RM40,000, What car can you get? (Updated 27/9/2010)

 NOTE: This article is 1st published back in 2006 (4 years ago), I merely updated it due to popular demand.

A lot of people most of which are YOUNG Grads asked me, "What NEW car choices do I have if I got RM40,000 budget. I told them, for NEW car, the choices are VERY VERY LIMITED. It's limited to:  PERODUA Viva, Myvi 1.0, Hyundai i10, SAVVY, Saga BLM, Naza Sutera, Chana CM8 MPV, Chana CV6 Hatchback, Chevrolet Spark. IN SHORT, There's LESS than 10 choices available.

Now the Picture is very different if you are considering USED cars. Suddenly, you are SPOILED for Choices. For RM40,000, there's MORE THAN 80 Varieties of vehicles to Choose from in any forms...

But if you are getting LOANs (I'm sure FEW will have the money to PAY CASH RM40k!), I'm afraid you can only buy UP TO 12 yrs old cars (typically) with Lowish interest rates (Below 5%). Ie. Oldest 1998. After 12 years, YOU typically HAVE TO PAY CASH or ended up paying HIGHER interest rates (as high as 6%)! In this scenario, LUXURY cars such as BMW, Mercedes Benz, Porsche, Jaguar IS OUT as these cars will be too old by that time it Reaches the RM40k mark.

Case Example 1, I saw an ad in Lelong someone wanted to sell 1981 PORSCHE 924 for RM25,000!!! He is the 1st OWNER!, BUT CASH ONLY!!! If you have the CASH and the money to Maintain and Insure the car, then it's a good buy...

Case Example 2: This friend of mine was VERY EXCITED knowing that He can owned a 1992 MERCEDES 230E W124 (with AMG 17" rims, "77" no plate, bodykit, Automatic, Sunroof etc) for RM23,000. Ie. within his budget (Initially he thought). BUT he was disappointed, CANNOT GET LOAN as the car was too OLD... This means that he HAD to PAY CASH! Having ONLY 2 yrs work experience and still working as a TRAINEE, obviously he cannot afford... What a waste...

All is not LOST, depends on your criteria, RM40k still have LOTS and LOTS of "CLASSY" and/or RESPECTABLE Japanese and "COLD European" cars which is below 11 yrs old and can still obtain Loan... Here are some of My recommendations: (BOLD = Highly recommended)

NEWISH (below 5 years old) CARS: 

 1) Proton Waja 1.6 CAMPRO Enhanced 2007

2) Perodua MYVI 1.3SXI/EZI 2008/2009, RM38,800/RM39,800

3) HYUNDAI ELANTRA 1.8iGLS(A) 2007(!), RM39,000(!). Wonder why RESALE value so LOW. Note that brand new: RM88,000. Within 3 yrs value dropped so MUCH! Bad news for 1st owner BUT GOOD NEWS for YOU!

4) Mazda Fighter 2.5 Turbodiesel 2006 RM39,000
5) Naza Citra 2006: RM40,000
6) Kia Optima 2.0 2006 (RM36,800)
7) Kia Spectra5 2007 (RM40,000)
8) Proton Persona 1.6 2008 (RM37,000 Manual, RM39,000 Auto)
9) Proton Satria Neo 1.6 M/A 2009 (RM39,000/41,000)
10) Hyundai Accent 1.5 RX-S 2007, RM37,000
11) Naza Bestari 206 (RM37,000) 2007
12) Chevrolet Optra 1.6/1.8 (2006/2005) RM36,000
13) Chevrolet Aveo5 2007, RM39,000
14) Hyundai Matrix: 2006: RM36,000
15) Mitsubishi Lancer 1.6 GLX (2006) RM42,000.
16) Kia Rio 1.5 (2007) RM38,800
17) Hyundai GETZ 1.4 (2007) RM39,000
18) Renault Kangoo 1.4 Sportiv/NEVO (2007) RM37,000

EXECUTIVE LOCAL/Japanese/Korean Car:

1) Honda Accord 2.0 VTI (2000) = RM40k
2) Nissan Cefiro V6 3.0i 2001 = RM32,000 (This is the BEST V6 engine, surprisingly Economical for a 3.0L car, But Road tax RM2000!). A 2.0iV6 model is RM5-7k more and Road tax RM391.00.
3) Toyota Camry 2.2GX 2000. RM40,000.
4) PROTON Perdana V6 2.0 2003 Enhanced Facelift RM39,000
5) Hyundai Sonata GOLD 2.4i (2004) / 2.0i (2005)  (RM37,000 / RM38,000)

Executive "COLD" Continental car (ie. Weaker demand) which still can obtain loan easily.

