USED CAR REVIEW: 2008-10 Proton Saga BLM 1.3L CamPro 5sp Manual - Good Spare Car? | EvoMalaysia.com
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 23 ต.ค. 2024
- Well y'all know how I feel about Protons from this era, specifically the rather shiversome 'plastic fantastic' variants that emerged during this time, where it seemed the sole purpose was to maximise profits, quality be dammed.
The Protons from this era were a very far cry from the recently reviewed X90, and even going further back, they're nowhere near the higher quality we're now getting with the latest Iriz, Persona and even the current Saga.
The (then) new X70, now going on 5yrs old - time flies doesn't it - was a turning point for Proton under new Geely management, and it's gotten better ever since. But there was a time when it wasn't all gravy, and this car comes from that time.
It has, however, withstood the test of time, and by virtue of the fact that it's still running, I guess that accounts for something. Join me as I do a quick review on only the second iteration of the Proton that started it all, the mighty SAGA. Priced at just over RM30,000 when new, this was only the second iteration aka FMC of the Proton Saga, after its debut in Malaysia in 1985.
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![2008 Proton Saga BLM 1.3L (M) B-Line | Malaysia #POV [Test Drive]](/img/n.gif)
Your front seat driver site is looking good..my BLM 2008 is bad..😢..
Not my car bro, but thanks! Seats can be refurbished btw 🙏🏽😊
1:09 those signs have been in Pontian since like 15 years ago
Nice! Thanks for the feedback!! 👍🏽😊
My parents used to own Saga BLM Manual M-line (same spec as in video) back in 2008, an upgrade from the aging Saga Iswara, I used to hate this car design because of its bubbly shape and plasticky interior. But this car handled very well for a long journey and light offroad road, the boot space is big enough and suprisingly very spacious compared to the current Saga VVT MC2.
During 10 years of ownership suprisingly it never breakdown, only basic maintenence such as the aircond compressor, battery, absorbers, tires,spark plug and basic oil change, anything else never changed. To put it simple its a very reliable car for its price.
The fuel consumption is horrible because of short gear ratio for example cruising at 5th gear, 100kmh already at 3000RPM but everything else is good.
Unfortunately my parents had to trade in this car for their dream car during 2009-2010 era the Honda City GM2
Funfact: the Saga VVT, MC1 and MC2 share the same chassis design with Saga BLM, the A pillar and front windshield is the same
Fantastic! Thanks for the great feedback and ownership experience! Yep, the saga of the Saga continues, a car for the masses that's basic, cheap to maintain and built to last 👍🏽😊
@@ChrisWeevilGarage indeed, keep it simple and it will last long although some prefer Perodua (which is also super reliable) but we shouldn’t overlook the Proton Saga too. If only Proton keep producing Preve with improved gearbox and turbo it also will be a long lasting car, the design itself is evergreen and the technology is still good by today standards
my first ever car - reliable, can rempit/chillax everywhere comfortably with its superb sound & ac system, the drawbacks were the horrible fuel consumption and the lack of ABS
the issue you have might be related to the bushings, never had that issue in my car but it was serviced before
Nice! Thanks for the ownership experience feedback bro, much appreciated! Yeah, I reckon it's the gear lever bushings too 🙃
Currently owning one as project car.. Auto 1.3 has been converted too FLX bodykit (front end/back all the way) stroker to 1.6 (ori 1.3) and couple of light mod 😊 overall very satisfied with the car (bought it at just only 5k)
That's a nice mod! Thanks for sharing that, much appreciated! This Saga with a 1.6L engine must be quite a hoot to drive, well done!!😀😀😀👍🏽
Where u getting for 5k, good deal
gear lever poblem n spring....change it 20/30 rm only
Yep, easy & cheap fix 😊👍🏽
The only thing I don't like about the saga blm is that there is only 1 airbag and no ABS and EBD but the rest is ok and i really wanna keep this car forever
Agreed. It's the same scenario with my 2005 Waja too 1 airbag, no ABS & EBD, but still a good car 😊
This was my first car to drive when I had got license back then in 2011. It was my dad’s. It was light as plasticky as you know. However a year on the car’s temperature kept rising and the engine stalled a number of times after a simple car wash without washing the engine bay. Apparently it was caused by water gushing in through the bonnet. Another time the gears couldn’t engage. All of these problems incurred despite the car being serviced on schedule at Proton. At that time the mileage was less than 90k and yet the service advisors would say things like “benda biasa ni kereta lama”. I was appalled at their response.
Honestly I’m glad the car was sold a few years later . But I miss it sometimes as the car’s seats were rather plush and comfortable for a car of this segment and if compared to the myvi of that time but the QC and after service was really bad.
Many thanks for the ownership experience feedback bro!! Sorry to hear it wasn't a good one, but yes, I'm not surprised, the cars by Proton from this era left a lot to be desired indeed.
@@ChrisWeevilGarage my pleasure
Wow how you managed to find high spec manual haha, mostly on the road are kosong spec manual
Not mine, it's for sale! 😃
The gearlever return spring is shot, costs 15 bucks to replace
I have the saga BLM manual 1.3 when the traffic light turns green, its the same class as a bmw 3 series.😂
😂😂😂
Chris which do you prefer, saga blm or saga flx
Saga Megavalve... hahaha! 😄😄😄
@@ChrisWeevilGarage what do you mean
@@ameriscooked I mean I'd rather have an older Saga, haha 😄
Oh man i remember as a child these were horrible, the auto gearbox was rough, the door was flimsy, tin kosong on the highway. I hated it. When first sat in a myvi (of the same era), it felt much better, smoother
Agreed. The (then) new Myvi was a huge wake-up call for Proton when it came to the Saga, and Malaysians weren't shy to jump ship to Perodua at all! I remember this vividly 😁👍🏽
I still remember seeing these brand new on the road, time flies and i feel old 😂
Yup, same here man!! Hahahaha!!!😆😆😆
Yo Chris I think your accord 3rd brake light is out, saw you zooming after LDP toll kepong bound today. Anyway the BLM Is a good workhorse, most IAFMs are, the blistering cold ac is a feature every maker must follow!
Oh dear, busted. I was zooming eh, damn! And here I thought the SM4 was one of my most understated and below-radar-low-profile cars, hahahaha!! Thanks for letting me know bud, I'll get it checked out tmrw 👍🏽 🙏🏽😊
Hi Chris, nice video! Can you share your opinion about the BLM fuel consumption? Is it economical and how about the gearbox, is it good enough to drive as a daily car? Thank you :)
Thanks for watching, glad u enjoyed it bud! 🙏🏽😊👍🏽
I can't comment on FC cos I only drove this car briefly before returning it, and I've never owned a CamPro, however, based on some of the other comments from owners here, apparently it's not too great.
Get a manual Saga for a peace of mind, the fuel consumption is horrible especially when cruising at highway speed because of short gear ratio. 5th gear at 100kmh already at 3000RPM
Sir, any updates about your little Kancil? 🤭 Nice video btw
Coming soon! Had to put that on hold to deal with other Weevils having issues, stay tuned!! Thanks for asking 🙏🏽😊👍🏽
i always fancied the front look of these BLM sagas, they just look so adorable and charming compared to the aggressive FLX headlights
FLX became more garang, yep!! 😁
Agree, I used to love and hate this car design because of how bubbly it is compared to sharp FL,FLX
I really love Saga megavalve the design is unique and headlights are made from glass.. I own it and I proud of it..
Bravo! Yes, it is definitely worthy of your admiration. I loved my 1st gen Saga too, and its current owner adores the car 😊👍🏽
I have this, saga blm, 1.3, manual, 2008 model, still runs great until now, also great car to drive in city, fuel safe, also in highway also....the speed also boleh tahan
Many thanks for this ownership experience feedback bro, much appreciated!! Great to hear that the car is still serving u well! 👍🏽😀
I have an auto BLM in the family with thoughts of selling it for a Neo 1.6 as my actual first car after popping around with cars at home. Thoughts?
My philosophy, if u like it, want it, then buy it, cos it really doesn't matter what others think, you're the one that has to live with it, no one else, hahaha! I'm not a big fan of the Neo tbh, I could never get comfortable, the driving position was weird for me, due to my height. I preferred the Satria before it. But that's just me! If u like it, get it bro, #yolo! 😊😊😊👍🏽
@@ChrisWeevilGarage oh no! I should go try out a couple and see if I have the same issue as well since you and I are about the same height
@@justinlzt yes! U definitely should 👍🏽😊
Shift stick transmission is appealing. Very rare to find in newer cars. If not wrong, last 2 generations vios is the last sedan to offer the transmission. How is the campro engine reliability? Heard a lot of repairs required.
Indeed true! New manual cars have all but disappeared these days. I don't really know about the CamPro engine, never owned a Proton equipped with one. This particular Saga has had a a lot of work done recently though, almost rm5k worth 😮
These non turbos CamPros are generally reliable if well looked after. Of course you need to upkeep with your maintenance. Oil changes and such.
Timing belt does need to be replaced every 5 years.
Main downside is the CamPros are not good with fuel consumption compared to Japanese engines. But you get an engine that is quite happy to pull with the mid to high RPM ranges.
@@germaineliew2012 thanks a lot for the feedback bro, very much appreciated!! 👍🏽 😊
My friend owns an exora turbo had to replace the oil cooler hose, tie rod and pedal assembly within the first 40k km though under warranty.
@@yfpang7153 ooh, that's fast, lucky still under warranty 🙏🏽👍🏽😊
My family own this Saga BLM back in 2009 before selling it. The handling and air-conditioning was quite good but the quality interior and engine was totally bad after 6 years the Saga and 1.3 emblem was melted becoz they make from rubber not hard plastic like previous Saga iswara. The dashboard makes weird noise when driving like loosing screw's the fuel consumption are totally bad compared with Nissan Slyphy.😅 For me totally not recommend 👎
Thank you for the ownership insight!! Good to know this 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽🙏🏽😊
No matter how bad the quality was , 2nd gen Sagas from the BLM all the way to The FLX SV is my favourite generation, i love the way its drives , and that Campro IAFM engine is really something , after 2.5k RPM that “V-tec” power kicks in , my god that was fun
Nice!! Thanks for the feedback Jason, good stuff. Yeah, this car is pretty peppy for a 1.3L I must say 😃👍🏽
Aiya chris just add it to your weevil collection 😂
@@jasonvchia1472 lol!!! Hmmmm!!! Already spied something else la bro 😁
Had a similar issue before, though on a different car.. Maybe check the shifter cables or the pivot bush under the shifter boot? One of the cables might have kinked, or the bush has fallen apart, because the throw on that shifter is quite shocking
Right?! One heck of a long throw indeed. Yeah, I think you're right, the gear linkage might be screwey 😆
Hi chris. Actually there are many spots where you can beat the red light and its legal.
The signage says BERI LALUAN. But 70% of drivers (I assume) do not know this, even some of traffic policemen too.
One example is the traffic light junction in front of Plaza Imbi turning left heading to Lot 10.
Anyway, I love Saga BLM. Too bad, design was not by Proton but LG Korea (I don't know why) on modified Savvy platform. This car was a huge jump in terms of technology compare to the Saga Mk.1 (saga mahathir, megavalve and iswara). And its super cheap now. Really worth it.
Thank you for the great feedback bro, much appreciated!! Yeah, it was only the second all-new Saga after the first one in 1985, so the tech-jump must have been amazing for the time. This one still feels pretty robust tbh, and will keep going for quite some time I reckon 👍🏽😊
@@ChrisWeevilGarage I agree with you. While campro is not magnificient in power delivery and fuel consumption, its pretty much reliable and being DOHC - strong top end too.
And with plastics everywhere around the cabin is even worse that first saga/iswara. I wonder why
Yeah, this first BLM dials so minimalist, I'm barely driving this car past 100km/h ... And air cond components in these cars are notoriously vibrates....
Yep, as mentioned in the video, the previous owner has spent quite a tidy sum rectifying all that. It drives really well now 👍🏽😊
You should buy this car Chris
I would if I had more space to park! Currently maxed out bro, hahaha!!😄🙏🏽
Howdy. My late dad bought this secondhand for his 3rd car.. Absolutely love it. But the Akashi Kikai gearbox is.. ya something.. but then.. The FL.. manual came with Getrag yo. Try them.. kinda nice.
Thanks a lot for the feedback bro, much appreciated!! Yeah, there was another comment about the Getrag being a better gearbox too. Tq for the info 🙏🏽😊👍🏽
Correction here: BLM and FL manual gearbox supplier are actually from Aichi Kikai - one of the Nissan's subsidary. Akashi Kikai is the main supplier of Perodua manual gearbox.
