2009 Proton Jumbuck – Long Term Test
May 22, 2009 by Matt Brogan
2009 Proton Jumbuck GLSi – Long Term Test
Once a jolly Jumbuck came to work for CarAdvice…
- by Matt Brogan
The CarAdvice office has this week received its latest long-term loan vehicle, this time one of Australia’s cheapest cars, and indeed our cheapest ute, the Proton Jumbuck.
The top of the range Jumbuck GLSi will serve a dual purpose for the Melbourne crew over the next three months in not only providing us with a newsworthy transport, but in helping CarAdvice in our move to a new premises just south of the city.
Early indications are that the ute, as basic as it is, provides sound, grassroots practicality while at the same time being quite an involved – and dare I say it – fun car to drive.
The strut front / leaf rear suspension set-up is rather firm, but that’s not unexpected, and though it’s certainly not the most powerful commercial vehicle available – with a modest 64kW available – it does have enough motivation to keep things moving along provided the cogs are swapped efficiently.
Fuel economy from the 1.5-litre OHC (12-valve) four cylinder engine is so far on track to be 7.1 litres per 100km, exactly as indicated, though this will undoubtedly change once we start hauling our office furniture from place to place.
Inside it’s a rather basic and quite dated arrangement. Space isn’t quite what I’d call generous, but given the vehicle’s proportions that’s hardly surprising.
The cabin is a simple yet practical one, though I’m beginning to find the orange checked instrument panel with orange numbers a little hard to read in daylight.
Plastics fit and finish too is quite rough but nonetheless everything works rather well, even if I think I will have to adjust the headlight aim in the not too distant future.
The team is very keen to put the 560kg payload theory to task and we’ll make a solid effort to touch base with you each fortnight to keep you abreast of the little lugger’s performance.
The Proton Jumbuck is priced from $14,990 (RRP). Model as tested $16,990 (RRP).
Print it: 
So you will take this to the next ute muster? Proton have done well with the Jumbuck in this market. The hole that was left by Subaru with the little brumby had to be filled by somthing.
Hey Salesman,
I don’t know… it’s that or an FPV. Tough choice.
:)
I know of a dealer offering I assume the base model for $9,990 drive away. Great value for a new car if that is what you are after.
Matt,
Perhaps you could take both????
The Proton would fit in the back of the FPV.
Oh and the imagine if they still gave you an ATV in the back of the Proton like they offered a while back………..
First thing I notices was the poo on the floor of the passenger side in the above photo. Could this be an omen for this vehicle?
It’s leaves Jimbo… been doing some clean up work.
Sorry Matt, a combination of an immature mind and a crappy work monitor.
Did you have any trouble hauling that felled timber away after that last shot?
:|
Haha, no that can wait for something a little bigger.
Marty,
the “deal”on the jumbuck was 9999 + orc, and they are 08 plates, and they inflated the delivery to 2495. so its still about 14k on road
Dlr1, notice it said 9,999 DRIVE AWAY, so no delivery fee.
We have one of these as a factory run-around for maintenance and plant use. It is 4 years old and has just clocked up 270′000kms. It is 100% reliable. I have never spent a single cent on anything other than normal maintenance. I admit that it is not the most exciting drive, but it was never intended to be an enthusiasts car. But for what it is intended for, it is the best car on the market for the price. My guys have given it such a hard time. It is thrashed by the young guys, regularly overloaded and still it just goes and goes. There are now a couple in the car park owned by workers here who see past the badge and like what they see. I will get another one to replace this one in a few weeks.
Isn’t this a copy of the Lancer two models ago?
You were close Realcars. The front end panels are identical to those of a Lancer from about 1988. The tooling for this thing must have cost about $150.
9,990 driveaway would be on the money then.
I think it was 4 corners who ran a story I viewed a while back about how the Malaysian Government subsidizes Proton to the hilt and they still struggle to sell domestically.
