1998 Proton Iswara iswara aeroback 1.3

Summary:

Budget car

General Comments:

It is people who kept saying we should be thankful that we have a car, when others are listing the Actual problems they have with their iswara, that kept the car's quality the way it is from its first production until now. Of course we are thankful to have cars, but not so thankful to close our eyes to the cars' faults that we bought with our hard earned cash.

And if the manufacturer actually takes notes of the complains and put more into QC it would probably be world renown, since it is already cheap and nice looking, and quite comfy - all things aside.

I actually liked my iswara very much. It's old, but I would still choose it over a new myvi. But I am just too frustrated over all its "hiccups" over the years, and I can definitely see a new car coming in the near future.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th May, 2007

2003 Proton Iswara S 1.3 SOHC carb

Summary:

Innocuous workhorse

Faults:

Rattling dashboard. Rattling bonnet prop when not in use! Slight water vapour problem in one of the reversing lights.

General Comments:

Nippy and economical.

So-so build quality with a tinny body. Poor quality material used for the interior.

It is a reliable car.

Very, very mediocre ride and handling.

Needs the optional power steering as the unassisted steering is heavy.

Slick 5 speed manual gearbox and light clutch.

Noisy at speed.

A no-frills workhorse which doesn't require nor draw much attention.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 9th June, 2006

1997 Proton Iswara 1.3 m 1.3

Summary:

Workhorse with little complaints

Faults:

Problems with steering column and antenna way back when I first bought it in 1997 - fixed under warranty.

General Comments:

Very reliable, low consumption, cheap maintenance, easy to fix. Good for getting from point a to b. Not handsome, not comfortable, not super powerful, but it does the job.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th February, 2006

23rd Oct 2008, 02:01

Agree.. I also own an iswara sedan 1997.. after 11 years riding it.. it's a cheap car.. well you know what I meant..

10th Nov 2008, 17:39

My 1.3 Iswara Aeroback is now 14 years old and it is still running smoothly and steadily. Only the door auto-locks and auto-windows have always been troublesome, as seems common with most Proton cars. Wonder why Proton has refused to fix this widespread problem all these long years. Apart from the pesky doors, my Isawara has proven to be sturdy, durable and effective - a no-frills hardworking car. A great investment!

18th May 2010, 20:34

Bought a 2nd hand Iswara 1.3 manual. Built in 2000, I've been using it 4 years already.

I really love this car, it's a very reliable workhorse. So far just done routine maintenance and it's been trouble free. Cheap to maintain.

Prior to this I'd been using 1 Brand new Toyota GL model 1982, Toyota ke 30 model '76, Ford Laser model '84, Nissan Sunny 130Y model '85, Subaru custom model 1979, Toyota Liteace 1991 and Proton Tiara 1996.

The worst car was the Tiara; always breaking down and high cost of maintenance.

My verdict is the Iswara is equivalent to Japanese quality. After using the Iswara I have confidence in national cars, and recently my wife bought a brand new Saga BLM. We've been using it almost 2 years, with no problem so far. It is a good car, quite comfy, with good road handling.

Good job Proton, keep it up, keep on improving to become a world beater.

1995 Proton Iswara Sedan 1.3

Summary:

Good car, slow pick up, but reliable

Faults:

Air conditioner failed on the very first drive day.

Had to replace the entire air con system (under warranty - free)

The Power Windows on both sides a bit sluggish all the time, but continued to work.

MY Radiator hoses blew at 50,000.

My Head gasket blew at 63,000.

MY Timing Belt snapped at 66,000.

My seats are comfortable and wearing all right.

MY headlamps failed after two years.

MY back lamps leak and are full of water from first year.

MY door locks stuck.

MY automatic lock sticks.

MY door unlocked warning light is ON all the time irregardless whether doors are locked or open.

General Comments:

The car is giving 100 km to 10 litres.

Car pick up is sluggish.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd August, 2005

16th Jan 2006, 19:30

I had one for 7 years, had no problems. Wife had one for 5 years... trouble free.

16th May 2006, 03:28

Proton saga iswara... no problems and good condition.

17th Jan 2007, 23:56

I bought my Proton Iswara Sedan 1.5 Red color from Proton Edar in Year 2005 Feb. It has been giving me a good time, less headache and good driving moment. I think I made a good choice choosing her (My Red Iswara) I named her Tun Teja. Oil consumption... saved a lot!!!

I am happy with my Iswara.

22nd Feb 2007, 07:58

The Iswara is cheap to maintain. Just change the engine oil and filter.

10th May 2007, 22:50

I drive one and I don't think it has a slow pickup although it has low top speed.

31st Dec 2007, 23:32

I owned a 95 Proton Iswara.. It has been good all the while.. Fuel consumption is not bad (350km for RM60 petrol) It never breakdown before and it is easy to maintain.. The only disadvantage is the low top speed and the cabin is not so quiet as it gets older..

3rd Apr 2008, 04:41

I have Proton Saga year 1992 and I'm using until now.. there maybe have some or even more problem with this national car but what ever it's takes I'm proud to have this car..

13th Nov 2008, 00:59

I have 1 Iswara 1999 (A) and 1 Japanese make car (B) year 2003. Just a simple maths calculation will do, as shown below,

Normal service for (A) (every 5,000km) cost me about RM85.00

Normal service for (B) (every 10,000km) cost me about RM106.00

Meaning when I service (A) twice is equivalent to service (B) once. In another word, I have to spent RM170.00 servicing (A) but only RM106.00 servicing (B). Which is more cost effective?

6th Feb 2013, 23:09

Bought an Iswara 1.3S for RM40k, and still reluctant to sell it off after 15 years with >300,000 km. I think the earlier batches of the Iswara are good except for the interior.