In defense of: A local REBADGED Tiger from a Diamond instead of a Toyota or a Honda or any B segment Car

2.0liter variable valve timing 4 cylinder engine, 148hp (150ps), 197Nm, 200km/h, 0-100km/h in around 10.5secs or faster, multi-link suspension at the rear, CVT (with optional pedal shifters), fully equipped cabin and all for around RM90,000 (and Japanese technology too). The Toyota Vios pictured above has a 1.5liter vvt 4 cylinder engine, 105ps, 141Nm, 180+km/h, 0-100km/h in around 11secs, beam axle rear suspension, ancient 4 speed automatic, even more plasticky materials in the cabin for around RM90,000 if you're crazy enough to buy the TRD specced Vios at RM93,000 or RM88,000 for a G spec model. Madness isn't it? Why are you buying this??????



Now if you are supposedly crazy about cars, performance and driving which would you have? The yet unnamed 2.0liter car or the TRD Vios whilst it may be a Toyota and somewhat decent looking (these days) is actually rubbish when it comes to performance and technology given at that price. The same could be said if you bought a Honda City, which gives you a 1.5liter engine but slightly better tech in terms of a 5 speed automatic gearbox but is equally expensive.

You could go out and buy a Kia Cerato 1.6 at RM99,888.00. It would give you a 1.6liter engine that makes 130ps and 157Nm  via a 6 speed automatic. It still has a beam axle type suspension but it would be even more refined than the City or Vios as it is a larger car, much like the unnamed 2.0liter above. You still get better value for your Ringgit.

So it would seem that the unnamed car is actually the best buy yet. It is actually the Proton Inspira 2.0. I somehow wonder why there are alot of supposed car enthusiasts end up buying Vioses or Cities when there is a Japanese rebadge that would give them soooooooo much more car than what they could have with RM90,000.

Of course some of you out there are badge snobs and the very sight of a Proton would bring shivers down one's spine but this Proton is actually very Mitsubishi (it is a rebadged Lancer GLS aka Galant Fortis over in Japan). Hence very Japanese. Some parts may be now made locally but alot of it is still Japanese. I recently had a ride as passenger in a brand new  Inspira 1.8E manual and it was extremely comfortable around town. The suspension was supple and it was pretty quiet as well as refined (as I've said earlier, the 205//60/16 inch wheels of the standard Inspira is good for ride as well as noise supression compared to larger tyred versions).

In fact, once on a trip to Johor Bahru I was followed closely by a 2.0 Inspira at speeds above 150km/h for a duration of time and the main thing was that the driver wasn't even trying hard. Or he was trying as hard as I was whilst driving a W204 Mercedes Benz C-class (which was not trying hard at all). Less drama at higher speeds means more comfort and refinement and less driver fatigue over longer drives. The Proton Inspira lets people who earn much lesser the chance to own a 1.8liter or 2.0liter car for under RM90,000 (and maybe less if there is a discount - which there usually is).

Furthermore, it is more spacious, can carry more luggage than a B-segment car as it is closer to a D-segment car in terms of size. Did you know that the Inspira or Lancer shares the same wheelbase as the 1st gen Proton Perdana aka Galant Eterna (2635mm)? That was supposedly a mid-sized executive car and the Inspira shares the same wheelbase length but is shorter with less overhangs. The Inspira is also taller and as wide. So you get a lot of space to play around with. You also get a car which is stable at higher speeds which is why it can cruise effortlessly. And because its more of a D segment car, you get equal levels of soundproofing which you will never get in a Vios or a City which I repeat is only a B-segment car. Why buy basic then?.

The only car that you can really feel as complete would cost over RM100,000. And if you were looking at brand new cars in this category (those costing below RM100,000) you are essentially on a budget. So act like you are on one. Beggars cannot be choosers. The Inspira is the best out there at the moment for an enthusiastic driver who wants a car at RM90,000 (For around RM100,000, I'd recommend the Swift Sport if one wants a great drive and less on space that is).

Of course, if you're buying a car for the wife, and she adamantly wants to buy the City, by all means buy City. But if it is for yourself, don't. Do yourself a favour, save your money for a proper car later on and buy the Inspira 2.0 for all your kicks for now. Hello, dropping in a K&N, changing the exhaust of the Vios or City, lowering the car, spending unnecessary Ringgit on some performance parts to make 105ps become 110ps would not the make a difference. Imagine if I bought an Inspira and bought a complete R3 exhaust system (dyno tested at Proton's own dyno and made by a well known local exhaust tuner). I would instantly gain 20hp. Would a 1.5liter make as much from an exhaust and manifold change? No it won't as there is no replacement for engine size. The bigger the better.

So buy the Inspira over ANY 1.5liter sedan on the market at the same price range. It has my seal of approval. If you really want a seal of approval get a piece of white A4 paper, make sure you spill a bit of teh tarik around your teh tarik mug and then use the wet bottom of the mug to stamp the A4 paper with the warung teh tarik seal of approval.