2006 Proton Gen-2 H-Line 1.6 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

A very lovely car, but if I buy from Proton again I might go for the Savvy

Faults:

The car has been quite good, however some minor small points:

Left side taillight had a small crack from the inside, will be replaced on warranty.

Front left window Bailey channel wasn't put on right, was fixed on warranty.

When I go up or reverse down steep hills/ramps (like my carport) I hear a squeaking or scraping sound, though nothing is actually touching the ground. Service guys found no problem with the suspension so I don't know what it is.

Fuel light comes on when I have done about 410 kilometers and gauge reads dead empty at about 440 kilometers, however if I did run it dry I'd get about 550 kilometers to the tank, so gauge is a little inaccurate. I will enquire about this.

I think everyone has the central locking remote issues. Half the time when I press it, it beeps twice and I have to lock it using the key. My Mannix car alarm system I have on my Cortina can work 500 meters away line of sight.

General Comments:

I have had the car for almost 3 months and I am very happy with it. My particular Gen 2 is the high line model with leather trim and 17 inch mag wheels and is Midnight Blue in colour. Some points I really like:

The two toned black/beige interior, much nicer touch then the original one toned beige colour.

Boot space is very good and nice and deep.

Compared with my Ford Cortina this Gen 2 really soaks up the bumps and steers so smoothly.

I am getting about 11 kilometers per litre city driving which I think is reasonably good.

Seats are comfortable and I find sitting in the rear seat no problems for head room and I am 5'10. Some points I think could be improved:

Door pockets could be just that little bit longer in length, so my map booklet could sit more comfortably.

They could have made door pockets on the rear doors as there is plenty of room to add them there.

I don't mind about not having a glove box, but the shelf they give you could be a little bit deeper. I can't stick a folded A4 piece of paper without it sticking out from the shelf.

You can't really place anything on top of the dash as it all slopes down.

When you turn the lights on, everything glows red (instrument clusters, environmental controls, audio system and clock). Suggest they break it up and have say the environmental controls blue, the clock yellow or something to break it up and not be so bland.

I don't like how the boot has to 'slam' shut to lock. For safety reasons I think the remote boot release feature should come as standard in case you got your fingers caught.

Overall I am very happy to have bought it, performance wise its very good, might get it lowered so cornering will be better. I love the look and style of the car, and the instrument cluster layout and the fonts I find on Protons much more interesting then the standard Ford and Holden designs, which most of them look pretty boring. Highway driving very nice, and the car seems to kick in to a more responsive mode after fifteen to twenty minutes on the highway.

I would give this car one and a half thumbs up for the Gen 2.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th August, 2006

28th Aug 2006, 13:13

Of course, anything compared to a ford cortina would be centuries ahead?

13th Oct 2006, 23:04

Just when Proton emerges from 'badge engineering' as Mahathir and Mahaleel promised it would, Malaysians fail to witness the gems in the Neo, Gen-2 and Savvy evolving before them. Pause a second look folks. Originality, which always held the higher ground, appears to be the mantra, henceforth. Tommy Peters, Kuala Lumpur.

2006 Proton Gen-2 Campro1.3 1.3 from Pakistan

Summary:

Excellent Performance and great value for your money

Faults:

Nothing! In fact I have not bought it yet.

General Comments:

I have heard that some local automobile company is going to launch PROTON cars in Pakistan within next three years. It is of course a great news to hear. This would be first Malaysian car brand in Pakistan and being national car of brother country, most of the people are eager to welcome it. As far as I have personally experienced this car in Malaysia, I really have great expectations from this brand. As, these cars are very suitable for Pakistani environment, weather and road conditions. It is going to give tough time to the existing players in terms of price, performance and design.

Having world famous LOTUS technology and design, these cars are going to capture a great market share.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th April, 2006

17th Apr 2006, 12:44

Methinks I smell the marketing manager for Proton Pakistan.

18th Apr 2006, 01:23

Yes that's right that PROTON is willing to enter Pakistan shortly. As far as I know, it will be launched within next three months (not three years). However, it is a good news for Pakistani market and car enthusiasts as it of course is a great car brand.

So welcome to Pakistan, PROTON!

22nd Feb 2007, 07:30

Don't worry, I driving my fourth proton and my wife her second. We have had trouble free protons since 1987. I am driving a waja/impian and my wife a gen 2. We've had the saga, Iswara/MPI and Wira, all trouble free. Cheers.