Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-74
I saw some of the Perdana with Merc Amg spoiler, looks really cool! Does anyone know where to get one?
I bought a Perdana V6 00/01 recently. I found the car's performance so far so good. However, I think that I've found some problems with the car's gearbox recently. Firstly, when I started to accelerate from idle position, I would feel a great "shock/jerk" - it seems like someone engaging into first gear with the accelerator pedal pressed. Secondly, I also feel a great "shock/jerk" whenever I slowly brought my V6 to stop, for instance, at traffic light junction - it seems like someone stop a manual transmission car without pressing the clutch pedal together with brake pedal. Doesn't it sound a bit strange?
I hope someone here is kind enough to give me some words of advice. Thanks in advance.
OK guys (& gals?)...I've been driving a V6 for the last 2+ yrs, got it new (it's a company car). It was great for the first year, then the "rattles" came in. I however had the front tyres changed recently together with 100k kms major service job and guess what? the car regained most of its "composure", the ride improved substantially and I'm enjoying driving it again! Does anybody experience the same and care to add comment to this?
Having said that, I also have a friend who bought a brand new V6 only to run into endless series of problems (some big, some small, but I assure u, all horribly annoying).
My point is, I get the impression that Proton is still struggling with Quality Assurance issues. Like it or not we may have to concur with the BMW X5 guy in this aspect (though I seriously think he's one very, very desperate underachieving Beemer salesman?!).
Perhaps if any of you from Proton reads this, why don't you.
1. implement a scholarship plan for potential undergraduates in the field of automotive design and engineering, later on employing these people to spearhead your R&D and operations activities etc..
2. implement a quality system (could be ISO9001:2000 but not necessarily so) to be championed by all in the top management team. Top mgmt support is crucial, 'cos if top mgmt only pay lip service to this, you might as well spend the money on something else (or close shop altogether, come to think of it!)
Good luck with AFTA, Proton.
Hi there,
I bought my Perdana V6 2 1/2 years ago. Since then, I've never stop sending my "baby" to EON Service Centre for "rectification" (major & minor)!
Forget about the minor problems that used to appear on Proton cars, the major problem is the GEAR BOX!
After about 3 weeks I drove the car, I found that the gearbox having problems (Just like a gentlemen/lady mentioned at this website not long ago). When the car was changing gear (from Low to High / High to Low) the problems will appear intermittently. I did highlight this to EON every time when I send my car for service, but always... they will said : "No problem with the gearbox!"
Recently, my car was break-down in front of a Traffic Light & I spend RM4,000.00 to change my gearbox (re-cond). According to the mechanic, the gearbox was "gone" since the 1st day I bought the car & I'm not the 1st one! What a joke...!
My advise to all the Perdana V6 owner: "Insist on changing the gearbox when you have this problem during the warranty period".
BTW, I'm changing to a Nissan Cefiro soon! Bye...
I own a Perdana V6 for almost 4 years now and have done some 110,000km with it. So far I have a mixture of love/hate feelings about it.
The smoothness of the 6 cylinder engine, ABS, space and booth size are some of the good features about the car. It is reliable and the cost of maintenance is also reasonable.
However I would never appreciate the fuzzy logic transmission system. If driven easy it is quite OK, but if pushing it hard then I would think the transmission is no longer ‘logical’. Gear occurs with a thud (as if the gear just dropped in at full throttle) and often with certain time delay. It is sluggish I might say. It is more obvious when driven at low speed (20 – 60km/hr), slopes, junctions when frequent gear shift is required.
Another weakness is the suspension. It seems the dampers and springs are not really tuned to the right setting. The car wobbles too much at the back and sinks down too fast over bumps – don’t quite feel the cushion effect. The rear dampers wear off faster than the front ones. I’d tried Monrole, but they are just too stiff. I would welcome suggestions to improve it. I might say that many smaller cars can perform better in this area (e.g. Altis, Civic, Sentra and even Waja).
The Perdana is my 3rd Proton car and soon I will be considering changing it. I hope Proton can make improvement in these areas fast before I choose others.
I'd like to add my two sens worth of comments here. Not exactly to do with perdana V6, though I am driving one now. It is more to do with the issue of upgrading as some of you fellas (or sheilas) indicated in your earlier comments. Remember AFTA? Remember also EON created Euro Mobil to distribute Audi/VW cars? Why do you think they did that? Well, one school of thought is saying that EON (@Euro Mobil) will take advantage of VW's strong position in China and push VW cars here come 2005 (and AFTA).
I can tell you this, I happen to also have experience driving an Audi (part of VW group) and I confirm as correct all the critics talk about the fabulous finish, workmanship and ergonomics. VW BTW is not too far off an AUDI, just look at the PASSAT. The only thing about VW is its price which is a dead turn-off (now) except for die-hards.
However, imagine with the tax issue removed by AFTA and Euro Mobil dishing out the mouth watering VW models, I'd say if I can afford to wait for AFTA, that's exactly what I'll do and I should be upgrading my perdana to a Passat then! (A Phaeton may be to far fetched though...)
Any comments?
I am having 2 proton cars now. Proton Iswara for my wife, Proton Putra for me. As I have friends and relatives driving Perdana V6..and they were also mentioned about their problems... gearbox was the major problem. Very scary problem for those who wants to buy a second hand V6. I have my own perception on this car. The looks are impressive... value for money. In terms of ride and handling, it is average.. probably similar to Waja. Engine is smooth. But in terms of speed and acceleration... my 1.8 DOHC Putra is much much better and more oomph. Better reliability. Hopefully Proton would come out with new model soon. As myself, most of other peoples are already tired of looking at an outdated shapes on street. Hope to have better income to buy my dream car... Nissan Skyline GTR.