@@jisenglum4365 thanks for the update! 👍🏽🙏🏽😊
Where is ur used car shop? I wish to visit
Yo Melfred, surely by now u know that I'm not a used car dealer! I just like to feature old skool cars on my channel, hahaha!! Anyway, this car is currently at Kenzone SS6 Kelana Jaya, u can Google the location 😊👍🏽
Savvy manual also can sometime hard to shift to 5th gear....
Hmm, maybe it's a characteristic of Protons from this era, weird tho cos both are using completely different powertrains 🤔
Driven one before, has same shifter issue, my dad's wira shifter feel better lol. It's not a bad car, other than crappy shifter I just had issue with stiff pedal especially the brake, even the FLX and my current 2022 Saga has stiff pedal for both throttle and brake compared to other protons like the 2015 Iriz that I've driven.
Thanks for the feedback bro!! Good to know. Yeah, even my 30yr old Saga shifted a lot better than this 😊
Seems MBPJ has been adding those signs at quite a few junctions, saw one near my place as well - smart move!
Right?! Finally, took a while, haha! Glad they're here though, makes a lot of sense 👍🏽🙏🏽😊
Makes lots of sense but then malaysian mentality so entitled. Turn left if no traffic is read as turn left regardless of traffic.
@Keat Aun hopefully a few bad hats don't spoil it for the rest of us! 😟
Although this was the "plastic fantastic" era of Protons, this generation of Saga wasn't trying too hard to be something it isn't. No nonsensical "space age" interior like LMST or Gen 2. It's just trying to be a decent car for the masses. And it did well, a car that is generally reliable too.
Although the manual shifter in BLM's seem to be really sloppy though, unlike the manuals in the Gen 2 and Waja. The FLX has a newer Getrag manual and the shifter on that is much better.
Excellent feedback bud, thank you for that. Yep, wasn't trying too hard at all, and prices started at just over rm30k iirc, very affordable 😀 👌
Gear slipping to neutral.. had those before a long time ago with an old car. Prolly a gear synchronizer issue.
No no, it stays in gear, just that the gear stalk itself jumps back into the neutral position, despite it still being in gear, weird 😄
Whoa.. still can drive at any gears you are engaged in 🤔. whoa proton secret dct. ever ready for you to engage to next gear..
@@keataun352 hahahahahaha!!! 😆😆😆
bro, what's the price?
After the new paint job and new headlights, rm7k 😊
The most durable proton my saga blm still smooth until now
Yep, this one drives very well actually! 👍🏽 😊
@@ChrisWeevilGarageI really love proton until now still buying proton products 😂
@@stormrage9666 likewise, I've had about 10 Protons over the years, and as u know, still keeping my Waja MMC 👍🏽😊
@@ChrisWeevilGarage that why I really love your content so much keep it up 💪
@Stormrage cheers bro, will do! Thanks for following the journey 🙏🏽👍🏽😊
Just add it to the weevil collection hehehe
Was considering it earlier!! But now something else has caught my eye 😁
A manual BLM is a decent car especially if its a spare pump petrol and drive vehicle.
In laws got a top spec auto, and although it always worked when needed, I never liked the transmission that held gear 1 too long before it dumps abruptly into gear 2, flimsy gear knob button and rear plate number light cover that breaks too easily, fuel consumption is just 350km/tank which is not really economical for a car of this category even when launched, and the boot springs that never quite strong enough to hold it up even at the slightest tilt.
Awesome feedback bro, thanks for that!! So yeah, as a PPG spare car, maybe worth considering eh? Let's see if anyone is interested 😊😊😊
@@ChrisWeevilGarage I remembered feeling quite short-changed shortly after they got this coz Proton later revealed the updated FL then the better FLX all within 3yrs (car was bought in 2010). But I suppose that's not the car's fault. Personally I would choose a 1st gen Persona (or a waja) manual that should cost about the same price.
@@ngyc6294 indeed, 1st gen manual and auto Wajas are going for the same price thereabouts too 👍🏽😊
Just curious, do you consider Perodua models of the same time period to be equally plastic fantastic?
Yep. I have a Kancil from that era too, it's pretty plasticky as well 😆
But perodua makes hard plastic interior becoz my friends own Bezza compare with my brother iriz the plastic interior was to soft not hard 😅
Mine 2nd gear stays at its position. It behaves normally.
