Buying my first car

M

MissE

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Hello there :)

I am currently in the process of buying my first car. I don't know that much about cars and the reliability of the different manufacturers. After searching around I have found a selection of both second hand and new cars to choose from.

These are:
1.) a silver polo VW 1.6 2009 with +- 9000km (second hand)
2.) a new Toyota Yaris Zen3AC
3.) a silver Renault Scenic 1.9 2006 +-76000km (second hand)
4.) a new kia picanto

Which is the best option? I am looking for a reliable car with a good manufacturer. I know next to nothing about cars so any help is welcomed :)
 
I personally wouldn't go for the Renault. Quite old (5years - relative to the other options) with high mileage really. So it'll be out of warranty and any issue with Renault can be a bit of a mission. Also, resale can be an issue, especially when its done another 2-3years average mileage.

I like all the other options tho.
 
MissE said:
<snip> I am looking for a reliable car with a good manufacturer.</snip>
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The Toyota is probably the best fit and while it'll almost never give you any trouble - it's pretty boring...
The new Hyundai's are pretty cool as well.

Also, budget?
 
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As long it's not a Renault, you can go with any on the list but I am also not sure about Kia though.
 
I am goign to sound like a broken record...but you looked at the hyundai's ?

Or the fiat 500?
 
I would say my budget is round R140 000. Will take a look at the hyundai's and the fiat 500 :)
Thank you :)
 
i heard maintenance on Renaults are high. Polos are nice and VW parts are cheap. The asian cars are now cheap, reliable etc. Maybe look at a brand new car with a maintenance plan from Kia & Hyundai.
 
an important issue with cars in the sub 150k budget is their reliability. there will be some issues around reliability, so i suggest that if you looking at a 2nd hand car, you need to get someone to examine the car very thoroughly, and also check the service history. if i remember, the AA (automobile association and not alcoholics anonymous :D) offered a service like that. i'd suggest giving them a call.

i've not heard good things about hyundai and kia... and i've driven a few of them from avis rentals, i'm now paying more so that i don't have to drive them.
 
(I'll probably get flamed for this but...) I'd say if you're looking for reliability as a top priority, try and go for a new car.
Grab a copy of Car magazine. There's a awesome table at the back listing cars sorted by price and you can compare features etc. within your price range.
Used it when I got my car and it's very helpful.
 
if your budget is R140k, why not have a look at the new models of polo 1.4, the i20, the fiesta, the corsa?
 
If you want reliability then you should look no further than the Honda Jazz. Even Car Magazine will tell you that... :)
 
Just got this in an email. Not sure whether it's a good deal but a lot cheaper than your R140k budget.

From: Germaine Baker
Sent: 11/02/2011 08:45:08
Subject: Fwd: valentines day special at autopedigree

Hi , we have started a special on the 2010 kia picanto base/cd
player model.
it runs from today the 11th up until monday the 14th at 18:00h.
normal price R93900
special price R74995

All colours available especially Red and White

kilometers range from 15000km - 30000km

forward to everyone you know


regards


Germaine
021 797 4338
074 185 2816
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Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 (57 kW) Active 5 Door Facelift - R 142 700.00

Hyundai i10 1.2 GLS - R 114 400.00

Peugeot 207 1.4 Urban - R159 355.00

I think the point is going new will always save you trouble in the future. Warranty and so forth. Get a car trade it in every 3 years - new model and so and so....

Any car for the price of R140 000 will do then. Doesn't matter if it breaks now and again and so forth since its under warranty.

Largest concern is the resale value of the vehicle for the when warranty is up.
 
From the list the Polo is probably the best option (can't believe I'm saying that).
The Renault I would give a wide berth, servicing and repairs makes it not worth the effort.
Picanto...a bit tinny and basic for my liking, but in the end it's down to personal choice.
The Yaris will be over priced and not worth the money you pay.

For your first ride I suggest getting out there and take a few different brands for a test drive and see what suits your needs. Reliability is (in my opinion) a bit relative these days, and few newish cars are really unreliable. Buying second hand is always a gamble, you just never know what you are buying, how the previous owner cared for the vehicle or how it will do in the future.

The "Euro" brand cars (Renault, Citroen, Peugeot) all tend to have high maintenance costs and potential lengthy waiting periods for spare parts.
The "old reliables" (built in SA, i.e. VW, Mazda, Ford, Opel, etc) are probably the safer options, but not guaranteed.
The "Asian" brands (Kia, Huynday, etc.) are quickly catching up with the "old reliables" and even (in my opinion) starting to overtake them in reliability and quality at better pricing, well worth a look.

So no easy answers, go out and drive a few, ask about service cost and intervals, and then choose the one you like most.
 
MFour said:
So no easy answers, go out and drive a few, ask about service cost and intervals, and then choose the one you like most.
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Yeah, like a guy once told me when I was buying a bike....
"If you take it for a test ride, and can't give it a name afterwards...its not for you."

So test drive them and see which one you enjoy the most! Take that one.
 
markface said:
Yeah, like a guy once told me when I was buying a bike....
"If you take it for a test ride, and can't give it a name afterwards...its not for you."

So test drive them and see which one you enjoy the most! Take that one.
Click to expand...

haha I like that one, very true :D
 
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