Time for a car.

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Hey guys,

Long story short, I am looking at getting a car for about R130k. I am looking at the 2nd hand market, since I need to get some kind of family car. I do about 120kms per day, from PTA to JHB, so I need something reliable as well and light-ish on fuel.

I have 3 cars in mind. note that the Links are just examples and once I have received more feedback, I will focus on better deals.

Ford Focus 1.6
Opel Astra 1.6
Golf 5 1.5

I know for about the same price, I can get the Kia RIO 1.2, but I currently have a Ford Ka 1.3 and am looking for something with a bit more oomf. :)
 
SharkBait said:
Hey guys,

Long story short, I am looking at getting a car for about R130k. I am looking at the 2nd hand market, since I need to get some kind of family car. I do about 120kms per day, from PTA to JHB, so I need something reliable as well and light-ish on fuel.

I have 3 cars in mind. note that the Links are just examples and once I have received more feedback, I will focus on better deals.

Ford Focus 1.6
Opel Astra 1.6
Golf 5 1.5

I know for about the same price, I can get the Kia RIO 1.2, but I currently have a Ford Ka 1.3 and am looking for something with a bit more oomf. :)
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Rather get a second hand Civic or Ballade. You should be able to get something with low mileage in your price range.
 
Mazda 3, in my opinion same great handling as the Focus with a better put together interior & some Jap thrown in.
I would actually see if I can squeeze out a 2nd hand Mazda 6 for that money, class above
 
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Just a note, I've got a Corsa and you might think that it will be a cheap car to run, but not really. This was my first Opel, and I dont think I'll buy another. Also, the car didnt want to pull, took it to my regular mech and he told me that the diesel fuel filter was not changed for at least the pass 2 services. For those 2 services I had it at Germiston GM and the other in Pretoria GM.
Dont expect good service from any GM stealers as well.
 
I test drove the Mazda3 and thought the placement of the handbrake was horrid. Be sure you're OK with that before you buy.

I still say take the Civic :)
 
Qwikslver said:
I test drove the Mazda3 and thought the placement of the handbrake was horrid. Be sure you're OK with that before you buy.
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Haha yes! its a little weird at first but you get used to it, its much better in other models the 2 and 6 for example.
The handbrake on the Focus is also weirdly placed so you can't use the cupholders properly(unless you drive with the handbrake up!), I think they tried to relieve that problem in the Mazda 3 and now it feels "different" at first
 
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SharkBait said:
I thought the peddles' placement was awkward. :confused: :)
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The clutch, brake & accelerator? Imho I think they have the best feel of any make, much like the spirit of the mx-5 making the driver feel like part of the car. A real drivers car feel in the placing and weight.
 
I got the Civic hatch, power is nice (was a 40% improvement over my last car), handling is good, interior is great (VXi version), boot is deceivingly large (well, the whole interior is actually larger than what you think), and there is lots of room inside if you fold up the rear sets (which literally takes 3 seconds)
The not so good, its a hard-ish ride, and it doesnt have the best sound insulation. None of those are bad... just, not so good :p
And then you're looking at around 7.5l/100km
 
Toyota Auris / Honda Civic / Mazda 3

Those are the only 3 cars you should touch for long term. Resale on the Toyota and Honda will not drop much more or quickly as they have already devalued, and you are getting a top of the range diesel Auris (93kw) or petrol (100kw) or Civic (100kw+). Both return excellent fuel economy and are cheap on maintenance, big inside and great build quality.
 
Don't like toyota at all. Will see if I can go test drive a civic this weekend though. :p What should I look for when looking for a VXi model, since I don't trust sales people and the Civic's don't have badging at the back. :)

Edit: Man, I start looking at the autotrader and found this :drool:
 
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Easiest way to tell a VXi from the others would be the leather seats. Other differences should be (going on memory here) cruise control, heated seats (front), bigger wheels... Thats all I can think of right now. A Type R you'll definately notice, even if you miss the badges :p

I got a black one too :D Farkin sexy beast
 
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Archer said:
Easiest way to tell a VXi from the others would be the leather seats. Other differences should be (going on memory here) cruise control, heated seats (front), bigger wheels... Thats all I can think of right now. A Type R you'll definately notice, even if you miss the badges :p

I got a black one too :D Farkin sexy beast
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Yeah and the mags are similar to the Type R mags. EXI has the 5 spoke ones, uglier ones. Also have a Red one, never looked back since I got it
 
SharkBait said:
Don't like toyota at all. Will see if I can go test drive a civic this weekend though. :p What should I look for when looking for a VXi model, since I don't trust sales people and the Civic's don't have badging at the back. :)

Edit: Man, I start looking at the autotrader and found this :drool:
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That is a very good price for this R. Km not a problem at all. My fuel consumption is currently standing at 11.5lt/100km. But that is all bumper to bumper traffic. On the open road I get around 7.2ltr/100km. Not bad for a "performance car". The only down side is the maintenance, but depends on what needs replacement. I replaced my flywheel, clutch, battery and wiring harness recently and it cost R14 500. Luckily the maintenance plan covered the expenses, but quite hefty if you have to pay for it yourself. A normal service without brakes should set you back around R2300, so nothing too serious there. Think brakes are around R1300 for front pads and R950 for rear...

That being said, I think you should buy it. Gives you the biggest smile ever!!
 
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