Another car advice thread

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Eti1

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So I am at the stage where the desire to purchase a car and the need to have one are meeting. I have trawled through many of the threads on cars on here, and I have learned a great deal. But now that I am seriously starting to look around, I need mybb to hold my hand. It’s going to be the most substantial purchase of my life so far, so any suggestions or advice will be greatly appreciated.

My budget is between R80K and R100K. Obviously this excludes any new car available (except maybe http://www.cheryauto.co.za/models/qq3/). But I wouldn’t want to buy new even if I had the money anyway. So I am looking for a solid used vehicle, and have the following requirements:

• Safety (at least two airbags and ABS)
• Good fuel efficiency
• Reasonable service and repair costs
• Reasonable insurance premiums
• Electric windows would be nice.

I would probably never want to sell the car, so resale value is not a critical issue. The use of the vehicle would be mostly short trips and city driving, longest trips probably being to town/Stellenbosch/southern suburbs (so 20-30km journeys max). I don’t need it to be able to seriously take on the open road, but I need it to be solid enough not to feel like I am going to blow away when the Cape wind starts m03ring.

Also, since this probably won’t be a one or two year old vehicle, what are the thoughts on mileage? I have this automatic aversion to anything over 200K km. Is that fair? I don’t know much about cars, so would also appreciate some advice on which makes/models tend to do well over time. Obviously it also depends on how the car was driven, but since you won’t be able to test drive the vehicle with me, some general rules of thumb would be awesome.
 
You need to consider if the car to is financed and what's your monthly budget i.e. for running costs and insurance.
 
Sorry I should have mentioned, the car will be purchased cash. I have budgeted for insurance and petrol and stuff.
 
Previous gen Toyota Corolla 1.6, plenty to be had around the 100k km to 150k km mileage range, they are between your price range of R80-100k, they have everything you've specified and more.

Also check the Honda Civic.
 
Eti1 said:
Sorry I should have mentioned, the car will be purchased cash. I have budgeted for insurance and petrol and stuff.
Click to expand...

OK well start with elimination. Safety requirements rules out most small cars, so you're looking around 1.8l to 2.0l, your insurance premiums depends, mine is 9.2% of insured value. Stay away from high risk cars and bakkies. Unfortunately Corolla is also in the list of high risk
http://www.hippo.co.za/news/the-most-stolen-cars-in-south-africa/

For service and repair costs check http://www.kinseyreport.co.za/

Just using that something like a Mazda 3 2010 is in your price range.
 
Last edited:
Drake2007 said:
OK well start with elimination. Safety requirements rules out most small cars, so you're looking around 1.8l to 2.0l, your insurance premiums depends, mine is 9.2% of insured value. Stay away from high risk cars and bakkies. Unfortunately Corolla is also in the list of high risk
http://www.hippo.co.za/news/the-most-stolen-cars-in-south-africa/

For service and repair costs check http://www.kinseyreport.co.za/
Click to expand...

No man, what's wrong with all those 1.6 cars on the roads in terms of safety? OP can easily get the safety he needs in one of those at a lesser price.
 
thechamp said:
No man, what's wrong with all those 1.6 cars on the roads in terms of safety? OP can easily get the safety he needs in one of those at a lesser price.
Click to expand...

He doesn't want to get blown away in the cape winds.
 
From my experience, go look for a 2009 or newer Ford Fiesta. I bought one for my daughter. 1,4l Titanium 2-door and it is quite frugal. Insurance cost is low and a service is usually under R1000. I am not a big ford fan, but would definite recommend it. It has not given us any issues in 3 years of ownership.

http://www.autotrader.co.za/used-cars/ford/fiesta/2012-ford-fiesta-1.6-trend--fpa-494e649dcda34dbb88159a8999caf292

http://www.autotrader.co.za/used-cars/ford/fiesta/2015-ford-fiesta-1.4-ambiente--fpa-8a81c8e059cb6e5d0159cc21f21751fd

Hondas are also good, solid buys.
 
Have a look at Honda Brio you can get one within your budget with low mileage. It's small but roomy inside with all the bells and whistles. It has 2 airbags, electric windows front and back,ABs,Radio with CD player, USB, AUX and Bluetooth. Full tank cost R470.00 the only bad side it has tiny boot and tailgate if you don't like the hatchback brio go for Honda Amaze sedan. Same car as brio difference is that the boot.

Other good solid car Honda Accord but bit thirsty when it come to petrol. Also have a look at FORD FIGO (2014/2015) model. Suzuki swift is also a good solid car.

Also Daihatsu Sirion has all the bells and whistles the only problem is yoi will struggle with parts and service. You can get one for R60.000.

Let's hear others bad mouth my little Honda Brio
 
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