A Malaysian earning RM2,000 a month has sparked an online discussion after asking whether he would be able to get a loan for a Proton e.MAS 5 Premium.
In a post shared anonymously in the Proton e.MAS 5 Community Malaysia Facebook group, the individual said he currently has no financial commitments and has never applied for a loan before.
RM2K salary, no commitments and I’ve never applied for a loan before. Can I get approved for an e.MAS 5 Premium?” he asked.
For context, the Proton e.MAS 5 is currently offered in two variants in Malaysia.
According to Proton e.MAS’ official website, the Prime is listed at a special launch price of RM56,800, while the Premium costs RM69,800, on the road without insurance.
‘I used to take the bus and LRT’
Several netizens advised him to reconsider whether owning the car would actually be affordable on a RM2,000 salary.
One commenter said that when they were earning RM2,000, they relied solely on the bus and LRT, adding that even paying for food was difficult at the time.
Now I’m earning RM10K and only then did I get an e.MAS 5. Things are expensive,” one wrote.
Another simply advised him to start with a more affordable car such as a Perodua Axia.
Some also reminded the poster that getting a loan approved is only one part of the equation.
One netizen said a salesperson might be able to help with the loan application, but warned against taking on a financial commitment that could eventually become difficult to manage.
‘The car may become a burden’
Another commenter urged the poster to think about the long term instead of focusing only on the excitement of owning a new car.
They said the enjoyment of getting a new car may only last for the first six to 12 months before the monthly repayments start feeling like a burden.
Your mental health is more important than temporary happiness. Think long term,” the commenter wrote.
Another netizen pointed out that some people fall into a cycle of debt after taking out a car loan, before turning to credit cards and personal loans when they struggle to cover their monthly expenses.
They suggested saving up to buy a second hand car in cash, or putting down a larger deposit for a more affordable new car instead.
Netizens say buyers should calculate the real cost first
Others offered more practical advice, telling the poster to calculate the total cost of owning an EV before deciding whether he could afford one.
They also advised asking existing e.MAS 5 owners about their actual maintenance expenses, instead of relying solely on estimated maintenance costs.
On top of that, the commenter suggested studying charging locations, AC and DC charging rates, and calculating the estimated monthly charging cost based on how often the car would be driven.
Add everything up first. Then you can see whether you can truly afford to own the car. Only after that should you think about whether the loan will be approved,” the commenter said.
However, not everyone discouraged him.
Some also told the poster that he could try applying.
Still, most of the responses focused on whether the RM2,000 salary would be enough to comfortably cover the overall cost of owning the car, rather than simply whether the loan could be approved.
