which car? Persona, Sentra or Camry?

[CS Chua]

If you are looking to buy a car valued around RM55K, which one will you buy?

1. A new Persona - top model
2. Camry - 2001 model
3. Sentra - 2003 model

Has any USJ forumer received their Persona? If so, can you share your views?

[kevin23]

Camry anytime...

[CS Chua]

Camry anytime...
Even if it is 6 years old?

Actually, that is also my first choice but I am expecting petrol price to go near RM3 eventually so I may opt for a Sentra. But the smell of a new car is very tempting.

[spinner]

Sentra. Realiable, fuel efficient, and low maintainance. Mine is already 7 years old with mileage around 100,000km. Still tip top.~

[kevin23]

yes,because toyotas are made to last many years.IF you buy persona.You never know what may happen.Besides,persona's butt is ugly

[CS Chua]

spinner, I assumed yours' is a N16, right? How is the FC compare to the B14?

[jack12]

If you can find a good second hand camry, better choice.

Or buy a new persona.


If you are looking to buy a car valued around RM55K, which one will you buy?

1. A new Persona - top model
2. Camry - 2001 model
3. Sentra - 2003 model

Has any USJ forumer received their Persona? If so, can you share your views?

[GreenBug]

My first choice - the 6-year old Toyota Camry.

Pros - reliable, low maintainance cost, stable, good for both town runs and outstations, good 2nd (or 3rd) hand values, spacious. For its size & weight, fuel consumption is relatively good.

Cons - Customer service at UMW and their agents suxx big time. Since its not under warranty, find a good local mechanic who will take good care of your car. Toyota engines are one of the least complicated of the lot.

p.s. Wifey had this model too but sold in 2004.

[CS Chua]

Hmmm.... so far it is 3 to 1 for a used Camry. I read extensively in Motortraders and Autoworld about it and the comments from owners are good.

[racheljansz]

If you are looking to buy a car valued around RM55K, which one will you buy?

1. A new Persona - top model
2. Camry - 2001 model
3. Sentra - 2003 model

Has any USJ forumer received their Persona? If so, can you share your views?If the Camry is accident free, interiors in good condition and engine well maintain, the THIS IS THE ONLY choice. Camry is well design, has good re-sale value and it economical for it class.

Sentra is the 2nd Choice. It is a good car but for malaysian's bias toward vios and civic, hence it not so popular and low re-sale value. If in good condition, it should be good for the next 5 year.

Persona, sorry no comments. All my friends, colleagues and relatives sworn off Proton.

[Mayang]

I bought a 1995 Camry GX 2.2 last year from a friend at RM 25,000. It is a solid car. All the doors are like new - no rattling sound at all. I also have a Perdana 2.0 about the same age - totally no comparison in terms of ride comfort and stability. I enjoy driving this car and feel safe. But petrol consumption may be high for those with tight budget.

[spinner]

spinner, I assumed yours' is a N16, right? How is the FC compare to the B14?

Yup, mine is N16. I have no idea about the consumption level of B14 since I have never got one, but currently mine is about 400km (town driving including jammed KL) per tank of about RM70. Considering the age of the car, still within reasonable ground.

But I have to say, I would agree with majority that I do not have confident on the Proton. I used to have a Proton Wira 1.6 and all I can say in one word, SUCKS! High consumption, high maintainance, and low quality, and unstable at times when you are driving 110km/hr on the highways.

Despite Proton claimed that Persona is the best, reliable or whatever the best model of Proton since 1984, it is yet to be proven. They said this to Waja too, but ask the owner of the Waja, who hasnt have the problem of the power window before? I understand from a mechanic that the mechanism for power window is made from plastic, whereas all other cars use a metal! really.... Proton BOLEH!

[tryagain]

Personna, pls don't

[scorgio]

2. Camry - 2001 model


Is this the model with electric-powered front seat?

If yes. It's a solid car. But it's a 2.2L, so the FC is quite high for city driving. RM80 give around 400km only (pure city - Georgetown to be exact).

This car is front heavy, so the front tyres wear very fast. The ratio against the rear if you don't swap the tyres is 3:1. I tried a set of Goodyear NCT5 in front. 6 months later, 50% thread left.

And there's a problem with the ceiling cloth material, the warranty period is 5 years. But the problem usually occur after 5 yrs. It'll fell down. To replace it at UMW using ori material is RM2500. Using aftermarket is around RM800-1200. The material is defective, of course Toyota won't admit it. But the same problem was reported in Philipines, M'sia, Thailand etc.

[CS Chua]

Is this the model with electric-powered front seat?

If yes. It's a solid car. But it's a 2.2L, so the FC is quite high for city driving. RM80 give around 400km only (pure city - Georgetown to be exact).

