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Question of the Day: Which is the most hair-raising South African mountain pass you've driven?
First car buyer
- Thread starter A_GEE
- Start date
Foxhound5366
Honorary Master
Hi A_GEE, congratulations, it's a big first step 
My first car was a little Hyundai Atos for a total of R50 000 ... so yours is a prince's chariot by comparison. Mine was 8 years ago though, sooooo ... inflation.
The best tip I can give you about car prices is to just keep looking until you get a feel for what's out in the market. Go to sites like these two and do your research:
www.autotrader.co.za
www.carfind.co.za
To ensure you're comparing apples with apples, set the filters to be the same: region, mileage, exact vehicle model you're interested in, engine size etc ... then see what the price ranges are. Cars that are too cheap should always raise red flags: dealers will never sell a car for a cent less than they know other people are buying the same car for in the market, with small exceptions like if they're trying to hit targets or clear out older stock.
The big thing for me was always spec level: spec level is something the original owner will have paid a lot for, and makes all the difference when you're buying pre-owned. Make sure you know what spec levels are available, what are the optional extras, and you'll end up with a way better vehicle at the same price. Common extras (either as higher trim or optional extras): better radio, more airbags, rear towbar, sunroof, heated steering wheel.
Something else I always did was watch Youtube videos on cars back when they were just launched. Problems back then would only be worse later on with age, or the same.
Once you've finally zeroed in on the perfect car at a great price with everything you want, you have to be ready to move fast. If it's as good a deal as you think it is, the dealer's not lying when he says it'll move quickly ... other people have the same internet you do. Make sure in advance you have all your necessary documents for your finance application ready (proof of residence, banking statements, payslips etc). That means you're one step ahead of somebody who goes into the dealership unprepared: I've gone for a test-drive and filed a finance application same morning usually on cars I'm sure I love.
All of the above is general advice that will help you more than a simple yes/no answer on that exact car. It's your first car. You'll always remember it. Make sure you're confident about it, don't just trust the opinion of random strangers on the internet
My first car was a little Hyundai Atos for a total of R50 000 ... so yours is a prince's chariot by comparison. Mine was 8 years ago though, sooooo ... inflation.The best tip I can give you about car prices is to just keep looking until you get a feel for what's out in the market. Go to sites like these two and do your research:
www.autotrader.co.za
www.carfind.co.za
To ensure you're comparing apples with apples, set the filters to be the same: region, mileage, exact vehicle model you're interested in, engine size etc ... then see what the price ranges are. Cars that are too cheap should always raise red flags: dealers will never sell a car for a cent less than they know other people are buying the same car for in the market, with small exceptions like if they're trying to hit targets or clear out older stock.
The big thing for me was always spec level: spec level is something the original owner will have paid a lot for, and makes all the difference when you're buying pre-owned. Make sure you know what spec levels are available, what are the optional extras, and you'll end up with a way better vehicle at the same price. Common extras (either as higher trim or optional extras): better radio, more airbags, rear towbar, sunroof, heated steering wheel.
Something else I always did was watch Youtube videos on cars back when they were just launched. Problems back then would only be worse later on with age, or the same.
Once you've finally zeroed in on the perfect car at a great price with everything you want, you have to be ready to move fast. If it's as good a deal as you think it is, the dealer's not lying when he says it'll move quickly ... other people have the same internet you do. Make sure in advance you have all your necessary documents for your finance application ready (proof of residence, banking statements, payslips etc). That means you're one step ahead of somebody who goes into the dealership unprepared: I've gone for a test-drive and filed a finance application same morning usually on cars I'm sure I love.
All of the above is general advice that will help you more than a simple yes/no answer on that exact car. It's your first car. You'll always remember it. Make sure you're confident about it, don't just trust the opinion of random strangers on the internet
TheChamp
Honorary Master
If it a VW you want at least get the best for your money, i will never buy a 1.4 if I can get a 1.6.
Foxhound5366
Honorary Master
And here you have the slippery slope of cars ... pretty soon you're considering a 2,5 turbocharged engine, because 2,5 isn't even double 1,4 after all
Maybe the best tip about cars: realise that whatever car you buy you're probably going to own for at least four years, but you are not committing to it for your whole life. Get the car you can afford today, not the car you most want to drive today (you can get that in four years instead).
TheChamp
Honorary Master
And here you have the slippery slope of cars ... pretty soon you're considering a 2,5 turbocharged engine, because 2,5 isn't even double 1,4 after all
Maybe the best tip about cars: realise that whatever car you buy you're probably going to own for at least four years, but you are not committing to it for your whole life. Get the car you can afford today, not the car you most want to drive today (you can get that in four years instead).
I am just saying he can get a 1.6 for the same money, more power and probably better specced, it doesn't make sense to me to settle for a less, i made the same mistake and I ended up buying a 1.4 that just cannot cope with an aircon, at the same price I could have got myself a more powerful 1.6.
Foxhound5366
Honorary Master
Honestly I've had 1.6s and 1.4s and they all bloody struggled with the aircon. Then I got pissed off and got a 2.0 turbocharged engine, and finally I'm free of that hassle
The aircon thing is just part of life, especially up in Gauteng. Smile, you're driving a small car and being thrifty. It's these frustrations that will help you really enjoy a bigger engine later on.
chickenbeef
Executive Member
Pretty sure it varies per car model. I had an '05 1.4 Corolla and it didn't struggle at all going up a steep hill with the AC on.
TheChamp
Honorary Master
True, because Toyota knows how to build proper normally aspirated engines, VW can only muster 77kw on a 1.6. Besides that some car's aircon are electric, making things very much better.
Gtx Gaming
Gtx Gaming
Il rather try and get newer model with 1.2TSI motor.
Magandroid
Expert Member
Also look at taking it for AA testing or similar. The small cost is worth spending just for peace of mind than end buying an expensive lemon. Doesn't matter if the dealer tell you they do 1000 tests, it's still better to do a third party opinion. Also the test report doesn't go to the dealer, only to you which means you can use it negotiate further.
TheChamp
Honorary Master
Different strokes, if it's beyond you then you are the one without any imagination.
neilronaldson
Senior Member
i20 rather - has timing chain so no surprises every 5 years and lower risk, 2nd hand 1.6 - trust me you will thank me later
Gtx Gaming
Gtx Gaming
i20 1.6 does not use timing chain, had to cambelt on mine.
Only thing I did not like was the seats and the none electronic aircon in the car.