Proton Iriz and Spec Comparison

No, let me start with I'm not planning to emulate PaulTan's website to review cars. I blog for the passion (when I'm free) and share useful information (at least what I deem useful) that I've spent time coming up with due to personal interest and needs. This entry gives you an analysis comparing the difference between the Proton Iriz models. Prior to making a purchase decision, I tried to look for a good summary of the difference between the models, the Proton website does give a good interface to compare specs between selected models at Proton Iriz but it is REALLY a long list of specs, many of which are the same.

What I'm looking for is a snapshot of the DIFFERENCE to make a purchase decision. Now this is not a complain to Proton but a f/back as I think most car sites have the same limitation. So what I've done is created a simple table outlining the difference between the models. One wise saying that I read few days back is "what makes a millionaire is someone who recognizes a problem and solves it for everyone". I'm still on the journey to being both an RM millionaire and getting a million hits on this blog.... :P

So anyway, below is a snap shot of the difference between the Iriz Models. Click to enlarge.

Firstly this is correct on day of publishing (assuming I didn't make any errors). Price and specs will likely change.

Previously when I've made purchase decisions, I mostly go for the full specs of a car, due to a few reasons:

• Safety : Only the full specs had airbags and safety features. 
• Price : Yes though the full specs car is more expensive delta was not huge, and buying a full spec Proton or Perodua is cheaper then buying a low spec foreign car - and (at least specs / feature wise) your full spec Malaysian car will be 'higher' spec'ed than the foreign car (same segment and so on)

This time the purchase decision becomes complex, as all IRIZ claim 5 Star Asean CAP which is higher than Axia and quite a number of foreign cars. Enjoy the crash test on Youtube too.  Aah, back to my point, so though all the models have airbag and meet 5 Star Asean CAP, the difference in safety if I'm not mistaken is only the 1.6CVT Premium has the side and curtain airbags. Note all the models have front air bags.

Secondly the price delta between the basic or even mid range 1.3CVT model to the high spec 1.6CVT model is RM7k-10k.

I think if you have the cash and place high value on leather seats and of course the additional airbags, go for the full premium. The folding side mirror and better infotainment is also an added benefit. Note leather seats cost around RM1.5k (semi leather) and RM1.8k (full leather) if you were to get them yourselves.

My request would be for Proton to offer a 1.3CVT model option with full airbags and leather seats and the infotainment. But in all honestly unless their volume picks up and based on my minimal manufacturing knowledge, it is very costly to offer multiple models, as each SKU is costly to design, manufacture and support (after sales).

Anyway kudos to Proton for a good offering and a good Raya package. Only complain is at low speeds the CVT engine does jerk a little last I drove. Btw, sorry no summary on the Manual model which people says drives even better due to my lack of interest in manual cars....

Calculating CIMB Cash Rebate Platinum Mastercard and Maybank 2 Cards

Per my previous review, of when to best use the Maybank 2 Cards and pair it with the CIMB Cash Back Platinum Card, here are some further details if you want to get down to nitty-gritty. 

In essence you want to calculate how much an RM / a ringgit spent on your credit card gives you in return, so you can figure out the point or cash back system of the card. 

Firstly let's start with the Maybank 2 Cards. Note I am not considering the 5% cash back on weekends as I want to see what is the value to use your AMEX (not the Visa or Mastercard that comes along) on weekdays. You can redeem e.g. an AEON Big voucher of RM100 for 43,680 points. Since you get 5x points per RM, this normalizes to a spend of RM8,736. Basically from my maths, this equals to returns of RM0.0114 for every RM1 you spend. In percentage that translate for a return of 1.15%. Which in reality is not too bad. Remember this is for weekday spent, as weekend you get 5% cash back, so in reality weekend spend equals to 6.15% which is REALLY good as you get this for ALL things you spend with your AMEX.

 

So what's your take away from the above, to complement your Maybank AMEX for weekday spend, get a card that gives you best returns with a minimum or higher then 1.15% value per RM spent.

