Mercedes versus Proton/ 马赛地与普腾将相

Some Malaysians may be nationalistic in the wrong way. We are proud of the production of the Proton but pride should not blind us to the fact where quality is concerned, Proton can never measure up to Mercedes. While the initial outlay may be more expensive to purchase Mercedes as compared to Proton Perdana (differences of about RM70, 000), the reality of it is that high cost of maintenance of Proton Perdana Executive is a well known to any members of administration, who uses Proton Perdana Executive.

These I speak with personal experience. My Proton Perdana Executive is 4 years old while my personal car, Mercedes 240E old modal is 6 years old but it gave me less problem than my official car Proton Perdana Executive. Because of lower body in Proton Perdana Executive, I used to have a lot of problems when traveling on rural roads. For long distance travel, it is safer and more comfortable to travel in Mercedes than Proton Perdana Executive. It is a question of value for money. Since there is substantial savings in maintenance between a Mercedes and Proton Perdana Executive in the long term over a period of 5-6 years, it is wiser to purchase a Mercedes. It’s a question of value for money plus safety. To me, it is as simple as that. Don’t be penny wise and pound foolish. We can be patriotic in many other ways.

有些马来西亚人可能爱国的方式是错的。我们虽然对普腾感到骄傲，但不应就此盲目看待事实，尤其是与品质有关联的。普腾将相的品质远比不上马赛地。虽然马赛地的价格比普腾将相来得高，但事实是普腾将相昂高的维修费是任何使用此官车的行政人员都知道的。

根据我本身的经验，我用普腾将相4年了，而我的私人马赛地240E则6年。跟普腾将相比较，马赛地甚少给我带来麻烦。由于车身较低，我用官车普腾将相在乡间路上行驶时常遇上很多麻烦。若长途行驶，马赛地是比较舒适和安全的。这是一分钱一分货的道理。

既然5－6年长期的时间使用马赛地能比普腾将相值得及省钱，购买马赛地确实是比较明智的。对我来说，我们必须从价值与安全作为考量。我们可在其他很多方面表现爱国。