Poor quality control
Faulty glove compartment.
Faulty odometer.
Very poor finishing, coarse. Quality of plastic is much to be desired.
Suspension and engine response were fine, but noisy.
This manufacturer has serious problems with quality control.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 27th June, 2003
A good saloon, but lack finesse
The car's suspension system emits creaks from day one.
Fogging on the inner side of the glasses during cold night drives.
Emblems were defected and service centers refuse to change them.
The car surely handle better than most Japanese or Korean makes. Though it has the ability to handle like a dream, the creaks and cheap interior plastics bring the whole ride down.
More sound proofing is needed, especially near the tire wells. Suspension noises are as loud as a truck on rough roads.
Overall design is attractive. It does not look too Japanese.
Seats are hard, but on long drives, our body aches less.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 24th July, 2002
I agree, it doesn't in some angles look as bland and boring as most japanese cars. European cars are much more stylish. You can obviously see how they tried to copy the look of Alfa Romeos, a very stylish make. It's a shame they couldn't carry the design through the whole car, or use decent materials to build it with, also with decent quality control. Although this really is a bargain basement car. Not something you would buy to do any real mileage in apart from the weekly shopping, 90% are probably bought by over 65 year olds.
Proton... "copied Alfa Romeo's looks"...?! Not a chance! Alfa do not make and have never made a car remotely similar-looking to the Impian. (IMHO, of course!)
From the rear there's a touch of Mercedes Benz 190E perhaps, but from the front it's reminiscent more of a Volkswagen than anything else.
Unfortunately, Protons of old (including the Impian) DO share the legendary Alfa Romeo electrical infidelity problems, the lack of residual value and too few dealers, at least in the UK.
Shame. Without these few faults, the Impian might have been a brilliant car.
Don't buy unless you have all the time to rectify all the quality related problems
Tie rod/arm of the left wheel almost gave way at less than 1000 kilometers. Metal knocking sound and funny sound from the under carriage as well as the dashboard.
The car is comfortable due to its good ride and handling although the cushioned seats are rather hard. Quality control of Proton is really close to none. I had refused to collect the car when I notice a deep scratch on the from right panel of the car. Waited 4 long hours for it to be repainted. Metal knocking sound started to appear from the front left wheel. Because of its warranty requirements, I took the car back to Proton main service centre and had to leave the car with them for 1 day. Problem remain unsolved. Subsequently visited 2 more of the service agents and was told that sound was due to the car being new. Lastly, visited my own mechanic. What a shock? Screws of the tie rod/ arm and other parts of the left wheel was not tighten at all. I thanked god nothing happen to me and my family while travelling in the car at high speed.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 16th July, 2002
I drove my Waja/impian almost 5 years now... the only problem is, power windows switch broke and after replace with new one, it work just like before.
Funny knocking sound?? My Waja also got that same sound problem and as I know that sound come from Driver and front passenger doors not from dashboard. Try to find a hole covered with a circle rubber, open and shake that door. Now you can find out the sound was from there... I just use a double sided foam tape for loosen the noise. try at once.. easy to do it urself.
My Waja also got problem with power windows switch.. after install/replacing with new one.. done, it's function like before and I'm going for Gen2 CPS as my 4th cars. (1st car Kancil, 2nd Waja and 3rd was Savvy) After I drove a Proton car, I've find out that Proton car was very stable, stylish, fun to drive and also give you confident... Good Work PROTON & LOTUS!!!
I used to own a Proton Impian (Waja). Bought one brand new in 2003 and sold it in 2011 when I bought a Mercedes W203. To be honest my Impian (Waja) has had its share of gremlins, namely the power windows & its fuel pump (not that costly to replace). The Impian (Waja) has served my family well during my ownership of the car. When my eldest daughter was admitted in college in 2008 I had to make weekly outstation trips to send and fetch her to and from college. These long frequent trips lasted 3 years.
I am also an avid golfer and I must say the Impian (Waja) passed the golf bag test with flying colours. The boot could fit in 3 golf bags with ease. Even my Mercedes has problem fitting in 2 golf bags.
All I can say is... Thank you Proton Impian for being there all these years. My family & I miss you.
7th Feb 2005, 07:40
I find it strange that you equate "not looking Japanese" as a plus. Surely this must reflect a strong prejudice against cars from a certain region from the onset. Can you truly say that a BMW 1 series (minus its badge) is nicer looking than a Mazda 3? Or were you one of the herd awed by the looks 1990's MB S-class during it's heyday, surely then, and more so now, one of the most hideous looking cars in recent memory. Yes, yes, I know, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder...