Owner Review: Part of a rare and endangered species in Malaysia - My Proton Persona Manual

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Basic information about my car:

 2021 Proton Persona Standard Manual

Reasons why I bought this car(purpose)

Talking about purchasing a car. I always want the first car that is associated with myself. I'd like to buy a car with manual transmission but also as my primary car. I'd would never have the mind of purchasing of new car if not for Bezza 2020 facelift event when suddenly woke me up from the reality of manual transmission would phase out in coming future because the declining demanded on manual car itself. Since I need a car with bigger boot and fuel efficiency but also a manual transmission, buying car like sedan would the reasonable move since I'd would use to bring my new family around. 

Car selection process

● I had a budget of: around RM 45k

● Models that I have considered include: new Axia E, Myvi 1.3 G MT, Iriz 1.3 MT, Saga 1.3 MT & Bezza 1.0 MT including used cars like Bezza 1.3 MT & Axia G/SE MT 1.0. 

Reasons why I chose this car

Actually, I'm close to selecting the Used Bezza 1.3 MT, but after considering many factors, especially with "peace of mind", it is safe to say that buying a Persona is much better. The feeling of having a new car. The great thing about this model, it has a larger boot size than I'd considered. And proton manual cars are more engaging, the handling of the car better than Bezza. I drove the Iswara LMST. The feeling of gear shifting in Bezza was rather dull than the Persona. The experience was totally different. When I got the Persona, I felt a step up from what I'd driven before. And this is the car. Fun fact, I'd test drive the Persona Premium, it’s not a bad car. Still a very nice car but something is missing even with all the features (the joy driving manual). 

User Experience

I have already done: 3000++ km, and my average fuel consumption is around 6.1-7.5 L/100KM. 

Persona having a great ride and handling. From the comfort and handling. It excels on its way. With a 1.6 engine, it was powerful enough to go through Sabah terrains. It is definitely an upgrade from the car I used (Iswara LMST). The clutch is very light, changing gears very smooth and engaging. Pick up very nice (sometimes lanjak gear so the car behind cannot overtake - very annoying). For standard specs. It had everything that was necessary like ABS, ESC, Front parking Hill Hold Assist. Very nice considering Sabah is full of hilly areas. When driving on the highway, the Persona is so stable. It doesn’t wobble and stays in position. However, the quality of the audio for the variant is not the best (just so so) which only has 2 speakers. Although, it can be fixed through high-end aftermarket audio. The only real problem with this variant was lack of other 4 airbags and unfoldable rear seat which was kind of bummer. 

When driving the Persona, it is not like a chore for me. I like to drive it whenever I have time. Feel like you are the car itself. Although in the MCO period, very limited places can go. I'd drive it when I go to work or leisure. Get through the jam but I'm used to it. It’s actually not tiring when driving this car. I don’t always need to press the clutch when driving in heavy traffic. Just playing with the car's momentum and letting it slow down with braking. Have tried driving in rain, hot weather, and night drive. Night drive is the best. I like the illumination of the meter cluster. Which color is most suitable for the car? I'd even ask my relative to fit in the car boot for size comparison, around 3 small persons can get inside there. Or maybe around 2 big adults can get into the boot.  The boot is super large with 510 capacities. I don’t even know anything else to fill up the spaces. 

​While on a hilly area, I'd like how the engine braking for the Persona is very strong and you can feel it slowing down. Compared to the other car used before, I can still feel the car accelerate when going down the hills. The Persona engine is powerful enough, I don’t feel the Persona working so hard to climb the steep hills (the engine doesn’t Revving so loud and Effortless – doesn’t always to shift down gear). Even easily catching up with the front car when climbing hills. Sidenote, Proton car really the best except for its fuel consumption compared to the Perodua. 
Overall, the car is very suitable for my everyday use for going to work or leisure driving while it is fun to drive from time to time. And I'd like to drive a manual car to make sure my both legs are fully utilized. It’s just a matter of getting used to the car and muscle memory when driving this car. I don’t like the imbalance of force applied only on one foot, especially on long drives. I had the picture in mind of a muscular right leg and thin left leg. So scary. 

Pros and Cons

Pros of my car

1. It is a manual
2. Great handling 
3. Comfortable Seat for long distance driving. 
4. Effortless while climbing Steep Hills. 
5.  Design very Nice - the V line on the front bumper is very neat. 
6.  Got ABS, ESC, Front Parking Sensor & Hill-Hold Assist. 
7. Big Boot size (3 people can enter) 
8. Nice Meter Cluster design. The white colour is really bright and nice but it is adjustable.
9. 7 cupholders. 

Cons 

1. Only 2 Airbags
2.  Unfoldable rear seat
3.  2 Speakers
4.  No push start button
5.  No storage pocket behind the front seat. 

Ratings:

Total Score: 4.75

Performance: 4

Quality & Features: 4

Space: 5

Ride comfort: 5

Fuel Economy: 4

Price & cost: 5

Summary:

It may not be as fancy as the Premium specs, but this Persona continues exceeding my expectations in every level.  It's like having your first child. It may lack features, but it is still a very nice car.  Driving can be fun and engaging with feeling comfortable. It really depends on anyone's preference and taste. For me, the Persona 2019 delivers what I hope for. Eventually there will be add-on aftermarket accessories like DRL, high end speaker, Android player or even Dashcam and Reverse camera on my Persona. It can be added in the future. There are plenty of possibilities to upgrade this car in the future. 

Finally, it was the last of its kind Proton Persona with Manual transmission for the year 2021. Very rare of its kind and worth every penny on it. #savethemanual. Soon, the other cheaper model would not include the Manual version and maybe the Automatic too since the development of EV being focused all over the Globe, even Proton. For the people who were saddened by Proton's decision to phasing out the manual Variant, it can’t be helped as from data the demand on manual cars is declining from years to years and only 3% car that sold by proton were Manual. Welcome and Congratulations to those 3% who ever manage to get their hands on a Proton Manual car. We are a rare and endangered species. 

Interesting Events:

Fun facts, I was waiting for the launch of the new facelift of persona. Luckily the salesmen told me that Proton had halted its production on manual variants for Persona & Iriz (this was before any rumor that Manual transmission would be phased out on the net) around earlier May. Then I made up my mind and decided to purchase the Persona but had to wait from another branch to deliver the car to the showroom where I bought the car. Kind of bummer when the first choice colour is Rosewood Maroon but the Jet Grey colour is not bad actually. It shows that this particular variant was very rare and the production of this variant was limited. Because FMCO started on June 1st, I had to wait longer than I should have because of the closure of the showroom. Luckily, I managed to get my hand on this particular unit a week after. The salesmen even congratulated me for being the last person to obtain the last unit of Persona Manual. So lucky to be among the last person to obtain the last unit of Persona Manual 2021.

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