If it has Lancer bones probably will be a reliable buggy even if they are from the EIGHTIES.LOL
Where is this $9999 drive away deal published? Do you guys have a link to a website or something?
Should have a DOHC 1.8…
Acfsambo, i know he said “drive away”, but the deal was actually plus ORC and delivery. A NSW dealer have been advertising it on radio and at the end of the ad it says plus 2495 delivery and gov charges. If any dealer is stupid enough to sell one at 9999 drive away they may as well just book them into an auction house unregistered and get better than the 9000 they would be left with after they paid rego and stamp duty! Anyway on May 25 these practices should come to an end with the ACCC mandatory guidelines on dealer and manufacturer advertising coming into effect which states that a dealer or manufacturer cannot use component advertising unless they give equal prominence to the final or total price that a consumer has to pay to the dealer to aquire the vehicle… no more 9999 + orc. Must be 13599 drive away* or similar.
What a joke – a ute based on a 1991 Lancer – nearly 20 year old technology being sold as new!! Hopefully the new 2012 mandate for head airbags should get rid of outdated junk like this.. unless they make an exception for “commercial” vehicles, and they probably will :(
Jason,
Notwithstanding that, Proton lose money selling this car in Australia. In my estimate production should be around $13,000-$14,000 since that the cost of their mass produced 1.5 sedan wira. I think its a PR exercise to show that Proton is still exporting their cars. I suppose its ok as a farm and factory runabout vehicle. The engine is quite robust though.
this thing makes the Holden Barina look like a 5 star NCAP Renault haha
although if your main purpose was to drive it into the ground then its a good 10-13 grand if u get 10 years out of it
Jason
You are the joke.
This is a work car designed to be cheap and tough.
Which going by the user review above, is exactly what it is.
Bring on the Jumbuck GTi!!
BTW Matt, I notice you’ve got a pack of those new ‘Black Chill’ Eclipse mints in the console. What are they like?
Hahaha, well spotted Andrew – they’re awesome!
How about the Jumbuck Evo
Is this thing called the Jumbuck in other countries /
Ha HA, all those that are worried about the resale of these things. If you bought one as the second car to be parked at the train station most the time and used as the dump runner etc., like most are used, then sold it after 4 years, the whole experience would have cost you less than the depreciation of a hilux rodeo colorado etc………..
What ever happened to the M21? From memory Pronton brought out the twin cam 1.8 you couldnt get at the time from Mitsubishi.
My brother bought one second hand, he fitted an alloy bellyplate, mud & snow tyres and pushbar as he takes it through paddocks carting hay/ wood, fixing fences, culling roos etc etc. It would be better with a 1.8 engine. They are a simple machine that is very easy to work on and based on a proven mitsu. lancer design and many components probably interchange with previous lancers. It has towed the fuel trailer laden with a 1000L of diesel and tow started/ push started other machines with flat batteries.
It has not given any trouble, was cheaper than an ATV and does more than an ATV. Obviously won’t go as many places off road as an ATV.
Looked at trading the factory run around Jumbuck. $3′000 on a new one. So over 4 years and 272′000 kms, its cost me about $8′000 in depreciation. I am VV happy with that but am waiting for a better offer! Let them wait a few days and I think I could sae a bit more! Its all a game.
Toxic_Horse the jumbuck is called an arena in other countries. I have heard a few stories of people putting evos into the jumbuck.
Like this…
http://www.galantvr4.org.au/pu.....mp;t=10353
guys.. check out this one..
proton jumbuck aka arena
with subaru engine inside… o.0
http://www.carnews.com/?Mod=ne.....wsID=16689
A Malaysian-manufactured ute has turned in the worst crash test performance of any vehicle being sold here, Consumer New Zealand warns.
The two-door Jumbuck was awarded the lowest possible one-star rating after its performance in frontal offset and side impact crash tests.
Proton Jumbuck – What price would you put on your life…?