Second-hand sweet spot?

[vaultedskies]

That is the conundrum, isnt it?

;P

 

[SauRoNZA]

Thanks for the good advice. I guess once you've narrowed down your options it's a good idea to take the car to a trusted mechanic to check for any issues like discs, etc.

Either that or take it to Dekra if they will let you.

R300 is a small price to pay to check a car, compared to potential pitfalls.

Unless of course you get it from one of these approved second hand deals direct from the dealership and it comes with a warranty.

 

[vaultedskies]

My 1st car was a 2nd hand 2004 Corsa Lite Sport - 165k km at the time, in June '10.
Absolutely 0 issues except the usual Corsa issues - Hunting revs :/

2nd car was a 2014 Brio with 16k km. Wanted to flog the Corsa, it was old.

3rd car - 2014 Civic 1.8 Exec - 10400km on the clock. I wanted more power, maintenance plan etc. I don't want to worry about the car for the next 5 years.

Are you happy with the Civic? It's currently close to the top of my list... I see it comes with a 5 year service plan, so did you get the maintenance plan on top of that or did the previous owner get it?

 

[SauRoNZA]

Nope, you've got it wrong.

French cars are very HIGHLY engineered.

The only reason we have a problem with French cars in SA, is because of the support network not always being what it should be.

In the good old days the Peugeot 404 and 504 were the Rep car of choice and if you go through Africa, Peugeot is still the car of choice.

It has absolutely nothing to do with under engineering.

If Peugeot /Citroen/Renault had a similar supply and support chain, to say VW or Mercedes, they would be selling like hot cakes. In Europe, they are recognised as top rate cars, and sell alongside VW, for example, without any hassles.

I agree that I wouldn't have touched one about 10 years back, but there has been a massive transformation in SA, since then - it is simply because people pig headedly refuse to actually give them a chance any more, that they don't sell well here.

I would use the term over engineered, which is half the problem.

Also you mentioned the "good old days" in which case yes it was very true. But much like that Top Gear episode about Peugeot illustrated recently, they've fallen off the wagon since then.

Citroen is highly rated in Europe that I agree with, no idea about Renault.

But you are right things have changed in the last 10 or so years locally and now I would also investigate the option.

Still the perception is a good reason NOT to buy one because you'll lose money come selling time....lots of it.

Even if the cars are bulletproof to you personally it's not a good idea overall.

 

[KingMikel]

Are you happy with the Civic? It's currently close to the top of my list... I see it comes with a 5 year service plan, so did you get the maintenance plan on top of that or did the previous owner get it?

Howzit dude, I'm super happy with it. Can't really find fault with it
I bumped the service plan up to a maintenance plan. I bought it without it having its 1st service yet

If you in Jozi, hit me up and I'll glady demo the vehicle to you.

 

[vaultedskies]

Howzit dude, I'm super happy with it. Can't really find fault with it
I bumped the service plan up to a maintenance plan. I bought it without it having its 1st service yet

If you in Jozi, hit me up and I'll glady demo the vehicle to you.

Thanks man, I really appreciate the offer. Unfortunately I'm in Cape Town though

Do you know if it's possible to upgrade to a maintenance plan say like halfway through the service plan period?

Providing it fits my budget I'm thinking of getting like a 2013 model so I'll still have 3 years left on the service plan. Hopefully I can extend the warranty by two years as well, then I'll be covered for the first three years at least.

 

[Fazda]

I would use the term over engineered, which is half the problem.

Also you mentioned the "good old days" in which case yes it was very true. But much like that Top Gear episode about Peugeot illustrated recently, they've fallen off the wagon since then.

Citroen is highly rated in Europe that I agree with, no idea about Renault.

But you are right things have changed in the last 10 or so years locally and now I would also investigate the option.

Still the perception is a good reason NOT to buy one because you'll lose money come selling time....lots of it.

Even if the cars are bulletproof to you personally it's not a good idea overall.

Yes, you are correct, I nearly put Over engineered, when I originally answered, I just get the hell in when people who don't know what they are talking about say that they have poor engineering.

As for Renault overseas, they are also highly respected, and very well engineered.

What amazes me is the people who wouldn't touch a Citroen C2, for example, but will happily buy a Toyota Aygo, even though it's the same car!!

As for resale, it's going to take many years to get it right in SA, in the mean time you can pick up a magic French car for next to nothing if you buy Used.

 

[FiestaST]

Nope, you've got it wrong.

French cars are very HIGHLY engineered.

The only reason we have a problem with French cars in SA, is because of the support network not always being what it should be.

In the good old days the Peugeot 404 and 504 were the Rep car of choice and if you go through Africa, Peugeot is still the car of choice.

It has absolutely nothing to do with under engineering.

If Peugeot /Citroen/Renault had a similar supply and support chain, to say VW or Mercedes, they would be selling like hot cakes. In Europe, they are recognised as top rate cars, and sell alongside VW, for example, without any hassles.

I agree that I wouldn't have touched one about 10 years back, but there has been a massive transformation in SA, since then - it is simply because people pig headedly refuse to actually give them a chance any more, that they don't sell well here.

