What is the best car one can buy for 130k and under?

[FiestaST]

How does it drive and feel?

IMO a bit better than other cars in trust price range...think i10/Brio/Picanto/Figo/Vivo etc.

Read every international & local review of the up! & you will see why it's acclaim; relatively speaking; among its peers.

It's has the traditional VW strengths of quality; good read; resale not doubt will be better than all its rivals.

The 1L N/A engine pulls well as the car is so light & dispute the tiny size front occupants have enough room; rear not so much & boot size is just slightly smaller than the much larger Vivo.

It's a quality car at a keen price.

Let's just hope next round of car price increases does not push much more.

As mentioned the only 2 cons being limited 3-door layout; this may not bother everyone; & lack of standard service plan.

The Move up! model for R140k is the best option imo; few k diff but some handy benefits over the base Take up!

 

[D3athD00r]

IMO a bit better than other cars in trust price range...think i10/Brio/Picanto/Figo/Vivo etc.

Read every international & local review of the up! & you will see why it's acclaim; relatively speaking; among its peers.

It's has the traditional VW strengths of quality; good read; resale not doubt will be better than all its rivals.

The 1L N/A engine pulls well as the car is so light & dispute the tiny size front occupants have enough room; rear not so much & boot size is just slightly smaller than the much larger Vivo.

It's a quality car at a keen price.

Let's just hope next round of car price increases does not push much more.

As mentioned the only 2 cons being limited 3-door layout; this may not bother everyone; & lack of standard service plan.

The Move up! model for R140k is the best option imo; few k diff but some handy benefits over the base Take up!

And that is why I asked you more about the UP. You do your research. I value your opinion when cars are the topic. I still love my Peugoet more than any VW. I had many VW's. Boy did I have issues....

 

[HApyM3al]

Stipulating not older than 3 years isn't necessarily going to safeguard against that. If anything, it's going to afford you an entry level, lower quality car, with less safety. If you'd like some alternative views on the matter, you might find the discussion here of interest - http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthr...l-with-turbo-or-straight-petrol-without-turbo.

I would advise looking at a 5 - 7 year old 2.0 naturally aspirated (non turbo) Golf/Jetta 5, or if not keen on VW, a 2.0 Audi A3 (8P)/A4 (B7). You'd have plenty in pocket (around R20k) for any necessary maintenance. Many others will suggest a Honda Accord. You must just be prepared to do your homework, and read up gaining as much info as possible.

More Audi discussion on the first few pages here (read past the naysayers) - http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/550775-The-Audi-Thread.

Cars that have been serviced/maintained at the dealerships will have a full service history on the system by scanning the VIN number. You can also pull all the service/maintenance info during the warranty period, regardless of where the vehicle was serviced after the maintenance plan expired. It's important to see what was claimed against warranty, and you can spot underlying mechanical/electronic issues.

I agree with this and busy doing same myself.

 

[piranha786]

Ford have a special on the ikon R129000. Although its a bit dated, you get alot for your money

 

[Rickster]

Get a French car, it will never get stolen.

 

[jun_tao]

Get a French car, it will never get stolen.

True that!! When I had my Peugout these guys tried to hijack me in my driveway, took one look at my car and literally shook their heads and drove away.

 

[FiestaST]

Just buy a 2005/2006 Golf 5 GTI & be done with it...yes it does not meet your criteria & yes it will have high km's & yes it will be out of plan & therefore maintenance won't be cheap & yes it will be a "high risk" car & yes insurance will be high *but* it will be a fun car

 

[PostmanPot]

Just buy a 2005/2006 Golf 5 GTI & be done with it...yes it does not meet your criteria & yes it will have high km's & yes it will be out of plan & therefore maintenance won't be cheap & yes it will be a "high risk" car & yes insurance will be high *but* it will be a fun car

Or get a 2007 Audi A4 B7 2.0T, R20k cheaper, newer, similar engine (transverse vs longitudinal), same performance (147kW), better inside, same servicing costs, and it has a boot.

 

[pjjdp]

Or get a 2007 Audi A4 B7 2.0T, R20k cheaper, newer, similar engine (transverse vs longitudinal), same performance (147kW), better inside, same servicing costs, and it has a boot.

That's probably what I will get if I have to buy second hand again. I love the B7's.

