Advise.. Want to buy a car with these requirements:

[theStudent]

Hi.

I really need to get a car this year...
Im hoping to find a 1yr old demo car.

I want this to be a sporty looking hatchback.
Price range: R100k-R180k

However I dont want to get a car that depreciates by the minute... rather by the year.. ie. something that doesn't lose its value exponentially as only want to keep the car for as long as the service plan (hopefully 5 yrs)

Any suggestions?
(Im thinking to wait for a demo Honda Civic vTec)

[thedutchman]

can look at a T auris, maybe a polo gti, or fiat bravo.

[Gnome]

I've found that Demo models are universally a rip off. The garages over value their cars, many Demo models have 100 000km's on the clock but you'll see them selling for close to retail.

As for the Car itself Honda is probably the best car around right now in my opinion, but if you think that ANY car is going to keep it's value guess again!

The cheaper the car the less the depreciation (almost universally) even cars that have "good depreciation" like Mercedes lose more than half their value in 3-5 years, at least that was my experience.

[thedutchman]

i agree with Gnome about the value of cars, it really sucks though :(

[nocilah]

Demo models have 100 000km's on the clock but you'll see them selling for close to retail.

100 000km on the clock? i think you are exagerating or you made a mistake... generally they have 10 -15 000 on the clock.

[SlyFly]

Mazda 2 Indiv...

Won car of the year, but it depresciates by the second, I think ;)

[Gnome]

100 000km on the clock? i think you are exagerating or you made a mistake... generally they have 10 -15 000 on the clock.

Guess it depends on the Demo model, I'm not joking! When I went around 5 years ago to have a look at cars the Demo models I looked at had 100 000km+ on the clock, and they guy was selling them at close to retail, which is why I was like WTF are you smoking?

The Demo models he had were a almost a year old and being driven DAILY by the garage. They clock up a lot of KM a day on those things.

But I guess it depends on who drove it.

[theStudent]

Ye... low mileage cars are normally under 10000km even.
Catch is to get one that isnt a test car which is badly used.

I have been looking at the Mazda2 also... however the back of that looks lousy.

Would have thought that there would be many nice looking brands of sporty hatchbacks at 'affordable' prices.

[SlyFly]

Dont know the price but the Ford Focus is always a nice car to get. Think it might be pushing your price limit tho...

Cars in that price normally has plastic interiors though, and the focus isnt an exception...

[teraside]

Get a Peugeot ;)

http://www.peugeot.co.za/

[theStudent]

Oooooo0000oo...

Never looked into Peugeot before...
They have a nice range.....

Aren't those chick cars though? :confused:

The 207 gti or cc look good....

I see there plenty second hand ones on the market which have already depreciated (by up to R100k)... but arent too old, nor over used.

Suggestions... as per usual ;)

[teraside]

My brother has a 307 sedan (I think, I always get confused with the model numbers). It's one of the most fuel efficient cars you can get, especially their diesel versions, and no, it's not a chick car.

You won't be buying a cat in a bag, you'll buy a car ;)

Edit: also, check what they go for new, seems to fit your budget. Prices are on the Peugeot site

[Brawler]

2nd hand A3 :)

[Waaib]

2nd hand A3 :)

+1

Peugeot have a terrible service reputation.

[teraside]

+1

Peugeot have a terrible service reputation.

Don't believe everything you read, my brother's car ran awesome even 30000km after it was due for a service.

[ToxicBunny]

You want to avoid peugeot, citroen and all of those types of cars as the services WILL nail you six ways from sunday...

2nd Audi is a good bet.. I'm looking into getting myself one soon.

[teraside]

It's really not that expensive TB, especially if you buy new.

[ToxicBunny]

Yeah if you buy new, you can get around some of the costs, but the minute your french car goes out of motorplan... be prepared to be broke everytime you service the vehicle..

[Waaib]

Don't believe everything you read, my brother's car ran awesome even 30000km after it was due for a service.

Agreed but in this case I have not read anything. I have several colleagues who've all had hassles with service from them. So I guess it's more hearsay than anything but you still won't catch me buying one.

[theStudent]

My idea is to get a car not older than 2 years... so hopefully there will still be a remaining 2/3 yrs on the service plan...

And by the time thats expired.. I can afford a better trade-in :D

[ToxicBunny]

ts : most service plans last 3yrs or 100000kms, whichever comes first.... warranty's last 5 years....

[theStudent]

ts : most service plans last 3yrs or 100000kms, whichever comes first.... warranty's last 5 years....

I know Honda is 5yr plan

[ToxicBunny]

It'll be 5yrs or a certain amount of mileage, whichever comes first... and also check what the plan covers.... be VERY sure of what it covers first..