Another car advice thread

Perhaps I should also mention that I am quite a small guy. Not short, but skinny. So I need decent head and leg room, but I don't want to look like I am getting lost in the car. And I'm not planning to have babies anytime soon. Is there a smaller car that is safe enough?

I suppose looks is the least important factor, but it's still a factor.

Have booked test drives for:

- Suzuki Alto
- Opel Corsa 1.4 enjoy
- Honda Brio
- Chevy Spark

Also looking at the Ford Fiesta, Nissan Micra, and Honda Jazz.

Thoughts?
 
Eti1 said:
Perhaps I should also mention that I am quite a small guy. Not short, but skinny. So I need decent head and leg room, but I don't want to look like I am getting lost in the car. And I'm not planning to have babies anytime soon. Is there a smaller car that is safe enough?

I suppose looks is the least important factor, but it's still a factor.

Have booked test drives for:

- Suzuki Alto
- Opel Corsa 1.4 enjoy
- Honda Brio
- Chevy Spark

Also looking at the Ford Fiesta, Nissan Micra, and Honda Jazz.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Do yourself a favour and book a drive for the Tata Bolt too.
 
Eti1 said:
I saw one for a decent price. But why automatic?
Click to expand...

Because manual is an archaic unnecessary practise that nobody should willingly expose themselves to.

Especially in little cars where there is no fun or supposed control to be had.

It's nothing but a waste of time and effort to buy a manual.

Now if it were a GT86 or Porsche or something it's a different conversation and even then you should only take the manual if the auto were rubbish for some reason.

Also in this case specifically the Jazz is one of the few small cars to offer an automatic.
 
Scrap Opel Corsa if you want to enjoy your car.I suspect you are a new driver so I would suggest go manual first that is when you can go auto after you master driving manual.

Do give us feedback after you do the test drive those car. Honda Jazz is also a good buy
 
Honda Jazz I love those magic seats it's also roomy inside you said you don't plan to have
kids anytime soon but I'm sure you got friends and family.

Also look at Chevrolet Sonic (2013/2014) sexy car
 
Semisane said:
Honda Jazz I love those magic seats it's also roomy inside you said you don't plan to have
kids anytime soon but I'm sure you got friends and family.

Also look at Chevrolet Sonic (2013/2014) sexy car
Click to expand...

The one with the exposed headlights? it looks odd...
 
Eti1 said:
Perhaps I should also mention that I am quite a small guy. Not short, but skinny. So I need decent head and leg room, but I don't want to look like I am getting lost in the car. And I'm not planning to have babies anytime soon. Is there a smaller car that is safe enough?

I suppose looks is the least important factor, but it's still a factor.

Have booked test drives for:

- Suzuki Alto
- Opel Corsa 1.4 enjoy
- Honda Brio
- Chevy Spark

Also looking at the Ford Fiesta, Nissan Micra, and Honda Jazz.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

The Up! might not be a bad option. Look at the 1.2 Picanto as well (1.0 doesn't have ABS)
 
So I test drove the Toyota Aygo today. It's a truly tiny car, but it didn't feel too fragile. More than spacious enough for taller drivers and front passengers, but room at the back is minimal. A tall person would have to bend his neck to sit there, and leg room is practically nonexistent if the front seats are pushed all the way back.

Having said that, it really is a fun car to drive. Very nippy if you allow it to be, and handles well.

Boot space is obviously small, but not as small as some other cars in the segment. The boot space is narrow but deep enough to squeeze in quite a few shopping bags.

Another con is the ridiculous push out windows at the back.

All in all, it felt solid (closing the doors sounded and felt halfway between a reassuring thud and a tinny rattle - so adequate). I didn't hit the highway in it, but I wouldn't have been afraid to do so.

All in all, a good small car.

Is it normal for a dealer not to want to budge from the listed price? He didn't even offer to cover on the road costs. Told him no thanks. Did I just walk away from a great deal? http://www.autotrader.co.za/used-ca...0-fresh--fpa-ccaa720563f54d9891988f54ddf02f7c
 
Eti1 said:
So I test drove the Toyota Aygo today. It's a truly tiny car, but it didn't feel too fragile. More than spacious enough for taller drivers and front passengers, but room at the back is minimal. A tall person would have to bend his neck to sit there, and leg room is practically nonexistent if the front seats are pushed all the way back.

Having said that, it really is a fun car to drive. Very nippy if you allow it to be, and handles well.

Boot space is obviously small, but not as small as some other cars in the segment. The boot space is narrow but deep enough to squeeze in quite a few shopping bags.

Another con is the ridiculous push out windows at the back.

All in all, it felt solid (closing the doors sounded and felt halfway between a reassuring thud and a tinny rattle - so adequate). I didn't hit the highway in it, but I wouldn't have been afraid to do so.

All in all, a good small car.

Is it normal for a dealer not to want to budge from the listed price? He didn't even offer to cover on the road costs. Told him no thanks. Did I just walk away from a great deal? http://www.autotrader.co.za/used-ca...0-fresh--fpa-ccaa720563f54d9891988f54ddf02f7c
Click to expand...

That's what happens when you go to the best selling brands. They know they don't have to work for their sales.

Stay away from Toyota and VW if you want to haggle.
 
Eti1 said:
Is it normal for a dealer not to want to budge from the listed price? He didn't even offer to cover on the road costs. Told him no thanks. Did I just walk away from a great deal? http://www.autotrader.co.za/used-ca...0-fresh--fpa-ccaa720563f54d9891988f54ddf02f7c
Click to expand...

Go in the last week of a month. They will be more desperate to reach targets.

The price of that Aygo sounds like the norm.

I have been looking for a car for a long time now and was seriously looking at the Suzuki Swift. I noticed a 2011 1.4 GL for about 98k at a Renault dealership. You will be able to get a Swift, if you are willing to wait.

Avoid the 1.2 and any Suzuki that ends in GA. They are k.@k and not that safe.

The Suzuki models ending in GL are okish safety wise. The GLS is the euro spec with most safety.

I hate Ford after the Kuga saga but wont tell you what to do. A 2010> Fiesta 1.4 will be in your price bracket.

The Opel Corsa D is also in your price bracket.

Parts for the Corsa & Fiesta are freely available and any mechanic can repair it basically.

The Micra seems to have a decent safety rating on the Ncap website and is the 2nd cheapest car to service in SA.

The Chevrolet Spark isnt my favourite but is also amongst the cheapest to service locally.

It boils down to what you like.

Good luck and have fun
 
There is an over supply of used Chevrolet Sparks on Autotrader. I wont be surprised if 1 of them gives you a discount.

Scrutinise those "on the road costs" aswell. Ask what it entails.
 
skye.za said:
There is an over supply of used Chevrolet Sparks on Autotrader. I wont be surprised if 1 of them gives you a discount.

Scrutinise those "on the road costs" aswell. Ask what it entails.
Click to expand...
Indeed, I have noticed that the Sparks are flying . Good or bad sign that there are so many?
 
Eti1 said:
He quoted the below. Is this reasonable?

Admin fee R3950

Number plates R350

Licence & registration R950
Click to expand...

I think that admin fee is a big ripoff, i've see worse, an admin fee of R6000. The licence fees are fair but the admin fee can be negotiated as it is not supposed to be there to start with. I just looked at an old offer to purchase that I once signed and I was actually quoted delivery fees although I went there to collect the car, all hidden conveniently under admin fees.
 
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