1996 Proton Persona GLSi 1.5 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Reliable, cheap motoring - as long as you don't buy new!

Faults:

Nothing - this car never failed to start, stop and go where pointed.

General Comments:

A very reliable engine - thanks to Mitsubishi.

The car was supplied with a continental (ie left-hand drive headlights. This cost £150 for one headlight! Proton UK wouldn't explain how this had happened no offered any contribution.

Car squealed/spun its tyres when accelerating when exiting from a left-turn stop. It was tricky to stop doing it.

A bit bland to look at.

The boot/trunk is cavernous (I could fit two adult mountain-bikes in together with all the gear).

Don't mention depreciation, it is horrendous and even Proton dealers will not offer much.

If you need proof of its reliability just look how many are taxis!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th October, 2003

1996 Proton Persona GLSi 1.5 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Spend your money elsewhere

Faults:

Passenger side electric window regulator failed.

Fuel gauge does not work properly.

Cigarette lighter failed.

Windscreen wiper stopped working.

General Comments:

I would not buy another Proton after this. The build quality seems to be very iffy. There are numerous squeaks and rattles. It isn't particularly comfortable and it drives badly.

The car seems to pick up every bump in the road as if the suspension is too stiff, yet the traction on bends and in the wet is very poor. I often feel like the car is about to skid even when taking corners at a relatively low speed, and on occasion it has.

Performance is sluggish at best and I would say a 1.5 litre engine is insufficient for a car this size.

I thought that it had value in its favour but I am just about to trade it in and I was shocked at the depreciation in just one year.

The only good thing I can say about it is that it always starts in the morning, but in this day and age I don't think that is enough to recommend a car on.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 27th January, 2002

17th Jul 2009, 07:29

I bought a 1997 Proton Persona 1.5 GLSi in 2008 and it was fantastic. Build quality isn't great, but the performance and reliability was really good. I only paid 200 pounds as the previous owner thought the head gasket had gone. Just needed a new radiator and only had 50,000 miles on the clock!

Gave me 1 years great service, very quick, great handling just the sticky windows and the odd bit of trim falling off were minuses. Sold it on regretfully for 425 pounds as I moved to Australia, the current owner is very happy with it.

If you want a good reliable car with good performance, you can't go wrong as long as you don't mind gluing the odd bit back on now and again!