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2006 Proton Savvy 1.2 AMT from Malaysia

Year of manufacture2006
First year of ownership2010
Most recent year of ownership2012
Engine and transmission 1.2 AMT Semi-Automatic
Performance marks 7 / 10
Reliability marks 7 / 10
Comfort marks 8 / 10
Dealer Service marks 8 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper) 7 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)
7.4 / 10
Distance when acquired110000 kilometres
Most recent distance156000 kilometres
Previous carProton Satria

Summary:

Acceptable, not bad

Faults:

Radiator fan stopped working. Replaced it with a new one from Proton, and have not had a problem since (1 year running).

Temperature sensor stopped working. Replaced it with a new one, which cost around RM260 (original Renault), but it has since started to wear out when I checked it during a service about a month ago. Still working though.

General Comments:

I've had no major problems with the AMT. The only problem I had with it, was that it started jerking in the 2nd gear, which I got fixed at a Renault specialist shop. But after fixing it, the car still started to jerk in 2nd gear after a few months. The problem seems to be fixed after I turn off the ignition and turned it on again (no more jerks after "restarting" the car).

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

Review Date: 13th November, 2012

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2005 Proton Savvy 1.2 from Malaysia

Model year2005
Year of manufacture2005
First year of ownership2010
Most recent year of ownership2012
Engine and transmission 1.2 Manual
Performance marks 5 / 10
Reliability marks 6 / 10
Comfort marks 6 / 10
Dealer Service marks 0 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper) 7 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)
4.8 / 10
Most recent distance141000 kilometres

Summary:

It is an affordable and suitable compact for youngsters

Faults:

I like to drive fast, no matter what kind of car I drive. When I pushed the Savvy to the limit (175km/h), something started leaking. Turns out, it was the power steering pump. When I brought it to a workshop for a service, the mechanic told me it was not a big problem. He said I can push the car to the limit, but small cars need a rest.

The awesome handling eats the front tires.

Every time I drive the Savvy in a traffic jam for an hour or more, the temperature meter tends to increase more than usual, every time I travel very slowly in 1st gear.

General Comments:

Amazing handling.

Good speakers.

An R3 body kit makes it look even better.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th August, 2012

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2009 Proton Savvy AMT from Malaysia

Model year2009
Year of manufacture2009
First year of ownership2011
Engine and transmission Semi-Automatic
Performance marks 1 / 10
Reliability marks 1 / 10
Comfort marks 1 / 10
Dealer Service marks 1 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper) 1 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)
1.0 / 10
Distance when acquired50 kilometres
Most recent distance1600 kilometres
Previous carHonda Civic

Summary:

Not reliable at all (especially the AMT batch)

Faults:

The Savvy's AMT is still a big problem up to this moment. Brand new car, yet the roughness and a loud THUD!/THUMP whenever the gear is automatically shifted up and down is noticeably heard, although I'm already using the appropriate oil for the AMT : Elf Renaultmatic D3 Syn.

General Comments:

I believe Proton should SERIOUSLY recall the Savvy AMT batch. Though I know that AMT stands for Automated Manual Transmission, hence it's a manual transmission equipped with robotic arm to engage & disengage the clutch, thus gear shifting should be heard like any typical manual cars do. BUT NOT AS LOUD AS THIS CAR! For every time it happens, it give me the shiver that I feel the transmission parts about to fall off or break apart.

Trust me, it is far away from being a "reliable car", since at the end of the day, we cannot "rely" on it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 20th May, 2011

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16th Aug 2011, 06:31

I would like to know: My Savvy Sport 1.2 AMG - Gearbox Automatic Transmission:

My car went for its 30000km service two weeks ago. Problems: Reverse gear and also D gear - during slopes and traffic jams. The car tends to roll back - When putting it in drive, the car doesn't move, then you give a little petrol and the car sudden jerk with power, causing it to overshoot. It is a major problem in traffic. When putting in reverse gear, it doesn't automatically go into drive gear, you have to put it back into neutral gear before overswitch to Drive. Is this normal, because the service manager told me it is the way the gearbox works?

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9th Jan 2013, 04:39

1. Make sure the oil is replaced in the gearbox with the RIGHT oil.

2. Make sure the selector, which lays in oil as such, has clean oil as well. It can be adjusted for clutch wear distance etc...

3. The car has no "creep" or assisted hill start, so apply the handbrake, and as you push the accelerator, take off the brake and the car will move away fine.

4. Learn to use the man and auto options, as this should enhance your driving pleasure.

5. AMT will often sound loud in changes from time to time, but as long as it's serviced and treated right, it should do many miles. Mine has done 100000kms.

6. Make sure the car is not moving before selecting D or R, and put your foot on the brake when doing so. Do not touch the accelerator pedal as this may damage the gearbox!

You need to learn how to drive these cars, as it is not an automatic system; in reality it's a manual box to save weight.

Happy driving!

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Average review marks: 6.2 / 10, based on 12 reviews