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Here Are 5 Cars You Can Afford In M’sia With A RM2.5K-RM3K Salary In 2025

Your first car doesn't need to be fancy, just the right fit.
Everyone says “just get a car” after you graduate but no one talks about the real costs that come after.

Petrol, insurance, repairs; it all adds up faster than you think.

You should be looking at cars priced between RM30K & RM50K

And if you’re earning between RM2,500 and RM3,000, buying a car is doable as long as you choose wisely.

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Ideally, your monthly instalment should stay below 15% of your salary, and the car’s price shouldn’t be more than what you make in a year.

With that in mind, here are some 2024 models in Malaysia that fit the budget, along with their estimated monthly costs to help you plan ahead.

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Top affordable cars for those who earn RM2.5K – RM3K

1. Perodua Axia 1.0 G AT

Perodua Axia 1.0 G AT
Photo via Perodua.info
  • Price: RM33,490
  • Estimated Monthly Instalment: ~RM423
  • Fuel Efficiency: ~22.5 km/L
  • Why It’s Good:
    Malaysia’s most affordable automatic hatchback. Very low maintenance and great for city driving.
  • Consider If:
    You want minimum commitment and maximum fuel savings.

2. Proton Saga 1.3 Standard AT

Proton Saga 1.3 Standard AT
Photo via Zigwheels
  • Price: RM35,800
  • Estimated Monthly Instalment: ~RM450
  • Fuel Efficiency: ~14–18 km/L
  • Why It’s Good:
    Spacious for its price, comfortable ride quality, and comes with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) as standard.
  • Consider If:
    You want a bigger car that can comfortably fit family or friends for long trips.

3. Perodua Bezza 1.0 G AT

Perodua Bezza 1.0 G AT
Photo via Zigwheels
  • Price: RM36,580
  • Estimated Monthly Instalment: ~RM460
  • Fuel Efficiency: ~22 km/L
  • Why It’s Good:
    Outstanding boot space (508L), low running costs, and very popular among e-hailing drivers for its reliability.
  • Consider If:
    You need a balance between daily commuting and occasional intercity travel.

4. Proton Iriz 1.3 Standard CVT

proton-iriz
Photo via Zigwheels
  • Price: RM42,800
  • Estimated Monthly Instalment: ~RM540
  • Fuel Efficiency: ~15–17 km/L
  • Why It’s Good:
    Sportier design, better cabin insulation, and stronger safety features with ESC and Traction Control System (TCS).
  • Consider If:
    You prefer a hatchback with better driving dynamics and don’t mind slightly higher maintenance.

5. Perodua Myvi 1.3 G AT

perodua-myvi
Photo via Zigwheels
  • Price: RM44,300
  • Estimated Monthly Instalment: ~RM560
  • Fuel Efficiency: ~20.1 km/L
  • Why It’s Good:
    Known as the “King of the Road” for good reason: it’s reliable, fuel-efficient, and packed with features like Eco Idle, Advanced Safety Assist (A.S.A) (for higher trims), and solid resale value.
  • Consider If:
    You want long-term value, reliability, and ease of maintenance.

Important:
Instalments are calculated based on a 9-year loan tenure, 3% interest rate, and 10% downpayment.

What about monthly running costs?

Beyond your loan installment, here’s what you should expect to spend monthly just to keep your car running:

1. Petrol

  • RM250–RM400/month
  • Based on average usage and fuel prices in Malaysia (RON95), compact cars usually require RM60–RM90/week depending on distance.

2. Insurance + Road Tax

  • RM80–RM120/month (averaged)
  • Annual insurance for fresh grads with no NCD can range RM900–RM1,200 for compact cars. Road tax ranges from RM20–RM90 per year.

3. Maintenance

  • RM50–RM100/month (averaged)
  • Includes regular service (oil changes, tire rotation, etc.). Costs are generally lower for Proton and Perodua models.

Estimated total monthly commitment:

  • ~RM800–RM1,200/month, combining loan, fuel, insurance, and maintenance.

Fresh graduate car loan packages

Some banks in Malaysia offer special car loan schemes for fresh graduates to make it easier:

  • Maybank Graduate Car Loan: Up to 100% financing for selected models.
  • Bank Muamalat Auto Grad Scheme: Financing up to 100%, minimal documentation.
  • Ambank Graduate Car Financing: Flexible repayment options for first-time buyers.

These schemes typically allow slightly lower income entry but always come with stricter repayment checks later, so borrow responsibly.

If you’re starting out with a RM2,500–RM3,000 salary, smart planning can make sure your first car experience is a blessing, not a burden.

Pick something affordable. Budget for all hidden costs. And always leave room in your finances for savings, emergencies, and yes, even the occasional weekend getaway.

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Sources: RinggitPlus, Direct Lending and GoInsuran

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