Proton Problems

The short answer is no-one. Subaru was first with a half-tonne ute in its Brumby, which I owned and loved. But it has no plans for a replacement and neither does Proton, as all utes are now one-tonne and bigger. Hyundai revealed a ute based on the ix35 compact SUV at Detroit, but any production version is still a couple of years away.

The Jumbuck only got a two-star safety rating from ANCAP and the Mighty Boy was regularly rated in the bottom 10 cars sold in Australia for safety. You should not consider either but get something like a pre-loved Nissan Navara.

The issues you are concerned about are not ones I would expect would make a carmaker want to buy the car back, but they are certainly things that need to be fixed under warranty and you must make sure they are fixed. That they don't seem to care about you and aren't responsive to your requests are issues you need to take up directly with the dealer. I would suggest you make an appointment to meet the dealer principal to discuss your problems. Attempt to get from him/her an agreement they will repair the car as they must do and work out a timetable of when it might happen. Although you are clearly frustrated, and you are probably right to be so, it hasn't in my view gone far enough to consult lawyers. That would be the final step.

The car is 16 years old so under normal circumstances I would say you have little claim against Proton. If they have agreed to cover the cost of repairs I would have them put it in writing before you take the car in. Once it goes in and the repairs are done you have little comeback, you are then relying on the good will of the company.

A LEAKING head gasket is not a usual cause for a recall so I'm not surprised Proton hasn't recalled them. Because your car has done so few kilometres I think you could make a case for compensation, and going to Consumer Affairs is the right course.

Having occurred four times it would appear clear that there is a problem that needs proper investigation and a solution. Sit down with the dealer and explain your frustration and insist that it be fixed. It could be caused by a number of things, for example the boot light not switching off when the boot is closed.

Proton's official consumption for the Gen 2 GXR is 7.9 L/100 km average, but 6.2 L/100 km on highway and 10.8 L/100 km on urban use. The latter suggests your car is not far away from the company's claims. Normally the trip computer is more accurate because it measures the fuel being injected into the engine, whereas the old fashioned method of fill-to-fill measurement has plenty of room for error. But in your case there is reason to suspect the trip computer, even more so when you've been told there's a dealer bulletin to check for fuel consumption. That suggests there is something wrong. Take it to the dealer and have it checked as has been recommended.