Owner Review: A good performing manual hatchback - My 2020 Proton Iriz 1.3 Standard MT MC2

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Basic information

2020 Proton Iriz 1.3 Standard MT MC2

Reason why I bought this car

This car purchase decision was made due to my old car, which is a 2009 Proton Savvy Lite MT that I inherited from my family that suffered from a bad mechanical condition. Piston O-ring is corroded, causing engine oil to deplete dramatically, along with other issues such as air-conditioner, drier canister, condenser, just to name a few. 

Of course, It is not entirely the car's fault. I myself am not a good driver when driving school tag as a role model. That Savvy, along with sweet and sour, have been with my family for a journey of more than 170k km and counting. 

It is time for me to get a new car. Money spent on repairing, visiting fuel stations & purchasing engine oil is killing my cash flow, let alone saving up to repair it. 

Sorry I know I'm a broke guy who doesn't have 90k to get a GTR, then get a Vios ''cuz it's better''. Janganlah Kecam :(

Car selection process

• Budget: My Annual Income. I follow financial advise as I don't intend to be car slave. Hence, RM36k region.

• Models that I have considered include: All the manual cars you have ever thought of. I have considered second hand Inspira 1.8MT, Myvi 1.3 Standard Manual, Second hand Suzuki Swift Sport, Second hand Mazda 3 MPS, Myvi Supercar 1.5 MT

The reason why I choose this car

I have a lot of stories with Iriz. When Proton announced a project called GSC (Global Small Car), I have been following news related to it. Needless to say it carries a certain sentimental value to me as this is the car, where I witness the full process-from launching of EMAS concept until the production throughout my secondary schoolhood. Iriz was also my favourite choice of car to rent in college back then ( don't ask what I have done with it).

Apart from sentimental value, I also need to take care of practical and realistic factors. My annual income practically limits my choice to almost nothing. Second hand car is not an option as it needs an amount of upfront cash to service and restore the car, which is unfavourable as I need a car right after I get my confirmation letter from my employer. I can't afford any sudden mechanical breakdown.

(Yes, I bought a car without savings. Yay. Ironic me. 6 months on job with fresh grad salary, then balls out and get a car. My parent is shame of me, I am proud of myself)

Also, I am in my 20's with a stubbornness in my 40's. Manual IS A MUST. In an age where EV and Autonomous driving blooms like nobody business, I don't find it inspiring to rock an auto car. It sounds like rapping with autotune, rocking with techno, and lacking soul.

Of course I know Civic Type R or WRX STi or GR Yaris issss da best and I also know my mum is a woman. So, get a hat that fits my head-Iriz 1.3 Manual is it.

You ask why not Myvi? Ok, simple. Myvi interior is not on my side-for some reason Perodua is not giving a *bleep* on manual variants, hence the whole interior just screams cheap. I don't really care about accessories, as those can be done by any ah beng ah lian accessories shop, whilst both come with VSC and Airbags which is good enough.

MC2 Iriz is a very good offer from Proton after Geely joined, slashed the price for a few thousand technically giving Axia E spec a run for its money, offering better specs, and guess what!? They did not cheap out on rear wiper, electric adjustable side mirror, or that paint on the side mirror cover. If you ever see a Myvi 1.3 MT, which I had, give it a look in the rear view mirror and you will know it is a world of difference. Also, it's almost an Iphone ProMax price difference. Being an ex car technician and used to be an automotive engineering student, I firmly believe there is no amount of QC that is worth 7k of difference. Have you seen a Myvi sitting on the roadside due to fuel pump failure?

Manual gearbox that they have is also a dedicating factor for me. I prefer the feeling that Getrag sourced 5MT for Iriz rather than Akashi Kikai 5MT for Myvi. Don't get me wrong, none of them feel notchy or clicky, and none of them come close to my Savvy's magneti marelli 5MT, but Iriz's Getrag offers a tad more preciseness and consistency on shift travel than Myvi. It is not something that can be modified easily.

