Owner Review: When a lorry passes by, my car will shake - My Perodua Axia

Basic information

2015 Perodua Axia MT

Reasons why I bought this car

Needed a car to go around with and so I encouraged my wife to get the Axia. So happened it became our only car for 5 years after my Proton Perdana was stolen. 

Car selection process

• I had a budget of RM 30,000.
• Models that I have considered include: Axia, Myvi, Saga, Iriz
• Reasons why I chose the Axia:

1. Lowest price tag
2. Nice design
3. Fuel efficient

User experience

• I have already done 80000+ km
• Since the purchase, my thoughts about the car are:

1. Reliable
2. Good fuel economy
3. Manual isn't hard to drive (i mean if our parents can do it why couldn't we?)
4. Nice design
5. Low maintenance cost
6. Low road tax

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Comfortable
• Spacious
• Fuel efficient
• Looks good
• Actual tires are similar to the spare saver tires
• ISO fix (proton SAGA doesn't even have ISOfix what a shame)
• Reliable engine and manual gearbox
• Good amount of storage area on the driver side
• Foldable back seats to store bigger objects
• Fantastic size, making finding parking in difficult situations a breeze

Cons

• Minimal safety features (car slide during cornering multiple times but managed to catch the slide so wasn't involve in any accidents,)
• Car is very light (when a lorry or fast moving vehicle passes by, the whole car will shake)
• After getting my 1st child we realised the boot space is now insufficient so this car is definitely not recommedded for family with children. We struggle to pack in stroller, cot etc.

Ratings

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

Summary

In the year 2015, my girlfriend decided to get a new car and I suggested that she gets a Perodua Axia as the styling was good and it was compact and easy to drive. We opted for the manual spec as the price differences between the manual spec and the auto spec was almost RM10k. 2 months after she has gotten the car, my 2010 Proton Perdana was stolen from the front of my house and since then the Axia became our sole vehicle to commute about. This little vehicle was very economical both in terms of monthly repayment, maintenance and fuel consumption. We spent only RM 40 per week for fuel, RM 20 for road tax, RM300+ for the instalment, and around RM200-300 per maintenance. All the money saved eventually entered our wedding tabung and we managed to get a decent wedding after 3 years. So if anyone has future financial plans, Axia would the perfect fit as a very economical vehicle.

Interesting events that happened to my car

Our little Axia was caught in slippery condition multiple times. Twice when exiting the tolls and as the car was turning the corner, the car slides out as it loses all grip. I am not sure if it is hydroplaning or I was running at lower gear and stepped on the pedal a little too hard that the rev went up and it started sliding. Nonetheless, I managed to regain control of the car within seconds and managed to escape any accident. Once we were not too lucky, it was raining and the car in front of us suddenly jammed her brakes. I tried braking despite running only at 40km/h but to no avail and slammed into the car infront. The brakes weren't slowing down the car and the car slid forward and colided instead. However, The insurance company and Perodua did a fine job repairing the damage on our car and now it looks as good as new. This enhances my confidence in the Perodua brand as their workmanship is good. If anyone decided to go for the basic Axia please be reminded that there is no safety features aside from the 2 airbags. You are the ABS, you are the ESC, you are the safety.