Know how much you can spend on a car but haven’t made up your mind about which one to buy? Each month we recommend some options – have a look at our suggestions on student transport under R100 000. 
Looking for your next new or used Opel? Find it here with CARmag.
Have you noticed a new trend of large-scale storage units popping up in and around town – each one at capacity within a few weeks of opening? One assumes that these are customers scaling down in terms of living arrangements yet who are not willing to off-load excess furniture or goods in the process. Indeed, friends of mine are now living in a small flat that is less of a commute to their respective offices and have their surplus items in storage. Their plan is that once retirement age is reached, they will once again purchase a house before collecting their precious possessions.
Regarding scaling down and that dreaded weekly commute and office or campus, with the cost of fuel at record high, the cost of filling a tank only for this commodity to be used while sitting in seemingly ended daily congestion is one that many people are having to reconsider. As with homes, many South Africans are finding ways to scale down on the costs associated with running a vehicle.
Related: February Fuel Price Increase – Coastal and Inland Prices
The respective powertrains featured in this trio of compact hatches incorporate designs from the early 2000s, prior to the trend of downsizing traditional four-cylinder units to three- or even two-cylinder items. Despite the distinct characteristics of these new downsized motors, including the off-beat thrum of a “triple,” many motorists still prefer the altogether more refined workings of a four-cylinder. From the earlier, altogether thirstier days of four-cylinder motors that relied on carburettors, to compact, modern units that incorporate fuel injection, the average fuel consumption associated with these powertrains has lowered from more than 9.0 L/100 km to, in some cases, less than 6.0 L/100 km.
Student Transport Option 1 – Suzuki Alto
- 0 to 100 km/h: 14.91s
- Top speed: 157 km/h
- Power: 50 kW
- Torque: 90 N.m
- Fuel consumption index: 6.36 L/100 km
CAR tested the Alto in 2009. At that time, while the local Suzuki range was growing nicely, its smallest offering was still the Swift hatch. The launch of the Alto coincided with the arrival on the market of other intriguing compact hatchback offerings such as the Hyundai Atos, Kia Picanto, Ford Ka and the Fiat Panda. Diminutive in terms of its dimensions, the Alto that arrived here was already the seventh generation of this vehicle. Soon to follow the characterful Alto in our market were the likes of the Splash, Celerio and more recently the S-Presso.
If you need to keep it small and cheap but still prefer a touch of sportiness, the higher-specced GLX derivative includes a distinct-looking rev counter pod on the facia. It also includes standard ABS-assisted braking and an audio system. A cheaper model GL went without ABS, the audio system or a rev counter yet retained dual front airbags. Given the choice, w would favour ABS braking over airbags.
More significant than outright performance in this segment, the Alto’s powertrain delivered a fuel average – real-world – fuel consumption of just 6.36 L/100 km, superior at the time to many of the diesel-powered options available in our market. Now, examples are hovering around R60 000 for 150 000 km on the clock. Find one here with CARmag.
Student Transport Option 2 – Hyundai Atos GLS Prime
- 0 to 100 km/h: 15.42s
- Top speed: 150 km/h
- Power: 45 kW
- Torque: 87 N.m
- Fuel consumption index: 7.26 L/100 km
Hyundai’s familiar Epsilon range of engines features capacities of less than 1.1-litres, has four cylinders, a single overhead cam and three valves per cylinder. They are usually paired with a five-speed manual gearbox, though a useful option for the traffic jam blues is a conventional automatic transmission. Made by Jatco, this self-shifting unit has four forward ratios with an overdrive function for times when you need to manage shifts.
Instrumentation in the first Atos package is very basic, doing without a rev counter or trip computer. The car also lacked airbags and ABS braking.
The diminutive Atos surprises with a reasonable luggage capacity of 166 litres. This is double that of the Suzuki Alto and larger than the Kia Picanto. The rear seats can be folded in a 50:50 split with the second-row cushions also featuring a tumble function. This results in a flat floor for ease of loading. There is enough space under the boot board for a full-size steel spare wheel.
A cambelt change is due every 90 000 km, while access to the air-conditioner compressor is generally poor due to the presence of the power steering pump directly above it. These can be found around the same price point and mileage as the Alto. Find one here with CARmag.
Student Transport Option 3 – Kia Picanto
- 0 to 100 km/h: 14.46 s
- Top speed: 159 km/h
- Power: 49 kW
- Torque: 99 N.m
- Fuel consumption index: 6.86 L/100 km
The Picanto is Kia’s equivalent to the Hyundai Atos. The base model was our Top 12 Best Buys Budget Car winner for 2005 and 2006. In the latter awards issue our budget cap for this category was just R80 000, with many of these characterful cars having retrained their value since.
The flagship model is one to look out for as it includes remote central locking, air-con, electric front windows and fog lamps, front and rear. An audio system was optional at the time. Colour-coded bumpers are also supplied on the EX though this is not always a boon as the base car’s black plastic items tend to hide small dents and parking lot scratches more effectively. While the driver’s seat doesn’t offer height adjustment, the car’s 60:40-split rear backrest can be reclined. The boot is larger than in the Alto though not by much. Like its Hyundai twin, the Epsilon powertrain is suitably refined while incorporating three valves per cylinder and SOHC. The Picanto should be capable of travelling just over 500 km on its 35-litre tank of fuel. A facelift was introduced in 2011 that saw some big changes to the frontal styling but expect to pay closer to R80 000 for a model with around 150 000 km on the clock.
