IDRIVEACLASSIC reviews: 80s Proton Saga LE (limited edition Proton) ENGLISH Proton

[@joeanne8750]

I'm proud the be a Malaysian because your reaction about our proton especially in 1980.. Before I'm born... Now I can see the first and limited proton in your country.. Tq guys...

[@nicholasgraygonsalvez1665]

Thank god I have 3 different generations of Proton Sagas at my home 1) :1995 Proton Saga Iswara 1.5 Automatic (Facelift Model) 2): 2010 Proton Saga BLM 1.3 Automatic (the second gen model new platform) 3):2019 Proton Saga VVT 6 Speed CVT( the 3rd Gen model still on same platform ) LOVE ALL 3 OF THEM

[@acapzofficial6323]

That's cool

[@kevineffendijohari4562]

good Lord. that is a mint condition Saga. among the best i have ever seen.

[@seancooke4127]

I take off my hat to John for an extremely intelligent choice of car to preserve and then to find not one but two so very rare Proton Sagas. The Black Knight is a true time capsule but the LE is good enough to have come out of the showroom yesterday. Really enjoyed this Steph. You look so very tall with the Beehive filmed from behind with the chase car.

[@steffanhoffmann8937]

I used to have the model like the boot version. When I left my job that provided a company car. I searched for a cheap runabout. In the year 2000. I ended up paying 950 quid for a 1990 model It was easy to work on and had covered 123 thousand miles. I believe it was owned by an elderly gent as it had been serviced by a dealer throughout its life. It had a smooth gearbox and went up hills in 5th. It had every possible electric gizmo on it. It was quiet and sometimes I thought it had cut out by junctions. The exhaust was the original from the factory and I never had to renew it. MOT guys told me it was quite normal. It was also easy to work on etc. If I ever needed to which I didn't have to. Downside? Just one trivial thing. The tension of the clutch cable was poor. So I had two more of them. When I sold it to move abroad. Sunnier climate it had covered 167 thousand miles. I'll never forget that little beauty and I still see the occasional two or three. In Alanya Turkey. Med Sea climate, means no rust problems. If I also tell you ciggies are 1.25 for twenty. It's a good yardstick even if a nonsmoker. Petrol BP is the same as UK prices in 2004. My last electric bill for March was 18 quid a month. (Gas isn't necessary) Water bill for five weeks was 6 quid. Kilo of kiwi fruit 75p. Mod apt overlooking the sea. 300 Euros a month. 320 sunny days annually. Rarely rains. Coldest it gets is 15c in January. Today it's 31c 🌞 June July and August part of September. Temps are around 34-46c It's okay I go to the beach at 7am then and return 11am before it gets crazy. Okay. I'll leave it like this.

[@jeremytravis360]

When I was a student at an automotive college I occasionally walked past a Proton dealer in London. The cars looked quite impressive but beyond my wallet at the time. I ended up with a Fiat Panda instead.

[@myMotoring]

Basically you r saying Fiat Panda is poor man's Proton Saga.

[@iswaraKITT]

thank you John, for being the owner of the 2 surviving Proton Saga in the UK! I am also a driver of a Proton Iswara (an upgrade model to the Saga), and still driving it! Love it!

[@LoShhh3612]

Hi There, As A Malaysian I'm So Proud To See That 2 Of The Protons in UK Are Well Preserved. It's Hard To See An 80s Proton Car In Such A Mint Condition Over There!

[@fizzimustafa1323]

Greeting from Malaysia. I 1st drove this car while I was 15. And it was 30 years ago. My dad bought it. It's so proud to see this car reviewed & well kept outside Malaysia. U guys made me think to get one of these & restore it.

[@mastafami9859]

Wow.. That proton LE if ever sold in Malaysia would be very expensive.

[@drwho534]

Great review of a car we never saw here in Canada. Quite the accomplishment owning the only two survivors and both in excellent condition! Loved the additional 'following you view' we've never had before, enjoying the U.K. country road views. Thanks for posting!

[@DavidJones-dq7iu]

I loved the Chris Goffey test of these on Top Gear. The only ones I used to see was a neighbours they had lots of Protons seemed to have a new one every year I used to get jealous as it was a new car.

[@zaneclone]

I worked in a Proton dealer for several years after their launch (89 I think !). Great, reliable cars... not surprising given their DNA...

