2007 Proton Savvy First Steer – what do you get for $13,990?
July 19, 2007 by Alborz Fallah
When Proton announced a significant price cut for the struggling Proton Savvy, I simply had to go drive this car. In case you’re not aware, I am not a fan of cheap and nasty cars. I have taken most of my anger out on the Holden Barina so far this year but something tells me I have a new target, the Proton Savvy.
Test Model: 2007 Proton Savvy 1.2-litre Manual
CarAdvice rating: 
Options Fitted: None
Starting at just $13,990 driveaway for the manual, it almost seems like the bargain of the century, even more so when you consider the features.
With a Renault sourced 1.2-litre engine that produces 55kW of power (5.7 litres/100km fuel consumption), a five-speed manual transmission, ABS, dual front airbags, 15 inch alloys, rear parking sensors and keyless entry, I couldn’t fault the car on paper… so I went for a drive.
I am delighted to say that as far as this Proton goes, you really get what you pay for. With an interior resembling a 1990s Hyundai Excel, a gear stick that vibrates in 3rd and 4th gear and an engine which can deafen you in less than 5 minutes, I couldn’t run away fast enough.
Let’s start with the looks, although styling is subjective – this is an ugly, ugly car. It’s not like other small cars where it can be ugly but still cute, this car is just ugly! The front is barely passable, but from the back, the sagging rear lights resemble a baby rat stuck in a mouse trap.
Proton obviously doesnt’t have focus groups in Malaysia to seek public reaction before designing a car. I can’t imagine any young driver walking out of a Proton dealership thinking “damn, that savvy is hot”.
If you buy this car, what you will end up doing is approaching it with your eyes closed as much as possible, just so you don’t have to look at it too much. But the real horror starts inside.
With uneven and unfinished edges as well as plastic sharp enough to cut your skin, the Savvy gives a hint of what we should expect from other developing manufacturing nations (such as China) in the next few years.
My biggest problem with the car is engine noise. There is next to no sound proofing and given the 1.2-litre powerplant struggles, you really have to redline on every gear change if you intend to keep up with traffic.
As I attempted to join the highway, my ear drums were ready to explode from the screaming whine of the engine – this can scare you at first since no engine should sound like Avril Lavign on drugs, but no – its just part of the fun! If you intend to go past 5,000 RPM, make sure you bring some industrial strength ear muffs because you’ll need it!
But wait, there is more, cruise along in 3rd of 4th gear and the second you lift your foot of the accelerator the gear stick vibrates like a race dog trying to shag your leg. So along with unbearable engine noise and the vibrating gear stick, the Proton is not exactly a fun car to drive.
Surely I had a broken car? Nothing can be this bad! I took the car back and kindly informed the lovely gentlemen (who was keen to tell me the Savvy is Lotus inspired) that he owes me a set of new eardrums and a new Savvy.
He decided to come with me so I can point out the problems, he informed me the engine noise is normal, at least for a Malaysian car and as for the vibrating gearstick, “oh yeah that happens in the Gen.2s as well sometimes, it goes away after a while… I wouldn’t worry about it” uha… a car with 150kms on the clock should not have vibrating issues!
In fairness, it’s not ALL bad, the Savvy does have some Lotus blood in it after all. As far as handling goes, it would run circles around the competition (once it gets to speed). Comparing this to the Rio, Swift and Colt, the Savvy is easily the best handling small car. But that’s a small victory in war Proton have already lost.
The stereo is also rather impressive for a $13,990 car. Using a Clarion headunit and worthy speakers, Proton have supplied a very reasonable stereo so that you can overcome the unbearable engine noise.
Why on earth have Proton stuck rear parking sensors to this thing? If you can’t park this, you shouldn’t drive. Rear visibility is very clear and as far as dimensions go, it’s comparable to a micro car! Sure it’s free and yes, why not, but don’t let it persuade you, rear parking sensors in a car this small are pointless!
My friends, do yourself a big favour and give this (and the Barina) a miss – don’t be fooled by the $13,990 price tag – think of it this way, if you value your hearing and sanity – its not worth the $2,000 saving!