 

[HApyM3al]

That's probably what I will get if I have to buy second hand again. I love the B7's.

But the amount of km on clock on them is too damn high. Or am I missing something on B7's? how is the 1.8T? as well how much does services cost roughly?

 

[Badprop_za]

With regards to 3yrs, my brother bought a problematic brand new C-class Merc. Had fights with dealerships as they deemed that the maintenance plan or warranty did not cover the costs to fix the car.
Newer car do not always guarantee less problems.

 

[HApyM3al]

With regards to 3yrs, my brother bought a problematic brand new C-class Merc. Had fights with dealerships as they deemed that the maintenance plan or warranty did not cover the costs to fix the car.
Newer car do not always guarantee less problems.

Busy with same issue. log complaint with Ombusman

 

[Badprop_za]

Busy with same issue. log complaint with Ombusman

This was about 8 or 9 years ago.

I must also add that my brother was referred to another dealerships by one of his collegues. He took the car there and they fixed all the issues under the plan. Unfortunately it is a 400km drive for him.

This just left a bad tasted in his mouth and he sold it soon afterwards. He was a big fan of mercs, but will never buy ot again.

When you buy a car with a maintenance plan, ypu are told that you only pay for tyres and fuel. Rest is covered by plan. Yes, they say t's and c's apply, but this is surely false matketing as well?

 

[HApyM3al]

This was about 8 or 9 years ago.

I must also add that my brother was referred to another dealerships by one of his collegues. He took the car there and they fixed all the issues under the plan. Unfortunately it is a 400km drive for him.

This just left a bad tasted in his mouth and he sold it soon afterwards. He was a big fan of mercs, but will never buy ot again.

When you buy a car with a maintenance plan, ypu are told that you only pay for tyres and fuel. Rest is covered by plan. Yes, they say t's and c's apply, but this is surely false matketing as well?

should of fought it I would say. Warranty on car should sort it out. But if bought that way it is dealerships issue.

As well remember the car is a bank assest and bank will normally help out with these kind of situations.

 

[PostmanPot]

But the amount of km on clock on them is too damn high. Or am I missing something on B7's? how is the 1.8T? as well how much does services cost roughly?

You've just got to keep those Gumtree and Autotrader tabs open 24/7...

 

[PostmanPot]

But the amount of km on clock on them is too damn high. Or am I missing something on B7's? how is the 1.8T? as well how much does services cost roughly?

Are you looking for a manual or automatic (multitronic)?

Basic service is between R1,000 - R2,000 from a mechanic/specialist, R3,000 - R4,000 from Audi. Plenty specialists in Cape Town, better to take your car there.

As mentioned, servicing is on par with Polos/Golfs/Jettas.

 

[pjjdp]

But the amount of km on clock on them is too damn high. Or am I missing something on B7's? how is the 1.8T? as well how much does services cost roughly?

My wife had the 2006 1.8T. A bit "sluggish" for spirited driving. Nothing stage 1 software can't fix. I did that for free(I knew a tuner)

As the car was well over 90k km and the warranty has expired, I serviced it myself. Normal services are less than R1k. This includes oil, oil filter, air filter.
Spark plugs are long life so only every 2nd or 3rd service. Pollen filter clean or replace if you are in a dusty area. Otherwise replace every 30k.

Most of these things are relatively cheap. No need to stretch it to 60k.

Cambelt and tensioner can be expensive through the stealers. DIY, less than R2k. Lots of mechanics will do it around the 3-4k mark.

As with VW, some of these cars have a bit of an issue with coilpacks(maybe every 180k). Depends on where you buy, they are about R300 - R1800 each. BMW coilpacks are R800 or so second hand.
I needed to replace 1. Costed me R350 at Diesel electric(Bosch distributor)

Only other "common" issues: the PCV valve needs replacement at around 180k and there is a waterpipe running over the engine that rusts through. PCV valve was R270. Waterpipe leak was just welded.
I replaced the clutch at around 230k for less than R1800.

I had no other issues.
So for the small amount you pay, you get a very comfortable car with a HUGE boot. Mine had climate control, leather seats with warming, cruise control and towbar as standard equipment.

Good luck in finding a nice good one.

