I've always been very accident prone. I have run down a pedestrian, crashed into various static road signs, and recently drove my car into a ditch. The repairs on the car alone set me back more than 1k due to the messed up suspension, shock absorbers and miscellaneous stuff down under. Thus, I was left car-less for about three days while it was at the workshop.
Thanks to Roslina, I was given the new Proton Satria Neo CPS to commute to work while my car was in the workshop. One interesting anecdote about the origin of the word Satria - it's Sanskrit for knight. Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Safeguard the helpless. Never lie, even if it leads to your death; that is your oath. :p
I had the Proton Satria Neo CPS on loan until my car got out of the workshop - my eternal gratitude to Roslina and Proton for providing me with a backup car...especially given my less-than-stellar (dubious?) driving safety record. ;)
Heck, I was surprised Roslina even agreed to lend me the car since she reads my blog and probably have witnessed the multiple accidents I have gotten into. Heh! Well, thankfully, I did not crash the car or give it so much as a scratch, and thus, to show my appreciation for her kind gesture, I shall write about my experience with the Proton Satria Neo CPS.
I drive a Toyota Vios 1.5G which I purchased in late 2006. I chose Toyota for just one primary reason - it's a family tradition. My dad used to drive a Toyota Corolla before he switched to a Lexus (which is also under Toyota) and my mom drives a Toyota as well. My sister in NZ also drives a Toyota - she owns a Toyota Celica (but then again she's a cardiologist so she can afford it). Thus, I got a Toyota as well, just not to depart from our family tradition.
There are a lot of people who has misconceptions about our fine local automobile industry. Build quality and performance are some of the most common gripes.
I have been doing some research on the topic and found some very interesting facts. The Proton Saga is based on the exact same engine as the Mitsubishi Lancer and Proton has grown by leaps and bounds since then. The acquisition of Lotus (say what you will, but it definitely helped in the aesthetic department of the cars) is another feather in the cap of Proton.
Proton had this huge banner at a prime location on Elizabeth Street in Melbourne when I was doing my university there. I overheard an Aussie couple commenting on it. The conversation was pretty funny - they were debating whether it's a German or European car manufacturer. I was just beside them, waiting for the pedestrian crossing to turn green and I told them (with no small amount of pride, I must admit) that it's a MALAYSIAN brand. :)
The Proton Satria Neo CPS looks good - check out the aggressive front grill, the spoiler at the back and the awesome rims. I love the nifty emergency brake, the canggih window winder below the stick shift, and the two-door design. It's built for speed...and the volume controls on the steering wheel would get you out of a lot of vehicular mishaps too. ;)
My fellow coworker (who parks beside me) commented on the aesthetics of the car - his exact words were "Nice car!".
Unfortunately, I had to reply "It's not mine". :(
The Proton Satria Neo CPS was launched on February 2009 to replace the top H-line version of the Proton Satria Neo. It has been given a facelift - the aggressive body kit looks much better than the previous versions. Check out the side by side comparison with the old Proton Satria Neo (the new one is on the left at my condo parking lot) - it just so happens that my neighbor drives the older version of the Proton Satria Neo.
The changes for the Proton Satria Neo CPS are not merely cosmetic - it also features a 1.6 liter Campro CPS engine with 125 bhp and 150 Nm of torque. It is zhng-ified for a more aggressive driving style (suits me just fine ;)) - the CPS mechanism in the Proton Satria Neo CPS switches to high cam at 4,400 rpm compared to 3,800 rpm as in the other CPS-equipped models such as the Proton Waja and Proton Gen-2.
I took Deb out for a mamak session the night I got the car.
It was fun, she lives about 10 minutes away and I kinda abducted her and forced her to take a video of me test driving the car. LOL!
This is the nighttime driving video on the LDP.
Check out my speed test of the car too - managed to get it up to a decent velocity in a short time, thanks to the excellent acceleration.
The next day, I met up with Tzia at Kelana Jaya LRT for lunch.
I managed to drive from SS6 (where I work) to Kelana Jaya LRT, had lunch, and drove back again in less than 45 minutes.
