5 practical, fun-to-drive cars under RM 70k, that you can live with every day

So you're not the type to buy new cars, preferring instead to capitalise on time and depreciation to do their work. Well, that is a sound strategy. While you may not have the latest and greatest, there are some genuine gems in the used car marketplace.

With that in mind, is it possible to unearth cars that are sweet to drive, yet practical enough for the daily commute to work and back? With a budget of RM 70k, let's go shopping!

Proton Wira 1.8 EXi C99 'Tiang Gol'

Let's kick off the list with something with a Malaysian flavour. The Proton Wira 1.8 EXi wasn't just a run-of-the-mill Wira, this one came with an infusion of motorsport genes. Only 2,500 units of this Wira was ever made. Michael Schumacher famously even drove one of these!

The Wira 1.8 EXi was powered by a 4G93P 1.8-litre, 4-cylinder engine (140 PS, 167 Nm) paired with a 5-speed manual. It also boasted a seam-welded chassis for enhanced handling, plus a goalspost-sized rear spoiler, hence the nickname. Other goodies included Recaro front seats and a Momo steering wheel.

Suffice to say, this Wira 1.8 EXi was brilliant to drive. All that, wrapped in a usable 4-door sedan body. Perfect for the enthusiast family man! They are rare on the market though, but here's one for sale at RM 18,000, sans the 'Tiang Gol' spoiler.

Toyota Corolla AE101/111 SEG

Yes, this is a Toyota Corolla, which means that foremostly, it will be bombproof. The AE101/111 Corolla sedans came in many forms, from a 4E-FE 1.3-litre manual (94 PS, 111 Nm), to a 4A-FE 1.6-litre automatic (115 PS, 136 Nm). Sounds pretty pedestrian, right?

However, the fun ones are those that have undergone a 'heart transplant'. You see, coupe versions of the AE101/111 came with the legendary, Yamaha-tuned 4A-GE, 20-valve engines (Silvertop: 157 PS, 162 Nm. Blacktop: 162 PS, 162 Nm). Being from the same chassis family, an engine swap to the sedan siblings was easy and common.

In Malaysia, there are plenty of AE101/111 Corolla sedans that are running this conversion. You could pick one up for RM 16,000. Yes, a practical, reliable 4-door sedan has an 8,200 rpm redline. Sounds like a recipe for fun, isn't it?

Also read: Toyota 4A-GE 16V/20V - legendary 'tofu delivery' engine, what makes them great?

Toyota Altezza SXE10

Well well, another Toyota? Well, I had to include this one here for those who seek their driving fun from a rear-wheel drive persuasion. The Altezza is the answer to that question. Because of its front engine, rear drive layout, it possesses a very balanced chassis.

The Toyota Altezzas in Malaysia mostly came equipped with a 3S-GE 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder engine (210 PS, 216 Nm) with a 6-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic. Out of the box, the Altezza was already a pretty fun to drive machine, but of course, that did not end there. 

Again, with just an engine swap, the Altezza can transform into a supercar-baiting sleeper. The engine of choice? Toyota's legendary 1JZ/2JZ-GTE 6-cylinder engines (1JZ: 280 PS, 360 Nm. 2JZ: 280 PS, 451 Nm), the latter being the one that powered the A80 Toyota Supra. To this day, this engine family is revered for its performance potential and durability.

The result? A discreet-looking, 4-door sports sedan that you can drive daily but has 300 PS or more under the hood. You can still pick one up for RM 40,000 - RM 50,000 with a 3S-GE engine, but be prepared to fork out RM 70,000 or more for one with a 1JZ/2JZ-GTE engine.

Suzuki Swift Sport ZC32S

The first three cars I listed getting along in age? How about a Suzuki Swift Sport ZC32S? This one is a sweet drive, and it's so good, my brother and colleague both bought one! So what about this little Suzuki that makes it so special?

For one, it's really darty and nimble. In this car, you will always take the long way home. Sure, the M16A 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder unit isn't the most powerful (136 PS, 160 Nm), but it makes up by being a peppy, eager and rev-happy. Oh, you'll want the one with a 6-speed manual, which makes the fun all the more involving. 

So, yes, this fun factor in this Swift Sport is rather high, and with a 4-door body, you can ferry your family too. But, the boot space is comical at just 210 litres. Prices are hovering around the RM 60,000 for both the manual and CVT automatic, but obviously, the manual is harder to procure.

Also read: Looking for a used Suzuki Swift Sport (ZC32S)? Here’s what you need to know

Mazda 3 BM/BN

The final contender in this list has to be a Mazda, one that heralded the 'Jinba Ittai' rennaisance. The Mazda 3 BM/BN. You could have this model in sedan or hatchback flavours, but one thing's guaranteed, a car that's immersive to steer, brimming with feedback and tactility.

Mechanically, all variants used the SkyActiv 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder engine (162 PS, 210 Nm). Only a six-speed automatic transmission was available. For me, I would choose the sedan over the hatchback, but you really can't go wrong with either. 

It's not the most spacious car, but you'll feel right at home inside the driver-centric cabin, finished off in high-quality materials. A full-spec, pre-facelift 2015 unit can be had for around RM 69k, dipping right under our price cap. 

Conclusion

So there you have it, 5 cars for under RM 70k that will bring a smile to your face, everytime you get behind the wheel. Not only that, they come in a practical 4-door package to give you enough space to tackle the daily grind. 

My pick of the bunch? Definitely the Toyota Altezza. It has all the right attributes I look for in a car: handsome looks, rear-wheel drive, engaging and practicall all at once. But really, any of the cars in this list will bring you motoring joy in their own, special way.