What handles decently well and is under RM50,000? The Proton Iriz these days.

I was at the Giant Mall in Kelana Jaya and the Proton dealership there is offering the Proton Iriz with a discount of up to RM9,268 (T&C applies obviously). This has to be the fully loaded 1.6 CVT Automatic or the 1.6 Manual. I checked the online adverts for the car and yes, you can get a full monty Iriz for under RM50,000. Compare this with the retail price of RM61,691.31 / Solid CVT or RM58,815.04 / Solid Manual. 

Now the 1.6 Iriz is the ONLY Iriz worth to buy simply because of the performance it gives you. It's engine works better with the CVT and the extra power helps make it so much better to drive. The wider tyres also help the car alot. I have driven both the 1.3 and the 1.6, so I can safely say that until the 1.3 turbo version that supposedly will come with an upgraded manual gear shift, this 1.6 is the one to get. Manual or Automatic. The link to the Iriz 1.6 CVT is here and in there is a link to the Iriz 1.3 Manual.

Proton Inspira production has ended. Buy them while you still can

A source mentioned to me that Proton had produced its last Inspira in early April. Yes folks, production of the rebadged ninth generation Mitsubishi Lancer has wrapped up. This was inevitable as I believe the original arrangement to rebadge and assemble the Lancer here in Malaysia has come to an end. I actually find it a pity as the Inspira offers fanstastic value for money.

I've already mentioned in a previous posting how good this car is for its price and I still think its a darn shame many of you aren't buying it over the smaller, slower, less comfy Toyota Vioses and Honda Cities out there. So much more car for you money.

New Proton Compact Car - AKA the Proton Iriz - Our initial opinion.

Proton has previewed its all-new Compact Car on its own microsite called http://www.betulbetulonz.com.my/. 

BUT to view the car Proton expects us to catch a glimpse of the car by asking us to scan the QR Code on the website and get 3 other friends to do so and then link the photos together. Fortunately for us, and unfortunately for Proton we have Paultan.org, Malaysia's largest automotive portal to do that for us. And in doing so undermines what Proton is trying to achieve with all that nonsense about linking photos together, making life difficult for you and I as well as losing a ton of traffic on their own micro site and getting Paultan.org more hits. Fantastic isn't it? Anyway, for more explanation on the new car which according to sources is to be called the Proton Iriz you could head over to Paultan for more. But if you're here, it means you value what I think about the car.