Most of us want to live out our weekdays in a sensible, practical machine but find ourselves yearning for something with a little more soul the moment Saturday rolls around. Yes, you know you’re not alone. What if we told you that there are cars that tick a lot of the checkboxes – four doors, comfort when driven slow, but completely open up when you gun the throttle? The beauty of the Malaysian pre-owned market right now is that these type of machines — the kind that make you invent reasons to take the long way home — are more accessible than ever. Here are three models we sighted on the Carro Certified market. Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk8 2024 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI IQ.DRIVE 2.0 AT From RM 1,926 a month RM 175,800 For the driver who still wants something compact enough for KL traffic but genuinely entertaining when the road opens up, this 2024 Golf GTI is the obvious hot hatch pick. The Mk8 GTI’s familiar 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder makes 245 PS and 370 Nm, sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed wet-clutch DSG, with XDS electronic differential lock and Dynamic Chassis Control helping it stay tidy on your favourite weekend route, whether that’s a dawn run up Genting, Kuala Klawang or just a spirited B-road detour after brunch. When new, this updated GTI was priced from RM252,990 on-the-road without insurance, so a pre-owned Carro Certified unit gives you the GTI experience with a softer entry point into one of Malaysia’s most complete everyday performance cars. Best part is as a 2024 car it still has plenty of the manufacturer’s warranty left to sort out any issues. Volkswagen Arteon R-Line 4MOTION 2023 VOLKSWAGEN ARTEON R-LINE 4MOTION FASTBACK 2.0 AT From RM 1,894 a month RM 172,800 Think of the Arteon as the grown-up weekend car: sleek fastback looks, proper long-distance comfort and enough performance to make an early-morning highway run feel special. Now this particular unit isn’t the front wheel drive version of the Arteon. Instead it’s the more powerful R-Line 4MOTION. Under the bonnet is Volkswagen’s EA888 2.0 litre turbocharged engine with 280 PS and 350 Nm, paired with a seven-speed wet-clutch DSG and 4MOTION all-wheel drive, making it a more secure and refined companion than the usual front-driven sedan when the weather turns or the road gets interesting. Ford Ranger Raptor 3.0 V6 petrol 2023 FORD RANGER RAPTOR 4WD 3.0 AT From RM 2,069 a month RM 188,800 2024 FORD RANGER RAPTOR 4WD 3.0 AT From RM 2,233 a month RM 203,800 Not all fun weekend cars need to be low-slung, and the Ford Ranger Raptor proves the point with massive road presence, Baja-inspired hardware and a soundtrack no diesel pick-up can match. Yes, this pick-up truck uses petrol, so you can fuel it with Budi95. Carro Certified’s inventory has not just one but two units at time of publishing. The 3.0 litre twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 was launched with 392 hp and 583 Nm, driving through a 10-speed automatic, and the real party trick is the Ford Performance chassis: FOX 2.5-inch Live Valve internal-bypass dampers, long-travel suspension, Watt’s linkage rear end, BFGoodrich all-terrain tyres, 2WD/4A/4H/4L modes and seven drive modes including Baja. If you buy one, take it for a spin and drop by Sepang Bay 13 for some off-road fun. Benefits of buying Carro Certified pre-owned Remember, Carro pricing is all-in and includes no hidden fees! No extra fees if you are a loan buyer, no extra processing fees, no extra inspection fees. Everything is in the listed price, so beware of other car classifieds listings that advertise a cheaper price then hit you with all kinds of surcharges. – 160 point inspection– 5 day money back guarantee– 12 month warranty for engine and gearbox– no mileage tampering– no major accidents, fire and flood damage