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: Your daughter has just passed her driving test, but refuses to live with a manual car – not least because of the traffic on her way to and from varsity. Since you have a maximum of R150 000 to spend, you turn your attention to the second-hand market, keen on buying a (slightly) used example.
As always, when considering a used vehicle, it’s well worth investigating the cost of maintenance of that particular model before signing on the dotted line.
Here are five examples we found after having a poke around Gumtree (click the vehicle name to see the posting in question):
While three of the other four vehicles on this list are considered A-segment city cars, the Polo Vivo – essentially a prolonged lifecycle model based on the previous generation Polo – offers quite a bit more space. This six-speed self-shifter is powered by a 63 kW 1,4-litre petrol engine, and features a pair of airbags.
It may not be the most sophisticated automatic transmission around – featuring just four forward gears – but in terms of city driving, the Hyundai i10 (which shares its platform with the Kia Picanto) gets the job done. Picking up a 2016 example like this one means there’s the benefit of the balance of a five-year warranty. Take note, however, that just one airbag is included. Also consider an automatic version of the Grand i10 if you need a touch more space (and have a touch more cash).
The little Brio’s 1,2-litre four-cylinder engine sends 65 kW to the front wheels via a five-speed automatic transmission. Acceleration isn’t exactly brisk (it takes around 15 seconds to hit three figures from standstill), but the gearbox makes heavy traffic far more bearable. Two airbags come standard, but the boot is absolutely tiny.
If you (or, rather, your daughter) are keen on purchasing a self-shifting Picanto, you have two engine choices. There’s the range-topping 1,2-litre mill (worth 65 kW) or the 1,0-litre three-pot (worth 51 kW). The former comes with an impressive standard kit list, while the latter is more sparsely equipped. Each, however, features two airbags and a four-speed auto ‘box.
Like the Polo Vivo at the start of this list, the Swift offers a little more space. And like the Vivo (and Brio), it can be had in either hatchback or sedan configuration. Under the bonnet of this Indian-built model lurks a 1,2-litre four-cylinder engine making 63 kW, and linked to a four-speed automatic transmission. Again, a pair of airbags comes standard.
