Petrol Price in Review (May 4 - June 7, 2017)

Just a short summary what we have been through on the weekly fuel price.

	May 4	May 11	May 18	May 25	June 1
RON95 (RM/litre)	2.11	2.01	2.08	2.12	2.10
RON97 (RM/litre)	2.39	2.29	2.36	2.40	2.38

Fluctuation is not huge this round, as the crude oil price is floating around USD40-50.

The Mazda MX-5 RF

The Mazda MX-5 RF (Retractable Fastback) is finally here.  It replaces the soft top version as Bermaz is no longer making the it available for booking.  The MX-5 RF is more like a targa-like roof, making the first MX-5 that takes away the fully open roof feel.  Ahhh...wouldn't that defeat the purpose of a roadster?  Well, design is always a like or hate in the eyes of the beholder, no correct or wrong answer.  Personally, the soft top MX-5 ND is still better looking and make more sense than the RF.  

This round, Bermaz has finally make the auto and manual transmission available on the MX-5 RF, though the engine choice remains solely as the 2-litre unit.  The auto and manual variants are available for RM248k and RM243k respectively.  Comparatively, the RF is RM22k more expensive than the soft top variant.  MX-5 lover, what do you think about the RF? 

Petrol Price in Review (Mar 30 - May 3, 2017)

Just a short summary what we have been through on the weekly fuel price.

	Mar 30	Apr 6	Apr 13	Apr 20	Apr 27
RON95 (RM/litre)	2.13	2.16	2.24	2.27	2.21
RON97 (RM/litre)	2.41	2.43	2.52	2.54	2.49

Do you think it is a fair mechanism on the weekly fuel price adjustment?  Looking at the trend, it indeed is better, and if each petrol kiosk can freely provide discount or their other marketing strategy to make it competitive, it will even be better.  In Taiwan, petrol kiosks are so competitive that some give out free morning paper or breakfast sandwiches during the morning rush hours, tissue paper during the night, or even drinking water in the afternoon.

RON97 & RON95 is now @ RM2.60/litre & RM2.30/litre respectively

The festive period has not ended, of course it is the best time to rake in all the profit as traveling is still heavy and consumption of petrol is still high.  So, the fake news of RM0.15 increase was indeed very fake where the real increment is set at RM0.20/litre for RON95 and RON97.  Ouch!  Already with extra spending for the Chinese New Year, now we are hit with such unreasonable increase where the crude oil price has dropped slightly.

So, is that a way our government wishes us Gong Xi Fa Cai and best wishes to all?!  Thinking of getting a motorcycle license, but the death rate of cyclist is just too high to justify for that.  Maybe Bus 11!

The almost Spot-On Honda BR-V

Honda BR-V is the first car launched in 2017, which the company is trying to hold onto its growth momentum to make another record year.  Now, with a 7-seater crossover designed specially for the emerging market, pricing it from RM83k-90k, this could be an almost sweet spot for families that want a reliable Japanese family car.  

Why the BR-V is almost Spot-On but not wholly hitting the consumer with what they want?  The biggest mistake Honda's designer did to the BR-V is the seat folding and storing mechanism.  The third row seat can only tumble down or up, without the ability to provide a full flat rear cargo area.  Because of this, you can't have a long stowage area even though if you tumble up the 2nd row seat.  All you get is empty space in between of the 2 rows of chairs.  Weird isn't it?  A little more design effort that enable the last row seat to fold down to move forward should make the BR-V a real winner.

Two variants is available, mainly on small little features differences, such as the audio system, seat upholstery, rearview camera, push start, auto aircon, fog lights and some others garnish here and there.  Safety features such as dual airbags, ABS, EBD, Hill Start Assist and Traction Control are standard on both variants.  Bravo for Honda on achieving 5-star ASEAN NCAP for the BR-V.  Unlike the Proton Ertiga, which does not have Traction Control, which make it a real outdated vehicle.

Powered by 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine and mated to the Earth Dream CVT gearbox, most would want the assurance it is good enough to move the 1.2-tonne vehicle around efficiently.  Do remember that as a family car, the BR-V is not for any speed drag at the traffic light or racing with your cousin in the Toyota Sienta or Avanza.

	BR-V	Sienta	Alza	Avanza
Wheelbase	2662mm	2750mm	2750mm	2655mm
Length	4453mm	4235mm	4205mm	4140mm
Height	1666mm	1675mm	1620mm	1695mm
Width	1735mm	1695mm	1695mm	1660mm

Comparing the size, although the BR-V is derived from the tiny Honda Brio, it is indeed largest in its segment, thus providing better legroom and space for the rear passenger.  Another big letdown of the BR-V is the hard plastics surrounding the interior, as well as the lightness of the door.  You just can't get the confident "tuk" sound from closing and opening of the doors.  It feels empty.

