2001 Proton Waja 1.6 from Malaysia

Summary:

You get what you pay for

Faults:

I feel the seat cushion is a little too stiff.

The front suspension gave squeaking sound when cornering (never fixed).

Poor design, if you wear long sleeve shirt, your cuff can easily pull off the audio control located on the driving wheel. Had it happened to both the controls, but replaced at no cost under warranty.

And MOST IMPORTANT of all: the engine can stall especially if the car is still warming up when driven. I had this problem several times, brought back to dealer and they just rev up the idling RPM, but problem still comes back after a few weeks. This is a major safety issue, and is the one of the main reasons I sold the car.

General Comments:

I understand quite a few of Waja on the road have these two problems:

1. Suspension squeaking.

2. Engine stalling.

There seem to be some problems with the engine, and Proton almost always just rev up the engine idle RPM, thus wasting more fuel for you. Mechanics' explanations ranged from failed computer chip, electric circuit board, fuel injection, to simply engine need tuning.

And what is the deal with the dealer technicians now being able to decide how much to charge?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th August, 2003

26th May 2005, 00:46

Engine stalling-Are you referring to manual or auto transmission? so far that I know, the waja is just the car for me!

2001 Proton Waja GX 1.6M petrol from Malaysia

Summary:

Good performance, but poor finishing

Faults:

1. I have changed the power window on the driver's side twice at no cost.

2. As at to date, the power window still gives this irritating squeaky noise.

3. I also get the same irritating noise from the left front side window.

4. Changed the clutch pump at no cost. Had terrible time to get parts from the dealer as I have to wait for two weeks.

5. The customer service is pathetic.

6. Quality of workmanship at baggage compartment area is questionable.

General Comments:

1. Teething problems such as power windows is something not commonly found at other cars (non proton).

2. On top of that I have to wait for weeks for parts from authorized dealers.

3. Poor after sales customer service.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 24th June, 2003

2001 Proton Waja GX 1.6 EFi from Malaysia

Summary:

Avoid buying Proton all together

Faults:

- Driver's side power window failure.

- Gear change very rough & inefficient.

- Passenger's doors too tight.

- Airconditioners not cold enough.

- Airconditioners vent pointing to driver only.

- Boot design very poor.

- Passenger's seats (sitting position) very uncomfortable.

- Noisy on the inside while driving.

- Very hard to close doors from the inside due to poor handle design.

- The tire alignments had to be adjusted even after taking it from the sales office.

- Huge turning radius. Worst car to drive into when parking or making U turns.

- Squeaky absorbers & dashboards.

General Comments:

DO NOT buy this car until Proton has improved the above stated features.

This car has very bad quality built into every part of it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 14th December, 2002

24th Aug 2004, 21:24

AGREE: what Proton has been doing all these years as we have to bear the the cost of the same quality problems associated with the car i.e. power window, knocking sound while driving or making turns and etc.

2001 Proton Waja 1.6 petrol from Malaysia

Summary:

A good bargain that comes with some headaches

Faults:

Right front signal light suffered water leakage after 1 week, had it replaced by the dealer at no cost.

Brake squeak at one of the tyres while braking hard after 2 weeks, dealer not willing to replace/repair it.

Brake oil leaks at the master pump after around 5 months, dealer replaced 2 rubber seals at no cost. Understand that this is a common problem in the Waja from the repair man.

Battery dead and towed to workshop. Due to a loose wire which connects the generator and battery. Had it fixed at no cost.

Left front window rattles at bumpy road. Not fixed.

Right front door rattles almost always. Not fixed.

Lock cover at the rear trunk dropped after a few days. Unable to put it back due to lock alignment.

Plastic cover at the left front above the dashboard is loose, I need to tug it with a rubber tug to secure it.

General Comments:

This would be a dream car if the quality control is not overlooked by the manufacturer.

Great exterior design, I love the new logo, and the classy look.

I like the 15" sport rims which come with the standard package.

The car body is rigid enough, it makes me feel safe while driving it.

It is stable and not bumpy.

It is spacious and comfortable.

Realised that the air conditioning outlet design is tilted towards the driver, which makes the front passenger really warm, and, of course, complaints.

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

Review Date: 10th January, 2002

10th Mar 2003, 12:56

The Proton Waja seemed to be the ideal car for me. I was planning to purchase a Waja as my family required a second car as an everyday runabout. We also wanted to be less conspicuous when going about our everyday business. However after reading a number of reviews on the vehicle and getting feedback from people who have the car, I have decided against it. Besides this, I have also tried out the car. There is no doubt that the chassis is quite good. But it all falls to pieces from this stage on. I found the quality of the vehicle to be incredibly poor. there seems to be a an underlying cheapness about the whole vehicle. Materials used seem to be of sub-standard quality and the car seems to be put together by 5 year olds. Proton should not rely so much on protectionism and try to to challenge other makes based on their own merit. It is an embarrassment to the nation that the national car maker is unable (unwilling) to put the extra effort into building a quality product.