[gasjatt]

** I'm new to this forum, if this is not the right place to post this, please direct me to the correct place and i'll repost there. Thanks. **

Hi everyone, I'm considering buying my first car, need help in choosing between the two below:

- Nissan Sentra 1.6 AUTO (used - circa 2005/2006 model)
- Proton Gen2 CPS 1.6 H-Line MANUAL (brand new)

The Nissan Sentra is my uncle's, he's changing to a new car soon. Below are the few factors that i'm considering:

1) Fuel consumption
2) Regular servicing cost
3) Repair and parts cost
4) Reliability

Both cars are selling at around the same price, so car price is not a factor here, what i'm concern about is the long term running cost.

The Gen2 is in brand new condition hence has zero wear & tear, but i heard proton cars have a lot of problem even when the car is brand new. The Sentra is older thus will have some wear and tear, but i heard Japanese cars are far more reliable.

I've also heard that Proton will have cheaper parts than Nissan, but Nissan parts on the other hand doesn't need that much repairing/replacing.

I drive mostly in urban areas in Penang, with occasional jams during peak hours & weekends. There may be some highway travelling in the future, but not a lot. It would be a plus if the car has low fuel consumption.

[andy111172]

The Nissan Sentra is my uncle's, he's changing to a new car soon. Below are the few factors that i'm considering:

1) Fuel consumption
2) Regular servicing cost
3) Repair and parts cost
4) Reliability

The factors you're considering all point to the brand new Gen2. Being new with manual transmission will be more economical to run... and you get the new car smell to go with it..

I'm not sure about the condition of the Sentra but it's already 5 years old and might need some refurbishment. If you wanna use it for another 5 years, the car will be 10 years old already by then.. dropping the value even further...

By the way, the Gen2's got a sportier look compared to the uncle Sentra... but that's subjective and down to you to decide..

[mzi]

The factors you're considering all point to the brand new Gen2. Being new with manual transmission will be more economical to run... and you get the new car smell to go with it..

I'm not sure about the condition of the Sentra but it's already 5 years old and might need some refurbishment. If you wanna use it for another 5 years, the car will be 10 years old already by then.. dropping the value even further...

By the way, the Gen2's got a sportier look compared to the uncle Sentra... but that's subjective and down to you to decide..

I would still go for the Sentra. 5 years old is nothing. These cars are better specced and cheaper to buy in the 1st place.U must consider the price when it was new. So it is ok even after 10 years you paid less than that wanker who paid the car new 10 years ago. See my point?

Go used is always the smarter choice!

[thomastct]

I would still go for the Sentra. 5 years old is nothing. These cars are better specced and cheaper to buy in the 1st place.U must consider the price when it was new. So it is ok even after 10 years you paid less than that wanker who paid the car new 10 years ago. See my point?

Go used is always the smarter choice!

Agree wif bro mzi. Especially you know who the prev. owner is. Of coz also depends on the car condition too.. i guess the resale value for proton nowaday is no longer as good as last time.

[ntc2000]

since u said is ur uncle car. If his car is good in maintenance and no serious accident history, just go for sentra.


reason
1) sentra is famous for durable n reliability.
2) this car is quite consistence, not much major issue.


bout the resale value, i think both will be more or less same bcoz sentra already EOL, and will be replace with new replacement model soon.

[tpl]

New car depreciation in percentage always higher than used one. you do the math.

[KL3223]

I would still go for the Sentra. 5 years old is nothing. These cars are better specced and cheaper to buy in the 1st place.U must consider the price when it was new. So it is ok even after 10 years you paid less than that wanker who paid the car new 10 years ago. See my point?

agreed with MZI. my neighbour has a WAJA 2004 and Sentra 2000. In 2008, neighbour has to sell the Waja 2004 because its spending more time in workshop than Sentra. 11 years on, Sentra still doing fine.

If your uncle has kept the Sentra to optimum condition, go for it, and dont forget to nego a good deal, haha!

[mosh]

Gen2 CPS... as its a re-brand new car. most of the prev problem already rectify for this car.. nissan sentra looks like an uncle type ride.. unless you get a latio or syply that makes you look like rich uncle/ aunties.

[byebye2u]

go for new car la, gen2. have warranty , penang...town driving aircond sure okay. not saying sentra is not good, but since the price same , better get anak dara la

[GuyM]

I've got exprience in both Toyota and Proton with ownership of more than 5-8 yrs, i can say the Jap offers lower maintenance costs, comfort.

In ur case, if the Sentra is good, do go with, forget the uncle or aunty perception, its you that is most important as you will be drivin and owning it.

If you were to drive my Toyota (tis year goin 8) and compared against similar Proton, you'll know which choices to make.