Downgrading to a very cheap car

Why such high mileage on the almera? Lower mileage ones available. I like that car as well. Not very fashionable but gets the job done.
 
marco79 said:
I took the plunge, sold the Fortuner. Bought a 2006 Nissan Almera 1.8 Elegance for R50k with 238 000km on the clock. Car drives good, was well looked after and serviced regularly. Because I bought the car voetstoets, I decided to buy an aftermarket 2 year warrentee for R9k for a piece of mind.

The car started overheating on my way home. I took it to a radiator specialist and replaced the whole cooling system. This is a new radiator, thermostat, water pump and radiator cap. This cost me R1800 but the warrentee is going to refund me.

As soon as I get my refund from the warrentee, I'm having the aircon fixed. It probably just needs a regas.

Insurance is R700 cheaper a month than the Fortuner, plus having no installment on a R450k vehicle. So far I feel this was the correct decision to make.

I'll really see how the car performs on Tuesday as i'm taking it on a 1200km drive up the N1.
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Aircons shouldn't need regassing it's a closed system. So if it is out of gas it has a leak somewhere which can be cheap or expensive.
 
marco79 said:
I'll really see how the car performs on Tuesday as i'm taking it on a 1200km drive up the N1.
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I recommend taking out an AA subscription beforehand, and having their number saved on your phone (bearing in mind there are some stretches that have zero cellphone reception!).

You don't want to be stuck on the side of the N1 somewhere on the wrong side of Oudtshoorn, with no backup, in a car that started giving issues as soon as you drove it off the lot.
 
Foxhound5366 said:
I recommend taking out an AA subscription beforehand, and having their number saved on your phone (bearing in mind there are some stretches that have zero cellphone reception!).

You don't want to be stuck on the side of the N1 somewhere on the wrong side of Oudtshoorn, with no backup, in a car that started giving issues as soon as you drove it off the lot.
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Did Oudtshoorn move?
 
My wife will be driving behind me in her car. I do have comprehensive insurance with decent roadside assistance.

We will be spending the night in Beaufort West. Don't want to push it. Might be staying over in Bloem too.
 
Good luck Marco79. Remember to check your car's spare tyre, and that all the pieces necessary to jack it up are there ;) It's one of those things people rarely check with used cars, until they need it.

PS: It never hurts to also have a bottle or two of water, in case of over-heating.
 
I got a very clean 2004 Ford Focus for R59k with 75k on the clock. I also drive an older model Corolla that I bought with 45k on the clock for R30k. well looked after low mileage older model cars are out there if you're patient.
 
Excellent deals you got there. I can vouch for the fact that low mileage old cars are available if you are willing to wait a bit and look around. Quite often they only had one owner that used it for short trips.
 
Rouxenator said:
Excellent deals you got there. I can vouch for the fact that low mileage old cars are available if you are willing to wait a bit and look around. Quite often they only had one owner that used it for short trips.
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Yup, got myself a 2007 Hyundai Tucson with 67000 on the clock for 120k 2 years ago and it was immaculate. Ex soccer moms car who traded it in for an Audi.
 
Rouxenator said:
Excellent deals you got there. I can vouch for the fact that low mileage old cars are available if you are willing to wait a bit and look around. Quite often they only had one owner that used it for short trips.
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Agree, both mine were single owner cars.
 
Thinking about downgrading your car to save money? Here are the factors you need to consider

With the cost of living on the rise, along with high interest rates and inflation, saving money is a priority for many South African households.

If you are thinking about downgrading your large family car for a smaller one to save, there are a few key points to consider before you make a final decision.

When you downgrade your car, your goal is to find a car that fits your lifestyle, lowers your monthly budget and has great resale value, but this could also mean sacrifices in car performance and comfort.

Barend Smit, marketing director of MotorHappy, a supplier of motor management solutions, said that the first thing you need to do is to assess your needs. This mean that you need to think about your typical passengers, cargo requirements, and intended use.

“A smaller car might mean sacrificing space, so ensure it accommodates your daily necessities without compromising comfort,” Smit said.

Make sure that the smaller car that you are thinking about switching to maintains crucial safety elements to protect you and your passengers.

Consider parking and manoeuvrability in urban areas, as well as resale value and overall cost. According to Smit, downgrading should ideally offer both immediate savings and long-term value.

Fuel efficiency also has a huge role in the choice to downgrade your car. With the current advances in automotive hybrid and electric technologies, consider switching to a PHEV or EV – it may save a lot of money in fuel in the long run.

 
FiestaST said:
Thinking about downgrading your car to save money? Here are the factors you need to consider

With the cost of living on the rise, along with high interest rates and inflation, saving money is a priority for many South African households.

If you are thinking about downgrading your large family car for a smaller one to save, there are a few key points to consider before you make a final decision.

When you downgrade your car, your goal is to find a car that fits your lifestyle, lowers your monthly budget and has great resale value, but this could also mean sacrifices in car performance and comfort.

Barend Smit, marketing director of MotorHappy, a supplier of motor management solutions, said that the first thing you need to do is to assess your needs. This mean that you need to think about your typical passengers, cargo requirements, and intended use.

“A smaller car might mean sacrificing space, so ensure it accommodates your daily necessities without compromising comfort,” Smit said.

Make sure that the smaller car that you are thinking about switching to maintains crucial safety elements to protect you and your passengers.

Consider parking and manoeuvrability in urban areas, as well as resale value and overall cost. According to Smit, downgrading should ideally offer both immediate savings and long-term value.

Fuel efficiency also has a huge role in the choice to downgrade your car. With the current advances in automotive hybrid and electric technologies, consider switching to a PHEV or EV – it may save a lot of money in fuel in the long run.

Click to expand...
Bit of a necro dude! ;)
 
Lupus said:
Aircons shouldn't need regassing it's a closed system. So if it is out of gas it has a leak somewhere which can be cheap or expensive.
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In my experience, a gas top is needed as the car ages. It loses coolant over time but nothing more needs be done than a top up. Yes, I suppose that means there's a slow leak. Tyres need to be pumped too without worrying about a leak.
 
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