In 2003, the Proton Saga 1.3S (Iswara) had a starting price of RM 40,216, and it was only available with a manual transmission.

In the intervening 20 years, car prices, like nearly everything else in Malaysia, have gone up significantly. The Toyota Vios used to start at RM 73,599, in 2003. The cheapest Honda City was selling at RM 79,295.

Today, the 2023 Toyota Vios started at RM 89,600 while the Honda City starts at RM 84,900. Of course, today's cars are also a lot safer, packed with more comfort and convenience features, but so is the 2023 Proton Saga, which now sells for nearly RM 6k cheaper than it did 20 years ago.

The Proton Saga improved in 2022 with features like more modern-looking controls for its air-conditioning, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone mirroring, and a 4-speaker audio system that surpasses the usual expectations for an entry-level A-segment car.

While the 2003 Proton Saga had zero passive and active safety features, today’s Proton Saga comes with dual airbags, electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes. For its low asking price, it provides a very good balance between active and passive safety.

But before discussing safety features, attention must be paid to the car's underlying mechanical architecture. Does it handle well enough to respond to a driver’s quick steering input to avoid a road hazard? Is the ride comfortable enough not to worsen driver fatigue on long distance drives?

This is where the little Proton shines. The highlight of the Proton Saga is its ride and handling. Despite its age, it handles and rides quieter than some higher range B-segment sedans. Now, it would be a stretch to say Proton makes the best cars but if you are looking for a comfortable ride and a confidence-inspiring drive on a tight budget, no one does it better than Proton.

Mechanically, the 1.3-litre 95 PS / 120 Nm engine is a very basic and no-frills, which also means there’s very little that can go wrong. Its maintenance is straightforward. Mechanics can easily reach many parts without requiring the use of special tools or complex disassembly. Replacement parts are also easily available, supported by a wide network of service centres.

The recent update in 2023 swapped out the previous Hyundai-sourced 4-speed automatic with an Aisin unit. Aisin is a Toyota-affiliated transmission supplier, and we don’t need to explain further why having a Toyota-approved transmission in your budget Proton is a good thing.

The Proton Saga may not be the flashiest new car on sale car, but it's a smart investment in mobility, offering unparalleled value for money. If you understand the concept of delayed gratification, then you will know that your future self will thank you for buying a Proton Saga today and not splurging on a more expensive model from a flashier foreign marque.

There are four variants of the Proton Saga, all driven by the same 1.3-litre engine, priced from RM 34,800 to RM 44,800. Our pick of the range is the RM 41,800 Premium variant. It offers the same level of safety features as the RM 44,800 Premium S, including a reverse camera for easy urban driving. Buy one with the shortest possible loan tenure, hold on to it for as long as you can while putting money aside for a better future, and you are on your way to greater things in life.