This car is front heavy, so the front tyres wear very fast. The ratio against the rear if you don't swap the tyres is 3:1. I tried a set of Goodyear NCT5 in front. 6 months later, 50% thread left.

And there's a problem with the ceiling cloth material, the warranty period is 5 years. But the problem usually occur after 5 yrs. It'll fell down. To replace it at UMW using ori material is RM2500. Using aftermarket is around RM800-1200. The material is defective, of course Toyota won't admit it. But the same problem was reported in Philipines, M'sia, Thailand etc.
Thanks. That is good to know. I will check the ceiling cloth closely. As for the tires, I am not too worried as my monthly mileage will be very low.

While reading all the comments I got a brain-wave. Instead of buying a 2001 model, I can buy a 1995 2.2 model for less than RM20K and use the balance to buy a Satria GTi. Wow, I will have the best of both worlds.

I wonder how the missus will feel about me driving the GTi. It may attract lots of swts. :D

[SunwayK]

Having gone through 3 generations of Camry, one thing for certain is that the FC is high; unbelievably, even higher than a Beemer. The other down side is that the beige interior is not likely to be second-hand friendly. Maintainence wise, it will bleed you more than the other two.

Nissan vehicles are renowned for their fuel economy and elderly design - if you want to attract SYTs, say bye-bye.

As for the remaining manufacturer, the least said, the better. Unleess, of course, you feel it is your patriotic duty to pump money into the local economy.

[CS Chua]

I read that the FC is 10km per litre, which is fine with me. It may not attract some SYTs but it is OK as my wallet will be busted after buying it.

[GreenBug]

CSChua, wifey has all the 3 models of the Camry, the 2.2G from 2002-2005, the 2.4V which she sold recently and the present 2.4V which she just got last month. If this is not testimony to reliability and safety, I doubt wifey would want to stick to the Camry....

But we still think UMW Toyota stinks big time in terms of customer service and after-sales service. One example, the points accumulated in the Customer's Membership Card is lost if you change your car, even if it is to another Toyota, how dumb can they be?

[SingaporeEhSai!]

Even if it is 6 years old?

Actually, that is also my first choice but I am expecting petrol price to go near RM3 eventually so I may opt for a Sentra. But the smell of a new car is very tempting.

i have heard from my colleagues that the sentra(or sunny they call it in spore) is the worst performing car in terms of petrol consumption...dun take my word for it, pls check with ur other friends who may be driving one..

[spinner]

Well, I am driving one. I think its within reasonable range. Mine is well maintained, ie change all the necessary as it should, and currently is about 400km per tank of RM70 in town driving. Driving along the highway can easily reach 500km per tank. Taking into account of its age, 7 years old and ODO of 100,000km, still acceptable, for me. Its normal as age increase the fuel consumption will increase too...


I think it really depends on comparing with which car.
1. My cousin has a Wira aeroback 1.6 auto, consuming 300 km per tank of RM70;
2. One of my close friend has a Waja 1.6, about 400 km per tank of RM90 to 100! (What the hell!)

But of course, there are some better fuel consumption around. I think Vios and City should be quite good. I heard, but never really try before.

[Raikonen]

I think it really depends on comparing with which car.
1. My cousin has a Wira aeroback 1.6 auto, consuming 300 km per tank of RM70;
2. One of my close friend has a Waja 1.6, about 400 km per tank of RM90 to 100! (What the hell!)

But of course, there are some better fuel consumption around. I think Vios and City should be quite good. I heard, but never really try before.

Vios abt 480km and City 500km for RM70. 70% city driving and 30% freeway.

[SingaporeEhSai!]

do you guys convert ur mileage into km/ltr? tat would be an easier gauge cos from time to time our petrol price does change...

My colleagues'(3 of them) nissan sunny(circa 2001-2002) have been getting abt 8-9km/ltr as compared to city's 15km/ltr?..And i am hearing from another colleague that his new honda civic 1.8 auto have been getting abt 16-17km/ltr, with 50/50 highway-city driving....

[scorgio]

i have heard from my colleagues that the sentra(or sunny they call it in spore) is the worst performing car in terms of petrol consumption...dun take my word for it, pls check with ur other friends who may be driving one..
The current Sentra, the only complaint I got from my cousin is underpower (1.6 Auto). Which maybe the causes of high FC if the driver is right-foot heavy.

No such complaint on the 1.8 though.

As a comparison, another friend who's driving a 1.6 Manual, said he got 18-20km/L. He's driving from S'ban to Cheras daily via highway. He don't accelerate excessively. Best is he only do 90-100km/h. :D

[spinner]

Yes you are right. Sentra is totally underpower as compared to other 1.6 cars. The reason being: its just too heavy and pick up is very slow. If you were to challenge other cars on the road, sure lose.