I wanted a daylight video as well as a night video for the test drive of the car and I am pleased to report that any car that can get me to lunch and back within an hour gets the thumbs up from me. ;)
The Proton Satria Neo CPS is a dream to drive. It goes up to 160 kmph on 4th gear before redlining and I managed to push it up to 170 kmph on the 5th gear. I probably shouldn't say this, Roslina will kill me if she knew I was driving that fast. ;)
Oh well, in my defense, it was on the PLUS highway and I got very, very lost on Saturday morning while returning the car. I spent over 3 hours (!) on the road and pumped petrol 3 times, but the silver lining about the fiasco is that I managed to give the Proton Satria Neo CPS a proper test drive.
Everyone at arms...or is capable of bearing: Kneel! On your knees! Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Safeguard the helpless. Never lie, even if it leads to your death; that is your oath. Rise a knight...rise as knights! Thanks Roslina, for letting me loan the car while my car is in the workshop!
...and like a good citizen, I filled it up with gas before returning it. ;)
I have been wanting to hear some reviews about the car, now I have an idea how it is. Btw there should be a hose connected to the petrol pump nozzle doesn't it? or it's invisible? haha
Darren: Yeah, it's surprisingly fast for Proton. I've been driving mostly Toyotas and Hondas and I was pleasantly surprised by the car.
There is a hose there dude, for some reason, the ones over here are connected to the side instead of the end. I noticed that interesting bit too. :)
My suggestion is.. stick to the family tradition - TOYOTA.
Proton? errr.. I think it is a joke. >.
I love to see girl than your Proton. I more go on Toyota too.
I love to see girl than your Proton. I more go on Toyota too.
oh.my.god *smack forehead*
Fugly me.
Cars and girls. Good deal.
Haha, very interesting about the knight thing HB. Very odd story indeed: My very first acid trip had a lot to do with knights, which lead to a complete change in the way I structured my life. Also a chess player my first tattoo was a knight (as in the chessman) and to this day I try to live by the code of chivalry.
The car is almost as hot as the babes you stashed in it. ;)
A sport car must accompany with at least a belle ha XD
I almost book this car when it was launched..
but I hold back.The price tag is a bit high & I read from Paul Tan website some people have issues with their cars. Now the one on my mind is Honda City with the bodykit ...
Not daring to commit la...
Indeed a VERY nice car
Oi, keep your hands on the wheels - don't "chee sau toong keok" here and there... you're a lucky dude... I've been car-less forever.
Handling on the car is sweet.
can't take off my eyes on tzia.....
Cool car :-) But oh my lord your driving!...Must get warning sign for your passengers to bring along a change of underwear when they go driving with you.
whoa! so unfair!! why only guys get to drive it. what happened to girl power?!?!?! LOL
Eeeeee...no make up on me!!! -____-''
I look horrible O.O
and you just had to pick me up from my place when i just woke up.
hahahahha
see you next next friday!:)
Dude,
That's not a car by any stretch of the imagination.............
:-(
Dude,
My cuz (the regent)from Kelantan bought a Porsche Cayenne didn't he ? (be4 he's wheels got stolen n later returned)
U won't see us buying a Proton in this lifetime.....
We need the old proton management team back in place before Proton gets better....
I would lurve to see you crash that car! Lol.. just kidding.
must be the color of that car that made it look like no hose haha
Dunno you featuring the girls or the car XD
anyway cool interior I must say!
Tzia's boobilicious. Bet those are a pair of C cups. What do you guys think?
HB, I could'nt believe you ran over someone. I ran over my mom foot a few years ago and she had the tire track on her foot to prove it. Never again. She was in shock and took a few mins later to say ouch.
who r all those girls? your girlfreinds? fuck buddies?
cynthia: I am driving a Toyota Vios. However, I was surprised at the advances in our local automobile manufacturer. The new Satria is a nice car. :)
babycicak: Girls? Hmm...I'll try la, no promises. :)
tzia: No lar, you look good, see got so many fans dy. ;)
Mike: Yup, they go hand in hand, no? :)
Trey: Nice! I can't remember my first acid trip, only the worst acid trip (had a very bad trip once).
Nice tattoo.
