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Basic information of my car:

2017 Toyota Harrier Progress (ZSU60)

Reasons why I bought this car

Previous 2012 Toyota Corolla Altis 1.8G is too 'small' and lack practicality for growing family with 2 young kids eg. Door opening is too small, struggling to put in baby chair and trunk opening narrow, cannot put in larger boxes.

Altis is powerful but somehow driver feedback through the steering is poor although using Primacy 4's and new front absorbers.

I have another 2013 Myvi SE lagi best (M) and decided to keep it because its much more practical, cheap to run

Car Selection Process

I had a budget of RM175,000

Models that I’ve considered included : Used Lexus NX200T, New Honda CRV 1.5 turbo AWD

Reasons why I chose this car

Auction Grade 5A with 46k mileage

Progress Spec is the Top spec for FL xu60 Harrier (Pre-FL was known as Premium Advance) with JBL sound system (must have for me), and boasts a long list of features for safety and convienience.

Competitively priced at that time (Feb 2022) and within my maximum budget (recond car prices fluctuate with the current economic conditions of Japan & Malaysia)

Comes with 5 years warranty (by 3rd party insurance company)

Did not consider mazda's because my dad drives a cx5

User experience

• I have already done 2000km.
• My average fuel consumption is 10.5KM/L

Excellent overall comfort, NVH and pleasant car to drive

Excellent built quality (no rattling, ngek ngek, inconsistant body panel gaps even though its a 5 years old car)

Spacious interior (not as big as CRV, but way bigger than CX5)

Good fuel consumption for a premium SUV, getting same FC as my former 1.8 Altis

Pros of my car:

Every recond car has unique specs/accessories which is dependent on the first owner's preference in Japan. My unit comes with the following:

• Original Key Card (like a thicker credit card and can be slotted into your wallet where it functions just like the key)
• Spare tyre (its a comoditity in recond cars,as most recond cars only come with tyre repair kit)
• Body coating and Air deodorizer from Japan - Waterproof trunk mat and stainless steel rear bumper protector
• High grade car (requires only very minor touch up and waxing to the car body)
• Way Cheaper than buying a brand new harrier which is also not as well spec-ed as JDM ones
• ICS (Intelligence Clearance Sonar) that helps you to brake when parking at tight spots is really useful!

Cons of my car:

• Soft steering leather, found a small tear when i got the car (it wasnt there when i viewed it first few times in the showroom)
• No Blind spot monitoring (odd for a high spec car)
• Poor Radio signal (apparantly not due to usage of FM range expander, because a friend whom had changed to android player also had the same issue)
• Japanese language info screen/user manual
• need to use google translate from phone to translate
• Infotainment system not the latest (same OS/interface since 2014 till 2020)
• Slow pickup for NA version. (buying the turbo version would be the solution. NA churns 149hp vs turbo 228hp and CVT vs 6AT)
• No aftersales official dealer support, probably a headache/risk sourcing for a good/reliable one.

Ratings: 

Total Score: 5

Performance: 4

Quality & Features: 5

Space: 5

Ride Comfort: 5

Fuel Economy: 5

Price & Cost: 5

Summary :

Buying a good reconditioned car isn't for the faint hearted and inexperienced. I have visited almost All reconditioned car showrooms in Kuching (>20 AP dealers) to source for my desired spec and within my budget. There are units out there with low auction grades eg. Below 3.5 or R that means the car has had mechanical faults or involved in an accident before and repaired. Such units are refurbished to hide any physical defects. The good news is, these "cover ups" are still able to be detected by experienced eye but the best solution to avoid this entirely is to ask for the car's auction report or to buy one online to verify. It is a rewarding experience to have found a high grade Harrier. A perfect family SUV indeed.

Lastly :

The Harrier is well liked car and i got alot of compliments and praises from acquintences and friends. Least expected that because the ZSU60 has been around since 2014.

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