inner side). Tyres changed every 6 months from the first day. Sent it to the service centre within 2 weeks after being bought; they said it was an alignment issue, no warranty. Accused me of hitting potholes.

After 2 years, outside mechanic said bearing damage, issue resolved after changing tyres and bearings. Continued to change bearings and tyres every 6 months.

After 5 years, sent it to a different service centre, recommended to change arms. Finally all problems resolved.

After 10 years, water trace in engine oil and coolant missing.

General Comments:

I do not recommend buying one.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 6th October, 2016

2004 NAZA Ria GS 2.5L V6 petrol from Malaysia

Summary:

The car is good, except for the very poor after sales service

Faults:

Fuel consumption increase, less power after changing the timing belt at 60,000km.

O2 sensors and air flow sensor failed after timing belt change out.

General Comments:

I first bought my Naza Ria GS in 2005. It is a good MPV for my family. Over the years my car was perfect and no problem at all.

The only complaint is its fuel consumption. I used to achieved around 300km on a full tank of 65 litres of petrol.

With that fuel consumption, I designed and built my prototype Hydrofuel system to increase torque, horsepower and improve fuel economy. I managed to achieved 480km on 65 litres on city roads. On long distance driving at 110 to 130km/h speed, I managed to achieved 700km on 65 litres of petrol on Sarawak Trunk road from Miri to Kuching. That is good fuel efficiency.

My Naza Ria was running as a Hydrogen Hybrid for 3 years and no problems at all. I used CJ-4 Full synthetic lubricant all time. I never used the Naza Ria Authorised workshop recommendation as they stock XXX brand blended in Singapore.

I have seen a lot of Naza cars being overhauled at these workshops everyday. I had advised these workshops to recommend synthetic oil to Naza car as they are made of aluminum alloy and overheating is a major problem.

Then, 60000km, I sent my Naza Ria to have the timing belt change. Besides that, I found that the water pump and the main fly bearing was slightly leaking and have them changed. Man, the cost was RM3800.00. Then I found that there tempered marks on the engine block. The timing belt casing was broken. From these I could tell that these engines must have been repaired before I bought it new.

I took pictures of the tempered marks and the broken plastic casing and contacted Naza Ria Technical services in KL. They did contact me and they said that they would follow up with the authorised workshop in Miri. After 3 months today, Naza Ria NEVER came back to me. This is bad... bad technical service support.

When the engine was re-installed and tested, it was fine for two days. Then I experienced spark plug missing firing; changed them and they are the same. Changed spark plug cables and still the same. The workshop technicians do not know to read the diagnostic scanner that they have. Initially, I asked them to let me have a look at the data and they refused. Then I told them I am an engineer and should be no problem understanding the data of the scanner.

There were O2 sensor errors codes and air flow sensor errors, which the technicians don't even bother to look into. They just reset/erased the error codes and not having the problem solved. The price for these O2 and air flow sensors are way too high. I bought these parts from On-line store for 1/3 price, installed them myself, reset the ECU and my Naza Ria is back to its original state.

To tell you all, Naza Ria MPV is a good car for a the family. All you need are : 1. Use CJ-4 Grade Synthetic oil for 10,000 range, 2. Use 50% Gycol x 50% distilled water coolant from MB or BMW or Toyota. 3. If you could install Patented Hydrofuel system. Hydrofuel system keeps the engine runs cooler, more torque and horsepower and less maintenance, lubricant oil last longer as there are less carbon built up inside engine.

For those who are thinking of buying these car, try Japanese, they are much reliable and better fuel efficient. All engines with ECU must use synthetic oil. It's worth the price instead of engine repairs.

All the best. GO GREEN.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 2nd January, 2010

13th Aug 2010, 09:14

I just placed a RM100 deposit to buy a 2005 NAZA Ria from a used car dealer. I just want know, is it worth buying?

22nd Feb 2011, 23:44

I want to buy a 2004 NAZA Ria in black color.

I just want to know how much is it for a timing belt and what are the major things to change on the 2004 model?

20th Jul 2017, 01:47

Dear sir. I'm also driving a NAZA Ria, which I bought in 2015. It was manufactured in 2004. Where can I buy the hydrofuel system for my Naza?

19th Oct 2017, 09:54

Help!!! My Naza Ria is overheating! What can I do? What is hydrofuel? Please, please, please add my wechat sing920330. Please help me and my Naza Ria.

24th Oct 2017, 12:39

Just swap the engine with a Toyota 2MZ (2.5L) or 1MZ (3.0L) since your original engine needs an overhaul anyway. Original Naza engine cost RM3-4k to overhaul may face same problem again; depends on workmanship and the parts replaced. Why not just replace it with a used Toyota engine? More reliable and engine parts are based on the Estima / Alphard 3.0 V6 anyway. Th cost of replacement starts from RM8K.

Please do not swap with Nissan or Mitsubishi makes. Parts will be an issue later.

Just get a runner to endorse the engine with JPJ.

Verdict = super quiet engine, smooth running, lower cost of maintenance in the long run.

Worth it if you want to continue using it.