[@robertngreen6]

These two are in such good condition. A real credit to the owner and your videos have shown them to their credit too!

[@Howlingd0g]

Hello once again from the other UK Saga driver! 👋 Interesting fact about Proton testing their cars in the arctic, however I can definitely confirm that mine is not a fan of the cold mornings and tends to be a bit grumpy for the first couple of miles of the trip before he's warmed up! ;)

[@silverspiritveritas112]

If you're wondering why Tom was able to fit in the back of the base spec Sagas is because base spec Sagas actually have different seat design and materials. The Black Knight front seats are significantly smaller and slimmer. The ones in the LE are much thicker and padded, as well as having different headrests that adjust for angle and height. The LE also had side supports and a higher seatback, plus they adjust for height too. Hence why you'd feel like the rear seats are more cramped as the whole seat itself if much thicker. Hope it helps! 😘❤️ Lots of Love from Malaysia! P.s. I am still driving around my Proton Saga as of now as my daily driver, albeit a slightly newer model from 1995. Plenty of them are still running here to this day, and parts are aplenty as now they are considered classic status.

[@tyreez10]

whoaaa the original radiator cap with Bahasa Melayu on it.

[@LLUCKY_LLAN]

Not only the cap the whole car is origional.... u should check the ok proton stickers on the glass... looks like 10dayz old

[@fufsayd]

Proud malaysian here.. very nice condition.

[@josephmifsud8261]

Wow. Two literally unique examples of what seems to be an underappreciated classic. Lovely to see these saved for future generations

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Another cracking video Steph, really enjoyed watching part 2 of this, keep up the good work on producing these fantastic videos.

[@discerningmind]

Thanks again, Steph. And the same to John. I enjoyed this car too. I prefer the analog clock too. They're much easier to grasp the time at a glance, and there's no key required to read it when parked. Not being a watch wearer, for years when I'd be working outdoors I'd just look through the window of my car for the time, but you can't do that anymore. I'm still loving the simple dashboard and lack of modern distracting electronics. God Bless, and I very much look forward to your next video.

[@LuueeJanice]

This car is legendary.. It was launched in the 1980s.. Still here today running in Malaysia.. Nice video...

[@alansimpson835]

Fabulous Steph. Great to see another forgotten, underappreciated car championed. They really were the ultimate unfussy, undemanding transport. Are you getting to test more of John's cars? I'd love to see if the rest of his fleet are of a similar ilk

[@PaulinesPastimes]

I forgot there was another one! Twice the 80's styling. Cheers

[@williamegler8771]

I remember Malcolm Bricklin considered importing Proton's instead of Yugo's into the United States. I think it would have more successful as they are a much more modern design based on reliable Mitsubishi running gear and offering more driver amenities like automatic transmission and power steering.

[@mikewysko2268]

The proton appears to a better car than the Yugo.

[@carwrtr1]

Proton was based on Mitsubishi Lancer, sold as Dodge Colt/Plymouth Colt in America. The Lancer and its relatives were very reliable cars; Mitsubishi has Toyota quality at 25% lower price.

[@TheStobb50]

They’re a bit like the Lada in the way when they got a low secondhand value you could buy a cheaper car in good condition cheaper than buying tires or wings, used to: call them throwaway cars, Great video thank you to you both

[@tyreez10]

it is so pretty, thank you for the effort and your love towards proton saga

[@nastymelll]

I never knew there’s a sunroof on proton saga In the UK. Thanks for sharing. Love from malaysia 🇲🇾

[@angahsyber68]

All Sagas and Iswara from UK have sunroof only for Malaysian given low spec and overprice 😂😆

[@jefferysmith3930]

Great video. Such clean uncluttered lines on that car and what a pleasant interior. We got only the original Mitsubishi mfg. cars in the USA sold mostly by Chrysler as the Dodge (& Plymouth....I think?) Colt. A few were sold and badged directly by Mitsubishi as the Mirage. Both were offered in 1.5 and Turbo form. Always liked them and came close to buying a 3 dr. hatchback Colt in 1988. They weren’t massively successful, but sold well enough and were quite common on the roads. We don’t have any type of registration tracking in the US to determine if any are still on the road.Our license tags (number plates) don’t stay with the car from cradle to grave. They change whenever a car is sold or the owner moves to a different state. I can tell you I haven’t seen one in years, not even in a scrap yard!