Well actually I m a die hard fan of Honda's car, I own civic EG-9 and Accord 2.2 v-tech previously... but now I m driving a V-6 for almost 2 years. So far I can say that Perdana is a good car if not better then accord... but there are some problems with the car which I think Proton should take it seriously... built quality and quality control. Just compare with Korean car like Hyundai Sonata... i think Proton is far behind... just imagine paper cardboard is being use as roof insulation and behind rear seat... well perdana's owner you can check your car just to make sure if I m wrong. But don't compare with Waja in term of handling and perfomance because V6 is much better. Engine is very smooth and sound great at certain RPM even better then my accord v-tech.I can say that this car is great in term of overall perfomance and very comfortable.
L owned a perdana SEI for 5 years. The first year was acceptable. Every 6 month, l brought it to EON for service.
However, my antenna has failed. My alarm and side door cover has fallen off. AND most irritating, when you cruise at 60 to 70 km/hr on straight road, the engine will stall and lock at 60 km/hr eventhough l have no cruise control.
The transmission is faulty. There is no airbag when this is supposed to be the flagship model.
L bought it as it was bigger and cheaper and nothing else. now there are cheaper Vios and City and Similar sonata, l am going to change once AFTA comes.
L also feel the perdana price tag is too high and in real world, the car should cost only 50 k to 60 instead of 100 K as most cost are due to royalty to engine and a 10 year old design that is never changed.
My advise get a sonata and if one day the price goes down, l will get a BMW 3 series.
Sigh, you people seen the "new" V6 in the papers recently (face-lifted actually)? It confirms my earlier suspicion that whoever heads the styling department at proton must be an alfa freak. Nothing wrong being a freak, but spare the buying public the agony of senseless copycatting! my evidence? read on... 1. it started with the iswara. if you observe carefully, it was trying to imitate the alfas of those days (the bonnet & grille design especially). 2. next came the waja, which disastrously tried to combine the angular (and muscular) stance of the audi/vw silhouette with the smooth curvy lines of the 156 alfa (see the bonnet front section -i.e. the grill- and the side view mirrors). HORRIBLE to say the least.
3. Now we have the new Perdana V6 image face-lifted and hopelessly trying to imitate the Alfa 156 again. just look at the bonnet and grill!
The worst thing is there's no news of any airbags, EBD, VVTi-equivalent and a host of other technological advancement that would really add value to the car! come off it proton! even the RM75k honda city (25% cheaper, though 1.5 litre) will leave you for dead.. twice over, at least!
While I'm at it, the grille is one more thing. d'you guys notice there must always be this small piece of seperate grille part on every proton? if you scrutinise you'll realise it is completely unnecessary and total waste? the grille could be integrated into the bonnet design...! Think about it: one less part to make,---> cheaper production cost, ---> happy customer,---> bigger and secure market share out of brand loyalty, isn't it so obvious Proton? AHH, I Know, the grille is there so that the least proton can do to declare a facelift is to change the bonnet! (Remember the iswara and more significantly the wiras?) what crap... Makes one wonder who owns the grille plastic injection company, hmmm!
I know I'm disturbing the hornets nest here, but it is plainly frustrating (to put it politely) to see the design of the protons going bonkers and with no sense of practical originality one little bit!
This is beginning to look like a case of MALAYSIA BOLEH tiru saja (itu pun tak menjadi!)
Which makes me feel so sad, because the perdana has a generally very strong (despite others comments here) yet creamy and silky smooth, (albeit basic) V6 engine to start with. shame about the rest... I know because I drive one...
What say the rest of you guys out there?...Hello...?!...
I'm thinking of buying a 1999 secondhand V6. The price is about 68K. Do you think its worthy? Please give some advice.
Any idea what's the best spring/damper combination for a softer ride while cruising? A mechanic told me that there are customize absorbers which can lower the car down with original spring??? And claimed that handling is better?? Please comment.
Listen folks, a Perdana is the number one choice if you're looking for a second hand car. It's incredible value, you can get a 2.0sei for less than 50k.
Now try buying a second-hand Honda, Toyota or Nissan for 50k.
And to all those rich people out there, stick to your Beemers and Mercs. Leave us Perdana drivers in peace.
My opinion on second hand cars: they are never as exciting as a brand new one. think of it, the new perdana is only 98k. If a four year old V6 fetches 68k, i'd stretch my ringgit and go for the new one. besides, a new one has a warranty, one year at least?...a used unit, like what, three months? (that's if you are lucky).
The downside perhaps is u'll have to check carefully the new car upon taking delivery as I've heard of funny (not to the owner, of course) stories of off-specced units pushed out, e.g. misaligned wheels from word go, noisy gearbox (really strange this one, but true), leaking windshield (yup!),...the list goes on, really. the up side? well, if you are lucky (like most buyers are, I believe) you'll get a surprisingly comfortable and powerful car you'll enjoy driving (based on my own experience). having said that, pls apply self restraint as if you push the car too hard (which is very easy to do - especially when new) you'll be endangering urself primarily as the car isn't equipped with any airbags nor any of the high tech safety gizmos most other new cars (of other makes!) nowadays are supplied with. (not to mention the traffic fines you're bound to "attract").
Good luck!
The new perdana v6 is the same as the old one.