Maximum R200k to spend on a new car, what are my options?

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N1sh

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So I have budgeted for R200k on a new car but am having a tough time making a decision,

Looking for something preferably in a 5 door hatch, comfort rather than speed and not too expensive to maintain. Have been looking at the following but not too convinced,

Vw polo 1.6 Comfortline
Vw Golf 1.4 TSI Trendline Manual (to really stretch my budget)
Opel Astra 1.6 Essentia

Any other suggestions or input would be most helpful and appreciated as i am quite a noob when it comes to cars.
 
N1sh said:
So I have budgeted for R200k on a new car but am having a tough time making a decision,

Looking for something preferably in a 5 door hatch, comfort rather than speed and not too expensive to maintain. Have been looking at the following but not too convinced,

Vw polo 1.6 Comfortline
Vw Golf 1.4 TSI Trendline Manual (to really stretch my budget)
Opel Astra 1.6 Essentia

Any other suggestions or input would be most helpful and appreciated as i am quite a noob when it comes to cars.
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Polo - No, too much money for a small car with Citi engine.
Golf - Superb engine but that is it, especially on the trendline...
Astra - maybe...

I know I sound like a broken record but there are so many "what car for R200k" threads but test drive a KIA Cerato (sedan, hatch or KOUP - depending on your taste), they are really very nice cars at an incredible price. I know its a KIA but if you do a bit of research it is not the same company it what 4/5 years ago.

Also, isn't the new Focus out soon?
 
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I'll agree on the Kia, great car and it's basically the same parts that you would find in any Japanese car...not to mention great power and reliability from those engines.

Buying brand new is also not the best idea, you can save a good amount of money buying a demo from a dealer with 1000km on the clock.
 
N1sh said:
Looking for something preferably in a 5 door hatch, comfort rather than speed and not too expensive to maintain. Have been looking at the following but not too convinced,
Click to expand...

Based on that, I'd recommend a focus.. I havent looked at car prices for a while now and I'm sure theyre bloody high. So not too sure if that falls in your price bracket. I would not however, recommend the fiesta. I just don't like them at all..
 
Masataka said:
I'll agree on the Kia, great car and it's basically the same parts that you would find in any Japanese car...not to mention great power and reliability from those engines.

Buying brand new is also not the best idea, you can save a good amount of money buying a demo from a dealer with 1000km on the clock.
Click to expand...

When I test drive a vehicle, I don't exactly treat it very well.. And that's putting it nicely. I'm sure very few people do.. Id rather spend a few k extra and get a new one tbh.
 
Brawler said:
Polo - No, too much money for a small car with Citi engine.
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The 6R Polo 1.6 engine is very far removed from the old 8 valve engines used in the Citi.

I'd go for the Golf. What about a demo model?
 
Golf engine is good but its a trendline and not comfortline. My choice would be a used Honda civic or a honda Accord. I saw a white Kia Coup and was impressed with the looks.
 
N1sh said:
So I have budgeted for R200k on a new car but am having a tough time making a decision,

Looking for something preferably in a 5 door hatch, comfort rather than speed and not too expensive to maintain. Have been looking at the following but not too convinced,

Vw polo 1.6 Comfortline
Vw Golf 1.4 TSI Trendline Manual (to really stretch my budget)
Opel Astra 1.6 Essentia

Any other suggestions or input would be most helpful and appreciated as i am quite a noob when it comes to cars.
Click to expand...

Would have gone Honda, best everything, but you probably can't afford hatch back version at R250000 or so last time I checked

http://www.honda.co.za/main.aspx?id=197

You can get that price discounted, depending how much dealer can give you
 
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R200k will get you an entry level C-segment hatch, if you're lucky. Your only other alternative is to go second hand, but then you'll need to consider things like how much of the maintenance plan is left.

The Kia Cerato is a good option for a new car if you don't care about badges.
 
I'd say
Opel Astra 1.4T i know its 230k but u can surely get a little off the sticker price
Kia Koup 2L

The Kia will be cheaper to maintain after the service plan runs out seeing that its not a turbo. The Opel will give better fuel consumption(small capacity engine with turbo)
 
The Kia Cerato looks like excellent value for money, although not too appealing for a 20 something guy. Must say the polo does have the best looks but bit on the expensive side for a small car. Didn't realize how hard this would be choosing.
 
N1sh said:
The Kia Cerato looks like excellent value for money, although not too appealing for a 20 something guy. Must say the polo does have the best looks but bit on the expensive side for a small car. Didn't realize how hard this would be choosing.
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lol I am a 20 something guy and would drive a cerato no problem, bought an i20

different strokes for different folks I suppose
 
I have a Hyundai i30. Love it. All the extra's are brilliant! Leather seats, mags, etc. Price for value is really good. Full service plan and maintenance plan for the 5 years. Do consider it.
 
Polo Bluemotion - own the most fuel efficient car in South Africa.
 
Yip, people here can say this and that but ultimately it is about you test driving the vehicle and choosing the one that makes you feel funny down there. Having said that, have you ever seen the KOUP? It is definitely not a car for past timers.
 
Do yourself a favour and test drive a new Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0 gls. They go for a little under 200k and you get a lot of car for your money.
 
For that price you can get an almost brand new Suzuki SX4, probably a demo with less than 3000km.
 
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