If you’re in the market for a new vehicle these days, you’re facing a brutal double-whammy: the price of new vehicles and the price of fuel are both through the roof, and seemingly only increasing.
And that means the market for pre-owned is growing.
Requirement: You have a growing family, you’re on a strict budget (with a maximum of R190 000 to spend), and you need a car that’s comfortable and dynamic on the road and has the space to accommodate all family members. Here are five examples we came up with after looking around Gumtree (click the vehicle name to see the posting in question):
2011 Volvo V60 D5 Elite Geartronic
With the V60, you’re sure to get both style and safety from a country that knows wagons better than anyone else. This comes with a five-cylinder turbodiesel engine driving all four wheels, meaning it’s probably the most capable wagon on this list with its 440 N.m of torque.
2009 Audi A4 Avant 2,0 TFSI Ambiente Multitronic
Audi used to place a lot of focus on its Avant segment, from performance to versatility. This A4 Avant is a conservative approach to the wagon, but it is equipped with the trusty 2,0 TFSI engine. This example is missing the famed quattro drivetrain, but the 3,0 diesel variants have this as standard.
2009 Honda Accord 2,2 i-DETC Executive 5-door
As the only Japanese representative on this list, the Accord wagon is probably the most underrated. It’s spacious, looks good and has a dynamic 2,2-litre 132 kW naturally aspirated petrol engine that’ll do its job to get you going. Not to mention, it’s packed with features such as heated seats, a multi-function steering wheel, a sunroof, and satellite navigation.
2011 Mercedes-Benz C180 CGI Estate Avantgarde Auto
If refinement is what you’re looking for in a wagon, then this is a good bet. The C180 CGI is also light on the pocket when it comes to fuel consumption but it may be a little low on power with its 116 kW 1,8-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine.
This is perfect if you’re looking for a performance-inspired wagon. It’s no M3, but with 160 kW on tap the 325i Touring is the most powerful car on this list. It’ll do a fine job of dropping the kids off at school and putting a smile on your face through the winding roads back.