However, on the good side, its very reliable and stable, due to its weight. Driving at 110km or above is smooth and not shaking at all, very comfortable drive for long distance and on highway. Even a big giant lorry pass by you also you wont feel anything. If it were to be a Wira, shaking till feel like the car is flying out off the road.

Sorry, no anti to proton owner, but I used to have a Wira, and I feel its just too far in terms of quality. Proton car, still a long way to catch up with other cars.

Proton, "Live under the shade" (ie govt care), you wont have a chance to grow up. Pls learn from Perodua.

[scorgio]

Proton, "Live under the shade" (ie govt care), you wont have a chance to grow up. Pls learn from Perodua.

Nothing special about Perodua.
It's Daihatsu in disguise.
With a different label but the same parent, ie. Toyota.

[online12793]

I'll go for the Camry in this case.
If you can try to get the 2.4 version as it is much much better
and lasting then the 2.2.
2.4 version is good when driving at 110km/h as the RPM is lower
so the engine don't have to work as hard.

Nissan is very well known for high fuel consumption,
so this car will end up costing you more than a new one.

Proton just like everyone says it is too thin i mean the body,
they have got 2 versions one for the overseas market and one for the locals.

[xaviers]

by the way it sounds... Proton has totally lost it... no brand value prob worth nothing now.

[CS Chua]

Sigh :confused: Decision, decision, decision. Maybe I should just go for a MB 124 black engine. You cannot go wrong with that car. :)

[spinner]

We tried to share as much experience as possible, and all I can comment is the Sentra and Proton in general. But maybe you might want to consider other things that might be important as well when you are buying a second hand car.

1. The mileage. It can be 1 yr car with high mileage, but many years car with low mileage. My Sentra was used in my hometown, first 4 years only clocked 30,000km; while the next 3 yrs i used in Klang valley to work and everywhere, clocked the remaining 70,000km.

2. The previous owner. If you know the previous owner, it would be good. At least you know whether the car is well taken care for, or it was meant for a war on the road (ie rough driving) etc.

3. Of course the overall condition of the car and also the outlook. It may looks old because of not well taken care of, the interior might be dirty and wear and tear.... etc. Also the accessories like sports rim, sounds system, skirting..(unless you wanna buy anyone and change all by urself...)

4. Personal preference. Maybe you like Camry more than others because of the power, or I prefer a small size because easier to handle, parking, and I dont need such a high power of 2.2 or 2.4 etc...

Thats all of my 2 cents...

[CS Chua]

Thanks, spinner. Those are good tips and a big thank you to the other forumers too. Buying a car is like buying meat and one's man meat is another man's poison. It is so subjective and personal taste can be so different. Both cars are of good reputation in their respective class. It was the 2.2 Camry that knocked the Accord from their pedestal and they have not recovered ever since. The Sentra re-affirmed Nissan's reliability and the B14 was and is still a much sought after car. Genting taxis that used the B13 can attest to the car's good FC, reliability and low maintenance.

For me, it depends on which one comes first. If a very good condition, value for money Sentra or Camry comes along, I will take it. I am a believer that one in the hand is better than 2 in a bush. So, I will wait and see which good model comes my way first.

[scorgio]

Sigh :confused: Decision, decision, decision. Maybe I should just go for a MB 124 black engine. You cannot go wrong with that car. :)

Referring to the Benz W124?
It's one of the most reliable Benz & easiest to maintain.
Also the last Benz which is predominantly mechanical. The later 'Masterpiece' onwards, electronics start to grow.
Most of the problem I heard with W124 is the aircond.

If you can find genuine Masterpiece, it's excellent. There're reasons why the Masterpiece is selling more expensive than the newer 'big small eye' in used car market.

[online12793]

This is what i learn and heard from other people about the
Merc on their head lights as one is big one is small.
They says it means gou yan kan ren di
in English it means look down on people.

[CS Chua]

Referring to the Benz W124?
It's one of the most reliable Benz & easiest to maintain.
Also the last Benz which is predominantly mechanical. The later 'Masterpiece' onwards, electronics start to grow.
Most of the problem I heard with W124 is the aircond.

If you can find genuine Masterpiece, it's excellent. There're reasons why the Masterpiece is selling more expensive than the newer 'big small eye' in used car market.
Agreed absolutely. Best model produced by MB so far. I had used Volvo and MB before and in my younger days, I used to do some DIY repairs. For example I took down all the door's panel to grease all the needed items and I am always impressed with what I see. The MB is definitely superior to the Volvo and other cars in many areas. I have not used a beemer yet so I cannot say anything about it.

spinner, "I think Vios and City should be quite good. I heard, but never really try before."

I am using a Vios in Thailand currently so I want to try something else.