Thanks for letting me know!! It must be a gear linkage issue then, cos this is really weird, hahaha 😆
@@ChrisWeevilGarage You are probably correct.
The gear linkage uses a metal rod. Do check the bushes on the linkage. FLX uses the 2 cables for gear shifting.
@norman yong thanks for the info, will advise Ken to check this 👍🏽 😊
Driven this model and spec before for a short period of time, I love it is simple car just start the engine, put on the gear, release the parking brake and go. Unfortunately fuel consumption a bit too high.
Thank you for the feedback! 👍🏽😊
Yes, that seems to be the main issue based on all the comments, high FC.
yeah, drove this car before. The shifter kinda sucks. Wira & Iswara manual shifter are lot better
I think so too!! My Saga Orion shifted a lot smoother than this, that's for sure 😊
Idk what they did with this manual gearbox that made the shifter feel so sloppy. It's just as bad as Peroduas of the time. Somehow at the same time the Gen 2/Persona, Waja, Neo has decent shifters.
The FLX manual had a different gearbox by Getrag and the shift feel is much better.
@@germaineliew2012 yeah, someone did mention here in the comments that the shifting became much better after they started using the Getrag transmission 👍🏽😊
BLM uses the aichi kikai gearbox. Gen 2 , waja and others uses Mitsubishi gearbox.
@norman yong thanks for the feedback!! 👍🏽😊
I don’t like this car. 90km/h 5th gear already 3000rpm. It’s a fuel guzzler.
Thanks for the feedback!! 🙏🏽👍🏽😊
Seems there is a problem with gear bush linkage
Right?! It stays in gear, but the lever jumps back to the neutral position, weird 🤔
I always wanted to try the 1.6 flx.
My first car I bought with my own money was a Saga FLX SE 1.6. The only two problems with the car is it's high fuel consumption and lack of footwell blower. Other than that, it was actually a good car.
The same year I bought the Saga, I also bought a Savvy, and the difference is night and day. The Saga is quite better than the Savvy, like how the plastic interior is better to touch in the Saga.
Veezo85, yeah me too! Small car with a 1.6L engine, gotta be fun!! 😁
@@tiadaid yep, the Savvy was plastic fantastic too, hahaha!! But I kinda miss my Savvy actually, aka Angry Bird 😁
I've driven the 1.6 FLX SE with courtesy of my friend for a day.
It was underwhelming due to poor tuning of the CVT by proton back then. Acceleration is sluggish, the advantage is when cruising the highway speed it's at a slightly lower RPM compared to the 1.3.
However if it's taken to a proper tuner the 1.6 potential can be unleashed by a proper remap.
@Tun Piccolo thanks for the feedback! Yeah, the older CVT gearboxes (by Punch iirc) were really horrid 😆
Thats really cheap but its a manual , no offence.
Actually, in some cases, a manual variant can command a higher resale value than an auto, haha!! 😁
@@ChrisWeevilGarage true AF!! ( drives a manual waja)
@@funeralsforafriends yes indeed!! Nice car bro 😃😃😃👍🏽
This saga if it's in idle, its really noisy.
Yeah, a bit. The CamPro engine in general was known to be a bit noisy iirc 😁
@@ChrisWeevilGarage but the my waja doesn't produce that kind of noise. Even gen-2 doesn't either.
@@KCHRider maybe better insulation? I don't really know, never owned a CamPro before bro, sorry 🙏🏽😊
I think this model is going cheap nowadays.. good value if one doesn't mind slightly higher fuel consumption.. maintenance wise not too expensive easy to repair..can handle long distance driving in comfort..maybe max 120kmh after that feels less stable and refined..rm7k sounds good..
@@ceriabestsb3023 7k after it gets new paint and new headlights, not too bad eh?😊
Horrible car
Lol!! 🤣🤣🤣
indeed, the was a time with 12Yrs SAGA BLM & 16Yrs Myvi 1st Gen. I decided to sell of 12Yrs Saga to keep Myvi due to inferior of everything except handling. Can't complain with entry level car i guess
@Wb Too thanks for the ownership feedback bro, much appreciated! Hope the Myvi is still serving u well 👍🏽😃🙏🏽
good days when proton offers manual for higher spec 🥹
Indeed! I still want an Iriz Premium Manual 1.6!! Rare as hen's teeth that one, apparently only 400 or so made, and some exported 😊