 

[PostmanPot]

Other parts that often need replacing around 100,000km are the front control arms.

My wife had the 2006 1.8T. A bit "sluggish" for spirited driving. Nothing stage 1 software can't fix. I did that for free(I knew a tuner)

As the car was well over 90k km and the warranty has expired, I serviced it myself. Normal services are less than R1k. This includes oil, oil filter, air filter.
Spark plugs are long life so only every 2nd or 3rd service. Pollen filter clean or replace if you are in a dusty area. Otherwise replace every 30k.

Most of these things are relatively cheap. No need to stretch it to 60k.

Cambelt and tensioner can be expensive through the stealers. DIY, less than R2k. Lots of mechanics will do it around the 3-4k mark.

As with VW, some of these cars have a bit of an issue with coilpacks(maybe every 180k). Depends on where you buy, they are about R300 - R1800 each. BMW coilpacks are R800 or so second hand.
I needed to replace 1. Costed me R350 at Diesel electric(Bosch distributor)

Only other "common" issues: the PCV valve needs replacement at around 180k and there is a waterpipe running over the engine that rusts through. PCV valve was R270. Waterpipe leak was just welded.
I replaced the clutch at around 230k for less than R1800.

I had no other issues.
So for the small amount you pay, you get a very comfortable car with a HUGE boot. Mine had climate control, leather seats with warming, cruise control and towbar as standard equipment.

Good luck in finding a nice good one.

That's insane cam and clutch pricing...

Was it for the entire cam (belt and chain)? I suspect just the belt.

Seeing as I don't know enough to maintain myself like you did, I'll try buying the OEM parts and only using the mechanic for labour.

Any suggestions for some of these cheap mechanics?

 

[HApyM3al]

My wife had the 2006 1.8T. A bit "sluggish" for spirited driving. Nothing stage 1 software can't fix. I did that for free(I knew a tuner)

As the car was well over 90k km and the warranty has expired, I serviced it myself. Normal services are less than R1k. This includes oil, oil filter, air filter.
Spark plugs are long life so only every 2nd or 3rd service. Pollen filter clean or replace if you are in a dusty area. Otherwise replace every 30k.

Most of these things are relatively cheap. No need to stretch it to 60k.

Cambelt and tensioner can be expensive through the stealers. DIY, less than R2k. Lots of mechanics will do it around the 3-4k mark.

As with VW, some of these cars have a bit of an issue with coilpacks(maybe every 180k). Depends on where you buy, they are about R300 - R1800 each. BMW coilpacks are R800 or so second hand.
I needed to replace 1. Costed me R350 at Diesel electric(Bosch distributor)

Only other "common" issues: the PCV valve needs replacement at around 180k and there is a waterpipe running over the engine that rusts through. PCV valve was R270. Waterpipe leak was just welded.
I replaced the clutch at around 230k for less than R1800.

I had no other issues.
So for the small amount you pay, you get a very comfortable car with a HUGE boot. Mine had climate control, leather seats with warming, cruise control and towbar as standard equipment.

Good luck in finding a nice good one.

Thanks for the great info!

I have 05 320i e90 auto but having issues so took back to dealer and busy with ombusman to get deal cancelled.

Last couple months things been going better so im look for something different. I am looking between Audi and BMW. I need car for work and something safer to drive. Boot is a must with fold up ladder. was looking at A3 or 4 1.8T auto for myself or BMW 120i or 320i (320 disappoints me though). recommendations between these are welcome and pros and cons. I know bmws have coil and limp mode issues. I dont know the audis that well but from what you have told me seems to be pretty solid car. Friend has a B5 A4 1.8T and everytime spoke to him, his like dont even go A4 1.8T. Soooo dont know haha.

I am basically just waiting for ombusman to get stuff sorted then ill start process over with searching.

 

[pjjdp]

Other parts that often need replacing around 100,000km are the front control arms.



That's insane cam and clutch pricing...

Was it for the entire cam (belt and chain)? I suspect just the belt.

Seeing as I don't know enough to maintain myself like you did, I'll try buying the OEM parts and only using the mechanic for labour.

Any suggestions for some of these cheap mechanics?

Hi,

My post def says Cambelt and tensioner. You can buy those from Alert. Please keep in mind that this was done 3 years ago. So pricing would have increased by now.