Student car for 40-50k??

ahoudet

ahoudet

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I've got a cousin looking at getting a car for her daughter studying in Cape Town (getting it in JHB is a strong option - rust free and better choice with better pricing). Budget is approximately 40-50k. The car has to have airbags and ABS. I am suggesting they avoid VWs as its a hijackers favourite car...
We've looked at the Renault Clio and Megane as they are very save and great value for money. And in terms of reliability, my household has a 2000 Megane with 270k km, an 01 Scenic with 250k km, an 07 Megane with 150k km and a 10 Koleos with 60k km and none of them have ever given any issues whatsoever - they have been more reliable than the 04+ Audis, BMWs and Mercs we have had and some of which we still have...
Any suggestions?
 
Have you maybe considered a 2006 - 2007 model Ford Fiesta? I myself will be looking at them in the near future along with the 2007-ish Opel Corsa's and Yaris' but I am a bit reserved about the Yaris as I have heard it to be a bit pap on the open road. Although scarce you can find some of these models with sub-100K mileage and in good nick for maybe a bit more than your current price range.

Keen to hear other comments :)
 
I bought myself a 2007 Renault Clio 3 1.4 with 70 000km for R60 000 last year. It's safe, has air-con, electric windows, power steering etc.

For me it was the best bet, although people tend to be scared for French cars (with reason).

However, the cars in the R60 000 region I looked at, was the Opel Corsa Sport (2006) and the Ford Fiesta (2006). The Toyota and Volkswagen route is too expensive if you want to go secondhand on a budget. Seems to be quite inline with the above post.
 
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ahoudet said:
I've got a cousin looking at getting a car for her daughter studying in Cape Town (getting it in JHB is a strong option - rust free and better choice with better pricing). Budget is approximately 40-50k. The car has to have airbags and ABS. I am suggesting they avoid VWs as its a hijackers favourite car...
We've looked at the Renault Clio and Megane as they are very save and great value for money. And in terms of reliability, my household has a 2000 Megane with 270k km, an 01 Scenic with 250k km, an 07 Megane with 150k km and a 10 Koleos with 60k km and none of them have ever given any issues whatsoever - they have been more reliable than the 04+ Audis, BMWs and Mercs we have had and some of which we still have...
Any suggestions?
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This is Cape Town not gangster's paradise, nothing wrong with a VW.

I wouldn't buy an old Renault, only time I would chance one is if it's brand new with a 5-year motorplan and warranty.

But this is a comment in futility as it seems by your post you've already convinced yourself exactly which one you mean to recommend based on your own limited experience, so I'm not even sure why you bothered asking.

Toyota Yaris is a very good bet for a city car and "pap" doesn't apply to a girl driving it.

Opel Corsa's have always been a bit heavy on juice.
 
SauRoNZA said:
This is Cape Town not gangster's paradise, nothing wrong with a VW.

I wouldn't buy an old Renault, only time I would chance one is if it's brand new with a 5-year motorplan and warranty.

But this is a comment in futility as it seems by your post you've already convinced yourself exactly which one you mean to recommend based on your own limited experience, so I'm not even sure why you bothered asking.

Toyota Yaris is a very good bet for a city car and "pap" doesn't apply to a girl driving it.

Opel Corsa's have always been a bit heavy on juice.
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I'm not saying crime there is bad but it is definitely true that in terms of hijackings and theft (which occurs anywhere in the country) that a VW would be a better choice than a Renault for example for the thief ;). Just want to minimise the risk :)
I asked for further suggestions, I will recommend all suggestions to my cousin - gives them a choice as they don't know the market (live in Mauritius) :).
Will pass on the suggestions, thanks :)
 
Have a look at the Daihatsu Charade. It would be in your price range, light on petrol, cheap to service, the top end model has ABS and airbags and I'm told they don't figure high on the criminals wish list. A small car but perfect for a student.
 
InvisibleJim said:
Have a look at the Daihatsu Charade. It would be in your price range, light on petrol, cheap to service, the top end model has ABS and airbags and I'm told they don't figure high on the criminals wish list. A small car but perfect for a student.
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Might even find a Sirion not too far off the price range.
 
How is Dihatsu?? Are they reliable? I don't know anyone that's owned one so I'm not too sure about it...
 
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I've got a 2006, now on 151000km. Still in great shape, interior and body. Fuel consumption, mixed driving, 6.4l/100km, makes no diffs whether aircon is on or off.

Beware of the steering pump, it seems to be the weak point in these cars, costs about R17K to replace. Otherwise cheap to service and replace tyres. Performance is fine for town but underpowered for the open road.
 
ahoudet said:
How is Dihatsu?? Are they reliable? I don't know anyone that's owned one so I'm not too sure about it...
Click to expand...

It's the oldest car manufacturer in Japan and is basically a Toyota in everything except branding.

Very reliable and cost effective.

Having owned a Fiat I wouldn't touch one again in this country. Much like the French cars...stay away from Italians especially second hand.
 
ahoudet said:
How is Dihatsu?? Are they reliable? I don't know anyone that's owned one so I'm not too sure about it...
Click to expand...

Amazing cars with bullet proof engines - a HUGE percentage of the original 1983 models are still on the road.

Hell the 83 model would have been good enough to be considered for the 1991 CotY award! :D
 
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