Car Matters

I brought along Sam Addams, and Mel tagged along, too. Sam has a knack for cars—he used to sell spare parts and has always opted for secondhand vehicles. So, he’s no stranger to the ins and outs of buying used cars. His take on this particular one? Well, at RM10,500, it’s an absolute steal. We decided to take it for a test drive.

As for my impressions, the handling seemed decent—no sudden jolts and the ride was smooth, albeit a tad sluggish (it’s a 1.3, after all). Plus, no mysterious clunks or rattles from the drive shafts. On the exterior, there weren’t any glaring signs of major collisions—though the seller did confess to a minor right-side fender bender that required a headlight replacement.

Things looked pretty good inside, except for a rust spot on the right rear door near the wheel arch. It outshone the other cars we’d seen, except for that elusive first one (which vanished before I could even blink). Definitely better than the Batu Pahat model. But—and here’s my only gripe—the engine growls like an angry cat. Much louder than the Batu Pahat version Iqi’s father arranged through a dealer. That one was quieter, though admittedly not as spiffy inside and out. Still, this car boasts a fresh coat of paint—original colour, mind you—just a quick spray layer on the outside."

                        Car: Perodua MyVi 1.3A

                        Model Year: 2007

                        Asking Price: 10,500 + Name change

                        Reg: WQB3707

                        Insurance: RM 1200

                        Road Tax: RM 70

                        Total: RM 11,770

“Car Chronicles: The Great RM10,500 Steal!”

So, here’s the scoop: I had a rendezvous with Sam Addams and Mel—the dynamic duo of car enthusiasts. Sam, the seasoned spare parts seller, knows cars like the back of his hand. And guess what? He’s always been a fan of secondhand beauties. So, he practically did a happy dance when we stumbled upon this gem priced at RM10,500. We decided to take it for a spin, just to see if it lived up to the hype.

Now, my turn behind the wheel: The handling? Not bad at all—no sudden jolts, and the ride was smoother than a jazz sax solo (okay, maybe a tad sluggish—it’s a 1.3, after all). And the best part? No mysterious clunks or rattles from the drive shafts. Exterior-wise, no major collision scars—just a minor right-side fender bender that needed a new headlight. Inside? Pretty darn good, except for that sneaky rust patch on the right rear door. But hey, it outshone the other cars we’d seen, except for that elusive first one that vanished quicker than a magician’s rabbit.

But—and here’s the drumroll—the engine growled like a caffeinated tiger. Seriously, louder than a rock concert. Sam, our resident car whisperer, had a theory: engine mounting. Apparently, it’s like a car chiropractic adjustment. Plus, this poor thing hadn’t hit the road in ages. Fingers crossed, right? Because guess what—I already pulled the trigger and now have to bite the bullet (ouch!).

Now, the guilt trip: Iqi’s father and the kind-hearted Iki had their hearts set on that Batu Pahat car. It would’ve set me back RM14,800 on-the-road (yikes!). But hey, I’m saving RM3,030, so maybe I’ll slip Iqi’s dad a little thank-you bonus of RM300. It’s the least I can do for their trouble.

So, here’s to my new ride—a mix of excitement, engine growls, and a dash of guilt. Wish me luck, and may the car gods be on my side! 🚗🤞

🚗 The MyVi Misadventure

So there I was, eyeing that sleek black MyVi 1.3A like a kid in a candy store. The price? A cool RM15,800. Bargaining skills? Zero. Test drive? Zilch. But who needs practical details when you’re daydreaming about cruising down the highway, right? 🤷‍♂️

Fast forward to reality: The MyVi slipped through my fingers like sand at the beach. My family and Iqi (plus his dad, because why not?) would probably chuckle at my missed opportunity. Lesson learned: I’ll be ready to haggle like a pro and take that test drive next time!

🚙 The Altis Conundrum

Ah, the allure of a 2006 Toyota Altis! Priced at RM16,800, it was like a siren calling me from the used car lot. But hold up—buying it would defeat my whole purpose of getting a second car:

1. Diesel Ringgit Saved: My master plan? Use the Ford Ranger less and save on diesel. Brilliant, right? 🌿
2. Service Intervals: I pondered: Could I stretch the Ranger’s service schedule from thrice a year to twice? 🤔

Honestly, I’m in uncharted territory here. Have I made the right choice? Who knows! But hey, making questionable decisions is my superpower. 🦸‍♂️ It’s just me embracing the chaos of car shopping.