2007 Proton Waja from Malaysia - Comments

The car is fair if & only if when you are lucky to get one which is trouble free. We had the 1st Saga, then on to the Iswara & then to the Wira & Waja... just stops there. Why? Read on..

This brand probably generates the most frustration among genuine car owners.

Generally, though not only limited to this brand / make...

The only thing we noticed happening very frequently (in Malaysia) is that a lot of these new "yet-to-be-registered-or-delivered" vehicles are driven at speeds of 120-150kmh on motorways prior to delivery to clients or dealers. This probably explains why some owners find that their new cars have clocked considerable mileage even before getting the keys to their new cars!

Worse yet, some parts are deliberately "swapped" at service outlets / dealers so that the new car under warranty can be filed & claimed by the "victim" owner during the 1st service.

Unfortunately, there is nothing the poor owner can do about this due to the lack of protection for consumers here. The only protection available is only for some individuals' dream, pocket or so-called "nation's pride".

Shocking... but does this practice apply to Japanese cars like nissan, toyota and honda sold in this country? And how about Perodua cars? Maybe that's why more and more people are buying Perodua cars instead of Proton... or saving money for a Japanese car; anything just to avoid a Proton.

Proton cars lack durability, and this hasn't changed. I just wonder if it's the fault of the factory or the sales staff, or both. I've heard that proton cars which are slightly damaged while in transit (either in the parking area of the showroom, or while loaded on those huge double-decker car carriers, or when the salesman is driving it at 150kmh) are actually patched up and sold as new to unsuspecting customers!

I've owned many Proton cars; Waja (old version) Gen2, Arena, Waja CPS. None of these cars gave engine problems. Although I must admit, the old Waja gave some problems with the doors and windows. The new Waja CPS has so many improvements in performance, noise vibration and harshness, it is sad that previous Waja owners did not want to re-look at the new Waja, but rather pay 10 to 20 thousands dollars of their hard earn money to buy other brands of similar size (or smaller) and performance. If you work out the maths, windows and doors cannot cost more than a couple of thousand dollars for the life of the car. Parting an additional of 20K for a little inconvenience??? BTW, I have the waja CPS 6 months already. No problem so far.

Greetings.

Some of my feedback on my PROTON WAJA 1.6.

Model: Waja 1.6L A (2002)

Problems:

- Battery failed at 11 months old (changed warranty)

- Fuel pump sensor failed at 18 months old (stupid Proton changed my METER & FUEL PUMP)

- Absorber & horn failed at 18 months old (charged warranty)

- Engine suddenly died & cannot start at 23 months old. (Proton do repair & tweaks)

Solutions:

- Changed to 2.4L A (2004) Hyundai EF Sonata (CKD)

Problems:

- None as at Oct 2008.

Model: Waja 1.6L M (2002)

Problems:

- Rear door don't work at 6 months old.

- Engine suddenly died (Proton can't trace the problem).

Solution:

- Changed to 1.8L M (2005) Satria R3

Problems:

- Front door locks & windows failed within 1 month old

Final Solution:

- Changed to 1.6L M (2005) Nissan Sentra (CKD)

Problems:

- None as at Sept 2008.

Model: Waja 1.6L A (2003)

Problems:

- Steering mis-aligned (during pickup day - 1st day)

- Drive shaft fail during 18 months old (charged warranty)

- Light bulb fails

- Fuel pump failed at 5 years

Solutions:

- Changed to 2.0L A (2008) Hyundai Coupe GK (CBU)

Problems:

- None as at Oct 2008.

Conclusion:

Feel very happy after disposing all the 3 Proton Wajas.

Surprisingly, both my EF Sonata & GK Coupe had many high tech stuff over the Proton cars (all Proton till now!).

Among stuff available:

- ABS, EBD

- EBA (emergency brake assist)

- TCS

- ESP

- Airbags

- Superb audio system

- Superb handling: car sticks on road like glue.

Best of luck to all!

From kereta lembu... waja campro 1.6 manual.

I owned a waja campro (first batch) more 2 years now, I travel extensively with this car (i treat the car like kereta lembu.. very tough and rough handling..tak sayang kereta)..my mileage per month exeeding 6000 kilometer and the road condition is quite harsh due to rural area,...

So far there is no major problems, only problem is power window only, which I ignore because I seldom switch down window..

The performance of campro engine is quite good.. great pickup power.. no matter on flat or hilly road..cheap, affordable and aplenty of spare parts... best things is almost every car service centre can service this car in any part of Malaysia..

The fuel/mileage is also very good if compare with other 1.6lt car engine and size of the car..

Overall I am very satisfied with this car. (I think this is the most durable car Proton had ever built)...really worth the money.. and really no heart pain when the car kena batu or calar because its not expensive mah..hahaha..

My dad bought a Waja 1.6 in 2002 and still has it now. I was 12 then, and since I have my licence (I'm 18 now), this is the car I'm only allowed to drive since my dad won't let me touch his other cars.

