PROTON MPI (1989 - 1996)
Back in 1989, the Berlin Wall was about to come down and Soviet-bloc Skodas and Ladas were cheap but not yet cheerful. Enter the Malaysian maker Proton, who spotted a niche in the UK for reliable, budget motoring without the jokes. Nowadays, Proton is an established name and tackles not just the vastly improved Czech cars but the South Koreans, too. The technology is yesterday?s but if you're on a budget, you won't care about that.
HISTORY
Proton chose to call its first models simply by their engine sizes ? 1.3 and 1.5. They arrived in Britain in 1989 and were based on Mitsubishi's old-model Lancer, though the styling was much modified. There was a restyle in October 1992 but, even so, the final 1996 versions weren?t much different from the ?89 models.
Trim levels started with GL progressing through GLS to reach the top model SE. A more basic GE level arrived in July 1991. Body shapes were limited to a four-door saloon and a five-door hatch, called Aeroback. The 1.3 and 1.5 litre engines produced a rather anaemic 68 and 75bhp but were updated to 12-valve spec in early 1991. This brought more power ? 78 and 86bhp respectively.
The cars were renamed Mpi in October 1992, as multipoint fuel injection and an exhaust catalyst were added to both engines. Power outputs changed slightly to 74 and 89bhp. The styling was altered at the same time, with flusher-fitting bumpers, sleeker headlights and new taillights the major changes.
WHAT YOU GET 
Without wanting to be unfair to Proton, you'd be better off looking elsewhere if its performance, looks or the latest technology you're after.
If, on the other hand, price, reliability (the Mitsubishi mechanicals were made under licence) and lots of equipment matter more, then this may well be the car for you.
Perhaps surprisingly, these cars are not particularly cheap to run. Servicing is needed every 6000 miles and fuel consumption is only around 35mpg, high by today?s standards in this class. Parts also tend to be more expensive than East European rivals.
WHAT YOU PAY
There tends not to be an enormous selection of these cars, mostly because their owners tended to hang on to them ? Proton's six-year powertrain warranty was a big drawcard.
If you do find an '89 car, expect to pay as little as £200 for a 1.3GL saloon in a private sale. You?ll even find something as late as a 91J 1.5SE Aerodeck for no more than £400.
Looking at cars dealers still stock, prices start at around £600 for a 92J in 1.3GE saloon spec. Add £50 for a GL and £100 for a GLS. Even a 97P 1.3GLS should be no more than £1,500.
The 1.5-litre saloon and hatchback models start at around £700 for a 92J GL while GLS trim adds just £100. Later SL versions with central locking (from 94L) are about £1,000 and the SE, which has power steering, air conditioning, electric windows and central doorlocks as standard equipment, starts from £900.
As for the last 96N cars, you'll pay from around £1,500 for a GLS saloon or £1,600 for an Aeroback.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Most models have a large helping of electric luxuries. Check that the sunroof, central locking and all the windows work ? repairs can be fiddly and expensive.
Cars with optional air conditioning can give trouble, particularly if it hasn't been used regularly. With the engine running, set it to maximum cold with the fan running. If, after a minute or so, there's no cold air, you've got a problem. A new compressor won't be cheap but make sure it isn't simply low on refrigerant gas or that the compressor's drive belt isn't loose.
Mechanicals are well proven and uncomplicated but check for sloppy suspension indicating worn dampers and bushes. It's worth checking for basics like oil leaks, though. In cars fitted with power steering, check the pump for whining noises and fluid leaks.
REPLACEMENT PARTS
A new clutch assembly is around £100 and a full exhaust system about £255. A catalyst is about £295, a front wing about £95, a radiator about £150 (manual), a headlamp around £90 and a new alternator close to £400 for the genuine Malaysian item or £187 for a UK-sourced replacement.
ON THE ROAD
None of these models is boy-racer material but then they were never intended as such.
Starting life as a mid-Eighties Mitsubishi cast-off tells you all you need to know ? safe, if very uninspired handling and road-holding are what these cars are about.
OVERALL
Sensible, if you don't mind (or possibly prefer) obsolete technology.
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