If you’re after a small car, have a look at the Mitsubishi Colt or the Kia Rio, or better yet, save a few more dollars and buy a Suzuki Swift!
Alborz Fallah
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this reviewer is a clarkson wannabe! as far as proton cars go, mine had completed 3 seasons of malaysian tarmac rally championships, one 12 hour endurance race, countless of track days and spirited driving on hillroads and of course, it being my daily driven car, has served me well for the past 8 years! besides a power window failure, the car has not broken down on me when i’l using it.
let’s be fair, the korean cars are like their soap operas……… in one word, crap! parts are not cheap, servicing costs a bomb, can’t handle for shit, drinks petrol like an ozzie on free beer day, has the power of a sloth………..need i say more? do i also sound like a clarkson wannabe?
drive a rio once, for about a week, and i was never so happy when i got back to my proton satria. maybe u guys in oz don’t have a reliable mechanic who knows the ins and outs of a proton, but if u need help, e-mail me at maddriversgarage@yahoo.com.sg.
cheers!
When evaluating small cars, you must compare apples with apples. My 2003 Colt CVT cost $19500 on road. My 2002 Rio cost $13,000 on road – appalling dynamics came free. My Savvy cost $13,250 on road with metallic paint and a parcel of goodies that would add $3000 to the list prices of Jazz, Rio,Getz and Colt – the Savvy handles the best of these and is a safe car as well.
I recently purchased a new Porsche 911 Carrera 2 (my dream car) but needed a reliable run around. After much research and test driving I purchased a Savvy AMT from the Melbourne dealer in Spencer St for $16,990 Drive away. I was also tempted by the Honda Jazz but have no regrets with the Savvy. This is an exceptional little car that is very easy to live with and there aren’t many on the road. Unlike the Jazz which is everywhere in Melbourne. I had no intentions of telling everyone about my little secret, except I felt compelled to offer my comments after reading this exaggerated review. He must be driving a different Savvy to mine. If you’re in the market for a small, cheap, economical and easy to drive car, you should test drive one for at least an hour to appreciate it. Then make up your own mind.
great to hear Craig..Loved my Savvy AMT sonce i got it! Done 30,000k’s and still no rattles noises etc. I really think this car is a go-er
I bought a Savvy 1.2 AMT and been using it for almost 2 years now. Made it run from KL -> JB and countless city driving and mind you that KL traffic is horrible most of the time. All this time i have only had 1 burned fog light bulb and i had it replaced in less than 5 minutes. It’s quite cosy, nice simple interior, fuel is economical, great a/cond, nice OEM stereo. It is a small city car and it serves its purpose, except for the engine noise which is quite load.
In Malaysia, Proton has provided an R3 bodykit for the Savvy…
I first saw this car at the 2006 Brisbane International Motor Show. At the time, I had only ever heard of the ‘original’ Protons (the Mitsu- knock-offs) and I greeted this car with…
…laughter. I kept walking around it, and laughing. From the funny window line to the honeycomb patter in the tailights, I thought this car was ludicrious looking.
But it has grown on me though, and now the quirky styling sits alright with me.
Though I haven’t forgotten my initial reaction :P.
I’m Malaysian & the stuff they come up with embarrasses me alright! If you think that’s bad, I dare you to google ‘Proton Juara’. I’m not liable for any nightmares thereafter. They obviously forgot to put some research into consumers reaction. Oh wait, I’ve never seen one! I’d rather ride a bicycle to work.
It is not a bad car but id rather own a KIA RIO!
NOT A BAD CAR……………………………………What was i thinking i would defintly, a 100% sure rather own a KIA RIO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would recommend deaf people to own this car, should by one for my dad (his not completley deaf, but he needs the radio up loud to hear it)! HA! HA! HA! HA!
huh??everyone has their own opinion on things.besides,its a budget car.dont expect much.duh!!!i agree with ezra though.n i think that beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.people who own this car would definitely say its a nice one.dont be too harsh.its easier being nice than being mean.
serene.you’re an embarassment to malaysia.give the government a break.you dont have to say that extremely hate the car to other people of other countries.are not you embarassed by yourself?im proud to be malaysian.not everything is perfect.that is just the way it is.it is already good that the malaysians are making effort of trying to build the car models themselves and i agree with lalala.you people bore me.you people are typical barbarians.