+1

 

[irBosOtter]

Thanks man, I really appreciate the offer. Unfortunately I'm in Cape Town though

Do you know if it's possible to upgrade to a maintenance plan say like halfway through the service plan period?

Providing it fits my budget I'm thinking of getting like a 2013 model so I'll still have 3 years left on the service plan. Hopefully I can extend the warranty by two years as well, then I'll be covered for the first three years at least.

Usually you would be able to as long as you do it before the current plan runs out. If the current plan is 5 years/100 000km's you should be able to extend it any time before or on the last day (4 years and 364 days or on 99 999km's but just ask to make sure about that.

 

[SauRoNZA]

As for resale, it's going to take many years to get it right in SA, in the mean time you can pick up a magic French car for next to nothing if you buy Used.

Yeah if you are going second hand and plan to keep it for a while then there are great bargains to be had.

I would actually rate the Italian cars as being worse than the French from an ownership point of view.

 

[vaultedskies]

Usually you would be able to as long as you do it before the current plan runs out. If the current plan is 5 years/100 000km's you should be able to extend it any time before or on the last day (4 years and 364 days or on 99 999km's but just ask to make sure about that.

OK great, thanks!

 

[vaultedskies]

Yeah if you are going second hand and plan to keep it for a while then there are great bargains to be had.

Any specific models that spring to mind or just a general trend?

 

[KingMikel]

Any specific models that spring to mind or just a general trend?

Get the current generation car when the new generation is about to come out

 

[vaultedskies]

Get the current generation car when the new generation is about to come out

yup, that's a good idea, but I was specifically referring to the French manufacturer, following SauronZA's comments

 

[Fazda]

yup, that's a good idea, but I was specifically referring to the French manufacturer, following SauronZA's comments

Basically pick one, any one that suits your pocket. As SauronZA said, it affects Italian cars as well, except an anomaly like the Fiat 500 that does trade well.

I would hop into a Citroen C4 or bigger tomorrow, and probably get it at a bargain price.
All current Citroens and Peugeots are worth looking at - the Renault hasn't been affected as much as they have, so would hold its price better.

 

[vaultedskies]

Basically pick one, any one that suits your pocket. As SauronZA said, it affects Italian cars as well, except an anomaly like the Fiat 500 that does trade well.

I would hop into a Citroen C4 or bigger tomorrow, and probably get it at a bargain price.
All current Citroens and Peugeots are worth looking at - the Renault hasn't been affected as much as they have, so would hold its price better.

You're really making me think about it...but something inside me just says "don't do it..." lol! I guess that's conditioning for you...

My dad drove a Renault Megane years ago and had some recurring issues with it, which I guess has put me off. He's since switched to Subaru and is on his second Forester, but that's outside of my criteria/price range

 

[Rouxenator]

Don't think you will ever hit the sweet pot, you might get close, then later see something nicer.

I thought I hit the sweet spot when I bought a '07 1.8l hatchback with 60,000km on the clock for R100k - I was very happy with it until today. I saw a '06 1.8l luxury car with 140,000km done for R80k, a lot more car for a lot less money with mileage that is not too high considering the car.

 

[skeptic_SA]

Don't think you will ever hit the sweet pot, you might get close, then later see something nicer.

I thought I hit the sweet spot when I bought a '07 1.8l hatchback with 60,000km on the clock for R100k - I was very happy with it until today. I saw a '06 1.8l luxury car with 140,000km done for R80k, a lot more car for a lot less money with mileage that is not too high considering the car.

After my divorce I had to "downgrade" for financial reasons. Went from a 1 year old high spec premium brand SUV to a 2008 Corsa OPC with 65K on the clock.
I now pay a fifth of what I was paying on my SUV per month. The thrill factor is there because 160kw (upgraded motor) and 1.5 tons. Cheap to service (R1800 for its 70K service).
I don't regret my "downgrade" for a second.

A car, unless its a TRUE classic (Porsche / Ferrari etc) will NEVER be an asset and will ALWAYS remain a liability. Nothing wrong with opting for 2nd hand vs new IMHO. The cost savings are worth it. New vehicles lose 15-20% of their value the moment you drive them off the showroom floor.

 

[vaultedskies]

Don't think you will ever hit the sweet pot, you might get close, then later see something nicer.

I thought I hit the sweet spot when I bought a '07 1.8l hatchback with 60,000km on the clock for R100k - I was very happy with it until today. I saw a '06 1.8l luxury car with 140,000km done for R80k, a lot more car for a lot less money with mileage that is not too high considering the car.

but presumably maintenance costs on average would be higher for the older, fancier, higher mileage car than the newer, more basic, lower mileage car?

 

[Rouxenator]

but presumably maintenance costs on average would be higher for the older, fancier, higher mileage car than the newer, more basic, lower mileage car?

That is the logic behind it, or as PostmanPot calls it, the low mileage myth. However the sweet spot is finding a car with low enough mileage. Case in point, I don't think it will cost significantly more to run a 2006 Mercedes C180K from 140,000km to 240,000km than it would a 2007 Astra 1.8 from 60,000km to 160,000km. The difference is that in the time you do that you are driving a much nicer car, and 140,000km is low enough for the Merc, as is 60,000km on the Astra.