[@tigerganeral5109]

Wow I'm proud to be🇲🇾🇲🇾🇲🇾

[@chrisgeorge007]

i remember these cars in england when i was a kid steph , there wasent many of them about , nobody really seemed to care of then 25 yrs ago , but it was a suprise to see you doing a video about 1 , well done and i have to comment on your lovely opaque tights , great dark denier , looks a bit sheer or a bit glossy ? love your videos steph

[@hercavotica]

Oh wow, that crazy trim level you have! They don't even sell these in Malaysia until a few years later after launch. Dubbed as the UK spec, it's a much nicer padded quieter car and the price was at the top of the line. Several more years down the road, out comes the 'Ah Beng' version (hatchback only), a sort of ricer car with more aggressive suspension tuning, noisy exhaust and less stuff inside. Drove mine over 300,000km until it finally got stolen...

[@iswaraKITT]

stolen!? my condolences... i still drive an iswara aeroback... with Knight Emblem and mitsubishi Fiore C12 dashboard... but if some people look at it, they'll say my aeroback is the UK spec one because of the dash

[@hercavotica]

@@iswaraKITT well, 2 weeks later I was driving away in a brand new Exora :D

[@TheFlyingBusman]

An interesting spin around the fens in an interesting car.

[@andythebourne]

I was thinking of importing an 80s Proton Saga from abroad (possibly from the UK) as they were never sold in my country, and I am quite disheartened by the extremely low survival rate of these wonderful cars. :( Thank you for showing and testing them, it was a great video (or actually 2)!

[@findafixing]

Great story and a lovely, well looked after car. Not sure how easy parts are to find John but hope you can keep it running for many years to come.Thanks for the video Steph, always something to look forward to.

[@davidhinkson8856]

Ideally anything from the equivalent Mitsubishi Lancer or Hyundai Excel should work

[@Howlingd0g]

Parts are not easy to find for these as Proton took them away with them when they exited the UK market. Obviously Mitsubishi Lancer and Colt parts are largely interchangeable but even then you're having to find parts for 30+ year old cars that are themselves a rare find in the UK. Looking abroad you'll sometimes have more luck but it's still no picnic.

[@davidhinkson8856]

@@Howlingd0g good point.

[@findafixing]

@@davidhinkson8856 Thanks for sharing the knowledge David, always interesting to hear what parts work across the ranges and manufacturers.

[@sunsetlights100]

The proton saga was everywhere on the roads of Malaysia 1987 when I toured there a bit, Singapore kuching 👏🙏🙌👍

[@michaeltutty1540]

Great video, Stef. Lovely car. Looks very much like some of the Mitsubishi captive imports sold here in Canada by Chrysler. On a top spec car, I would have expected power windows in the back, too, along with central locking. The carbureted Mitsubishi Cars here often had trouble with cold weather. Anything below -10C and the had to have block heaters plugged in.

[@bronyrocker96]

There was a proton of that model for sale on ebay a while back that I was tempted to get as a first car. Some kinda limited sporty model. But it was too far from where I lived and was probably not worth the hassle of buying despite how cheap it is. I'd like to own that proton one day, but it might not even be around by the time I can get it.

[@Howlingd0g]

Out of curiosity, how long ago was this and where was it located?

[@bronyrocker96]

@@Howlingd0git was before I got my car, so about 2-3 ish years ago. It was up north somewhere but I forget where.

[@Howlingd0g]

@@bronyrocker96 Ah, I wondered if you might have been looking at mine but that was a year ago and down in Cornwall. Hope you get your Proton some day but with literally only a handful left now you might have to look low and high!

[@naimjackson420]

I'm so proud, even proton reputation not very good after saga sold in uk. At least we have something to remember. Thanks 🙏

[@mhjejay023]

Another fact is the SAGA stands for Safety Achievement Greatness Ability 😉

[@hazleithhaz7644]

Hope you can do 80s cars comparison 😎. Love from Melbourne

[@nicholasgraygonsalvez1665]

Cant wait for the 4th Gen model coming in 2022

[@daffyduck4785]

I mean in Malaysia,people say the Proton got a fuel pump problem that make people a bit worried when owning a Proton.The fuel pump problem still exists in some newer Proton,but still people buy it because it was cheap than other import cars.

