Proton Wira Review (1993 to 2005)

Quick Summary

There are faster, quieter and more frugal competitors for your used car pounds of course, but they're all pricier. Proton motoring makes a lot of sense.

Overall:

Models Covered:1993-to March 2000: Persona saloon and five-door hatchback, 1.3 [LSi, Celebration] / 1.5 [GLi, GLSi, Celebration] / 1.6 [XLi, Celebration, SEi] / 1.8 [SEi, EXi, Celebration] / 2.0 diesel [SDi] / 2.0 turbo diesel [Tdi, Celebration]March 2000 to date: Wira saloon and five-door hatchback, 1.3 [Li] / 1.5 [LXi] / 1.6 ‘S’ [LXi, Lux] / 1.8 [Lux, SRi] / 2.0 turbo diesel (five-door only) [TD]September 1997 to date: 2-door coupe 1.8 [Coupe, Celebration, Evolution 16v]

IMAGE ISN'T EVERYTHING

For some time, Proton was one of Britain's fastest growing marques, selling sensible and affordable cars to sensible, cost-conscious people. The new car model range has increased too, with the family-sized Persona/Wira bringing the Malaysian marque a steady stream of value-seeking buyers, whose needs can't be adequately served by the smaller Compact/Satria three-door hatch.With sales of all these new Protons registering healthy gains until the end of 1999 (sales have nosedived so far in 2000), the number of low-mileage, pampered examples entering the used market increased at almost the same rate – great news for used family car buyers on a budget.
Used Proton Wira for sale

History of the Wira

The Persona was first introduced in November 1993 as a four-door saloon and five-door hatchback with a choice of 1.5 or 1.6-litre engines.The 1996 model-year saw the first major changes with a package of styling revisions and the introduction of a 1.8-litre engine, as well as a new 2.0-litre diesel.For the 1997 line-up, the company introduced new four and five-door price leaders, featuring the 1.3-litre engine from the three-door Compact range. As for the plusher end of the Persona range, a 2.0-litre turbo diesel replaced the original non-turbo unit in both four and five-door body shells, while a special edition 'Penang' appeared, with standard air conditioning.A new two-door Coupe variant, based on an old-shape Mitsubishi Lancer coupe never sold in the UK, was launched in September 1997 with a twin camshaft, 16-valve 1.8-litre engine also made under licence from the Japanese company. It was very well equipped and the specification included Recaro front seats. A limited-edition Evolution 16v version with body kit arrived in April 1999.The range (except the Coupe) was renamed Wira in March 2000 and the line-up revised with new Li, LXi and Lux trim designations. A twin-cam SRi version also appeared. However, old stock remained on the price list so you'll find Personas registered later in 2000.
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Proton Wira Road Test

On the move, you won't set the road alight (unless your in the twin cam Coupe) - but you won't be disappointed either. The saloons and hatchbacks are far more refined than their predecessors and respectably quick. Even the baseline 89bhp model manages 0-60mph in 12.1s on the way to a top speed of 108mph. Around town, you should manage about 30mpg and about 40mpg on the motorway; expect a range of at least 400 miles between refills.
Used Proton Wira for sale

Buying a Proton Wira

Not much goes wrong. Look out for diesel models with a taxi history and loose trim; interior fittings are not of the highest quality.
Used Proton Wira for sale

Proton Wira Typical Pricing

There's bound to be a lot of P to V-plate Personas around in light of the company's recent new-car sales strength, with prices starting at around £1,400 for a 97P-reg four-door 1.3 LSi saloon or about £1,375 for a hatchback. Choose a 1.5 GLSi with a 97P-plate and you'll be looking at roughly £1,425 or £1,550, depending on the number of doors you prefer. For 98R-plate cars, around £1,600 should be more than enough to secure a 1.5GLSi saloon. If you prefer the hatchback, budget for about another £300. Late 99V-platers are about £2,000.If you'd rather have a 1.6-litre Persona, you'll be looking at a minimum of around £900 for an L-plate XLi saloon or about £1,000 for the hatch version. 96N-platers will be around £400 more in each case, while roughly £1,500 is fair money for an R-plate saloon. (The corresponding five-door will be about another £100.) A 99V saloon will be about £1,950 with the hatch another £100 or so. Expect to pay between £200-£600 for the more luxurious SEi (Celebration from January 1999) trim level with any of these cars.The 1.8-litre cars date from April 1996 initially with SEi trim, then EXi and Celebration. Prices start at around £1,200 for a 96N SEi saloon. The two-litre non-turbo diesel was sold from April '96 and replaced by a turbo diesel model. The rare 1.8 twin cam coupes are more expensive and start at around £4,000 on 97R plates with late 01X examples around the £6,000 mark. Expect to pay up to £200 more for the Evolution 16v.
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Proton Wira Parts

(Based on a 1995 1.5 GLi - approx) A new clutch will be in the region of £160 and a full exhaust about £335. Front brake pads will set you back about £45 for the front set and £38 for the rear, while an alternator will be around £165 and a replacement starter motor about £125.
Used Proton Wira for sale