So what did I get? I got myself the CIMB Cash Rebate Platinum Mastercard. I never really considered this a strong contender for the 'complemantary' spot, but it has turned out to be a good card. I got the Cash Rebate card when I (long ago) cancelled my Direct Access Credit Card (yes if you recognize this card,  you are probably 33years old and above - hahah) which no longer had much benefits. The CIMB Cash Back Card has turned out to be quite handy, has good promotions from time to time (e.g. Agoda, Lazada and so on. 

Here is a summary of how the CIMB Cash Rebate Card comes in. 

As you can see, for Online spend, it is constantly good. Except for online airline tickets, as I THINK the insurance coverage is limited or non-existent. It delivers pretty well for Groceries and Petrol as well. What I like about the CIMB card (and Maybank Amex 2 Cards) is that there are no tricky terms and conditions to meet, like any minimum spend, any minimum transaction and so on, which is the case for many other cards that claim to offer equal or better cash backs but require you to jump through hoops to be eligible.

From the time to time promotion, CIMB hasn't failed to keep me happy, like the current Enjoy 25% off at www.zalora.com.my with an additional 5%* cash rebate and so on. Also decent deals with hotels. Another thing I noticed (if I'm correct) is CIMB offers up to a max of RM50 cash back for each card, so if I have one primary and one supplementary, we can max up to RM100 cash back.

Have fun, just don't overspend and make sure you settle your bills in full end of the month.
This is part of my Value Tips entry, for more value tips that will save you lots of RM $ click here.

Malaysia Best Credit Card Review 2015

After the change in Maybank Treat Points System, where previously it would cost you around 10,000 points to redeem RM50 worth of voucher escalated to ~23,000 points needed to redeem RM50 worth of vouchers, I started to have questions on what would be the best credit card combination and use strategy. I did search high and low, but couldn't find any good summary updated based on the changes by Maybank. (maybe no one has written or maybe my lack of googling abilities).

Previously I did do some research and summarized it at pairing-your-maybank-amex-with-ocbc but with the changes in Maybank Treat Points value and reduction of OCBC cash back, I have now changed my credit card combo to Maybank 2 Card (Amex + Visa) and CIMB Cash Back.  And so I decided to do some research (and maths) on my own and have come up with my summary. What next? Obviously I would like to share what I've calculated. Note this is based on my own understanding, if anything doesn't add up, do comment.

UPDATED: Come 1st Aug, Maybank 2 Cards AMEX will only give 5% cash back on weekend dining and not all weekend spend. What a shame.... Details below
5% Weekend cash back² when spend on Maybankard 2 American Express Card.
²A cap of RM50 per customer (Principal Cardmember) per month.
Click here for Weekend cashback Terms and Conditions.
Note: Starting from 1 August 2015, the 5% Weekend Cashback Card Benefit will no longer applicable for Maybank2 American Express. The 5% Weekend Cashback will be replace with 5% Weekend Dining Cashback. Click here for the 5% Weekend Dining Cashback Terms and Conditions.

Just did that above table, now need to update...Anyway for first line - ALL Weekend : Change to Weekend Dining ONLY.  Now the CIMB Cash back is getting sexier wouldn't you say...

I think overall, if you do decent amount of online shopping e.g. lazada, groupon etc it is really worth getting the CIMB Cash Back. As usual most of this cards have a cap / limit (RM50). I also think eventhough if you do autobilling or pay at counter for your phone bills, you do not get the 5% cash back, what I do is buy my prepaid re-load online using my CIMB Cash Back and I think with this I am eligible to get the 5% :)

I'm also tempted to consider the Maybank Visa Signature due to the 5% cash back (everyday) for Petrol and Groceries, but might make my CIMB Cash Back not that needed - but in that case, I can leave my CIMB cash back at home just for online transactions.

I just created a new entry on calculating exactly how much each Ringgit spent translate into your rebate / cash back - read it here Calculating Your Credit Card Points Value

Note: I did not compare in detail to other cards like WISE for couple of reasons, some of them have a minimum spend / transaction frequency to be eligible. Also cause when I applied WISE years ago they rejected me, so no card no comment.

All my value tips entries are captured at Value Tips.