Hi All,

Appreciate it if you could assist me in choosing a used Proton Saga for my dad. Budget is about RM25k or thereabouts.

My questions are:

Should I go for the BLM model or FLX model?
I hear the FLX comes with CVT gearbox, right?
Would the BLM model be cheaper to maintain the medium to long term?

Many thanks in advance.

regards...

Get a used Merc instead? Prices are also thereabouts.

Quote:
And the initial expenses to get it to be in good condition would be around that too, most likely. Or maybe twice But this is what I've learned about owning a used, older model Mercedes - you must be committed from early on and be willing to bite the bullet to get the car up to speed and maintain it. I guess that's why most people wouldn't dare to own one even though their hearts want it.

There's also a mid-90's Proton Iswara at the house. When it comes to maintenance, and especially when you compare it with a Merc, the former is really dirt cheap to run. Shockingly low prices for everything!...when compared to the Merc, of course. But that's about it - the Iswara also gets treated like dirt Haha!

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Mat Cendana

Don't think it will be that bad to maintain the car lar.... I think if you're paying about RM 28k to RM 30k, should be able to get a nice and well maintained W124. Or alternatively, RM 20k should net you a good W201. I doubt the initial outlay will be more than RM 1k to get it up and running.

Frankly, I really am not sure about other cars being cheaper. I had a 97 Sentra before this. The parts sure were cheaper and I got it for less than RM 15k, but over the 2 years I owned it, I remember that every time I went back to my hometown, I had to spend at least RM 500 to fix some things, which came up to RM 2k per year over 2 years.

All depends on whether the car that you bought is well maintained, and is near the point where most of its parts needs replacing.

Thanks for the inputs, guys.

My dad is 80 years old, and has owned a Merc (W123) for many years. At this age, he needs a smaller and newer car, one that is reliable, economical and is cheap to maintain. Futhermore, 90% would be town driving.

At 80, he prolly doesn't need the excitement anymore. . Kind of been there, done that. Visiting workshops frequently at his age is not exactly his cup of tea anymore as well.

He's set his sights on a Proton Saga, however it's a toss up between the FLX or BLM. He prefers the BLM, where a used unit (3 years +) can be obtained for under RM25k. Or whether it's better to top up a few more thousands for the FLX.

regards...

Found this link below, although it's FL vs FLX perhaps it can be of some help.
http://sagablmku.blogspot.com/2011/07/saga-fl-vs-flx.html
Good luck with your search!

If you're buying a saga, get the FLX, not the BLM.
FLX has better fuel consumption due to the IAFM+.

IF buying new, the saga SV is good enough.
Getting the Auto or Manual?

IF manual, I'm selling my silver flx year 2012 mileage currently 24k.Perfect condition.

PM me if interested.

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Mercedes Benz C180 BlueEfficiency Fuel Consumption

dear RS-W124...

good to know ur Dad is still up & about bro...
wishing him good health in d years to come

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"... Aiman tak kesah..."... He... He...

Bro msafwan,

Thanks, but my dad's looking for an Auto.

Bro Jaybon,
Thank you for the kind words.

regards...

A Saga or something similar in good condition would be a great workhorse. My 80-year-old father still has the Wira 1.5 automatic bought in 1994. Over the years, he had to make repairs here and there, of course. This kind of no-frills car does its main job very well - getting one from here to there and doesn't cost too much to maintain. Most of the time, it's just filling in petrol and changing the engine oil.

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Mat Cendana