R30K run-around - old Opels?

[nic777]

Hi,

We are looking to get a 2nd car as a run-around for wife who just does local trips around town. We have a Bantam bakkie as our current 2nd car but with 2nd daughter born, there is need for a 4 door car so selling the Bantam.

We need to keep it a cash sale so looking at price range of 30-32K.

Best cars so far that I have found is Opel Astras and Opel Kadettes, between '96 and 2000. How are these old Opels? We looking for reliable and easy to maintain cars. Any other models/makes we should look into?

Thanks,
Nick

 

[Neoprod]

Honda Ballades from that era are pretty solid cars...my father in law is running around in my 97" 150i.

 

[dj_jyno]

Honda Ballades from that era are pretty solid cars...my father in law is running around in my 97" 150i.

Agreed.

 

[chickenbeef]

Tazz, Corolla.

 

[HeftyCrab]

Hyundai Atos (if you can get one that cheap). Brilliant run arounds.

 

[ahoudet]

We've just bought our third Renault Megane 1 and will probably take delivery today. First one was bought in 2007 and sold in 2014 to someone we know and is now at 340k km. Our second one is at 227k km. Neither of them gave trouble and were cheap to maintain...

Main reason for going for the Renault over other options is due to the safety features it offers compared to other cars in the price range - 6 airbags and ABS.

Parts aren't a problem and if it's looked after (serviced regularly), it will last long.

 

[Rouxenator]

Something Japanese or Korean. You do not want an Opel of R30k.

 

[spiderz]

Classic mini
Might battle finding a good one in that price range, they are becoming quite sought after.

 

[Drifter]

Something Japanese or Korean. You do not want an Opel of R30k.

This ^^^

 

[Rouxenator]

Classic mini
Might battle finding a good one in that price range, they are becoming quite sought after.

This will be one of the worst choices you can make.

 

[Tman*]

Try get a 1991 Monza. Epic cars!

 

[Nemus]

Honda Ballades from that era are pretty solid cars...my father in law is running around in my 97" 150i.

Agree with this! At that price, you can get a decent 150i (1996 - 1998) with around 150k - 200k kms and they will easily run up to 350k - 450k kms with regular services.

 

[cerebus]

Ugh Opel... no. Here's my choices for that price range:

- Camry
- 1995 Corolla
- Ballade
- Atos
- Passat
- Clio
- Tazz
- Polo

This will be one of the worst choices you can make.

Not if you're buying from the heart

 

[GlassMirror]

Try get a 1991 Monza. Epic cars!

It was after all the COTY 1991, get a GSi.

 

[Shiraz]

It was after all the COTY 1991, get a GSi.

Bwahahaha

Totally forgot about that. Has been a while

 

[Garson007]

If you buy a car from the previous century you deserve to be shot - together with all the other people driving them at 50km/h irrespective of the road / stops / traffic lights / etc.

 

[skeptic_SA]

This will be one of the worst choices you can make.

Tsek...!

 

[Hendrix]

The 1991 COTY GSI is way out of his price range...

 

[Hemi300c]

Those old Opels are very good but the main and common issue is the aircons were crap and if not already they will pack up.

 

[genetic]

Those old Opels are very good but the main and common issue is the aircons were crap and if not already they will pack up.

Legend has it that there was this one Opel that was able to drive from Cape Town to Joburg... and back, with the aircon on!