Also, I prefer the sense of suppleness and good NVH of Iriz compared to Myvi where it just shouts ''I'm only here to get my job done''. In summary, I clicked with Iriz as it provided me with a false sense of nicheness, a poor man fun hatch, rather than a box that just intended to get it's job done.

(OK LAH ACTUALLY I JUST WANTED TO SAVE THE 7K CUZ I KIAM SIAP. MYVI IS FASTER AND MORE THING TO MOD AND LOOK BETTER (=.=). MYVI FANBOI DON'T SHOOT ME PLEASE )

User experience

• I have already done 40,000km. 
• My average fuel consumption is 5.5~9L/km.

The car needs some time to run it. After 15k km, it will perform better.

Keep the engine boiling! Stop complaining about 1.6 being a lack of power. 1332 vs 1598, they are not that much different. This is a campro afterall, keep it boiling above 4000rpm and your daily dose of need for hoon shall be satisfied. Don't expect rocket acceleration please, want a rocket go buy a rocket. This car suits best for syiok sendiri. Top speed on GPS is 180. Don't ask for more detail. Try at your own risk.

The interior is about lack of thought. Although the teh tarik hook is a nice touch for convenience, the cup holder is damn kacau for manual drivers like me. Now the cup holder is more like a phone holder. It is not as convenient as the Malaysia-Japan mixed blood.Also, if your iriz suffers from dashboard noise, try to clear up your glovebox first? Maybe is your condom box or what else clunking clicking inside asking why you no use.

Rear Seat some will complain small. I don't care because I'm single. Nobody sits beside me already, wdym by rear seat? (crying inside)

Boot is also small. Again, I am single. IDGAS.

I have brought my car to dyno in the name of science and I found out that irizes have different engine mapping. This version 2.0 has a new mapping which is very linear in torque delivery, but above 4200rpm, air fuel ratio will be damn rich. That is the main reason why all protons drink fuel. But, if you are disciplined enough, it can achieve 5.5litre/100km. I am not disciplined, so the worst is? 12litre/100km. That is the worst you could expect, in Sepang circuit whacking max out.

Everything is good in this car, I faced no QC problem at all. Radio fuse burned once, I solved it myself. Left rear view mirror have some dark spots. Left sun visor has some weird white stain which I suspect the factory worker bukake the glue on. The rest, all ok. God bless Proton for giving me a car without issue.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Fun to Drive. Go drive one then you will know what I say. Maxing out you and yourself without the need of going superficial speed, yay~
• Manual is an underappreciated gem. For those who say ahhh I wanted top spec...banyak excuse lah. Because what most top spec offer, this car already has. Only difference which you can't retrofit is the extra 2 airbags. 
• It is really affordable now. Bargain. 
• NVH is good if you drive sensibly, at highway speed limit.

Cons

• A bit challenging to get aftermarket upgrade parts. 
• General perception on Proton, so don't expect any pride or image. I don't need those IDGAS. 
• Fuel consumption might be unacceptable for some. For me I understand horses must eat grass to run, else photosynthesis ah?
• Rear seat and Rear boot is not practical enough if you have a plan to get married, or you have a lot of stuff to haul around. 
• Fun to Drive. Again, Fun, Not FAST. 0-100kmph can be done under 12 seconds, you need to hit 3rd gear for it.

Ratings

Total Score: 4
Performance: 3
Quality & Features: 4
Space: 2
Ride Comfort: 3
Fuel Economy: 3
Price & Cost: 5

Summary

I write a lot liao. Later you all complain that it is boring. so that's it lah.

Some interesting events

• It has been to the sepang circuit. clocked 3.21 under my driving. 
• Somebody still think it is an Axia
• They still think it is until today 
• My car has a name called Bikachu.Biru punya Pikachu. Geddit? Weird or Cute?
• I have plans for minor upgrades. Will reveal soon.

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