2002 Proton Wira Li 1.3 from UK and Ireland
Summary:
A much underrated motor
Faults:
Nothing.
General Comments:
I'm genuinely mystified as to why these cars are rated so badly. I paid £600 for my Proton with service history and a year's MOT. In that time it hasn't cost me a single penny in unexpected repairs.
The car is basic, only having power steering as an option, but I can live without toys. Fuel economy is excellent; I can achieve just over 50 MPG on long journeys, which is amazing for an old 1300cc petrol engine allied to quite a large car, although I would prefer more torque for hills and overtaking.
The ride is a little crashy over bumps and potholes, but I find the seats comfortable for long trips and there is decent leg and head room, and the boot is also a good size. Visibility is superb all round due to the large glass area.
I have been all over the country in my Proton, and it has never let me down (six monthly services do help, but I do that with all my cars). It's also of no interest to thieves or vandals. I once left it unlocked overnight on a South London street, and it was still there the next morning.
The only reason I am selling is the cost of tax. Because of the age of the engine, it is quite a high polluter and the tax is a hefty £143 for six months, a figure that will only rise in future. A shame really, as it has been the cheapest and most reliable vehicle I have owned. The motoring websites and magazines that reviewed the Wira have either never driven it, or are just slaves to anything German; I can't think of any other reason why it is so maligned.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 6th September, 2013
24th Sep 2023, 16:08
That's why they were rated so badly as the reviewer asks - they were good and reliable enough, but had a major image problem as a dull old persons car, from which Proton never recovered. Nowadays (and even back in the 1980's/1990's) people want a bit more from their cars than something that just gets from A to B.
3rd Jun 2026, 17:55
Always fancied one of these, had an early 1990s "Saga" (although technically just named Proton 1.5 in UK) and wanted to upgrade but never did. I'm sure if I bought a more modern Proton it would have been fine. They were not as unreliable as the motoring press at the time made them out to be.
5th Aug 2022, 18:24
My Grandparents loved their Proton, a dull but very reliable car.