[@teomai]

Thanks again for the video. Coming from Malaysia 😎

[@nicholasgraygonsalvez1665]

Thanks for showing some love to malaysias first national car Hope our Second national car dosent get jealous Perodua Nippa/Kancil 660cc

[@xxrs2009]

Lovely, reminds of the '87 Colt I had a couple of years ago. It was a 1.2 GL, heavy steering and I hated the seats. Very uncomfortable on journeys longer then 20 min ( it was first owner, 91.000 km / about 60.000 miles on the clock). But I loved the 80s origami styling and the dash. Indeed very slick gear change, silent engine and very low driving position. about 20 years ago they were all shipped to Africa and such countries so parts were a problem.

[@FirdausAmir]

That sunroof 😲✨

[@rafir15]

I still keep one same as in this video. Currently this car people looking back since it become collector item. Btw the car in this video really clean great job in preserve it.

[@mahadzirabdkarim4800]

Wow LE For now it gonna be valueble in here !

[@O1Richard]

One of those cars has a reg number that partly spells your name. Those cars are becoming rare now.

[@gc5384]

It you take the 5 and 7 into her full name is there

[@O1Richard]

G C I know

[@gc5384]

@@O1Richard nice one hope ur well

[@O1Richard]

G C yes all’s good thanks :)

[@gc5384]

@@O1Richard 👍

[@xsduprwd3937]

Just looked at out countrys registry (New Zealand), looks to be about 50+ left registered. From 1986 on, but many more left from later on 90-92. Also see one was registered in 1993 maybe was old stock!

[@SirAmarAkmal]

Wow..I dream to drive 1 of those classic

[@Dan-hq2js]

While I really like these, I can understand what you say steph because if I could go back now and pick this over my MG maestro I'd still take the maestro, it was one of the most fun and enjoyable and reliable cars I've owned, definitely had an attachment to it.

[@tobeycat2007]

Another good review, this original model ( slightly updated ) was actually soldi n uk until mid 90s,last one son N plate was badged as mpi but same car. I bought a 1993 Se model in early 2000s from auction only done 55k for £700 was great and had power steering. Downside was if it had been raining, and turned corner too fast got drenched from water in sunroof, sadly it had to go.

[@spanarnombo6597]

I'm from malaysia i like your video👍

[@75maxdv35]

i cant decide which looks nicer... the location or the car?

[@mahmoodrazakbahman]

Would the owner sell it back to me in Malaysia? Serious question!

[@JonCoupland]

Not for sale

[@mahmoodrazakbahman]

@@JonCoupland oh well it was worth to ask. That's a beauty there. Will come and look for it next time am in UK for a photo!

[@JonCoupland]

@@mahmoodrazakbahman certainly was :) would be more than happy for you to come and see them. Maybe you can make me an offer I can't refuse ;)

[@mahmoodrazakbahman]

@@JonCoupland You never know....!

[@hakimnor598]

We very much love this car

[@nicholasgraygonsalvez1665]

The latest Saga ie 2019 facelift model is probably the most advanced Saga there ever was I mean featurea like Traction Control , ESP , Brake Assist , EBD ,ABS and Hill hold Assit all below RM 39.299.00 this extremely affordable all Young malaysians

[@philipeaton3102]

used to seen a few a round not seen one in a long time

[@furu4488]

not gonna lie best sound of engine 4g ever made

[@mohdhafiz8659]

Wow. this is for Proton Saga complete the sun roof. First time IC.

[@braderjoe9192]

Cap redietor (BAHAYA) from malaysia original part.....6.08

[@mohdriduwanrashid3009]

Good... Can u review other brand in Malaysian "Perodua" car in your country? Tq

[@braderjoe9192]

Suruh dia review produa kancil...pastu test drive....🤣🤣

[@mohdriduwanrashid3009]

@@braderjoe9192 tu lah kan view perodua plok kn haha

[@muhdniezan7341]

Nice review

[@NSW2040]

I visited Malaysia in 2010; many of these were still being used as taxis.

[@malaysiadentist4637]

Quality Malaysian Engineering!

[@AsherPiesman]

12:00 We just bought a 2017 Mini Countryman so it's not that old and that has a sunroof: an electric panoramic one

[@izzatfauzimustafa6535]

I'm pretty sure when these Saga models were still on sale, ppl didn't take good care of them, didn't clean the road salt stains after winter driving, and didn't change the lubricants on time. No wonder so many of them had gone quite fast in the past decades.