But the thing is my dad owns a Mitsubishi and BMW. Both are TWICE as old as the PROTON yet these antiques never caused any trouble.

Like other comments, it's the windows and doors that cause the problem. I also found out that only after 6 years, the seats are deformed.

The Mitsubishi (a 1994 Spacewagon 2.0) : no problem whatsoever. It's weird how Proton couldn't get the same quality of its cars to match those of its partner company, Mitsubishi.

I also found out that if you exceed 140km/h the car wobbles like jelly. Pretty scary stuff, especially if attacking corners. I ALSO found out that it's annoyingly noisy when it reaches 100km/h.

All in all, HORRIBLE CAR for RM72K (that was the price in 2002)

Ever since I got my license, I was given the first batch of Waja (2001) to drive as obviously, my father wouldn't allow me to touch any of his other cars.

Firstly, let me tell you that the my Waja was a company car and was regularly serviced and taken care off by EON, as my dad worked for EON right until he retired and bought the car over for me. It was bought over when it was 3 years old and was handed to me in mint condition.

The car has also been through quite a massive accident when it was over a year old, and was fully repaired without leaving a trace of the accident.

For the price of the car I would definitely say that it's a very very good buy, if you can overlook the minor things that start to go wrong after the car is off certain age. And that is bound to happen to any car.

Like any other Waja I had problems with the power window and door handles too. Then I started to have problems with the front lights that would burn in a matter of one month of changing.

The AC compressor also gave way when it was over 6 yrs old.

Toward the end, I also had problems with the door locking mechanism with key, tint peeling.

Other than all these problems, I never had problems with the engine or gearbox till it was about 7 yrs old.

Recently my beloved Waja got stolen and I am planning to now buy the new Waja CPS as I believe all these problems would have already be rectified, and it's just a great buy for its price, as it can easily take me through the next 6-7 years with regular servicing and sensible driving.. without causing major problems of course.

25th Nov 2008, 17:48

My dad bought a Waja 1.6 in 2002 and still has it now. I was 12 then, and since I have my licence (I'm 18 now), this is the car I'm only allowed to drive since my dad won't let me touch his other cars.

But the thing is my dad owns a Mitsubishi and BMW. Both are TWICE as old as the PROTON yet these antiques never caused any trouble.

Like other comments, it's the windows and doors that cause the problem. I also found out that only after 6 years, the seats are deformed.

The Mitsubishi (a 1994 Spacewagon 2.0) : no problem whatsoever. It's weird how Proton couldn't get the same quality of its cars to match those of its partner company, Mitsubishi.

I also found out that if you exceed 140km/h the car wobbles like jelly. Pretty scary stuff, especially if attacking corners. I ALSO found out that it's annoyingly noisy when it reaches 100km/h.

All in all, HORRIBLE CAR for RM72K (that was the price in 2002)

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Respond to the comment above:

1st of all, my 2002 Waja price was RM66k.. that RM72k was the price when the Waja first launched in 2000. As you may want to know, I've lots of experiences with driving many kind of cars and I would want to say to you that the Waja handling was the best in its class.. you just cannot assume a Waja handles just like a wobbly jelly if it reaches 140km/h. (as you only got your driving license and this was the only car that you've driven)

For your information, all cars in this class will float within 140km/h of speed.. don't dare to taking any corner at this speed, any cars will wobble like a jelly at this speed.. if you really think the BMW never causes any trouble with their owner, try to read a review about that car here.. (maybe both of you another "daddy" cars has a low mileage and push his Waja over-the-limits every days for going to work place before he hand over a Waja to you, because the others 2 cars were expensive to maintain)

Hi. I just booked my new Proton Waja 2008 in Oman. Requesting you all to send me care & maintainence tips.

Thanks.

I have had my Waja car about three years now, I suffered from the electrical windows system. It happened with me in two different windows. I hope the manufacturer must redesign the system. I think something is wrong, I am very careful and using the car very gently.

What makes me very worry is that it happens suddenly.

I am in Egypt - Alexandria

nag1949@hotmail.com

Hi,

How are all of you doing, hope all is well. I was planing to buy a Waja 1.6 Campro 2008. I am living in Oman and I was planning to use it for say like 4 years at the max. If you have any suggestions whether to buy the car or not, please inform me as I have another car in mind, which is the new Kia Cerato 2010, which has already been docked in Oman. Please if some one would help me whether to go for the Waja or not, as I am really liking all the features in the car.

Plzzz help

Thanking you.

Go for it my fella from Oman.. I'm currently a Waja 2002 owner.. so far in almost 7 years of owning, the only problem just my power windows switch, broken door handle, changing a few bulbs and my newest problem was an alternator fan motor fail (consider this problem only countered in this year).. but it's only cost me around RM90 (below USD $30)

I bought my WAJA in 2006, no major problems so far. The only thing I have changed is the tyres due to wear and tear. It has good ride and handling, very good steering feel and does not rattle at high speed. Also good at cornering. I am a very satisfied owner.