Looking for a new car

hellfire

hellfire

Honorary Master
Joined
Sep 25, 2007
Messages
11,630
I'm in the market for a new car.
I currently drive a Hyundai i20 1.6, and am very happy with it. I need something a bit bigger in terms of boot space though. I also want to make the transition from manual to automatic transmission.

Have to haves:
Max R300k
At least all the features my current car has (ABS, airbags, audio controls on steering wheel, keyless entry, trip computer, electric mirrors/windows, iPod/usb connectivity)
Lots of boot space (i20 has 295l, so more than this)
Automatic

Nice to haves:
Bluetooth
Alloy wheels
Cruise control
Park assist
Navigation


I prefer fuel economy to speed, but also don't want a car that struggles up hills when fully laden.
I prefer new/demo, but if there is a decent used car I would consider it (always scared of buying someone else's dud).
I would like an SUV, but this isn't a dealbreaker.

What I've considered so far:
Ford EcoSport
Ford Focus (4 door)
Honda Civic (hatch and sedan)
VW Jetta
Kia Ceratto


What I like, but new ones are out of price range:
Nissan QashQai
Nissan xtrail
Hyundai ix35
Kia Sportage
Honda CRV

Any suggestions or recommendations at other cars I should look at?
 
M

Mr Feesh

Expert Member
Joined
Oct 9, 2009
Messages
1,865
would seriously consider the peugeot 208gti. Taking delivery of mine tomorrow. Has all the extra's and drives great!
 
Chevron

Chevron

Serial breaker of phones
Joined
Oct 2, 2007
Messages
25,900
My first thought was onda Ballade, but then I saw Honda Civic was one of your options. That means you're looking at second hand.

The Civic gets my vote.
 
Noob-Noob

Noob-Noob

Executive Member
Joined
Feb 1, 2010
Messages
7,030
Do my a favor, just go test drive a Merc.
Civic will be my second vote,
As you can guess i drive a Merc, currently at the panel beaters, so driving my brothers Civic. The Civic beats every single car i have ever driven, besides the Merc.
 
V

Velenoso

Expert Member
Joined
Jul 9, 2007
Messages
2,753
How about: http://www.gumtree.co.za/a-cars/bellville/2010-jeep-grand-cherokee-hemi-overland-5-7l-+-52-000km/1001008433230910000489409

52,000km is absolutely nothing for this engine. I had one until quite recently. Bad ass car. Doesn't win any eco runs unfortunately.

Or maybe the diesel: http://www.gumtree.co.za/a-cars/boksburg/jeep-grand-cherokee-3-0-crd-laredo-r-249900-00/1001083914310910000783809

Much more frugal on the juice.

You can get a good X-Trail as well with 10,000km on the clock within your price range: http://www.gumtree.co.za/a-cars/edenvale/nissan-x+trail-2-0dci-xe-r-289990-35/1001083912170910007474009

They're not bad, had a rental 4x2 we used up to Mozambique two years ago. Quite capable.
 
hellfire

hellfire

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Joined
Sep 25, 2007
Messages
11,630
GhostSixFour said:
Have you considered a 1993 Opel Mona GSi?
Click to expand...

I knew this would be offered, just didn't expect it to be the first post :D

YingYang said:
When you say "new", you mean first owner? Or just a different pre-owned car?
Click to expand...
New to me (as per my OP, I would consider pre-owned)

Mr Feesh said:
would seriously consider the peugeot 208gti. Taking delivery of mine tomorrow. Has all the extra's and drives great!
Click to expand...
Those Frenchies have awful resale value - this is a big consideration for me as I don't plan to pay it to zero before upgrading

Lament said:
Do my a favor, just go test drive a Merc.
Civic will be my second vote,
As you can guess i drive a Merc, currently at the panel beaters, so driving my brothers Civic. The Civic beats every single car i have ever driven, besides the Merc.
Click to expand...
That's an awful idea. Two car purchases back I test drove cars that I just couldn't afford and all it did was make me regret the car that I did buy.

Velenoso said:
How about: http://www.gumtree.co.za/a-cars/bellville/2010-jeep-grand-cherokee-hemi-overland-5-7l-+-52-000km/1001008433230910000489409

52,000km is absolutely nothing for this engine. I had one until quite recently. Bad ass car. Doesn't win any eco runs unfortunately.

Or maybe the diesel: http://www.gumtree.co.za/a-cars/boksburg/jeep-grand-cherokee-3-0-crd-laredo-r-249900-00/1001083914310910000783809

Much more frugal on the juice.

You can get a good X-Trail as well with 10,000km on the clock within your price range: http://www.gumtree.co.za/a-cars/edenvale/nissan-x+trail-2-0dci-xe-r-289990-35/1001083912170910007474009

They're not bad, had a rental 4x2 we used up to Mozambique two years ago. Quite capable.
Click to expand...

Do guys really buy cars via Gumtree - I would be super nervous!
 
SauRoNZA

SauRoNZA

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Joined
Jul 6, 2010
Messages
47,910
The automatic puts a bit of a spanner in the works as not all automatics are made the same.

If you can get a Jetta in DSG then that would be a serious consideration for me as we all know it beats every other gearbox on the market.

Honda Civic is the best car overall from the list and will never give you any drama. Autobox isn't bad but it's no DSG.

Ecosport is a new contender that has drawn my attention but not having driven one I can't comment. Automatic also only available in one spec level.
 
V

Velenoso

Expert Member
Joined
Jul 9, 2007
Messages
2,753
eehellfire said:
And you've never had a lemon?
Click to expand...

Once or twice. They were classics though, so it's to be expected. On newer vehicles, you can follow the same procedure as you would buying from a stealer. Take it to the AA, take it to Nissan/Jeep/whoever and get a report.

I wouldn't buy from a dealer, they are bigger thieves than the guys on Gumtree.
 
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