If you want affordable car with loads of features, count Jap or Korean cars out, Jap and Korean makes have a almost "too" strong presence here till that local importers felt they dont have the need to import better specced models here to sell at a reasonable price, they'd just import some low specced models with "good" selling points such as foldable seats, cheeky "Twin" airbags and mp3 players. If you want affordable cars with well specced standards, and a brand that lives up to your doctorate degree, go 2nd line european cars such as Fiats, Alfa Romeos or Peugeots. These car are very well made, good handling and loads of features and very well specced. a RM80k budget can get you a Fiat Punto with twin airbags, traction control, sunroof, adjustable steering ratio and so on, used cars of these segment are also very cheap and are well worth it, for example alfa romeo 156s, superb engine note, excellent handling and performance, good presence, wont feel light or characterless as a Jap car. Of course, dont get the selespeed version if you are not those perfectionists who will send your car for service on time, yupe many people complained about parts being expensive, but hey, if you dont screw your car, you maintain it well and send for service on time, what kinda major parts will always fail on you? for example ya, i know their side mirrors costs you around RM300-500 per piece, and a wira will costs you less than RM100, but hey, which pretty girl wont costs you more? only ugly indo maids at home will serve you well with minimum cost, and you can fxxk her whenever you like, but is she someone you'll rather wetdream with? i dont think so. :) of course, then many will turn around and bashing me for "bashing" jap cars, but i'm no jap car basher, i'm crap car basher, crap in the sense that the car was made with no passion or soul at all, take the Vios or City for example, these cars are made to sell, for they have the brand effect to assist, they're no well made cars, (doesnt mean they broke down often, in fact, they're so reliable as your indo maid i describe earlier, never complain but only work. Hence seeing that you want a car with sunroof, i believe you're someone who will enjoy your time in your car, someone who will enjoy life. of course, if you cant make up your mind to pay RM300 for a side mirror, then forget it. :) But let me share with you, the experience of owning such cars, joining the clubs, getting passionate about your car and even dreamt bout it at night, is a very special experience to own. Just like a beautiful, high maintenance angelic, pretty goddess girl.
oh, well made jap cars with characters and good overall specifications such as Skylines, Supras, Subarus or Evos are no less cheaper in maintenance and parts such as continental cars. lastly, when considering a conti car, never regard chevrolet and rover as one, they're well badged craps. and again, crap doesnt mean they'll broke down, in fact my crap means they're just as reliable as your maid. :) good luck in going for one.