Hell u such of selfish talking like this to malaysian, i had own this savvy and love it all the way.
Having seen the responses from some of the passionate Malaysians trying to defend feverishly their well loved national pride even though the maker in reality is going nowhere after two and a half wasted decades, it makes me wonder if Proton’s management (or rather the owners) still feel the same way today. Because they should have chucked their flippin egos and sought professional help when it was clearly time to do so.
I too laughed when I first saw the Savvy and how they only had it in manual transmission initially and got trounced in its own backyard by what is really a re-badged Daihatsu. But then I also saw the mid-exhaust and thought that at the very least, they are still not a foregone conclusion. They just need help… as in a good shrink for their owners and a partner that can instill back the passion and love for cars. Did I hear someone whisper “aus liebe zum automobil” ?
i’m a malaysian and i wont even buy this piece of junk….here in malaysia, the goverment tax all foreign car about 100++% …it will cost us double or more…so they are forcing us to buy proton cars..a suzuki swift cost $23,990 in australia ,in malaysia in will cost around $45,000 or $50,000
what kind of idiotic fool buys a proton car…its a basic fact of life not to buy a proton car..it is a piece of junk…a waste of resources…bottom line is it is a shitty car…i would rather buy a bicycle than buy this car…..
it is too ugly,why proton go for them self without other opinion,now fuel price rise,this rubbish cost for RM 46000.00
in Malaysia, i rather immigrant to Brunei!!
for this sort of money I would rather an ex RENTAL ONE TWO Year old Corolla,Pulsar,Tiida,Lancer or any of the next size up proven cars or If I must buy New A Nissan Micra,Suzuki Swift or a Mazda2 or even the Public Transport Sysrem depending on where one lives in Australia is better than this and over a long time may even work out cheaper.If I had the Choice between a Proton or Torrens Transit(I am from Adelaide by the way)give me the latter anytime when I don’t need a car.
I would think that most good looking cars are designed when designers are non-sobber or half sobber. However the malays, not allowed to consume alcohol, have to design it when they are sobber, while watching their chicken and duck livestock in their village!
I have had a Proton Savvy and for over a year now it is the best car for the price. We do not all have endless budgets and i cannot fault it. Sure nothing is perfect but who is. The gear stick noise was fixed easy. The petrol i save is keeping my family afloat. I am a female and love the the shape of the car, i think it is cute. To be honest the only other car that interest me was the Suzuki swift but out of my price range. I like the rear sensors. Sorry but people are on a budget out here and have to toe the line.
can anyone tell me how many kms do you get on the petrol.
I have taken it up to 420 but i think there is more.
I’ve had my savvy for a month and loving it. Its black so gives me and excuse to wash it more times than you can blink. Dispite of the issues mentioned in the artical its a really good car and No one else has one where I like so its abit different (which is awsome). Looking to make an improvement on the exhaust and would be good to put in the 1.2turbo engine from the renault twingo put the lotus suspension to the test.
To all the people who ask “have you driven one?” yes, i have, i ask you, ever serviced one? drama, try finding a bloody oil filter for the bugger, sure, good handling, but no guts what so ever, my 96 1.2l barina smokes it, noise, yes, shit fuel economy, yes, is the second most ugly thing ive seen. just horrible. a chick owns it and hates it, so does everyone else
Just purchased a proton savvy, love it. Sure its not powerful but great for city driving and great on fuel.
Noise isnt that bad and looks great to me.
drive it before you comment!!
One Malaysia, two national car maker, many models to choose from. This is simply wrong. One Malaysia, one Proton, one Save We!
I love your site and your car reviews and advice. However, I dont find your views on a car’s look acceptable. Whether a car looks cute or ugly is best left for the people to decide. I don’t find the Savvy to be ugly looking..relative to other cars for the same price..i think it has acceptable looks.
Just my $0.02.
Thanks for this website..has been very helpful in deciding a car I buy.