You do not see the same situation with the Perdana 4 Cylinder
The Proton Perdana V6 was launched some time in November 1998 as Malaysia’s lowest priced V6 (RM103k) and a ‘must have’ sports sedan. It arrived after the sales success of the Perdana 4 cylinder (launched in January 1995 for RM85k) which is a reliable machine.
Today, it’s easy to spot abandoned units in housing areas and outside car workshops due to prohibitively high maintenance costs, frequently exceeding the car’s market value, alongside notorious gearbox issues and heavy fuel consumption.
While popular as a luxury executive spots sedan in the early 2000s, many were eventually discarded because of high repair bills, poor reliability, and lower-than-expected longevity ….. and guess what, its was mostly engineered here in Malaysia by Proton engineers.
V6 owners often found that repairing issues, particularly the automatic gearbox, was more expensive than the value of the car itself as depreciation hit it hard. The V6 gearbox is often considered under-designed for the car’s weight, leading to overheating and premature failure, sometimes as early as 60,000km.
Common symptoms include jerking during gear shifts and strange noises.The V6 engine was known for issues with the auto gearbox and lower front balljoints. Issues with ball joints led to a recall which really did not ‘fix’ it.
First V6 owners also reported steering wheel twitching at higher speeds and premature wear on shock absorbers and bushings. Despite offering “executive” comfort at an entry-level price, the high cost of maintenance in later years led to many being scrapped like in this picture.
Many Proton Perdana V6 units were used by government officials and state governments, leading to many being abandoned or replaced due to high maintenance costs.
Some Perdana models were neglected, even though some enthusiasts consider them decent cars if maintained properly. A 4 -cylinder Perdana, especially the manual 5-speed version is still holding to value and owners continue to run them without a hitch.
While some individuals might have tried to restore their V6, the high expense often led to abandonment.
So, is it is not worth restoring…… right? Well, restoring a Proton Perdana V6 is generally not financially worth it if the goal is resale value (sits between RM3.5k to RM8.5k), as repair costs often exceed the car’s market value.
However, it can be a worthwhile “passion project” for lovers of its handling, comfort, and classic design, provided they accept high maintenance costs. The V6 engine bay is cramped, making even basic tasks like changing spark plugs labor-intensive and expensive. However, mechanical parts, particularly for the engine, are still relatively easy to source due to similarities with Mitsubishi parts (4G15/4G63).
If you love the Perdana and want a comfortable and spacious daily driver that you plan to keep long-term, it can be worth it. If you are looking to fix it and sell for a profit, it is not recommended.
