Buying a small 2nd hand automatic car

If I was in my 60s I definitely wouldn't want to spend my last couple of years in a Picanto or Brio. :sick:

Get another C class. A local dealership near me recently sold a 2006 C180, single owner with 90 0000 KM on the clock for R90k.
 
Wow, that is cheap. Exactly like the one I had. Mine had 114000 kilo's on, only cost me brake pads, tyres and battery. Petrol consumption was a high, used the cruise control on open road. Perhaps a good idea.
 
The Merc A-class - so many controversies. First lot 2003 fell over in test, then suspension gave problems, but I heard the 2nd generation, I think 2009 on, was much better. My mechanic was the service manager for years at a Merc dealer, then opened his own service centre in my town and looks after most local Mercs. He gets a bit aggro and says his daughter is driving a 2005 A170 in Johburg with many kilos on, the car is fine. Well, I guess daddy helps and he is biased of course. Anyway, the guy said he will look around for me, but he is so busy, I will have to remind him.
 
Do I read you or not, I know exactly how you feel. I have also been looking for an auto and the prices for these cars are unbelievably high, do I choose a cheaper car with less features or an expensive model that I have to suffer to pay for. The choices are really hard because I do not know which vehicles will be more affordable and who to you buy from, will it be a private seller or a dealer?
All I know for sure is to buy a vehicle that is locally made so if you need parts you do not have to wait long as long as the vehicle is manufactured here in SA.
Wish you all the luck on your hunting adventure, hope you find a great deal.
 
Most of the smaller city cars don't fare very well in crash tests. If you want to survive an accident, the best things are your bigger sedan cars, like a 3-series, A4 or C-class. They're expensive and thirsty though.

On the other hand, something in the Fiesta/Corsa/Polo segment is a good compromise, they tend to have better crash safety than something in the Brio/Picanto/i10 segment.

I personally always recommend a Jazz, they're amazing city cars, small on the outside, big on the inside, enough safety features to do well. Auto gearboxes are very smooth. The down side is that they do have a lot of wind / road noise when you're on the highway.
 
silkenphoenixx said:
Most of the smaller city cars don't fare very well in crash tests. If you want to survive an accident, the best things are your bigger sedan cars, like a 3-series, A4 or C-class. They're expensive and thirsty though.

On the other hand, something in the Fiesta/Corsa/Polo segment is a good compromise, they tend to have better crash safety than something in the Brio/Picanto/i10 segment.

I personally always recommend a Jazz, they're amazing city cars, small on the outside, big on the inside, enough safety features to do well. Auto gearboxes are very smooth. The down side is that they do have a lot of wind / road noise when you're on the highway.
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Yeah I thought Honda Jazz would suit her plus those magic seats, to load things like wheel chair if she ever need it.
 
Ramodiana said:
Yeah I thought Honda Jazz would suit her plus those magic seats, to load things like wheel chair if she ever need it.
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I wouldn't have gone so far :rolleyes:

but the magic seats are handy - transporting pot plants? check. Bicycles? check. Anything awkwardly sized? Check. Yes, this includes wheelchairs I guess...

The car isn't low either, so it's easy to get in and out of, you don't have to climb or squat, and the doors open wide so you have easy access.
 
Not offended, but the rental car from my insurance policy is a 2017 Kia Picanto, definitely too slow on highway. Old or not, you need some woema to survive in this country!!
 
I test drive various jazz models. I am very short with lower back problems and somehow just cannot fit comfortably in that seat! one salesman suggested that i use a pillow (cost of car R160000). I sit very comfortable in my rented Kia Picanto, and sat like a dream in the Merc. The Ford Fiesta is also very comfortable, but everyone seems to be anti-Ford (except my ancestors).
 
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