Is this right forum for this question?
Looking for a car to meet some picky criteria and I thought it might be interesting to get some ideas.
Automatic (because I am old and lazy)
Comfortable over pot holes ie not low profile tyres
Raised ride height for easy access eg Merc C class is too low but B class is ok
Under R200,000
Easy to replace a single tyre ie not four wheel drive
Better than 6L per 100km on the highway ie probably a diesel
Spare wheel (space saver is ok)
Can fit a chair or small table in ie hatch or wagon
Easy to park ie less than 4.6 metres long
Relatively hassle free ie not a Land Rover
Age not important but under 150,000 kilometres
The less gadgets the better eg sunroof, TPMS, satnav, electric seats
Not too dull and slow
The only car that I think ticks all the boxes (except slow and dull!) is a Renault Duster.
Maybe a Volvo V40CC D3 with 16 inch wheels?
Maybe a Golf and I spend extra on big tyres and a 30mm lift?
Additional problem is I am in PE and automatics and wagons seem unpopular here.
Tks
I was going to suggest the B Class but then it needs to be 2016 and newer. If you're in Cape Town, you service it at MBG Auto (they specialize only in Mercedes). We pay about R2200 a service. Those Mercedes also has runflats, so no need to worry about that.
I would skip a Diesel.
Then option B is a Toyota Yaris XS 2018 model or there about. They are bit more tincan, but it does have a better infotainment system that you can connect your phone too, has maps etc. Its more raised off the ground than others, and its a hatchback.
Option C is a Honda Jazz. (ideally the 1.5 VTEC - Automatic)
Why? Those Magic Seats are really impressive. You can fit pretty much everything in it and can fold the rear seats up so you can walk thru the back of the car. Strange but true.
They dont come with Satnav, but normally some has MP3 Audio or Aux. Sound is pretty decent.
They are very cheap to maintain. We used to buy the Honda service parts from Honda ie oil etc for R1000 and then get a mechanic to do the service for us, really just the oil and filter changes. Most have iridium sparkplugs, more expensive. As for wiper blades, get the Bosch Aerotwins for them (2nd best Wiper blades on the market)
Honda Jazz, this is a bit older but the newer basically similar. It keeps its value well, you wont loose money owning it really. Strange but true.
This is the Series B Class you may like. Although the review is manual, auto is great. The Mercedes build quality is much better, and its more comfy. Yet this will have the higher parts maintenance costs compared to the others.
This is the Toyota Yaris XS (although the review is the sport), its not much different, just leather seats.