Automotive Guilty Pleasures

[homeforsummer]

Don't know if this counts as guilty to some, but I feel like there isn't much positive talk about Proton. But for some reason, the Proton Satria GTi intrigues me with it's rear fascia. I know the first generation is just a Mitsubishi Colt/Mirage, but body kit/spoiler give it a child-ish boy racer look I find rather decent looking.

Same goes for the 2nd gen Proton Satria Neo, though probably the R3 for similar reasons. Does look a bit like a generic video game hot hatchback, but I kind of like it for that.

The first gen's interesting in GTi form if for no other reason than it was way better than anyone expected, and probably better than the Mitsubishi it was based on, at least judging by how well it reviewed, despite being an older design by then. Proton leaned into motorsport with the first gen Satria too, it had a decent super 1600 class rally career.

The Satria Neo was definitely a bit more "generic hatcback" though.

 

[05XR8]

I’d have one if I were back in the states.

I’m also looking at one of these. Slow as molasses, but I’ll see what happens in a few days.

 

[INEEDNAWZZZ]

Not sure they’re really ‘guilty’ pleasures since I don’t know much about the discourse about them other than the base models being quite cheap, but…

I’ve always had a soft spot for both of these, and they never really seem to get talked about much outside of their own enthusiast circles, even back when they were relatively new.

 

[05XR8]

I didn’t mind the Cobalt at the time of its debut because it reminded me of the car we couldn’t get.

At the time Chevy also did the same to the Impala, but I was disappointed Nissan didn’t do that with the Maxima SE.

 

[Rossell2]

The first gen Mercedes GLA AMG. Why should I or anyone like this car? It makes no sense in the grand scheme of things. OK you took the A Class, made it into a rugged compact crossover, but then decided to lower it again, and stick a sodding great wing on the back.

And yet if you own one you'll pull up at the lights and everybody will be confused. And I seem to like the thought of that.

 

[Hdbd04]

Same goes for the 2nd gen Proton Satria Neo, though probably the R3 for similar reasons. Does look a bit like a generic video game hot hatchback, but I kind of like it for that.

God, the nostalgia that comes through me whenever I the Satria Neo sometimes. I remember how cool the idea of having a 3-door hatch that's within reach was. But that was back when I was still in school when it was new. But looking at it now with some of the comments in the long run, it's probably for the better to just admire it than to own one unless you're into modifying it.

That didn't stop them from trying to "re-create" the GTI model until it was scrapped to make way for the CPS model, which then turned into the R3 Model

The Iriz on the other hand... IMO it does look better to look at (in its 2014 launch design). Speaking of the Iriz, there were plans to "introduce" a 1.3L turbo, 6-speed manual version of the thing back in 2015.

Of course, it never came and it was part of the infamous scrap auctions back in 2020 after Geely made changes to the management (Basically everything from PERT, EMAS to even EVs were on that lot). Fortunately(?) It found a new owner who then decided to sell some of the parts too. I don't know the current state of the car for now.

I've always had a soft soft for the Gen-2 and the Savvy. Don't tell anyone!

They looked nice and had potential, but the Gen-2s problems (such as the power windows failing) and the Savvy being eaten alive by the Perodua Myvi made it rare to see both models on the streets these days.