Datsun Go! Thoughts

AntennaMan

AntennaMan

Expert Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2014
Messages
2,663
Reaction score
1,454
Hi guys

So yesterday I stopped at Nissan Randburg to book my car for a service and as an afterthought I wandered onto the sales floor to have a look at the new Datsun.

On first seeing it, I immediately thought "Figo". It isn't that it is an exact copy, but the general shape and outline is similar. First thing I looked at is the engine. Nice compact looking thing. It is the same engine used in the petrol Micra.
I do thing that the lack of a turbo will mean that performance in Johannesburg/Pretoria will take a significant knock. This should not be a problem when living at the coast.

The interior of the car is ugly. There is no getting around that. The placement of the gear lever and handbrake will probably take getting some used to. You do however get a bench seat in the front.

There is no radio, but there is a phone dock with usb and aux in ports. The car also features electric windows and air-conditioning. All of this are miles ahead of what my first car (Fiat Uno Fire) could offer.

Opening and closing the door feels quite solid. Iv'e known more expensive cars that felt flimsier than this.

I think a lot of people will give this car grief because of the lack of safety features and the under-powered engine. It should however be kept in mind that this is a sub-R90k car and is aimed squarely at users who cannot afford anything else. This car is perfect for student and low-income families. It will suffer when over-loaded or when trying to overtake on the highway, but it will work extremely well for city driving.
 
Good: Micra platform, cheap
Bad: No ABS or airbags
Ugly: ???
 
Ant man pics or GTFO!

note this is a $3000 car. 90 000 Rand?
I looked at the dealership webpage and no details on price 2 days ago, is there any exact price yet?

EDIT: Cant open links at work.
 
Last edited:
Copied from the other Datsun thread :

Prices announced today :

1.2 Mid - R89 500
1.2 Lux - R99 500

"TWO GRADES
As far as features go, the base 'Mid' model keeps things rather basic with air conditioning and a driving computer with consumption readouts being the only noteworthy luxuries.
For an extra ten grand the 'Lux' adds electric power steering, manual central locking and electric windows, while in place of a conventional radio it has a mobile docking station that allows you to sync your smartphone with the car and use its button controls and door-mounted speakers for your music and navigation."
Click to expand...

and my comment from that thread remains, they're R10k too expensive.
 
I still think this is fair value for money. There are a lot of other cars in the same class, with less features and it costs more.

My 1.5 dCi Micra has not given me any headaches at all, so if this car has the same reliability then we have a serious contender when looking for an entry-level car.
 
Not too bad a little car. I actually like the concept of a in-car audio system that runs off your smartphone. Been looking for one like that for mine.
But the handbrake location throws me a bit, as well as the bench seat setup. It reminds me a lot of a bakkie.
The overall feel of the car is that they planned to build a all electric city roundabout, but ended up having to fit a internal combustion engine in it.
 
Last edited:
a cheap Datsun bakkie.. now THAT will sell like hotcakes if its in the R100k price range.
 
Should be around R60k for those features.
 
Here is a detailed review from an Indian motoring website:

The Datsun Go has been launched in India at a price of between Rs. 3.12 - 3.69 lakhs (ex-Delhi).

What you'll like:

• Clean, inoffensive styling that will please all & offend none
• The Go is a size bigger than its direct competitors. Evident on the inside & outside
• 1.2L engine results in the segment best power & torque-to-weight ratios
• Urban ride quality is superior to most other entry level hatchbacks
• Light driving controls & small turning radius make it well suited as a city car
• Large 265 liter boot is very accommodating
• Features such as follow me home headlamps, full MID & speed-sensitive wipers

What you won't:

• Cost cutting is obvious, especially with the interiors
• Too noisy. Overall NVH levels are rather poor
• Datsun is an unknown brand & Nissan's after-sales service is substandard
• No ABS or Airbags offered on any variant
• Awful 155 mm Strada brand Tyres
• The Micra Active costs 3.5 lakhs. Too close, especially from an EMI perspective
• Missing essentials (glovebox lid, retractable rear seatbelts, ORVM adjustment stalk, day/night IRVM, proper head-unit)


http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/official-new-car-reviews/149093-datsun-go-official-review.html
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X