What vehicle to buy?

[RossJ]

My specs that I am looking for are as follows:

Up to R200 000 all included (cash buyer)
Isofix for car seat
Less than 7.5l per 100km
Not a 4x4
Can tow a trailer GVM 750 (unbreaked)
Keen on compact SUV shape, but this is not absolutely necessary

Vehicles I have considered:
- Nissan Qashqai 1.5 Diesel (2011-2014) with between 100 000km and 140 000km on the clock
- Suzuki Brezza (out of my price range)
- Renault Duster Diesel

What other vehicles should I consider? I would really rather buy from a private seller than from a dealer if possible.

I am based in the Western Cape.

Thank you in advance for your advice!

 

[Pax]

You may be surprised that there are even Merc B Class models for that price. The diesel model gives around 5.3 l/100km. Wife has one, so I can validate.

Else, the Duster Diesel would be my choice. Very roomy and fuel consumption in real world is 5.7 l/100km. I bought one a year ago and very happy.

I am fairly certain the Duster and Qasgqai use the same diesel engine.

Fot towing, the Merc has a lot more power......and no, they are not expensive to maintain. In fact the services are a little cheaper than that of the Duster.

 

[RossJ]

Thanks for the advice, I would love to get the Merc Diesel.

What mileage/year do you recommend I look for or avoid?

Manual or automatic (if I don’t mind either)?

 

[Pax]

Thanks for the advice, I would love to get the Merc Diesel.

What mileage/year do you recommend I look for or avoid?

Manual or automatic (if I don’t mind either)?

Mileage is to me not as important as a full service record. Models as late as your budget will allow, with the B200Cdi engine as preference and mileage certainly as low as your budget will allow, yet 200k km on them is still low. Manual maybe more reliable coming to 500k km, but the dual clutch auto they have is a peach, and I have never heard of one failing. I suppose replacing clutch plates maybe more expensive than on a manual though. My wife's car was bought new in 2016, B200Cdi Auto, and sits on 167k km now. Never a glitch and still spotless as the day we fetched it from the dealer. They just use superior materials, and I am pedantic when it comes to services/maintenance. Never skip a beat.

 

[RossJ]

Awesome. I will look at some this week.

Do you have any advice regarding what to look for when viewing/test driving the vehicle (specific to this model)?

 

[Pax]

Awesome. I will look at some this week.

Do you have any advice regarding what to look for when viewing/test driving the vehicle (specific to this model)?

I suppose inspect vehicle's tyres for even wear( which indicates the previous owner cared for the car to level of wheel alignment). Engine should not be noisy and have an even clutter as diesels do. It must start immediately from cold, if not, it may need new glow plugs or something else is wrong. Auto box must change very smoothly, in fact there should be no jerking whatsoever even under full throttle. Look for smoke when accelerating hard. A little brief puff of diesel smoke is normal, but no blue smoke-that is oil burning and a no-no. Check full service history. Later models did not have service books but records can be had from any Merc dealership with the VIN no. I'd ensure the dealer guarantee the vehicle was not in any accident. Lastly brakes should take evenly and listen out for any turbo noise. There should be no whining noises. Further I'd check all auto systems fitted work as intended. Later models has auto handbrake. Ensure it engages and disengages as intended. Check on board computer and cruise functions. That's about it. The ride should be smooth and effortless. It is marketed as a 'sports tourer', and should be that. A comfortable refined long distance tourer with sufficient power on demand. Wow, long winded

 

[RonSwanson]

De diesel Duster. Definitely.