Student car needed

C

Cool Cold

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Hi

Seeing as I am starting uni in a couple weeks (3 actually), I need a car to get around. This will be my first car, so I dont really have much clue as where to start.

I am looking at spending R65000 max. So what ever I can for under that should be fine. It must be reliable, light on fuel, and cheap to maintain.

So I went looking around today with my Dad and what does seem to fall into that category is mostly VW Citi golfs. Now I know there are a lot of citi haters around here, but compared to the few others we saw in this category it was quite good. We could find 2007 and 2008 citi golf 1.4i models with 30000-60000kms on them for +-R60k. We also saw a brand new 0.8 litre cherry somethings in that range, but ja... not a cherry fan. Cause I will also be driving long distance now and then. From Stellenbosch, to home in CT. I know they are not the safest, but the my moms car (which I usually drive) is also a 93 camry with no ABS or airbags so I am used to it.

What advice can you guys throw my way? Remember, R65k max. And not too much millage, cause the golfs have about 40 -60 thousand kms.
 
You have a low budget, is it possible to save up for a while to be able to buy something a bit better that a Citi Golf (Replace C with Sh). Their safety is really not good, but if you don't care about safety they will be great.
 
It would be possible, but not in such a short period of time. I need it within two or three weeks, so that is pretty much not an option. I have driven a friends citi golf before, and they are not that bad. Nothing compared to certain other cars that I have taken for a drive, but not at all bad compared to toyota corrolas and chev sparks.

Safety does worry me a little, but right now, its not my major concern. Like I said, I have been driving a car without ABS or airbags for the last 2 years anyway.
 
I drive a Polo, and every time it's in at Barons, they give me a Citi courtesy car.

I've honestly never felt more unsafe on the road, than in a Citi. So if safety is a consideration, you're barking up the wrong forest.

Small wheels, small body, no safety features to speak of... not a good combo.
 
Hyundai Atos. owned one and did about 470k on about 32l
Very light on fuel and cheap to service
Some dealer are selling them for R69900.
GIve it a shot
Got aircon and power steering
Electric windows in front.
Central locking.What more do you want.
Citi golf very high insurance premiums.That would be last on my list
 
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Fuzzbox said:
Hyundai Atos. owned one and did about 470k on about 32l
Very light on fuel and cheap to service
Some dealer are selling them for R69900.
GIve it a shot
Got aircon and power steering
Electric windows in front.
Central locking.What more do you want.
Citi golf very high insurance premiums.That would be last on my list
Click to expand...

A car thats not made for a midget?

J
 
Yeah theft is the biggest reason I wouldn't buy a citi. Safety would be the other biggest reason. 65k budget is not too bad. Quite a few options out there.
 
try find a polo 1.4 (the one with the 4 round lights in the front, one like this one in the picture:
AETV75111170_1b.jpg


the 1.4 has awesome fuel economy (it better my mates fiesta 1.4), it's safe(main reason my dad bought me the car, it crashes well...), it's actually a nice car to drive (the steering is light, yet still responsive), it's a much better car to pick up chicks in (girls like the polos???).

However, leg room in the back isn't great(but I guess that might be me as I'm 6.4, so I'd be bias... and so would the guy behind me), it might be tough finding one for R65000 (but you could probably get one for R70000), they aren't the fastest cars once in like 3rd.

However, they seem to be reliable given you don't thrash it, mines done about 160 000kms, and we bought it while it was on 150 000kms, so far only needed a clutch replacement and new brake pads. Another thing i've noticed with the polo is that it feels a lot more solid then the Fiestas (2005/2006 models), and there's little things that make driving more enjoyable.
 
scotty777 said:
try find a polo...
Click to expand...

Exactly all the reasons that I bought one. Well, those and the fact that it has the lightest clutch on the planet.

WRT crashing well, a friend of mine with a Polo 1.4 Trendline had to swerve onto an embankment in order to avoid a hazard in the road. The car ramped up the embankment, flipped.. landing upside down in the road. His account of the feeling: "I was sitting just as comfortably in my seat as usual while driving, only now I was hanging upside down. Not a scratch."

Anyway, I landed up buying the 2.0 Highline - so fuel economy is nothing more than a foreign theory that I hope to investigate someday, but the rest is bliss :)

Seriously Cool Cold, if you can, you'll love it...
 
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I'd hazard the only purchase worse than a Citi you could make, is a Chery! :sick:

60odd thousand will buy a nice car... If you're looking for something newish, a Polo 1.4i could work well. I'd probably look for an E36/E46 Beemer - lot of car for the money, but finding a nice one could be a bit of a mission...
 
So you guys think I should rather look at polos with 100-150 thousand kilometres on them rather than newish citi's with 40000? Are they still reliable with that kind of milage on? And would it be best to just do it through a second hand dealer rather than a private deal?

chrissy said:
65000 bucks! (shakes head) kidz today.
Click to expand...
First walk a day in my shoes before you come make your remarks. I wasnt just given 65K. I wish, but it is not so.
 
Don't be so sensitive, be cool, lol. I'm in a town filled with student, looking at what they drive just makes me wonder. If you saved up and what what, good on you.
 
The big concerns for cities lately were the insurance premiums. Take the insurance into consideration as well when shopping around. Being a relatively new driver would raise the premiums.

Did you look at any Corsa lites? They're also an aging design, but similar to Cities.

You didn't say if you're a guy or girl... Guys tend towards slightly older but better specced cars while the ladies seem to drift towards newer models.

I'd rather recommend a car with ~100 000km on it, but you can leave some money for unforseen expenses. Even if you buy a car with extremely low mileage, that mileage won't cover you against a punctured tyre, and it doesn't guarantee you'll be without mechanical issues either. Unless there's a warranty in place that's covering your arse, the mileage shouldn't concern you too much.
 
Cool Cold said:
So you guys think I should rather look at polos with 100-150 thousand kilometres on them rather than newish citi's with 40000? Are they still reliable with that kind of milage on? And would it be best to just do it through a second hand dealer rather than a private deal?


First walk a day in my shoes before you come make your remarks. I wasnt just given 65K. I wish, but it is not so.
Click to expand...

there's no way to say that the car will keep running... your car can break down with 40 000 kms on the clock or 200 000kms on the clock. depends on the driver.... but I've only heard good things about the polos, they tend to be reliable. Also, they every hardy little things! I must say the clutch is very light though (but that does make traffic driving very nice :)).

You must also remember that you are a student, don't just buy something that's cheap, and functional, make sure you don't feel like a toss picking up your girl friend in the car you choose, because if that starts happening you will definitely hate the car more and more.
 
If you want to turn up at your classes on time with out lame excuses stay away from the VAGs. Try getting something Japanese or Korean. I'm a big Opel fan but I would not really recommend a Corsa Lite either.
 
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