Which one would you buy?

Captain Beer

Captain Beer

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I'm helping a friend with a budget of R30k choose a decent second hand car.
So far she likes a 1994 Citi Golf 1.3. I have found a 1994 Honda Ballade 150i, exactly the same price with a similar mileage. Neither of us are being objective about this. Which one is the better buy?
 
I'm afraid I can't be objective either. I would go for the Honda. I've driven a few and really enjoyed them. I don't know the Golf, but I hear they get borrowed quite a lot.
 
'94 Honda/Golf - both a bit dodge. They are both 16 years old. Ouch! If I really had to choose I'd go with the Honda but have the engine checked out - thoroughly.. We had one - an automatic - that I loved, but the engine had to be replaced 3 times. When it overheats - even slightly - it bends the valves and then need a pricey rebore. Citi Golf is a good car as well but KT is right ... now you see it - now you don't.

Can she not put her R 30 000 down on a cheap entry level Fait Palio or a Diahatsu or the like, paying off the balance over 48 months at R 1000.00 / month or less.?
 
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Here's a bunch of cars around Cape Town that's going for R30k...

I'd stay away from a citi golf though.

Even this Astra is going for R32k and it has an Air Con.
 
Opel is awesome if you look after them. In your price range I don't think you will find anything nice though so try to avoid any VAGs and you should get something drivable.
 
on the topic of honda vs golf.

I would rather take the golf.

1.If for examplethe fan belt snaps, there's a safety mech that helps prevent bent vavles.
2. General service for the golf is cheaper.
3. parts (original & generic) are cheaper & more freely avaiable.

Being on a limited budget means that there wont be tons of spare cash to service/repair the vehicle.
 
Yes, Citi spares are plentiful because Citi's are the easiest to steal and sell to a chop shop.
They are also safe because in case of an accident they just split in two and the driver is free.
 
ChilliGirl said:
1.If for examplethe fan belt snaps, there's a safety mech that helps prevent bent vavles.
Click to expand...

A broken fan belt won't bend valves on any car. A broken cambelt might, but not a fan belt.

Anyway, on the Golf it's not a "safety mech"; it's the result of having an old-technology, low compression engine.

I'd take the Honda any day. It's a couple of generations more modern than the Golf, and more reliable (proven in surveys).
 
Claymore said:
A broken fan belt won't bend valves on any car. A broken cambelt might, but not a fan belt.

Anyway, on the Golf it's not a "safety mech"; it's the result of having an old-technology, low compression engine.

I'd take the Honda any day. It's a couple of generations more modern than the Golf, and more reliable (proven in surveys).
Click to expand...

Yes I made a typo, my apologies.

Have also spoken to the mechanic that serviced my car, last. He says definately less chance of bending valves on the Golf than the Honda.


Personally: the honda's are normally a bit more costly new. Why would the Honda be the same price as the Golf. I would wonder of the condition of the engine... Obviously the condition of the body & the interior would also need to be looked at, this is more visible than the engine & can be seen by the buyer.

Another thing I would do is ask the sellers about: has the car been in an accident.
Also take engine & chassis numbers & confirm with the police that the vehicles are not stolen.
 
ChilliGirl said:
Have also spoken to the mechanic that serviced my car, last. He says definately less chance of bending valves on the Golf than the Honda.
Click to expand...

Absolutely. That's because the Golf has a low-tech, low-compression engine. The Honda is simply more advanced.
 
Thanks guys. All the Hondas we've seen have been in great condition, the citi seems to have a problem with rust. The Honda also has power steering, aircon and central locking.
I had a citi golf, wasn't a bad car, but it leaked, had a horrible gearbox, heavy clutch and it was stolen :(
 
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