Used Proton Impian Saloon 2001 - 2008 reliability
Category: Family car
The Proton Impian is well equipped and adequate to drive, but the lacklustre engine makes progress very slow
What should I look for in a used Proton Impian saloon?
Proton has tried hard to give the Impian's cabin a classy European feel, but it doesn't quite hit the mark. While the design is modern, many of the materials are hard and shiny to the touch, while the overall feel isn't as solid as the best examples in this class.
So, when you're looking over used cars, watch out for flimsy trim, and for worn plastics and switchgear on high-mileage models.
The Mitsubishi engine, though, is well proven, and if serviced correctly, should give no cause for concern. Although Warranty Direct doesn't list the Impian on its reliability survey, we haven't heard of any major mechanical problems with the car. Not that you need to really worry anyway, thanks to the 100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
The Impian's main reliability hiccoughs, although few and far between, seem to be with the electrics. The immobiliser is the main culprit, particularly on the higher-spec GSX models.