[@joezironcobra85]

the FIRST nation car .. I LOVE this car.. Legend car in MALAYSIA.. #protonsaga

[@richardlloyd3147]

Never has anyone compared a Rolls Royce power steering to a Proton's, I'm sure 😂

[@Howlingd0g]

Can confirm though that the power steering in these is genuinely some of the best I've ever seen in a car of this age, better even than some modern cars!

[@issackaiser]

That car is 20 years older than my Hyundai and it was as quiet as heck. My car as loud as a race car but with the speed of a trailer truck. 🤣

[@andyrobertshaw9120]

A couple of points on this one. Firstly, £9200 sounds like an awful lot of money for such a car in 1989/90. I remember our 2-litre Ford Sierra costing about £10k in 1989. Also, are Proton linked to Renault in any way? The interior reminds me quite a bit of some Renault interiors.

[@JonCoupland]

I agree ... However, according to the original bill of sale here. OTR Price of £9239 - the owner traded something in so actually paid £8639. No link to Renault - Mitsubishi provided all the parts.

[@kupih96]

Proton💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

[@hafiz_izzuddin]

Wait what..sunroof on saga..first time saw it maybe because limited edition Ps: the car is way more older than me

[@BennysBenz]

My cousin had one in the US it was called the dodge colt.

[@j.sheaven5177]

Kalau ku dapat ni proton, macam juga ni 40 tahun ke hadapan, tapi sayang saya tak mampu... 😭

[@ahmadmazlan5797]

Kat malaysia byk lg saga ni kan. Beli 1 buat cntik2. Pasti org tabik bos. Saya ada 1 saga ni. Tahun 90 aroback😊

[@gc5384]

Brill video steph hope all is well you not met the love of your life yet well apart from the marina

[@jetblack5115]

A mate of mine owned one from new it had lots of strange faults it would cut out while driving on the motor than fire up its self.. The dealer never sorted it out..

[@seorang_aku]

ask him to replace distributor,

[@Howlingd0g]

Had the same issue with mine. Faulty wiring on the distributor was to blame, was able to fixed fairly easily.

[@seorang_aku]

@@Howlingd0g if you've got any problems regarding this car.. you can ask us, Malaysian, as it was still aplenty here

[@mohdfirdaus2572]

Flawless car !!!

[@markkimberley3083]

Many years ago I drove one as a hire car and thought it was going to be. Crap but it was not I liked it

[@muazrulkamal]

those spoiler are super rare.....

[@safuanalong9723]

im confuse why proton saga in malaysia easy to rust. UK spec look good.. btw im from malaysia

[@worldnews4077]

Fair review, nice car,keep it mr jon,its going to make u money ,a classic not much left,btw,proton now is owned by Geely-China, sold by former prime minister of Malaysia,Mr Najib Razak whos in court battle over biggest money laundering scandal in the world, 1MDB..sad

[@muhdakmalAmin]

It's not sold to Geely, it is joint venture between DRB Hicom(Malaysia) and Geely Volvo(China). DRB Hicom still has the largest share which is 51%.

[@sbailucky4198]

I wanna this car

[@JonCoupland]

Make me a fantastic offer

[@siuuuscribe-7]

Superb

[@BobAbc0815]

Meet the real life Captain Proton🖖

[@faizzulkifli2181]

check out brand new proton from this year exp x70 and x50

[@riderbertopeng]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@mohamadfharidzulmansor6742]

Wow still good in conditions 😮😮😮😮😮 how come …

[@sonyxperia.l2e374]

Review new model proton,

[@finleyplympton]

has jill sold

[@ibnufaizal3064]

Kudos 2 paint job

[@fardystratocaster]

Terima Kasih🇲🇾

[@einstein9901]

Sorry in advance... But this saga looks super wierd... Although this is a UK spec car... What about the engine? Didn't the UK spec get injection engines for their saga?

[@mzack4531]

The Saga MPi did get a multipoint injection by about 1992 and only the UK got it while the Malaysian specs never got the injection version officially . Those sold in Malaysia were ex-UK or unsold UK units.

[@paullacey2999]

Proton sold loads back in the day.Wish theyd return.Look at Dacia-Its got the cheap end of the market all to itself....

[@fionaruth2223]

We call that car "Kereta Kebal"Know as the Tank.

[@hazakchannel]

terbaik proton

[@sbailucky4198]

Omg... Pliss sold tu me.. Pliss

[@winboxclub7orange448]

Rare car in malaysia .