1) VOLVO S40 2.0T 2001. RM40,000. But beware of the High maintenance costs and reliability.
2) Peugeot 406 2.0 Deluxe 2003 (Last batch, facelift, RM36,000.
3) Ford FOCUS 1.8(M) Hatchback 2001, RM37,000
4) Volkswagon Jetta/Bora 1.6 2002 (RM40,000)
5) Volkswagen Passat 1.8T (2001) RM42,000)
6) Peugeot 307XSi Hatchback 2004 RM38,000
7) Citroen C5 2.0 2005 (RM37,000)
8) Alfa 147 1.6M 2002 (RM43,000)
9) Skoda Octavia 1.6i 2003 (RM41,000)
10) Skoda Fabia 1.4i 2003 (RM38,000)
11) Peugeot 206 1.6 CBU 2003 (RM40,000)
12) Audi A4 1.8 Non-Turbo B5 (2000) RM39,000

Other 4 door cars:

1) Mazda 323 BJ Sedan/Hatchback 2003 RM32,000.

2) HONDA Civic EK 1.6i VTEC (Last batch) 1999(M)/2000(A), RM42,000. Another HOT Demand car, Very HIGH resale value and ENDLESS Modification OPTIONS...

3) Toyota Corolla AE111 SEG 1.6 2000, RM35,000. This 8th Generation Corolla, economical yet good looking (applicable to 98-01 facelift only). HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

4) BMW 525i E34 1996 (Last Batch) RM33,000

5) Mercedes E220 Masterpiece 1995: RM38,000 (E280 Masterpiece RM33,000)
6) Nissan Sentra 1.6XE 2001 (RM36000),b
8) Mercedes C220 1996: RM40,000
9) Honda City Type Z/VTEC LEV 2002/2002: RM31,000/34,000



Can RM40k buy you a LIMOUSINE?  Sure, Why Not?  

Here's the list (if you can afford the maintenance):

1) Mercedes S320 1997: RM39000
2) BMW 728i(A)/730iL E38 1996 (RM38,000)
3) Proton Perdana EXECUTIVE 2001 (RM35,000)
4) Lexus LS400 V8 1992: RM40,000
5) Honda Legend 3.5RL 1996: RM43,000.
6) Audi A6 2.4 1998 (1st batch), RM42,000
7) Jaguar/Daimler XJ6 1995: RM40,000
8) Ssangyong Chairman 2.8/3.2 2003 (RM40,000)

IF YOU WANT FAST car for RM40k, there's the following choices:

1) VOLVO V70 T5 2.3i WAGON. 2000 model priced RM40,000 only. This TURBOCHARGED car has a Top speed of 230km/h and 0-100km/h in 7.3 SECS!!! It's so fast that our POLIS used as Chase car. Though Maintenence is HIGH and Reliability is BAD. But if it's in GREAT Condition with low mileage and Service record or 1 owner, then GRAB IT!

2) PROTON SATRIA GTI 1.8i DOHC 2003 model RM35,000. This is, in my opinion ONE OF THE BEST PROTON, losing out only to Proton Putra (better looking and more practical - better rear legroom + bigger boot)!  0-100km/h below 9 seconds and top speed 210 km/h. VERY WORTH THE MONEY!

3) BMW 328i E36 1998 (Last batch). RM38,000. ANOTHER POWERFUL car, Just missed the cut for Lowish Interest rate loans (more difficult as oldest recommended year to obtain LOAN is 11 yrs old). But If you CAN GET LOAN, this is the ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE. FUN car. The IT CAR (Very CLASSY). Rock solid Resale value. Maintenence and Spare parts costs are not an issue as there's MANY Units on the road and TONS of "CHOP SHOPS" and spare part shops...

