Chana double-cab bakkie

T

The_Unbeliever

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http://www.chana-sa.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15&Itemid=56

doublecab_1.jpg


Wife and I am interested in one of these wee things - especially the fact that you can get 15kms on 1l of fuel.

Double-cab especially, kids can sit in the back, and wife's groceries and stuff can be thrown into the back :D

Of course I'll put a canopy up to prevent people helping themselves to our groceries at traffic lights :p

On the official website they say the 1300 model goes for R95500 (aircon included). :eek:

Don't want a big fuel-guzzling bakkie tho...

What do you guys think?

Anybody driving these kind of bakkies? How are they regarding driver/passenger comfort, engine power, handling during general driving, interior noise at highway speeds, fuel consumption, etc?

Regards

Libs
 
They fine for in cities. They dont realy do highway speeds and the engine seems very weak at the coast I can only imagine dismal performance at altitude. One guy was raving about the thing so I took one out for a test drive. It does not maintain speed up rises on a highway and I couldnt get comfortable in it.

My advise it take it out for a test drive with the family (so there is some load in it) and see how it does going up hill.
 
I highly doubt a 1300 petrol engine in a double cab is going to get 15km per 1l of petrol, I just don't see that happening, apart from that 1300 is already weak in terms of performance in most CARS never mind double cab so yeah apart from that seems fine.
 
If only they can release the same, but with a 1600 engine...

ah well...

don't want something which you have to cuss at whilst plodding uphill whilst world+dog zooms past you.
 
Backseat's too small for a good ole lovin session as well :D
 
My dad has the 1.0l single cab Chana. It's damn uncomfortable, and has had a number of reliability issues (it's on 6500km right now). It's also not a car I'd like to be in an accident in.
 
Driving home tonight I ended up behind one of these things...

First thing I noticed was how aenemic the diff on that thing looked. First popshift you do with it and you might end up with pieces of crown gear stuck in your ass
 
Chana - hell no dude, look around some more, you gonna have issues with that thing.

Have you looked at second hand vehicles?
 
supersunbird said:
Maybe the Toyota Avanza is a better choice considering your needs. And it starts at R109 000

http://www.toyota.co.za/models/viewrange.aspx?id=avanza

avanza_VehicleRange_Navigation_InfoPage.jpg
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Was looking at it as well - and I like it. Not too large, just right. 4 persons, wife, myself and the two kids will fit in nicely. Added to that the SU's groceries stowed in the back, and it do look attractive.

Pity it doesn't have an 1.8, but will see if I can arrange for a test drive with the 1.5.

BlueCollar said:
My dad has the 1.0l single cab Chana. It's damn uncomfortable, and has had a number of reliability issues (it's on 6500km right now). It's also not a car I'd like to be in an accident in.
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Thanks for the feedback. Website tells a different story, but I'll prefer to take real world experience more seriously than the manufacturer's website.

Want something reliable, not something that might go "oh sch!tt" one day and breaks down for good...

Was also considering the accident factor.

GreaseMonkey said:
Driving home tonight I ended up behind one of these things...

First thing I noticed was how aenemic the diff on that thing looked. First popshift you do with it and you might end up with pieces of crown gear stuck in your ass
Click to expand...

Then it's off... don't want that thing then.

Brawler said:
+1

Id rather buy a 1.6i bantam with canopy and one of those couch things on the back.
Click to expand...

We got two kids, a normal bakkie won't work out for us. Besides, I'd like to have my kids in safety seats, so if an accident happen, then I know they'll be safe. Besides, the Avanza beats the Bantam bakkie by miles :)

We also will look at 2nd-hand vehicles as well as you will lose a lot of money with a brand-new vehicle. (It's nice to dream and browse the new vehicles besides :D)
 
I would take the Livina over an Avanza. Chanas don't have ISOFIX fittings, so your safety seats would have to be strapped in with the seat belt.

You can get a Honda Jazz with under 20k on it for less the R100k. Or a Suzuki Swift for about R107k out the box.

Don't buy that Chinese crap ;)
 
Toilet_Duck said:
You can get a Honda Jazz with under 20k on it for less the R100k. Or a Suzuki Swift for about R107k out the box.

Don't buy that Chinese crap ;)
Click to expand...

so true..! the hondas are really good cars, and some of them look good too.. dont buy a chana. you'll regret it someday. ;)
 
@ook

The 1.5 Avanza is suprisingly nippy I drove a friends one a few times and was impressed by the little motor.

They went from Cape Town to George and Knysna on holiday, 2 adults and 2 kids. There was enough space for lugage and all the pressies they brought back. The 2 kids are teenage girls so you can imagine the amount of bags in that car. No complaints about comfort and drivability either.
 
Gunny said:
@ook

The 1.5 Avanza is suprisingly nippy I drove a friends one a few times and was impressed by the little motor.

They went from Cape Town to George and Knysna on holiday, 2 adults and 2 kids. There was enough space for lugage and all the pressies they brought back. The 2 kids are teenage girls so you can imagine the amount of bags in that car. No complaints about comfort and drivability either.
Click to expand...

:D

Good to hear that.

Was a bit doubtful regarding the size of the car and the small 1.5 engine, but if it's nippy even when fully loaded, then it's a good sign :)

*sigh*

now to make a plan to get the money... :D
 
catweasel said:
Sort out your kids medical aid first dude.

And seriously, considering you are financially strapped, dont rule out used vehicles mate.
Click to expand...

:)

Was just dreaming a bit - nothing wrong with thinking and dreaming of your next car is there? :)

But yes, as you said children first.

I'd rather buy 2nd hand than brand new, you do get some excellent 2nd hand deals if you're careful and know what to look out for.
 
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