Honda has never disappoint on the exterior design, especially calling the BR-V the "Bold Run-About Vehicle".  Overall the BR-V looks decently handsome, especially with the integrated roof-rail and wheel-arch moulding. 

To make the BR-V affordable, it wear the economical 16" Bridgestone Ecopia tyres.  Front disc and rear drum brakes are standard, similar to the Honda City setting.  For a people carrier, rear aircon blower has to been standard to cool the rear passengers, and there are a total of 11 cup holders.  

For the BR-V, Honda might hit the market just nice, with the right pricing.  Nissan Livina is very dated now.  The closest competitor is the Toyota Sienta, which is smaller and more expensive.  However, the Sienta is always a better car, especially with the sliding door.  But the BR-V is larger, that could win it all.

RON97 & RON95 is now @ RM2.40/litre & RM2.10/litre respectively

It is not a surprise from the government to increase the petrol price on the 1st day of 2017.  The weakening of Ringgit of course has not affected anything, as according to our government, except a long list of upcoming commodities especially traders would want to earn more during the upcoming festive season.  RM0.20 increase for RON95 and RM0.15 increase for RON97, which is good enough to reap in millions or even billions especially for the back-to-school and festive month where traveling is inevitable for most of us.

Even diesel has increase by RM0.20/litre.  Thank you, Malaysia, for giving the rakyat an early 2017 present.  Again, the government has many times re-iterated there is no need to worry on our weakining Ringgit, although it is the worst performing currency in the region.  This will only affect our business, spending, etc...Your money in the bank remain the same, RM1 million is still RM1 million!

Toyota Sienta, a re-Visit

Here is a revisit to the local Toyota's showroom on the Sienta.  Previous article was a visit of the Sienta in Japan, which has slight different from the model we get in Malaysia.  Of course, the very first is the availability of boring colours, though the Sienta can be had in 6 colour choices.  Black, Grey, White and Silver are the default favourites, then you have the Orange and Brown for those that hate to join the sea of the 4 most common options.

Powering the Sienta is new 1.5-litre (107hp/140Nm) Dual VVT-i engine, mated to a 7-speed CVT gearbox.  This combination is perfect for the small family MPV, though the selling price of almost RM100k could make the Sienta a failure.  Why can't Toyota learn from how the Honda Freed came and went in our market, especially when the Sienta sits on similar platform as the Perodua Alza.

However, there are a few great things on the Sienta:

1. Sliding rear doors - which is extremely convenient and provide ample entrance and exit space
2. Rear aircon blower - in our weather, this is utmost important to keep the kids at the back cool and calm
3. Toyota badge - the reliability of the trusted brand

Aside from the above, it is good to know that the Sienta has Traction Control as a standard safety equipment.  This is where the Proton/Suzuki-derived's Ertiga has missed out.  3 airbags in a family MPV seems on the low side, as most car at this price range will most likely has 6 airbags that provide protection to the rear passengers as well.  In fact, isn't an MPV a family oriented vehicle that should put the family safety on top priority?!  

It is also freaking weird for Toyota to use orange brown fabric for the V variant (top-spec) Sienta.  It should have keep the black from the cheaper G spec unit.  Again, a family car with kids, it is easier to hide shoes and food stains with the black fabric instead.

When we look at the dashboard, a Toyota is as always simple and functional.  Since the car is built in Indonesia, the gear stalk and parking brake level have been moved to the floor instead of centre dash mounted or foot operated, to accommodate the manual stick variant, though it is not available here.  This layout is more conventional, but take up valuable space on the floor.

Design of the rear chairs is no doubt very smart.  The rearmost chair can be flipped down forward to sit below the 2nd row of seat, providing a huge flat cargo space.  Again, if I were the buyer, I would want my V-spec car with the black seat instead.  The brown isn't a match here.

 

Most will ask whether the Sienta a value for money car?  At this price, there is a lot other choices in the market.  For example, a 1.8-litre Honda HR-V starts at few hundred ringgit cheaper than the Sienta.  Even the highest spec Honda City is cheaper.  So what make the Sienta attractive here?  The rest are 5-seater and the Sienta is a 7-seater.  That's the only major difference.  Brand is a factor, with most Malaysia leaning toward Toyota still for simple reasons of reliability and high resale value.  Next would be the styling, where boxy and trendy little MPV is a hit with the younger generation.  

Nothing wrong in getting a more expensive car as long as you love it.  A MINI is so expensive and tiny, and people is willing to pay a premium for it.  Anyhow, the Sienta is not a car for the emerging market, unlike the Honda BR-V, so it does deserve some premium!