4) Fiat Coupe:20v Turbo 1999 (RM40,000)


5) Volvo V40 T4 turbo. 2000,  RM39,000.  Like the V70 but smaller and more economical and slightly more powerful.

6) Alfa Romeo 156 Selespeed RM40k (2001) / 2.5 V6 (1999)

7) Honda Prelude H22A 2.2 DOHC VTEC 1996 (RM36,000)

SUV/Truck Options:

1) Toyota RAV4 2.0i 5dr. 1999. RM40,000.
2) Ford Ranger Pickup 2.5i Turbodiesel 2005 (M). RM39,000. Auto add another RM2-4k)
3) Mazda Fighter 2.5 Turbodiesel 2006 RM39,000
4) Toyota Hilux Diesel Pick-up 1997 RM39,000
5) Ford Escape 2.0XLT 2002 RM40,000
6) Nissan Frontier 4x4 2005 RM40,000
7) Honda CRV 1st generation (PERFORMA150ps) 2000 CBU: RM36,000
(2001 Kah Motor spec same price)
8) Kia Sportage 2.0 2005 RM34,000
9) Ssangyong REXTON Petrol/Diesel 2003: RM39,000
10) Hyundai Santa Fe 2002 (RM40,000)
11) Isuzu Rodeo Pickup 2000 (RM40,000)
12) Isuzu Bighorn 3.1 Diesel/Citation 3.2 Petrol 1999/2000, RM40,000
13) Land Rover Range Rover 4.6 V8/2.5 DSE 1996/1995 (RM38,000)
14) Mitsubishi Pajero V31V 2.4, 2000 (RM36,000)
15) Mitsubishi STORM 2.5 Turbo-Diesel Pick-up 2003 RM40,000
16) Land Rover Discovery 1998 (RM34,000)
17) Mazda Tribute 2.0 2003 (RM40,000)

MPV/Vans

1) Naza Ria 2005: RM38,000 

2) Naza Citra 2006: RM40,000 

3) Hyundai Trajet 2003: RM40,000

4) Hyundai Matrix: 2006: RM36,000

5) Fiat Ulysse MPV 2002: RM32,000

6) Nissan Serena 2.0 MPV 2000. RM38,000

7) Toyota Unser 2002 (A) RM38,800

8) KIA PERGIO 2005, RM35,000 

9) Opel Zafira 1.8 2002, RM38,000

10) Chevrolet Nabira 1.8 2005 (RM40,000)

11) Toyota Estima Emina/Lucida (1999) RM40,000

12) Toyota Avanza 1.3 2005 (M/A) RM37,000/RM39,000

13) Citroen Xsara Picasso 2004 (RM43,000)

14) Citroen Evasion MPV 2.0i 2002 (RM35,000)

15) Toyota Ipsum / Picnic 2.0 MPV (1998) RM42,000

16) Renault Kangoo 1.4 Sportiv/NEVO (2007) RM37,000

17) Mitsubishi Space Gear MPV L400 2.4 (2000) RM38,000

18) Mitsubishi Chariot Grandis MPV (1999 recond)  RM40,000

19) Nissan C22 Vanette 2005 (Window van) / 2007 (Panel van) RM40,000

20) Toyota Hiace (1999 Window van/2001 Panel van) RM39,000

Other cars:

- See motortrader, for "abnormal National car" such as "Wira EVO, Satria 1.8 GSR, Waja Mivec, Perdana V6 Twin Turbo. Ie. "Modified MILOTINS". Not recommended as the BODY and CHASSIS can't cope with the power, unless you reinforced it (think "ULTRA RACING" bars). But few will bother to do that because it's EXPENSIVE. Also, some have no JPJ approval.

- In motortrader, There's FTOs, RX7 FC, Levin AE86, Silvia 180SX, Original EVOII, MR2 (Ferrari like version) within the 40k budget... BUT MOST ARE OVER 12 yrs old and DIFFICULT TO GET LOAN. But If you are lucky and able to get loan, then your choice will be even wider...

That's all folks, thanks for having the time and patience to read this blog entry.  MY (Jeff Lim's) ORIGINAL WORK!