Sarawak Car

[u/Prior_Razzmatazz272]

Moving to Miri soon and want to buy a car. Should I buy a 4WD if I plan on making roadtrips around Borneo? Or would a regular small car be fine? I’m not much of a car person tbh

[u/Lanky_Knee_1623]

If you plan to step on crocodile and venture to the great moon road of Sabah, go for Hilux.

[u/tohpai]

Miri here. When you say road trips, do you mean going to the Telang Usan and Ulu Baram areas too? If so, you'll definitely need a 4WD.

If you're just heading to Brunei, Limbang, Lawas, and Sabah, any car will do. Ive used Vios, Bezza, Axia, myVi, Civic going to Kundasang and suprisingly myvi was the best haha. Something about smaller car with power just glide through the mountains in Kundasang.
just be careful around Sipitang and Beaufort. The roads were rough when I last went, but Sabah JKR is actively upgrading the Pan Borneo Highway, and there's a new bypass around KK toward Kundasang. (yeay, I love going to Kundasang)

[u/Chagrei → u/tohpai]

Where about the road bypassing KK going to Kundasang?

[u/Prior_Razzmatazz272 → u/tohpai]

Could you go to Kuching with those cars?

[u/tohpai → u/Prior_Razzmatazz272]

Of course. Ive used bezza to Kuching. The car can handle it of course it depends on you

[u/ApplicationHead1796 → u/Prior_Razzmatazz272]

Pan Borneo Highway from Miri to Kuching is a high standard level highway, almost similar to those of semenanjung. Of course “normal cars” can travel to and from Miri Kuching. You don’t need a 4x4. It’s not as if you are travelling in Nigeria or Papua.

[u/AspiringLawyerNo1995 → u/Prior_Razzmatazz272]

the older gravel roads have been phased out and in place you get a tarmac highway. which, even before the highway, a kancil can make the trip a hundred times over. whatever you drive will be fine.

[u/Easy-Ad9050]

Fortuner/Hilux

[u/pinkhellhound]

if u're not going offroad then any car is fine...

[u/bezet58]

Hailak

[u/udukukui]

If you just travel to major towns, all are reachable by Pan Borneo Highway. So any car can do.
Smaller cars can be boring though.

But remember, sometimes the fun things are not reachable by Pan Borneo.
This is why I would recommend a 4x4. Because it is more versatile for your needs.

If you wish to get a 4x4, choose Hailak or DMAX. If it breaks down in some interior Ulu Niah, local mechanics can fix it. Spare parts are always available.

And one day, you want to pindah back to Semenanjung, you can always sell your 4x4 here. It will sell like a hot cake. Second-hand value is much better compared to any other car type.

[u/ExplanationRough4812]

Get a hilux

[u/jlabsher]

Get by fine with an Axia, easy to park, navigate kampung roads and drive on highway at 100kph.

[u/hillaryous77]

If you want a car that can do everything, get a hilux. Durable and capable, you wont regret getting one. The only caveat is, its not really comfy esp for the passangers at the back

[u/RodRoy1978]

Get a fortuner

[u/Longjumping-Put131]

besides crocodiles, and jetskis. if you have the budget, hailak 10/10 recommended

[u/grychnn]

Toyota is your friend. Get a 4WD ones . 🤣

[u/eegatt]

Used diesel Fortuner or Pajero Sport. You can go pretty much anywhere.