It's a great way to live your life mate. :)
TianChad: Yup, yup. *nods* :)
eric: Hmm...the Honda City is a nice car, very aggressive bodykit. I like that car too. :)
M-Knight: Yeah, it looks surprisingly good eh?
Kim Ong: Haha! That's just the way I drive. Very teruk right? Be glad I haven't subjected you to my driving. ;)
ShaolinTiger: Yeah, and the shifting is pretty smooth too. I liked driving it. The acceleration is good, and the 1.6 engine does the job. :)
xSean: Nice eh? :)
Jeff: Hahaha! Well, yeah but I haven't had an accident in a long time (my defination of time might differ from most people ;)). :)
Jade Zheng: Eh, can also, especially you. I still remember the incident you related. Very nicely pulled off by you, that one. :)
debra fong: I didn't know you were asleep. LOL! You look good la, no worries.
Yup, see ya next Friday! :)
DYMM_Tuanku: Your cousin is the regent of Kelantan? Porche eh, very nice.
eiling: Eiling, you're evil! :)
Crashing the car would have gotten me into heaps of trouble. Heh! :)
Darren: Yup, the hose blends in. ;)
christock: LOL! The car of course, count the number of car photos. The ratio is heavily skewed towards the car. :)
beat_ram: Hmm...I am not an expert in that part of the female anatomy. ;)
Always been more of a leg guy. :)
Amy: I ran over someone a couple of years ago (before I went to rehab). Happened during lunch hour. Shit happens. :)
pm: Er...can they not just be friends? :)
you have to look hard, it goes around the car and under the red backlight
Anony: Yup, I drove up the wrong side while getting gas coz my car's is on the left instead of the right. Force of habit. :)
I added you on Fbook.
Don't say you dismissed me as a stalker.
Jenny: Eh, really? I didn't la. I haven't logged into FB for a while. Logging in now. :)
You watched Heaven on Earth too?
I do adore the Satria NEO CPS for it's styling. If only it had a punchier engine.
Seems like you wear that same purple stripped top rather frequently.
M: I love the movie! I watched it at least 5 times. No shit. :)
EuJin: Yeah, I know. I can never find the time to go shopping for clothes coz I have other priorities. Hmm...too many people have commented about this, I can't ignore it anymore.
G2k and Quiksilver, here I come! This weekend. :)
Wow it enlightened me to know that Malaysia has their own car brand. But how come they always start with the "P" letter Ex. Proton,Petronus.
Dude, what size do you wear? I'll get some cool thread from the Porn video store for you.
Nice looking ride, HB, but it looks way to low to the ground for around here. Looks kinda like and Audi. To be honest, I never heard of a Proton before. I have three ford /merc cars right now ( a merc mystiqe, ford ranger, and and old ford explorer 4x4 just to go in the snow and they are ok, but like the crown vics and broncos I have owned, the transmisions tend to go out about 150k and you might as well figure on getting a new sound system within 3 years of new. Both my uncles used drive Fords, but once each bought a Toyota, they were hooked (great gas milage, low maintenance costs), and say they will never go back to Ford or Chevy products). My sister got a Honda accord a couple of years ago, and she loves it. My next one ? probably be a ??? I don't know yet. What ever I can get a good deal on I guess. I am looking at Subaru or VW. Or maybe Toyota or one of the new Fords. I always wanted a Volvo, but that is out of the question, finance wise.
Great info HB. Thanks. (ps, the new ST is not even released here until the 8th. I am gonna go, but it IS a geeky movie franchise, and a bunch of friends are all going together. Not a date flick, for sure.)
Tom
good morning! :)
VisionMan(RuTT): Hey I never noticed that until you mentioned it. Proton, Perodua etc. Petronas is our national petrol (gas) group. Interesting eh?
e: Awesome! I wear Medium. Cheers mate! :)
tom robinson: It's a test drive car, it's not mine. I drive a Toyota. Hey, ST is great, it's an awesome movie. Go watch it when it's released, it's one of the few movies you won't regret watching. :)
Be well, my friend.
chefmel: Good morning mel! :)
Seems like a good ride. My car now is like a petrol drinking monster without much power 125 HP is better than my 110 HP. Mine don't have variable valve control. Sigh. Regretted now buying Kia Spectra.