Car Advice (+- R150k)

Enigma_ · May 2, 2015

Hi Guys,

I'm looking for some advice on purchasing a cheap new or second hand vehicle. I'm considering downgrading from my current vehicle, for a number of reasons, but primarily insurance premiums and cost of repairs. I don't travel far, my trips usually don't exceed 15KM's (round) and I don't need/want anything expensive that costs a fair sum to insure, fix or run.

I need something with under 80,000KM on the clock and preferably an automatic as I do a lot of stop-start traffic runs.

I've been looking at the Hyundai Grand i10. I believe are decent little cars, test drove one today and was rather impressed. It's a tad pricey at R170k for the automatic, and R150k for the manual. But then again, car prices are rather astronomical.

My budget is flexible, but I'd rather spend less on a vehicle. I'm rather shocked at depreciation figures, I'd rather put that money elsewhere.

Any suggestions on buying a cheap-ish car? Is it worth spending R200k on something like a Polo? does anyone own a Hyundai Grand i10? I'm sure it's going to be a massive difference from what I'm currently driving, but the motive is to reduce unnecessary costs where possible and cut depreciation costs where possible.

I do enjoy driving, but I have access to other vehicles for longer trips etc. This would purely be for in-town driving and city bound trips.

Thanks

adinfinitum · May 2, 2015

I bought the Hyundi i20 1.2l for around R150k. Goes surprisingly well considering and is very low on fuel.

PostmanPot · May 2, 2015

Audi A3 8P 1.4TFSI/1.8TFSI Coupe/Sportback. Late 2008 - 2012 facelift model with rear strip lights and front LED dots (if you get the xenons option). Manual/S-tronic (DSG) available.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_A3#2008_update

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...t)_–_Frontansicht,_3._März_2012,_Ratingen.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_A...ft)_–_Heckansicht,_3._März_2012,_Ratingen.jpg

Voicy · May 2, 2015

adinfinitum said:
I bought the Hyundi i20 1.2l for around R150k. Goes surprisingly well considering and is very low on fuel.

This was always my favourite rental car.

adinfinitum · May 3, 2015

I'm wary of getting 2nd hand. Unless you are a mechanic hobbyist - you're just buying someone else's problems. For a brand new car Hyundai in general are mechanically sound cars and the one I got came with a service plan. Also after they get old, most mechanics are happy to work on them and are not too costly either.

InternetSwag · May 3, 2015

On hyundais website theres an auto i10 grand for R155k with 6k kms on the clock

adinfinitum · May 3, 2015

Oh and just a late thought... When I test drove the i10 vs the i20, I didn't feel very comfortable with the roadholding around corners with the i10. I know it's a very subjective thing, but it's something I do when test driving a car. I like to drive a decent speed (not speeding) and I drive a bit faster around corners than most and lightwight flimsy cars do not like this.

Fuzzbox · May 3, 2015

Polo Vivo Blueline brand new for that Price.
No CONTEST.
Light on fuel
Good resale Value

FiestaST · May 3, 2015

Mazda 3

boxerulez · May 3, 2015

Fuzzbox said:
Polo Vivo Blueline brand new for that Price.
No CONTEST.
Light on fuel
Good resale Value

Also a Citigolf underneath and does NOT like corners.

SauRoNZA · May 3, 2015

adinfinitum said:
I'm wary of getting 2nd hand. Unless you are a mechanic hobbyist - you're just buying someone else's problems. For a brand new car Hyundai in general are mechanically sound cars and the one I got came with a service plan. Also after they get old, most mechanics are happy to work on them and are not too costly either.

Your statement is contradictory.

First you say buy new because you aren't a mechanic, then you say when they get old most mechanics are happy to work on them.

So you might as well buy it "old" and go to the happy mechanics.

A new car could also be endless trouble, you just cannot know for sure.

Second hand tends to have worked out any issues. As usual do your research and buy from a proper place and TEST DRIVE and it shouldn't matter if its new or second hand.

LinuxMan · May 3, 2015

New Figo Trend out the box.
Excellent car, nimble, light on fuel, good value for money.
No need to worry about previous owners etc.
http://www.fordcapetown.co.za/new-cars/ford-figo/

Just my 2 cents, Good luck hope you find something.

MIA7171 · May 3, 2015

There is a demo 2014 Hyundai Grand i10 1.25 Motion Automatic 2500km going for R 149 900 at Hyundai Bellville Cape Town.
Another alternative is 2013 Honda Ballade Automatic 19122 km going for R149 900 at Honda TygerValley or Helderburg. Or a 2012 Kia Rio 1.4 Auto 37000km R149 995 at Cape Town MultiFranchise.
Or 2012 Hyundai Accent 1.6 Auto 32000km at CT CityCentre.

Honda Jazz and Hyundai i20, Mazda3, Kia Cerato are other alternatives but most good deals seems to be in Gauteng Region.

adinfinitum · May 3, 2015

@SauRoNZA How am I being contradictory? When your new car gets old you know what problems you have with it and are informed to make better decisions. Buying someone else's old car you don't know what hidden problems there are even from 'reputable' dealers.

SauRoNZA · May 3, 2015

adinfinitum said:
@SauRoNZA How am I being contradictory? When your new car gets old you know what problems you have with it and are informed to make better decisions. Buying someone else's old car you don't know what hidden problems there are even from 'reputable' dealers.

Contradictory in that you advocate keeping a car long enough for it to get old.

Might as well just start there and save yourself truckloads of money.

New cars also have issues.

adinfinitum · May 3, 2015

I don't know how old you are or how many cars you've owned but I've been through this spiel a few times. When buying a new car you normally pay it off after a few years. For most of those years you're mostly covered by a service plan. Once out of service plan you take it for regular maintenance to your fave mechanic. There is a sweet spot where you finally pay off your car and you are only paying for minor maintenance - awesome!

Around the 200000km mark is where the problems and maintenance get expensive - this is obviously a suck thumb based on experience and circumstance. This is when you start weighing up the cost of keeping the old car going and the investment into a new car. And then the cycle begins again.

Alternatively you opt for the 2-3 year plan where you always replace your car with a new car - but this is expensive - i.e shorter period to pay your car payments, and you are always paying a premium.

Your choice - but most of us don't have that luxury.

SauRoNZA · May 3, 2015

He didn't want to buy a 200 000km car though but almost new one at 70000km or so.

But I buy cars with 100000km on the clock without a worry.

Still beats the premium of buying new, maintenance included.

Bikes I buy new for different reasons.

Arthur Morgan · May 3, 2015

I just picked up a Golf 6 1.4 TSi for about 10k more than your budget, with under 90,000km on the clock for around that price. Very nifty little car with loads of torque and 7 airbags. Maybe have a look in the VAG direction? An auto will cost you a bit more though.

FlashSA · May 3, 2015

OP - what car are you coming from - this info would help to suggest a suitable replacement which won't feel like a downgrade

Charly · May 3, 2015

Build yourself a Lotus 7

. I'm doing this as my first car for university and back

Car Advice (+- R150k)

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